Clark Twp. Planners Want To See Area 'Envied for Natural Beauty'
By Amy Polk

In a vision statement adopted by the Clark Township Planning commission Tuesday, March 14, the township will strive to be a community "envied for its natural beauty" and committed to "maintaining its character and progressive small town atmosphere."

Drafted by commissioners Marti Hart, Mike Miller, and Dana Leach, the vision will be adopted into the township's new comprehensive plan, which ultimately will undergo review by the Clark Township board of trustees.

To reach the goals expressed in the vision statement, the planning commission proposes to:

+ Promote balanced growth and preservation by planning and maintaining natural land and water resources.

+ Create downtown centers that are attractive, pleasing, vibrant, comfortable for pedestrians and traffic flow.

+ Promote a sense of community by involving residents in the planning process to enhance the traditions, goals, and values of the area, and maintaining a small town feeling where people feel a sense of security, belonging, and responsibility.

+ Encourage economic growth that is sustainable, monitored, and guided, in which tourism continues to strengthen the local economy and provide employment; and a diverse business climate promotes mixed use development that attracts and retains commercial and industrial buildings designed proportionately to a small town scale.

+ Encourage the development of a natural, pleasing landscape with structures both old and new that have character and diversity.

Also on March 14, commissioners reviewed development themes proposed by commissioners Dave Dunning and Mike Patrick, who volunteered to write down some ideas and discuss whether Clark Township should have a theme. Architectural themes can be used to guide development and promote a consistent look and to discourage types of development a community does not want to see.

Mr. Dunning's suggestions included visual elements such as the area's many boat shops, houses built before 1945, and the Craftsman, Victorian, Adirondack, and rustic architectural styles seen tin some township homes.

Mr. Patrick suggested incorporating wood and natural materials in construction, and cited Autore Oil and Cedar Pantry buildings on M-134 in Cedarville as examples.

Commissioners agreed that the theme should be a way to make things look consistent in Clark Township, particularly along M129 and M-134. Commissioners questioned whether they want to regulate the appearance of residential development, but all seemed in agreement that commercial development needs some guidelines.

Commissioners further suggested signage regulations because the number of signs along the highways is creating a cluttered appearance.

Rod Cortright, a land use expert with Michigan State University Extension, has offered to help Clark Township revise its zoning ordinance for approximately $4,000. Commissioners want more information on the scope of work and what would be included for that price. Previous estimates have been around $15,000.

Commissioners will next meet Wednesday, March 22.

Mr. Dunning earned a Michigan State University Citizen Planner certificate after successfully completing an online course offered by the university. Mr. Dunning recommended the course to the rest of the Planning Commission, with fees to be paid by the township. Subjects include planning, zoning ordinance adoption, and ethics.