Eaton County planning consultant outlines targeted master plan update to allow interested villages, cities to join county zoning

At a meeting of the Eaton County Planning Commission, consultant Jason Ball said the county is pursuing a targeted update to its master plan and zoning code to give a clear pathway for cities and villages that want to come under county zoning jurisdiction.

The update is funded by a grant from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) and focuses on revising the countys future land use map and adding new land-use classifications to accommodate smaller-lot, sewered communities, Ball said. The county expects to present a draft of the limited plan update in October and, after required public notice, to aim for formal adoption around December, he added.

Ball, lead consultant with Progressive Companies, told commissioners the work responds to several municipalities that have expressed interest in joining Eaton Countys zoning jurisdiction. He said the update will create new future land use classifications (including a downtown commercial/compact neighborhood designation) and revise the zoning code so that municipalities with sewer and water can be managed under the county code. "The county received a grant from MSHDA as part of…