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Residents urge Benzie County to add phosphorus, housing and transportation language to Master Plan
Summary
At the Nov. 12 public hearing on Benzie County’s 2024 Master Plan updates, residents asked the board to add language on phosphorus control, walkability, affordable housing, education initiatives, climate change and renewable energy; several written comments were also filed.
Benzie County residents urged the Board of Commissioners on Nov. 12 to expand its 2024 Master Plan update to address water quality, housing and transportation.
During the public hearing, resident Wilfred Swiecki asked the board to add explicit language in the plan addressing phosphorus levels and provided a handout for the record. Christina Trigg called for stronger emphasis on transportation and walkability, affordable housing, educational initiatives, climate change and renewable energy resources. Annie Browning asked the county to include provisions for intergovernmental cooperation and protecting fresh water.
Chair Bob Roelofs accepted the oral comments and the board noted written comments from Karen Cunningham, Tadge Juechter, and Sara Kirk that were included in the meeting packet.
The hearing was closed after the oral and written submissions. The board did not adopt specific Master Plan language at this session; public comment was recorded for staff and commissioners to consider during subsequent drafting and review.
What residents emphasized: several commenters linked water quality concerns (phosphorus) to broader planning topics such as transportation and housing, urging the county to treat these as connected priorities in the updated plan.
Next steps: The public hearing record will be part of the Master Plan update process; the transcript and packet notes do not specify a date for formal adoption or the next public hearing.
