Michiana council hires Southwest Michigan Planning Commission to update master plan, reappoints commissioner

The Village of Michiana Council on Nov. 8 voted unanimously to hire the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission to update the village’s Master Plan, approving a contract for $16,591 with authority not to exceed $20,000 if additional work is needed. The council also reappointed Karen Szyp to a three‑year term on the Planning Commission.

Planning Commission member Mike Botelho and consultant Julie Bonello outlined the purpose of the Master Plan update, saying it will set long‑term direction for land use, capital investment and public services. Bonello described a six‑phase workplan she projects will take about 15 months and emphasized principles of simplicity, sustainability and collaboration for this small beach community.

Bonello said the selection process considered five firms and recommended the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission as the best fit. The workplan phases include project organization, community inventory and analysis, community engagement, goals and future land use, implementation strategies, and drafting and review of the plan. The consultant will help design resident surveys and outreach; Bonello said the first resident survey will be distributed in January.

The council also directed that proposals related to police‑station modernization be incorporated into upcoming Master Plan engagement. Mike Mumper had presented an Exploratory Joint Villages Committee summary arguing a modern facility would improve confidential interview space, evidence storage and public access; council members asked the Planning Commission to include those considerations in community surveys and planning.

The motion to hire the consultant passed on a 5–0 roll call vote. The council received no public objections during the meeting regarding the consultant selection. The Planning Commission will lead coordination with the consultant and report progress to the council as the project advances.