County planning consultant asks commissioners to release draft master plan for statutorily required review

A representative from McKenna told Cass County commissioners that the county planning commission had completed a draft master plan and that, under the Michigan Planning Act, the county board must accept the draft and authorize distribution to required review agencies.

“No one is asking you to adopt the plan tonight,” Rebecca Harvey, a McKenna consultant, told commissioners. “Your job is to accept it and authorize its distribution to adjacent communities and utility companies… those reviewing bodies have 63 days to review it.”

Why it matters: distribution begins the statutory review period and eventually leads to a public hearing before adoption. The planning commission accepted the draft at its July 23 meeting and transmitted it to the board to initiate the formal review process.

Details: Harvey said the process allows multiple rounds of comment and revision prior to adoption and that the board will have additional opportunities to provide input. She also offered to attend the board’s business meeting if commissioners would like her present during the distribution or subsequent discussion.

Procedure and next steps: commissioners voted to move the master plan draft to the next business meeting and to initiate the distribution required by the Michigan Planning Act; the statutory 63-day review clock will begin once distribution occurs.

Ending: Commissioners and staff said they will coordinate with county administration and McKenna to circulate the draft to the statutorily required agencies and to schedule the planning commission’s public hearing following the review period.