Canton Township Board reviews updates to master plan focusing on public transit and neighborhood nodes

The Canton Township Board of Trustees convened on April 8, 2025, at 6:36 PM for a regular meeting, which began with the Pledge of Allegiance. Due to technical difficulties, the session was not streamed online. Clerk Michael Seegrest conducted the roll call, confirming the presence of several trustees while noting the absence of two.

The primary agenda item was a discussion on the master plan update, led by Erin, who provided a summary of the Planning Commission's recent activities. The master plan had been open for public comment for 63 days, receiving over 50 comments and being downloaded approximately 1,700 times. Key themes from the feedback included concerns about residential areas, public transit, and neighborhood nodes.

Erin outlined the Planning Commission's recommendations, which included no changes to residential areas but a focus on enhancing public transit connections. The plan aims to streamline the classification of neighborhood nodes and improve pedestrian safety and infrastructure. Specific examples from other communities, such as Novi and Royal Oak, were presented to illustrate successful mixed-use developments.

The board discussed the importance of infrastructure improvements, particularly regarding traffic studies and pedestrian crossings, as part of any future developments in identified nodes. Erin emphasized that while the master plan encourages mixed-use developments, it does not preclude residential projects that comply with existing zoning laws.

The meeting concluded with a timeline for the next steps in the master plan adoption process, including a public hearing scheduled for May and a final review by the Township Board in June. The board also touched on the upcoming transit millage vote in 2026, highlighting efforts to improve regional public transit connections.

Overall, the meeting focused on refining the master plan to better serve the community's needs while addressing public concerns about development and infrastructure.