Stockbridge planning commission approves sending 2024 Master Plan to Village Council

The Village of Stockbridge Planning Commission voted Feb. 1 to submit the final draft of the 2024 Master Plan to the Village Council for review on March 4, 2024. Commissioner Daryl moved to send the plan and Commissioner Laura seconded; the motion passed on a voice vote with no nays.

The vote followed a presentation by Maya Baker, representative of planning consultant Mckenna, who reviewed a set of textual edits and revisions to the future land use map that the commission had discussed at its December meeting. Baker told the commission she had made the requested changes and identified a small number of remaining formatting corrections for the hard-copy and electronic versions of the plan.

Why it matters: The Master Plan guides long-term land use and zoning decisions in Stockbridge and its referral to the Village Council begins the next stage of public consideration and possible adoption. The commission’s edits change land-use labels on several parcels and direct staff to clarify data points before council review.

Key details from the meeting: Commissioner James expressed concern about the plan’s data on housing types, saying the percentage of rental units could be interpreted by trustees as support for more rental development and "may lead to a community deteriorating;" he asked that the commission insert language urging the council to consider local housing needs relative to rental growth. The minutes record the concern but do not show further debate or a formal amendment to the plan text.

The commission approved specific map adjustments: the area abutting N. Clinton was changed from a suggested Mid-Density Village residential designation back to R-3; property west of Chery Street will remain shown as Mid-Density Village single-family with a related correction removing an R-3 label in the explanatory table; and a parcel south of Lakeland Trail that had been labeled Public was relabeled Mixed Use. Baker also noted the area by an apartment complex on South Clinton should be returned to residential on the map.

Baker reported that survey data for a question about blight had been corrupted; she was instructed to pare down the available data and provide a percentage figure. Commissioners also asked Baker to contact "Jill" to obtain sidewalks information and Act 51 documents submitted to the state highway department. Baker is scheduled to attend the Village Council meeting on March 4 when the plan is reviewed.

Next steps: The plan will be considered by the Village Council on March 4, 2024; the Planning Commission also noted a public hearing on two proposed ordinances at its next meeting on March 7, 2024. The minutes record no public comment during the Feb. 1 meeting.