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Section I - Introduction & Purpose The Banks Township Land Use Plan, presents a strategy for future land use and development. It identifies key planning issues, goals and actions which are intended to help the township preserve those characteristics and features that contribute to the quality of life for year-round and seasonal residents. This plan was prepared by the Banks Township Planning Commission with professional assistance from the Charlevoix County Cooperative Extension Service, the Charlevoix County Planning Department and consulting planners. The Planning Commission worked with the Cooperative Extension Service staff to conduct and analyze the results of a comprehensive community survey; identify and rank planning and land use issues; assist with initial compilation of demographic data; draft preliminary goals and policy statements; and prepared all resource maps used throughout the planning process. The consultants reviewed and supplemented
all in-process materials, updated the existing land use map, analyzed
land use patterns, reviewed the Township's zoning ordinance, and developed
future land use alternatives and future land use plan maps. The consultants
also made specific recommendations for implementation of the plan. This
plan is a culmination of all of these planning efforts. This plan will assist elected and appointed officials when making choices between competing interests by serving as a guide for decision making. To this end, it is intended to serve the following purposes: • Provide a basic plan consistent with the intent, purpose, and requirements of the Township Planning Act. • Provide a legal and rational foundation for Banks Township’s zoning ordinance, and other ordinances adopted for the purpose of implementing this Plan. • Provide goals and policies for future land use and development. • Encourage the preservation and protection of natural and scenic resources. • Promote the preservation of features that contribute to Banks Township’s character and to the area’s tourism related economic base as characterized by low density of development, shorelines, woodlands, farmland, open space, and abundance of recreational amenities. • Promote future patterns of land development that are consistent with goals established during the planning process. • Delineate areas suited to various types and densities of land use and development. • Provide guidelines and policies describing how future land uses should be established, and how land and natural resources should be altered or developed over time. • To provide a tool for use by township officials during the process of reviewing future land development project proposals. • To outline methods by which this plan may be implemented. |