2007 YEAR END REPORT
BY: PHILIP BRUMMEL
The Department of Planning and Community Development is the department, within the Township Offices, which oversees the Township’s Land Use Planning, in cooperation with the Planning Commission and the Township Board, Permitting for all structures, which include building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical and for the Inspections for each of those trades, Variance requests in cooperation with the Zoning Board of Appeals, Residential Rental Registration and Inspections, as well as the Zoning Ordinance Enforcement of the Township’s land use ordinances and we also do the Legal Ad Notices for the majority of the public hearings.
The primary function of this department is to advance the Township’s and its residents’ interest in public safety and general welfare. The creation of tax base is not the primary function of this department. The creation of tax base is a result of the Master Land Use Plans response to development pressure. The creation of the Master Land Use Plan is the result of a coordinated effort between the Township’s residents, the Planning Commission, and the Township Board.
We can assure you that public safety and general welfare of all of the Township’s residents are considered prior to decisions. As a result, it is sometimes difficult to understand and then agree with certain decisions. Often times not all the facts are known, and not all the consequences are realized when the focus is only on a single issue. If you would like an explanation regarding a land use decision or zoning ordinance enforcement, you can contact this department at any time. Sometimes it is difficult to envision or understand how a land use; a far distance from one’s personal property will effect that property and that person’s quality of life, as well as a full understanding that how decisions made today will effect and impact the next generation to a greater degree than the current generation. The task of balancing all of those interests and relating that to land use and land planning and the details in site layout and design is a difficult task.
We again were way down in single family permits for 2007, probably about 1/3 of where we would be in a normal year. Last year there were only 43 single family home starts. There were two additional single family subdivision start ups in 2007. Both Dew Point West and Hidden Forest installed their 1st phase last year which together is 85 lots. We wrapped up the student developments of Conifer creek, Copper Beech, Meadows Crossing, Mystic Woods and Sutter’s Mill and started up the Phase 1 of The Village at 48 West. Grand Valley State University continues to be the popular choice of higher education which continues to be the driving force behind the new commercial growth the community is experiencing. The department is also working with a number of developers on new commercial for 2008; a number of them are significant and will continue to move the Allendale Community into a destination community rather than a drive through community.
The managing of this construction and the resulting inspections is a huge task. This is managed by Sharon Kleinjans who does a great job and service to the community. There were approximately 5813 inspections that she had to juggle last year while maintaining a positive relationship with the contractors.
The residential rental registration and inspection program is now 3 ½ years old. I am happy to report that the program is working and we are beginning to see positive results. Many properties are being brought back into compliance and structures are becoming healthier and safer for occupancy. This is an ongoing process that takes consistent monitoring. This is managed by Tami Arsenault who also does the inspections. She has gained the respect of the property owners and is reported to be fair, just and patient and is fully capable of resolving difficult situations. As of this writing, we have 1773 dwelling units registered as rental units which require about 300 inspections per year. The new construction doesn’t come on line for inspections until they are four years old. This department will be continuing to add inspection numbers over the next several years.
The Zoning Board of Appeals has been very quiet over the last year while the Planning Commission continues to meet approximately three times a month. It is my belief that if a community’s Zoning Board of Appeals is over burdened and continuously hearing certain requests it is possible the zoning ordinance needs attention. I believe, over the years, we have carefully crafted zoning ordinances to avoid overuse of the Zoning Board of Appeals.
The department has the Township’s entire land use zoning ordinance on the website at www.allendale-twp.org as well as the Township’s Master Plan. If you would like to discuss either of these or if you would like to find out how you can be more involved with Township development decisions, please call us anytime at:
616-895-6295 ext 1.
Philip Brummel, Administrator
Department of Planning and Community Development
Allendale Charter Township |
