Park Township Master Plan - 2011 Park Township Master Plan - 2011 1
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abundant natural beauty rural & agricultural character walkable community alternative transportation culture of collaboration sustainable redevelopment balanced housing quality development Park Township Master Plan - 2011 Park Township Master Plan - 2011 1 Park Township Overview CHAPTER ONE Park Township is located in Ottawa County on the Lake Michigan shore and is within Holland’s metropolitan area. Consequently, it is influenced both economically and culturally by the city. While most of the 21.3 square mile township is north of Lake Macatawa a small portion is located on the south shore. It is physically separated by the lake and the City of Holland from the rest of the township. Because of its attractive location, Park Township has diverse land uses that range along the lakeshore from areas dotted with parks, large estate homes, and historic resort communities to older, more mod- est homes and cabins perched atop high dunes. This setting helps shape the character of Park Township. Among its major parks are Ottawa County’s Tunnel Park, a popular beach with scenic views WELCOME TO PARK TOWNSHIP and dunes and Holland State Park, one of the most visited in the State Park system. It strongly influences the character of the north shore of Lake Macatawa. “Big Red,” the historic lighthouse on the south side of the Lake Macatawa Channel, has long been a symbol of the Township and the entire Holland lakeshore area. The South Shore is characterized by seasonal cottages, an historic resort enclave, lakefront estate homes, a large marina and well-kept, traditional residential neighborhoods. The area is strongly influenced by its location adjacent to neighborhoods in northwest Holland. Historic resort homes and cottages also dominate the North Shore, along with resort-oriented com- mercial businesses, such as restaurants and marinas along Ottawa Beach Road. Further north, newer subdivisions and residential developments of varying densities are found along Lakewood Boulevard and 144th Avenue. The northern third of the township has a very rural character and is mainly agricultural (mostly blueberry farms)and low density residential. Because of its proximity to Holland, Zeeland and the Grand Rapids met- ropolitan areas, the people of Park Township have abundant choices for housing, shopping and employment. The recreational and scenic amenities, nearby employment opportunities and the strong reputation of the West Ot- tawa School District draw people to the area. Although population growth has recently slowed because of the economic conditions facing the entire state, the township has steadily grown since the 2000 Census and is current- ly estimated to have a population of 18,364. Because of its many amenities, Park Township is one of the most desirable communities in Michigan in which to live and recreate. Park Township Master Plan - 2011 3 A Short History former President Gerald R. Ford. P Park Township was split off from Holland Town- I Ottawa County was organized in 1831. Origi- nally, Park Township was part of Holland Town- ship in 1915 and held its first elections in 1916. In 1917, the population was 1,050. The post- H ship. The earliest settlers were the Ottawa war years brought prosperity and growth to the S Indians, who established a village on the north shore of Black Lake (now Lake Macatawa), on region, with new housing, parks and schools. the east side of Big Bay. They were led by Chief The Township grew steadily as the Holland-Zee- Waukazoo, recognized by his followers as a land region became an industrial and economic prophet and by local settlers as an orator. This powerhouse. Although growth has been slowed community flourished until the by the recent economic downturn, Park Town- ship remains one of the most desirable areas of OWN inhabitants were pushed north in 1849. A historic marker on Post Michigan. Drive indicates the village’s his- T tory and location. Previous Planning Efforts K The first Dutch settlers came Park Township’s first Master Plan (the “Compre- to the Holland area in 1847. hensive Plan”) was completed in 1972. A new An early settlement was plan was approved in 1988, titled “1988 Land AR established on the north side Use and Circulation Plan.” A major update of of Lake Macatawa, near this plan was completed in 1998. The 1998 plan Superior Point (the location was subsequently updated in 2004. The purpose P of today’s Herman Miller/ of the 2004 update was to incorporate new data Marigold Lodge). Prior to the 20th from the 2000 Census, but major changes to the century, Lake Macatawa emptied into Lake recommendations of the 1998 version were not TO Michigan via a shallow channel. By 1899, the proposed. The 1998/2004 plan was based on a piers and channel were completed. The light- citizen survey conducted in 1997. There were no house on the south pier was completed