Protecting the community's character and a bold statement to convey the importance of preserving views of the lakes and the sky are top priorities of the Mackinaw City Planning Commission and will be included in the framework of the new master plan. Twelve years have passed since the village last adopted a master plan. Draft goals and objectives of a new plan that will steer the community will be presented to residents later this month.

A city's master plan serves as a basis for its zoning ordinance.

Planning commissioners met for the second time in work session Thursday evening, June 10, to prepare for a public input session just two weeks away. Commissioners are hoping residents and community leaders will attend the Thursday, June 24, public session and will offer suggestions and opinions on the section that will serve to define the community's character and sense of place.

Village Manager Jeff Lawson said surrounding communities also have been notified that work is underway to complete the document.

At Thursday's meeting, commissioners reviewed a draft of the goals and objectives on village character, natural resources, residential neighborhoods, and transportation. They also received revised goals and objectives incorporating changes already made by the commission. Those included governmental, public, and private collaboration, public utilities and services, recreation, commercial development, and industrial/business park development.

Thursday's worksheets were presented by Mr. Lawson and began with a list of items residents previously listed in public hearings more than four years ago, considered important community assets that helped define Mackinaw City's character and gave it a sense of place. These assets include the natural environment with a beautiful waterfront and views of the Mackinac Bridge, Straits of Mackinac, nearby islands, and the Upper Peninsula shoreline. Also noted as positive factors were the low crime rate, a good educational system, the vibrant business district, and the pedestrian-friendly amenities of the community, such as concrete paver sidewalks, flower plantings, and decorative streetlights. Also high on the residents' list were the award winning streetscape corridors, historic and cultural attractions, community festivals, parks, and bicycle trails.

Commissioners said they want to make a bold statement about protecting the village's views, both over the water and skyward.

“Our shoreline, call it viewshed, call it whatever you want, is slowly being encroached on and is close to completely disappearing,” said Commissioner Bo Whipkey. “I don't think any of us can argue that fact. It's being diminished almost on a daily basis.”

Conversations have taken place about this in village boards in the past, said Mr. Lawson. Property owners have certain rights.

“We can't take all the rights of development out,” he said. “We have to strike a balance.”

The only way to conserve the views, said Mr. Lawson, is to buy the land, which is what happened several years ago with the Headlands property. The goal to consider buying property when property and funding are available has been included in the village recreation plan for more than 20 years, he noted.

The difficult task, he said, is implementing the goal. This year the village is facing a 3.96% property value decrease. Council may decide to put funds aside for such property purchases, although the struggle is to maintain existing village services.

The village, said Mr. Lawson, is also is preparing goals and objectives relating to economic development, green initiatives, and sustainability.

The old master plan was finalized in 1997 and adopted in January 1998. From 1997 to 2007, the village held public hearings and community surveys were sent out, said Mr. Lawson. Since then, the master plan has been adjusted, but never completely revised or readopted. Previous efforts to update the plan stalled over shifts in the makeup of boards and changes in village staffing.

State law stipulates that cities and villages must have a master plan and revise it every five years.

Once a draft master plan is approved by the planning commission, the document will be sent to the village council. From there, the draft is sent to neighboring communities, who have 63 days for review. Then, the planning commission will hold a public hearing. Following the hearing, the commission can adopt the master plan or make more changes. Commissioners hope to have the new plan finalized by the end of the year.

Planning commissioners are Chairman Rob Most, Nancy Dean, Florence Tracy, Paul Allers, Mary Clark, Bo Whipkey, and John Riemer. Also attending Thursday's meeting were Trail Committee chair Sandy Planisek and Dick Moehl, president of the Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association.

In March, the commission met with consultant Doug Piggott with ROWE Professional Services Company of Flint, who is assisting with the project. Mr. Piggott will give a presentation at the public hearing Thursday, June 24, where the draft goals and objectives will be presented and community input will be sought. The session will be at 7 p.m. in the multi-purpose room at Mackinaw City Public School.