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Clawson launches online "Development in Clawson" tracker to centralize planning documents
Summary
City planning staff unveiled a live, view-only online tracker on cityofclawson.com that links site plans and meeting packets to make planning and zoning documents easier for residents to find.
City planning staff on Thursday unveiled a new online tool called "Development in Clawson," a live, view-only tracker that links submitted site plans and Planning Commission packets to make development activity easier for the public to find.
A staff member described the tool as "an interactive uh live spreadsheet that folks in the community can look at," saying it is accessible from cityofclawson.com under Departments → Community and Economic Development and that entries link directly to the meeting packet and plan. The staff member said the tracker is live now and that the communications team and staff are still refining sign-in and viewing behavior for users who encounter a Google Sheets view.
Board members asked about timing and functionality. Mr. Carpenter asked when the tracker would go live; staff replied it is available now but that they are addressing display and access issues as additional content is added. Staff said they will notify the Planning Commission by email and continue improving the platform.
The staff member said the new tracker is intended as a lower-cost, more accessible alternative to a parcel-level GIS system used by some neighboring cities, and that the city will continue developing the site as resources permit. The presentation included a demonstration of how users can click a meeting date to open the related packet and plan.
The tracker, staff said, will initially provide view-only access to approved and submitted site plans and be updated as projects move through inspection and approval. Staff reported two variance applications considered in November 2025 were denied and have not been resubmitted; other approved variances continue to move forward after inspection.
Staff did not provide an implementation timeline for adding a full GIS parcel viewer but said the tracker is a step toward greater transparency and easier public access to planning documents. The board had no further action on the item; staff will follow up with the Planning Commission and communications staff about outreach and technical refinements.
