James Township Master Plan

Section 5  Coordination - Established policies provide a single Township framework to guide actions by the Township Board, Planning Development Goals Commission, and the public. and Objectives  Stability - Policies tend to be This section of the Master Plan general and long-range in nature. presents the goals and objectives that As such, they remain stable have been developed to provide a under a variety of changing strong, coherent direction for the community conditions. future development of James Township. The formulation of these  Basis for Decisions - Established statements evolves from the desire to policies are necessary to provide remedy existing problems, to a reasonable basis for adopting maintain positive features, and to local land use controls such as provide an attractive and functional zoning. Furthermore, clearly community environment in the stated policies are helpful to the future. These goals and objectives courts if called upon to judge the form a key element of the Township fairness of specific land use Master Plan. Desired land use regulations. arrangements and proposed implementation strategies are a The proposed goals and objectives natural outgrowth of established for James Township are presented in goals. the remainder of this section.

Some additional benefits of General Land Use and establishing these goals and Development objectives (policies) for the Township are: GOAL: Arrange future land uses in a  Consistency - A comprehensive manner that will preserve the list of statements concerning a natural features and rural character variety of planning issues can that make James Township an help avoid arbitrary decision- attractive place to live. making in the future. OBJECTIVES:  Efficiency - Clearly stated policies help to reduce the time 1. Make provisions to accommodate spent on individual topics while future residential, commercial, providing sound planning and other types of development principles to assist in the process. in appropriate locations.

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providing a wide choice and 2. Encourage the managed growth adequate supply of dwelling units. of the Township through good planning and appropriate OBJECTIVES: development controls. 1. Reserve sufficient land for both 3. Maintain James Township as a dispersed and more intensive rural residential community that residential development in is characterized by farmlands, convenient, economical, and rivers, and extensive open space environmentally sound locations. areas. 2. Consider making allowances for 4. Encourage the preservation of innovative development agricultural lands and existing techniques (such as conservation farming operations. development and clustering) that would permit development at 5. Encourage the preservation of higher densities, while also using natural features and open space. the available land more efficiently and preserving natural 6. Discourage the placement of land features. uses that are incompatible with existing natural features. 3. Encourage the development of housing opportunities for all 7. Discourage the placement of land economic levels. uses that are incompatible with surrounding development. 4. Encourage regulatory measures that are necessary to ensure that 8. Regularly evaluate the Township both new and existing housing Master Plan and Zoning meets appropriate health and Ordinance to determine their safety standards. effectiveness, and update the documents as needed. 5. Encourage basic housing standards to ensure the compatibility of future housing Residential Land Use and with the existing housing stock. Housing 6. Encourage the adoption and consistent enforcement of proper GOAL: standards for home occupations. Provide for residential development in a manner that results in both housing and neighborhoods that are safe, healthy, and attractive, while also Section 5: Development Goals and Objectives Page 5 - 2 James Township Master Plan

Commercial Land Uses Community Facilities and Services GOAL: Encourage sound commercial and GOAL: related development that is small in Provide community facilities and scale and compatible with the services in the most efficient, Township’s character. effective, and economical manner possible. OBJECTIVES: OBJECTIVES: 1. Encourage the development of commercial centers or clusters, as 1. Direct more intensive types of opposed to strip development. future development into areas where public facilities and 2. Discourage "spot" commercial services can be efficiently and development. economically provided in the future, should the need and 3. Encourage beautification efforts opportunity arise. in commercial areas through amenities such as lighting, 2. Ensure that future development signage, and landscaping. is consistent with the land access and transportation needs of the 4. Direct future industrial Township along its major development to locate in areas transportation corridors. suitable for light industrial growth. 3. Ensure that necessary public services and facilities are 5. Develop appropriate standards to available to support future ensure that any future development. commercial and other non- residential development is in keeping with the community's character.

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Natural Resources and the Environment

GOAL: Protect, maintain, and enhance the natural resources and environmental features of James Township.

OBJECTIVES:

1. Preserve the quality and natural state of environmentally sensitive areas, including surface waters, groundwater, wetlands, forested land, and wildlife habitat.

2. Protect the Township’s residents from development that would degrade environmental quality.

3. Protect the Township’s residents from development that would degrade the aesthetics, natural appearance, or character of the community.

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