Ct of Houhton, Mchn 20192023 Acknowledgements Houghton City Council: Mayor Robert Backon Mayor Pro Tem Robert Megowen Rachel Lankton Mike Needham Daniel Salo John Sullivan Philip Foltz Houghton Planning Commission: Tom Merz, Chairperson Mike Needham, Vice Chairperson Gary Lubinski, Secretary Robert Backon, Mayor Eric Waara Kristine Bradof Dan Liebau Bill Leder Michele Jarvie-Eggart Eric T. Waara, P.E., City Manager Ann Vollrath, Assistant City Manager A special thank you to all Houghton citizens who participated in the community survey and public planning workshops associated with this Master Plan. Table of Contents 1 Introduction . 1 7 Recreation . 31 The Plan’s Guiding Principles Community Description Use of the Plan Administrative Structure Recreation Inventory 2 The Master Plan Process . 5 Local Recreational Facilities Survey Regional Recreational Facilities Open House Events Status Report Of All Grant-Assisted Parks 3 Historical Timeline . 9 Description Of The Planning Process And Public Input 4 Demographics . 13 Goals And Objectives Specific Goals And Objectives Highlights Action Program Population and Age Distribution Households Desired Improvements Population Trends Pure Michigan Trail And Trail Town Designation Program Housing 8 Neighborhood Preservation and Development . 59 Income Highlights Employment Building Community 5 Physical and Natural Setting . 19 Managing Change Highlights Housing Options Climate Progress Topography Challenges Keweenaw Waterway Goals Strategies Soils and Geology 9 Transportation . 69 6 Community Facilities . 23 Highlights Highlights Government Facilities And Services Street And Road System Education State Highways Cultural Resources Road Maintenance Goals Non-Motorized Transportation Strategies Complete Streets Safe Routes To School Public Transportation Railroad Port Air Transportation Taxi Service Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Goals Strategies Table of Contents (continued) 10 Downtown . 77 14 Sustainable Practices & Energy Conservation . 115 Highlights Sustainable Urban Environment Focus On Downtown Services And Operations Blueprint For Growth Conservation Preserving The Past Goals Promoting the Present Strategies Parking Planning the Future 15 Life in a Winter City . 123 Attractions Winter Recreation Goals Winter Events Strategies Winter Non-Motorized Transportation 11 M-26 & Sharon Avenue Business Corridor . 91 Managing Snow HIghlights Planning Description Goals Planning/Access Management Strategies Huron Creek Watershed Management 16 Strategies . 129 Goals Introduction Strategies Prioritization Of Master Plan Recommendations Chapter 6: Community Facilities 12 Economic Development . 99. Placemaking Chapter 7: Recreation Community Investment Chapter 8: Neighborhood Preservation and Grants, Loans And Support Development Talent Chapter 9: Transportation Tax Increment Finance Authority Chapter 10 – Downtown Business Organizations And Resource Groups Chapter 11 – M-26/Sharon Avenue Business District Goals Chapter 12: Economic Development Strategies Chapter 13: Zoning plan and future land use Chapter 14: Sustainability Zoning Plan and Future Land Use . 107 13 Life in a Winter City Existing Zoning Rezoning 17 Appendices . 143 Conditional Rezoning Demographic Tables Form-Based Zoning Downtown Development Map Zoning Ordinance Changes Existing Recreational Facilities Map Future Land Use City of Houghton Vacant Land Map Progress City of Houghton Future Land Use Map Goals City of Houghton Zoning Map Strategies City of Houghton Resolutions Glossary ADA – Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 DDA – Downtown Development Authority EGLE – Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy Form-Based Zoning – an alternative means of regulating urban development, such as in downtown districts, that focuses more on physical form than use, allowing for mixed use where traditional zoning would not KCVB – Keweenaw Convention and Visitors Bureau KEDA – Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance KTS – Keweenaw Trail Service LDFA – Local Development Finance Authority LED – light-emitting diode LEED – Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design MDEQ – Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (now EGLE) MDOT – Michigan Department of Transportation MEDC – Michigan Economic Development Corporation Michigan Tech – Michigan Technological University MSBDC – Michigan Small Business Development Center MTEC – Michigan Tech Enterprise Corporation Placemaking – creating a livable, walkable, vibrant community SmartZone – a specially created technology park designed to spur the growth of technology-related or research-oriented businesses and employment opportunities Sustainable City – a city that meets the needs of the present without sacrificing the future The City – City