in 1907 new public participation initiatives as part of the E and remodeled in 1936. In 1971, the Coast 2004 update. The plan was reviewed again and Guard declared the lighthouse to be surplus reaffirmed in 2009. M property. “Big Red” is now owned and main- tained by the Holland Harbor Lighthouse Histori- The 1998/2004 plan states that the essen- cal Commission and remains a landmark for the tial purpose of the Comprehensive Plan is “To CO area. protect, encourage and retain the integrity of the rural residential character of the commu- L In 1923, the lavish Ottawa Beach Hotel, lo- nity.” To this end, the plan proposed a series of E cated on the north side of the pier, burned to goals and objectives and a future land use plan the ground. Not long after, the State Park Board to implement them. The Future Land Use Map purchased the land and established Holland showed the area north of James Street, be- State Park. The nearby West Michigan Park As- tween Lakeshore Avenue and 166th Avenue as W sociation neighborhood is on the State Register “Open Space Design Development.” This area of Historic Places and was the summer home of was designated as “likely to experience increas- 4 Park Township Master Plan - 2011 ing growth pressure.” The Plan also designates township. Then to initiate the planning process much of Sections 13, 14 and 15 as “Planned and to help determine issues, the consultants Residential Development.” This designation was interviewed several stakeholders identified by intended to “encourage the flexible and innova- the Township who represented a diverse array tive arrangement of residences within a develop- of community interests such as development, ment to preserve and enhance natural features business, neighborhoods, schools, environment and open lands without a sacrifice in residential and local history. In addition, the Planning Com- quality or giving way to excessive density.” Be- mission, Township Board, the Committee for the cause of the established growth patterns along Future and general public participated in series Lakeshore Drive and James Street, these land of facilitated discussions about Park Township. A development tools appeared to have been ap- summary of those discussions can be found in propriate. However, due to the downturn in the the Appendix. Using this information,the consul- economy, the expected residential growth has tants worked with the Committee for the Future not materialized. to identify major issues for each subarea, as well as the broader community. This work resulted How this Plan was Created in an overall vision statement for Park Township and a series of key community goals. These Amendments to the Planning Enabling Act for were later used to help shape future land use townships in 2004 required a master plan to and Subarea Plans that contain specific concepts be reviewed every five years to determine if it and recommendations to address the identified should be updated or replaced. In 2009, Park issues. Township began the process of reviewing the 1998/2004 Comprehensive Plan. It was deter- To gain public input on community issues and mined that a new Master Plan was necessary. opportunities, the draft vision and goals, and A Committee for the Future was appointed by park and recreation priorities, seven public the Township Board and given responsibility for workshops were held in several locations in the its development based on anticipated slower township. Approximately 275 people attended growth and the changes occurring in Michigan’s and in combination with facilitated town hall economy, with their attendant effects on land style discussions, participants provided input use. In 2010, a consultant (LSL Planning, as- using comment cards, questionnaires and by sisted by Design+ and Prein and Newhof) was placing comments on a series of analysis dia- hired to assist the Committee for the Future to grams. They were also asked to prioritize and formulate the Master Plan. In addition to the comment on the draft goals and objectives. This Master Plan effort, a new Parks and Recreation information was used to develop concepts for Plan and Capital Improvements Plan were be- future land use, subareas and to refine goals gun. The public participation efforts of the Mas- and objectives. The public comments from each ter Plan also contributed to the public participa- workshop are also summarized in the Appendix. tion requirements of those two plans. The draft Master Plan, after a final review by the Committee for the Future, was then presented to At the outset, the Committee for the Future the Planning Commission for approval. identified seven subareas, defined by similar characteristics, that nearly encompass the entire This plan was developed and approved accord- Park Township Master Plan - 2011 5 ing to the requirements of the Michigan Planning Land Use Map to guide the Township in making Enabling Act, PA 33 of 2008. The draft plan, land use decisions.