Dozens of Cascade Charter Township residents used public comment at the Nov. 19 meeting to urge the board either to slow consideration of a proposed form-based zoning code or to press ahead with adoption that supporters say updates a 1974 ordinance.

Mark Ansara, a commercial realtor and property owner, asked the board to "please let the professionals help you collaborate" and urged more public meetings, economic study and outreach to developers, brokers and residents before final action. "Let's slow down the process ... more transparency to residents and the business owners," he said.

Other residents took different views: David Martin said the township has been transparent, that materials are available on the website, and that an updated code can help prevent undesirable development patterns under the current rules. Several speakers described concerns about density, traffic and housing affordability; others said the master plan and strategic plan support the proposed updates.

Township manager Jade responded to the volume of comment by detailing a stepped outreach effort: a questionnaire published Nov. 10 with about 120 responses to date, a fact sheet to be posted, a special newsletter to nearly 9,000 parcels, and multiple open-house sessions (two in December and two in January) plus targeted sessions for the village/Old 28 area and business community. Jade said the outreach will break the ordinance into sections so attendees can get one-on-one time with staff and board members.

Board members thanked residents for attending and asked the public to bring specific suggestions to the scheduled outreach sessions. No final zoning vote occurred at the Nov. 19 meeting; the board affirmed its intent to continue public engagement rather than pause the process indefinitely.

Ending: Township staff will publish the fact sheet and keep the questionnaire live; the board and staff expect to run the planned open houses and to incorporate feedback before any formal vote on the ordinance.