Planning Commission continues update of Master Plan

Consultant Jim McManus of McKenna met with the Casco Township Planning Commission during their regular meeting of July 16. His task was to review the draft action plan as the Commission prepares its required update to the Master Plan. Goals that have been under discussion by the Planning Commission, such as requiring developers to cover the cost of extending utilities to any land they wish to develop, and ensuring opportunity for Agri-tourism and industrial uses in Ag, were integrated into this draft for review by the Commission.

The Master Plan is to be reviewed, updated and revised every ten years or so. The current Casco Township Master Plan is based on a major revision in 2012.

Protecting the rural character of Casco Township remains a top priority

McManus explained several process issues related to the Master Plan update. A major requirement is to publish the updated draft and notify adjacent municipalities, which then have 63 days to review the document. This is statutorily required of Casco Township.

Revisions to the Master Plan may trigger revisions of other ordinances, particularly the Zoning Ordinance. The Master Plan may also benefit from updates and inclusions of certain concepts or terms that have become priorities for the State and/or local communities. An example of this is designation for "missing middle" housing, meaning low-density multifamily housing units, not apartments. By including "missing middle" housing options in the Casco Township Master Plan, for example, the Township would then qualify for grants to assist with the construction of duplexes, triplexes, and quadplexes, and would signal to developers that such housing has a place in the Township.

McManus had suggestions regarding proposed updates. For example, he promoted encouraging interconnectivity of neighborhoods rather than a series of isolated cul de sacs. He also proposed that smaller lot sizes in Ag conserves farmland by leaving larger Ag parcels intact.

McManus also reviewed the updated maps that will be included in the next draft. These include a map of the water/sewer district; wetland delineations from a State database of wetlands; prime farmland (i.e., hilly terrain close to the Lake suitable for fruit growing); road classifications with information about paving history; floodplain maps; and a future land use map.

Planning Commission members thought a map of broadband service and locations where natural gas is available would be useful additions to the Master Plan.

Casco Township's Master Plan is an infrastructure resource for adjacent municipalities and the County

The major Master Plan revision is just one planning document that guides the present and future of the Township. The Township also has a Parks and Recreation Plan that is kept updated and used for planning and securing funding for park development.

The Township has a Capital Improvement Plan that can guide major infrastructure projects and help secure funding for such projects.

Revisions to a Township Master Plan spur additional actions as described here

The Planning Commission set a follow up meeting with consultant Jim McManus. They tentatively set Thursday September 4 at 6:00 pm for their next meeting to review a complete draft of the revised Casco Township Master Plan. The meeting will be held at the Casco Township Hall, 7104 107th Avenue.