Its been a long time coming. Ever since more than 70% Elmwood Township voters reversed the adoption of a new township zoning ordinance by referendum in July of 2003, local planning entities have been challenged to bring a meaningful alternative to the table. The referendum defeat seemed to bring the zoning up-date advocated by the township board then in office to a thundering halt as answers to voters' concerns were sought. Election day 2004 realized major changes to the composition of the board and a nearly complete overhaul of the township planning commission followed. Elmwood engaged the services of a new planning consultant, LSL Associates of Grand Rapids, and new legal advisors had been brought on board after the first ordinance failed. Now its here: the first zoning legislation recommended by the Elmwood Planning Commission since the referendum, a complete re-write of the township's Rural Resort zoning district standards.

The RR-1 zoning district includes the property that was recently subject to an application for the development of the massive "Glacier Bay" destination water park resort. Elmwood's planning consultants, legal advisors and planning commission were faced with a glaring disconnect between the way in which zoning standards were applied in the zoning ordinance (an ordinance that currently is still in effect) and the township master plan. Characterized as "wide open", and without meaningful standards to apply, the planning commission was left to work with broad statements directing it to approve projects that met the requirements of the Elmwood Township Master Plan. Along with contradictions, conflicts, and ambiguities, both planners and applicants were out of luck when it came to reaching any conclusion as to just exactly what was allowed to occur in the district.

Elmwood voters should take note that there is much to be encouraged with in both the standards that have been created for this district, and the process that has been followed in their formulation by the Elmwood Planning commission. Intent statements that help define the district's connection with the township master plan are clear, direct, and simply stated. The new standards are rooted in concepts developed by recognizing the clearly defined attitudes of Elmwood residents as presented in the master plan. The new standards will: "maximize protection of its (the township's) rural atmosphere and its natural environment," to "permit resorts with limited commercial development that satisfy market needs of the local community." The district also allows a residential component compatible with rural low density requirements, and encourages home clustering to maintain open space.

Much more is on the near horizon for Elmwood. New standards developed for the RR-1 district will serve to preview a soon-to-be complete zoning ordinance re-write, a project now 10 years in the making. And while the language and procedures have been polished here, residents have an opportunity to get a first look at how their new zoning can be expected to work—and be prepared to offer suggestions for change before it all becomes final.

~ Erik