Planning Department

Community Survey Results - Garfield Township recently conducted a random-sample survey as part of the public engagement process of updating the Master Plan.  The Master Plan helps guide how the Township should evolve and develop in the coming years.  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

Welcome to the Garfield Township Planning Department web page. Within this page are answers to frequently asked questions, links to the Master Plan and Zoning Ordinance, the Township fee schedule, and forms and permit applications you may find useful.

The Planning Department is the liaison between the public and the Planning Commission in requests for zoning ordinance text amendments, rezoning, Master Land Use Plan amendments, special land use permits, and PUD/subdivision approvals. We also serve as Staff to the Joint Planning Commission and Township Board.

The Planning Department is responsible for writing the Master Plan, writing the Zoning Ordinance, creating other documents such as a Parks and Recreation Plan and Green Infrastructure Plan, and for creating all Township maps. Planning Staff sits on the Technical Committee of the Traverse Transportation Coordinating Initiative, formerly known as TC-TALUS, a cooperative effort between a number of local government agencies to study transportation and land use in the Grand Traverse Region and the driving force behind the Grand Vision project.

Variance requests, sign permits, land divisions, land use permits, and site plan review of "by right" uses are not processed by the Planning Department - those requests should be directed to the Zoning Department.

Please feel free to stop in and say hi. We're always happy to discuss your concerns and help you with your questions.