of Houghton TIFA – Tax Increment Finance Authority UPPCO – Upper Peninsula Power Company WUPPDR – Western Upper Peninsula Planning and Development Region INTRODUCTION The Plan’s Guiding Principles Use of the Plan CITY OF HOUGHTON MASTER PLAN | 1 INTRODUCTION CITY OF HOUGHTON MASTER PLAN | 2 INTRODUCTION This is Houghton’s Master Plan; documentation of our community’s This Plan’s Guiding Principles: principles and guidebook for our future. The preparation of this • Attract and retain a diverse and talented workforce document involved community leaders, citizens who participated in the citywide survey and public meetings, the planning commission, and staff. • Foster a “sense of place” This plan reflects what the residents of Houghton said is important to them and thus provides a guide for future decision-making, actions, and • Preserve our rich history policies by city leadership. • Improve non-motorized and motorized travel and create connectivity The Michigan Planning Enabling Act of 2008 requires each community to with neighboring communities have a master plan that satisfies three criteria: • Assist Michigan Tech in attracting a diverse student body • Is coordinated, adjusted, harmonious, efficient, and economical • Strengthen neighborhoods • Considers the character of the planning jurisdiction and its suitability • Establish a more vibrant downtown for particular uses, judged in terms of such factors as trends in land development and population changes • Plan future land use • Best promotes public health, safety, morals, order, convenience, • Promote a viable business community prosperity, and general welfare • Incorporate sustainable practices into daily operations. This Master Plan is a flexible document serving as the foundation of community vision—what the people of our community envision for their collective future. This Master Plan incorporates significant community Use of the Plan and regional input which aids in establishing appropriate goals and This Master Plan is prepared under authority of the Michigan Planning strategies consistent with our regional identity. Enabling Act, P.A. 33 of 2008, as amended. It provides the basis for zoning The Master Plan establishes a framework for zoning and other public under the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act, P.A. 110 of 2006, as amended. The policies affecting the community. Community goals relating to growth, Master Plan also provides a basis for subdivision regulations, local land use economic development, recreation, environment, education, historic regulations, and the capital improvements program to ensure consistency preservation, and resource management provide criteria for updating this with expressed community goals and policies. This Master Plan is designed Master Plan. A desirable community implements policies consistent with to be consistent with other regional plans, thereby setting the stage for community goals conveying a strong sense of identity and pride of place, regional collaboration. while stimulating public and private investment. The Master Plan provides advisory guidelines for development based on public vision, interests and intentions. This aids private sector landowners and developers in making decisions that are consistent with public goals. CITY OF HOUGHTON MASTER PLAN | 3 THE MASTER PLAN PROCESS Survey Open House Events CITY OF HOUGHTON MASTER PLAN | 5 THE MASTER PLAN PROCESS THE MASTER PLAN PROCESS • About 75 percent of respondents perceived improvement in transpor- tation. Respondents are satisfied with the maintenance of bike paths, highlights sidewalks, and roads. The City conducted a community survey to garner opinions related to the • Almost 90 percent of respondents feel curbside recycling is important. quality of the present services provided, areas where the City can improve, The City has offered curb-side recycling since 2016. and what city services should be provided in the future. A total of 1,500 surveys were distributed and the response rate was 32 percent. • Respondents are very satisfied with city services. Over 50 percent are satisfied with the police department, fire department, water and sewer The planning commission hosted three open house events involving the service, maintenance, and snow removal. community in the planning process. The survey measured respondents’ satisfaction levels and perceived improvement since the last survey. Recommendations from the survey included increasing social media use, and improving Dee Stadium, code enforcement, public transit, road conditions, and public restrooms. City residents, business owners, and city officials played an important role in the development of this Master Plan. During the planning process, the Open House Events City offered several opportunities for public involvement. Residents,