Highlights of Pickford Input Survey

Pickford Planning Commission sent 270 surveys out to randomly selected registered voters March 21. The survey had a 30% response rate, which is considered a healthy response. Results were compiled by commissioners and the Pickford High School civics class taught by Larry Warner and were presented at a May 15 community meeting.

The survey responses will be the foundation of a community land use plan, which is required by Michigan to be updated every five years.

People who received surveys were asked to rate their level of satisfaction and the importance of various community issues, land use and zoning topics, general information, and community characteristics. Highlights of the responses follow.

Complete survey results and citizens comments are available and can be requested from the planning commission. Commissioners include Chair Richard Morrison, Merlin Galer, Larry Hagen, Irene Nettleton, and William Raynard.

Community Issues

This section included questions about government services, community appearance, and cultural and social attributes.

More than half the respondents (51%) said township services are very important and that they are very satisfied with the services; 50% are not satisfied with local job opportunities, which they also ranked as "very important," and 32% are not satisfied with economic development; 58% are very satisfied with fire and ambulance services; 46% are very satisfied with local health care, and 33% are very satisfied with road maintenance, while 56% are happy with snow removal on public streets. Half of the respondents are happy with Chippewa County's recycling program and 27% are very satisfied with waste disposal.

Regarding youth social and recreational activities, 22% of respondents are unsatisfied and ranked youth activities as "very important," while 18% thought cultural and entertainment events are lacking in the area.

Thirty percent of respondents are happy with the appearance of the township; 30% are neutral; 17% are not satisfied, and 77% believe appearance is very important.

Comments about community issues include concerns about blight, the appearance of vacant buildings downtown, and the need for more, affordable senior citizen and assisted living housing options and services. One person suggested replacing old sidewalks with new, installing storm drains and surface water collection for future housing, creating a blight enforcement code, and coordinating township improvements with the village portion of Marquette Township. One person suggested coordinating planning efforts with Cedarville.

Another suggested snowmobile access to downtown businesses, promoting Pickford as a destination, and parking improvements.

The Community in General

This section asked respondents to rank the reasons they chose to live in Pickford Township.

Low crime rate ranked the highest, with 67% ranking it "very important." Close proximity to work, small town feel, quality of schools, family and friends nearby, good quality neighborhoods, open spaces and rural atmosphere, scenery, privacy, and air quality all ranked high. Reasonable housing prices, churches, agricultural heritage, and sense of community ranked a little lower.

Fifty percent or more agree with the statements that Pickford should remain a rural, small community; should continue allowing commercial development along M-129; should save farmland and open spaces; should restrict billboard size, and that Pickford should have a sign ordinance to control signs and preserve rural, small town character.

Fifty percent or more say they prefer to live outside of town, with no neighbors nearby, and that they prefer to live on a large lot (minimum of one to two acres).

Respondents agreed the township needs better senior citizen housing options, traffic control around school, well maintained properties, better cellular communications and high speed Internet service, coordinated downtown development, wellplanned subdivisions, coordinated beautification, tax incentives for new and existing small business, and traffic speed control in town.

More than 50% believe Pickford Township people share a sense of community, and 84% believe Pickford Township is responsive to the community's needs.

Land Use and Zoning

Residents were asked whether they agree or disagree with the following types of development:

Half or more agree with planned residential development, retirement community, open space preservation, tourist and recreational development, lodging accommodations, light industrial and manufacturing development, wind energy, cellular towers, using zoning and zoning enforcement to manage future development, and cooperating with surrounding communities to plan for growth.

Residents disagreed with or were mostly neutral on advertising billboards, blight ordinance enforcement, building inspections, and planned residential condominium development.

Businesses and Purchases

When asked what new businesses or industries are needed in town, residents listed the following: Car wash (mentioned by eight people), milk processing, deli, arcade for children, assisted living facility, heated winter storage, industrial and manufacturing jobs, something for kids, small manufacturing, more restaurants and bigger grocery store, Internet cafe, computer repair shop, movie theater, pharmacy, motel, dry goods, and roller rink, among other suggestions.

More than 80% said they "sometimes" or "always" eat at local restaurants and shop in Pickford for groceries, hardware, building supplies, auto parts, and use medical, dental, and auto sales services. More than 70% said they buy their farm supplies and equipment and recreational equipment elsewhere.

Suggestions for helping small and existing businesses succeed include tax credits, more competitive prices, more parking, a shop local campaign, more advertising, more jobs and more people to spend money, and a more appealing downtown appearance.