COLFAX TOWNSHIPHURON COUNTY, MICHIGAN Master Plan Update 2018 Adopted by the Colfax Township Planning Commission on October 1, 2018 Prepared by: Wade Trim Associates Bay City, Michigan Prepared for: Colfax Township Huron County, Michigan Colfax Township Master Plan Update 2018 Adopted by the Colfax Township Planning Commission on October 1, 2018 Table of Contents Chapter/Section Page No. 1.0 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Location and Regional Context ............................................................................................... 1 1.2 Purpose of the Plan ................................................................................................................ 2 1.3 Plan Organization ................................................................................................................... 2 2.0 Background Studies Summary .......................................................................................................... 3 2.1 Socioeconomic Profile ............................................................................................................ 3 2.2 Existing Land Use ................................................................................................................... 3 2.3 Natural Features ..................................................................................................................... 3 3.0 Socioeconomic Profile ...................................................................................................................... 4 3.1 Population .............................................................................................................................. 4 3.2 Age Distribution, Racial Make-Up and Disability Status ........................................................... 5 3.3 Households ............................................................................................................................ 7 3.4 Income and Wealth ................................................................................................................. 7 3.5 Education ............................................................................................................................... 8 3.6 Employment ........................................................................................................................... 9 3.7 State Equalized Value ........................................................................................................... 10 3.8 Total Housing Stock .............................................................................................................. 11 3.9 Housing Tenure .................................................................................................................... 12 3.10 Age of Structures ................................................................................................................ 13 3.11 Housing Values and Rent ................................................................................................... 13 4.0 Existing Land Use Analysis ............................................................................................................. 15 4.1 Survey Methodology ............................................................................................................. 15 4.2 Land Use Analysis ................................................................................................................ 16 4.3 Land Use Considerations ...................................................................................................... 17 5.0 Natural Environment Assessment ................................................................................................... 18 5.1 Topography .......................................................................................................................... 18 5.2 Woodlands ........................................................................................................................... 18 5.3 Soil Conditions ...................................................................................................................... 19 5.4 Geology ................................................................................................................................ 21 Colfax Township Master Plan Update 2018 Adopted October 1, 2018 Page i 6.0 Community Services and Facilities .................................................................................................. 22 6.1 Water and Sewage Disposal ................................................................................................. 22 6.2 Transportation ...................................................................................................................... 22 6.3 Solid Waste .......................................................................................................................... 22 6.4 Utility Services ...................................................................................................................... 22 6.5 Police, Fire, and Ambulance Services ................................................................................... 23 6.6 Schools and Library .............................................................................................................. 23 6.7 Civic Organizations and Churches ........................................................................................ 23 6.8 Medical Facilities .................................................................................................................. 24 6.9 Recreation ............................................................................................................................ 24 6.10 Renewable Energy.............................................................................................................. 24 7.0 Community Goals and Objectives ................................................................................................... 25 7.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 25 7.2 Public Participation ............................................................................................................... 25 7.3 Community-Wide Goals ........................................................................................................ 27 7.4 Agriculture Goal and Objectives ............................................................................................ 27 7.5 Residential Goal and Objectives ........................................................................................... 28 7.6 Commercial Goal and Objectives .......................................................................................... 28 7.7 Industrial Goal and Objectives .............................................................................................. 29 7.8 Transportation Goal and Objectives ...................................................................................... 29 7.9 Park and Recreation Goal and Objectives ............................................................................. 29 7.10 Natural Environment Goal and Objectives ........................................................................... 30 8.0 Future Land Use Plan ..................................................................................................................... 31 8.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 31 8.2 Plan Recommendations ........................................................................................................ 32 9.0 Plan Implementation Resources...................................................................................................... 36 9.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 36 9.2 Public Support for Long-Range Plan ..................................................................................... 36 9.3 Zoning Plan .......................................................................................................................... 36 9.4 Capital Improvements Program ............................................................................................. 39 9.5 Enforcement ......................................................................................................................... 40 9.6 Funding Opportunities ........................................................................................................... 40 9.7 Annexation Issues ................................................................................................................ 40 Colfax Township Master Plan Update 2018 Adopted October 1, 2018 Page ii Appendix (Mapping) Map 1 – Existing Land Use Map 2 – Environmental Resources Map 3 – Soil Conditions Map 4 – Community Facilities Map 5 – Future Land Use Colfax Township Master Plan Update 2018 Adopted October 1, 2018 Page iii 1.0 Introduction 1.1 Location and Regional Context Colfax Township is 35 square miles. The Township has a population of 1,815, according Colfax Township is located near the center of to the 2011-2015 American Community Survey Huron County, west of the City of Bad Axe. 5-Year Estimates. Huron County is 836.6