Zeeland Planning Commission endorses Williams & Works to lead comprehensive master plan rewrite

The City of Zeeland Planning Commission voted unanimously on Feb. 5 to endorse Williams & Works as the consultant for a full rewrite of the city's 2026–27 Comprehensive Master Plan and to lead the process internally rather than create a separate steering committee. Zoning Administrator Timothy Maday told commissioners staff received nine responses to the rewrite request for proposals and, with assistance from planning consultant Paul LeBlanc, found Williams & Works best aligned with the city's scope and outreach goals.

Maday said the city is seeking a substantial rebuild of the Master Plan rather than a simple update, including updates to the Future Land Use Map, visioning sessions, an online survey and community open houses to present draft materials. He recounted staff's interviews with shortlisted firms and said Williams & Works answered outstanding questions to staff's satisfaction.

Commissioners discussed a staff suggestion to form a nine-member steering committee—potentially including planning commissioners, two City Council representatives, a SARB representative, a school-district representative, an industrial-corridor representative and a member of the public. After reviewing the 2010 process and weighing workload, the commission agreed it could take primary responsibility for the rewrite while retaining final approval authority over recommendations presented by any advisory group.

Dan Klompmaker moved to endorse Williams & Works and to have the Planning Commission lead the rewrite; Rebecca Perkins supported the motion. The roll-call vote recorded Ayes from Amanda Cooper, Rebecca Perkins, Dan Klompmaker, Rick VanDorp, Tim Klunder and Chairman Bill Elhart; no commissioners voted against the motion. The motion passed with CJ Otteman and Bob Blanton recorded as absent.

Next steps outlined in the discussion include staff coordination with Williams & Works on a timeline and public-engagement schedule. Maday also noted the consultant recommended the city consider a steering committee that would meet roughly 11 times over 18 months; the commission decided to retain oversight and to schedule Master Plan discussions alongside regular commission duties so members can balance existing responsibilities with the rewrite work.

The commission's endorsement clears the way for Williams & Works to begin detailed project planning with staff and the commission; specific meeting dates and public-engagement events were not finalized at the Feb. 5 meeting.