Waterford Planning Commission reports rise in development; vape moratorium extension and chicken licensing next steps

The joint meeting of the Waterford Township Board of Trustees, Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals on April 7 opened with a presentation of the Planning Commission's 2024 annual report and discussion of next steps on a moratorium for vape and smoke shops and on rules for backyard chickens.

The Planning Commission presentation, delivered by Scott (last name not specified), Community Development Grant Coordinator for the township, said the commission held 12 regular meetings and three special meetings during 2024 and reported a 91% attendance rate across those 15 meetings. Scott summarized review activity for the year, saying the commission processed 48 planning commission cases and 38 unique ZBA cases, issued 4,192 individual notices to property owners and occupants for applications, conducted 66 development reviews (including 37 site plans and 29 change-of-use reviews), and completed 36 special-approval reviews. He also said variances numbered 38 last year (32 approved, 4 denied, 1 postponed, 1 accepted the planning commission's original review). Scott said a new master plan was adopted in July 2024 with focus areas that include commercial corridors (Highland Road and Dixie Highway), waterfront and recreation areas, and a Drayton Plains subarea targeted for concentrated commercial and mixed-use development.

Why this matters: the township reported a measurable uptick in both commercial and residential reinvestment, which planning staff and trustees said indicates…