Master Plan Update
Garfield Township is currently in the process of reviewing and updating the Township Master Plan to help guide land use, zoning, and other policies. The planning process articulates a vision of residents' desires for what the Township will look like in the future as well as goals, objectives, and actions to achieve that vision.
The Michigan Zoning Enabling Act (MZEA) requires zoning to be based on a plan, so if a community wishes to adopt a zoning ordinance, it must also prepare and adopt a master plan to serve as the basis for the various zoning districts in the jurisdiction. Thus, communities must also follow the Michigan Planning Enabling Act (MPEA) for engaging in land use planning and preparing a master plan.
Please check this page often for information about the project including data, community engagement opportunities, and more!
Update April 2024: Final Draft of Master Plan available for review
The Planning Commission and Township Board held a joint meeting on Wednesday, March 27 to review a final draft of the Master Plan. The Township Board approved the distribution of the draft Master Plan and to begin the 63-day review period as required by State law (Michigan Planning Enabling Act).
The final draft of the Master Plan can be found at the following link:
You are welcome to provide your feedback on the draft Master Plan. Please direct any comments via email to the Planning Department, who will forward any comments to the Planning Commission, or you are welcome to attend a Planning Commission meeting and provide your feedback during public comment. The Planning Commission will also hold a public hearing in June, as required per the Michigan Planning Enabling Act, following the 63-day review period.
Community Engagement
Pop-Up Event – The Township hosted a pop-up event on Saturday July 15, 2023 at Silver Lake Recreation Area to gather community input for the Master Plan. The event consisted of a “visual preference survey” with picture boards showing various images of development concepts, and attendees were encouraged to express their preferences to each image.
Pop-Up Event - Visual Preference Survey Images
Community Survey Results – Garfield Township recently conducted a random-sample survey as part of the public engagement process of updating the Master Plan. Please see the following summary report of the survey, and look for additional public engagement opportunities for the Master Plan in 2023.
2022 Charter Township of Garfield Community Survey - Summary Report