Grosse Ile planning commissioners approve master-plan review method, alter Macomb Street guidance

The Grosse Ile Township Planning Commission on a regularly scheduled meeting approved a process for finalizing the township master plan and passed changes to a number of action items, including a modified recommendation to “explore methods for discouraging new construction of single-family housing along Macomb Street in favor of mixed-use commercial and multi-family development.”

The commission voted to review the master-plan action items by objective blocks rather than individual line items, with a three-minute speaking limit per commissioner; officers were directed to produce a redline version of the master-plan text aligning the document with the approved action items and return it for further review before a public hearing.

Why it matters: The master plan guides future zoning and development. Commissioners said the revision process is intended to make the document usable by the township and to give the planning commission a clear recommendation set to present to the Township Board. Several commissioners voiced concern about deleting consultant recommendations and removing options that the public had previously been asked to “consider.”

Commission decisions and key votes - The commission approved a methodology to review action items in grouped objectives and to limit individual commissioner remarks to three minutes. (Motion carried.) - The commission approved multiple objectives and action-item changes across the document; several votes were roll calls. Notable outcomes include: - Objective Q4 (resilient, quality public services and utilities): approved (voice vote). - Objective E4 (human-scale environment of Macomb Street): approved (voice vote). - Objective E3 (maintain healthy mix of uses along Macomb Street): commissioners debated a proposed deletion of language limiting single-family construction. A first motion to remove the limiting language failed 4–4; the commission then approved amended language to “explore methods for discouraging new construction of single-family housing along Macomb Street in favor of mixed-use commercial and multi-family development,” which passed 5–3. - Objective E2 (reduce regulatory impediments to desired economic development on Macomb Street): approved 6–2. - Objective E1 (support new and future businesses to create a thriving local economy): approved (voice vote). - Objective H6 (stewardship of natural features): approved 6–2. - Objective H3 (promote and streamline desired residential development): approved 7–1. - Objective H2 (attract new residents and families): approved (voice vote). - Objective H1 (maintain housing choices): approved 6–2.

What commissioners said Bridal, a commissioner who led the motion on Macomb Street wording, argued for language that would let the commission “explore methods for discouraging new construction of single-family housing along Macomb Street in favor of mixed-use commercial and multi-family development,” and the board adopted that formulation after a friendly amendment and vote.

Commissioner Angela said she was concerned about undoing work done by the consultant and noted the plan resulted from 18 months of engagement: “I do feel like it's a bit, irresponsible and a little futile to have spent as much time as we have picking this plan apart that experts in the field…came back to us several times over.” Ross, the consultant/project coordinator present, cautioned that every community’s master-plan process differs: “In all honesty, every master planning process in every community is different.”

Public input and next steps A member of the public, Kyle, urged the commission to preserve options that were previously flagged in the draft for public consideration and said he was “disappointed” by removals that, in his view, reduce public opportunity to weigh in. Commissioners and the consultant said the public comment portal remains open and that written comments received to date (Ross reported roughly two dozen portal comments plus several letters) will be included in the record for the forthcoming public hearing.

The commission directed its officers to prepare a redline version of the master plan that reconciles the approved action items with the plan text; commissioners asked the officers to highlight why deletions or edits were made where the reason would not be obvious. The committee also requested that the consultant’s housing needs assessment be added as an appendix so it is available for public review.

The commission intends to bring the redline back for review and, after that step, to hold a public hearing on the final draft before forwarding a recommendation to the Township Board.

Ending Commissioners said the new block-vote method is an experiment intended to accelerate completion while preserving each commissioner’s chance to propose specific changes. The planning commission will circulate the officers’ redline draft to commissioners before scheduling the public hearing and final vote.