master plan Watertown Charter Township Clinton County, Michigan October 2009 Prepared by Watertown Charter Township Planning Commission acknowledgements township board Deb Adams, Supervisor | Melissa Freeman, Clerk | Janice Thelen, Treasurer | John Maahs | Ken Mitchell | George Weitzel | Dale Westrick planning commission Ronald Overton | Ulrika Zay | Craig Landes | Beth Ball | Donald Hartwick Francis McNamara | Richard Turcotte | Charles Openlander | Keri Kittmann | John Maahs staff Andrea Zeeb Polverento, Director of Planning & Zoning | Amy Kinney, Planning & Zoning Assistant table of contents 3 introduction 7 regional setting 15 existing conditions 21 goals and objectives 29 future land use plan 43 implementation 51 attachments MASTER PLAN contents 1 Watertown Charter Township Planning today will make a difference for generations to come. 2 MASTER PLAN existing conditions introduction he Watertown Charter Township Master Plan portrays a T clear statement of community goals and objectives, establishes a vision of the future, and includes strategies to achieve that vision. The Master Plan promotes a future land use pattern that is consistent with the community’s long-range goals. The information and concepts presented in the Master Plan are used to guide local decisions regarding public and private uses of land and the provision of public facilities and services. The Plan is long-range in its view and is intended to guide development in the Township over the next 10 to 20 years. Why Prepare a Master Plan? The Michigan Planning Enabling Act states that the Planning Commission “shall make and approve a master plan as a guide for development” within the Township. In addition, the Michigan The Master Plan is a Zoning Enabling Act requires that the Township’s Zoning set of policies, Ordinance be based upon a plan designed to promote the public health, safety, and general welfare. strategies, and plans to enhance and Zoning is a regulatory mechanism for controlling the classification improve the Township and regulation of land use. It has the force of law. The Master Plan is not an ordinance, does not change the zoning of property, over a long-range and does not have the force of law. Rather, the Master Plan is a planning horizon. set of policies, strategies, and plans to enhance and improve the Township over a long-range planning horizon. While the Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map regulate current land use and development, the Master Plan is intended to guide future land use decision-making. The Master Plan is the community’s vision; the Zoning Ordinance governs the path to achieve that vision. MASTER PLAN introduction 3 Watertown Charter Township State law requires that a Zoning Ordinance be based on a plan. Therefore, the Master Plan forms the basis upon which zoning decisions are made. With a valid Master Plan in place, zoning decisions consistent with the Plan are presumed by the courts to be valid. The Planning Process Watertown Charter Township’s Master Plan update process began in August 2008. The Planning Commission reviewed the Township’s regional setting and its physical and demographic characteristics. Problems, opportunities, and community assets were identified. During October 2008, the Planning Commission reached out to its residents, property owners, community leaders, business owners, and neighboring townships to gain input and ideas. A Community Visioning Session provided an opportunity for interested parties to raise concerns, offer suggestions, and participate in a process designed to establish a long-range vision for the community. Based on the Township’s existing conditions, input received during the Community Visioning Session, and the experience of Township officials, a set of goals and objectives were formulated as a basis What do we have? for the Master Plan. A Future Land Use Plan and specific action The planning process items were also developed to provide a roadmap for achieving the begins with a look at the Township’s vision and goals. Township’s existing conditions. Upon completion of a final draft, the Planning Commission held a public hearing to obtain additional public opinion prior to adoption What do we want? Public input establishes a of the Master Plan. vision for the future of the Township. By working closely with residents, business owners, Township officials, planning experts, surrounding communities, and other How do we get there? stakeholders, Watertown Charter Township has sought to develop The Master Plan outlines a Master Plan that balances the competing interests that affect specific actions, land use decisions. These include, for example, the creation and recommendations, and strategies for achieving the retention of jobs and increase in tax base on one side and the Township’s vision. protection of natural resources and community character on the other. Through careful implementation of the Master Plan recommendations and policies, the Township hopes to build on its tax base and provide for high quality new growth, while preserving important community assets and protecting the overall health, safety, and welfare of its residents. 4 MASTER PLAN introduction Watertown Charter Township MASTER PLAN introduction 5 Watertown Charter Township… “Bringing resources together for a community focused on the future.” regional setting atertown Charter Township is located northwest of the W City of Lansing in southern Clinton County and at the heart of the Tri-County Region (Ingham, Eaton, and Clinton Counties). In Clinton County, the Township is bordered by Eagle Township to the west, Riley Township to the north, and DeWitt Charter Township to the east. To the south, the Township is bordered by Delta Charter Township in Eaton County. The City of Lansing and Lansing Charter Township are directly to the southeast in Ingham County. (Refer to Figure 1.) The Township is also located between the smaller cities of DeWitt and Grand Ledge. Its open spaces and natural features offer a country atmosphere for those who prefer a rural or small town setting. However, given its proximity to Lansing, the Township is well positioned to accommodate future growth and development of the Lansing metropolitan area. The Township is situated approximately half way between Grand Rapids and the Detroit Metropolitan area at the intersection of Interstate 69 and Interstate 96. Its location at the crossroads of these two major interstates afford the Township a ready connection to Grand Rapids, Detroit, Flint, and Battle Creek, as well as Indiana and Illinois. Watertown Township is conveniently located between the Capital City International Airport to the east in DeWitt Township and Abrams Municipal Airport to the west in Eagle Township. Five school districts serve Watertown Township: Grand Ledge Public Schools, Waverly Community Schools, DeWitt Public Schools, Lansing Public School District, and St. Johns Public Schools. MASTER PLAN regional setting 7 Watertown Charter Township Figure 1. Regional Location. Data Source: Michigan Geographic Data Library Township residents are within minutes of a number of opportunities for higher education in and around the Lansing area, including Michigan State University, Lansing Community College, Cooley Law School, and Olivet College, Davenport University— Lansing, Spring Arbor University—Lansing Campus, and Central Michigan University—Lansing Center. Convenient access to Interstates 69 and 96 provides residents the ability to easily commute to additional colleges and universities in the Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo areas. Planning Influences Factors outside of the Township’s borders are essential to consider in the planning process. The long-range goals and activities of neighboring communities and the County may impact the Township’s planning efforts, particularly near the Township’s borders. 8 MASTER PLAN regional setting Watertown Charter Township Figure 2. Excerpt from Clinton County Comprehensive Land Use Plan (2002) Future Land Use Map. Clinton County. The Clinton County Comprehensive Land Use Plan was adopted in November 2002 and consists of goals, objectives, The Clinton County and development policies for the 13 unincorporated townships in the County. Watertown Township’s neighbor to the north, Riley Comprehensive Land Township, and its neighbor to the west, Eagle Township, are both Use Plan recommends covered by the County plan. The southern edge of Riley Township, adjacent to Watertown, is planned for Rural and Rural—Low primarily rural and low Density Residential uses (refer to Figure 2). The Plan describes density residential and these areas as being rural with more intensive residential development than agricultural areas. Clustered development is agricultural uses along promoted to preserve open space. The eastern edge of Eagle Watertown Township’s Township, adjacent to Watertown, is planned primarily for north and west Agricultural Preservation and Rural uses (refer to Figure 2). A small area between I-96 and Grand River Avenue is planned for boundaries. Mixed Use which is described as a growth area that can accommodate retail services, offices, entertainment, mixed uses, and single-family and multiple-family residential uses. MASTER PLAN regional setting 9 Watertown Charter Township DeWitt Charter Township. The DeWitt Charter Township Comprehensive Development Plan was adopted in August 2005. The western edge of DeWitt Township, adjacent to Watertown, is planned for a mix of uses (refer to Figure 3). The area north of the Looking Glass River is planned primarily