Pubdate: Thu, 16 Dec 2010 Source: Hillsdale Daily News, The (MI) Copyright: 2010 GateHouse Media, Inc Contact: http://www.hillsdale.net/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4324 Author: Eric Anderson, Staff Writer Cited: Planning Commission http://www.jonesville.org/jonesville_officials/jonesville_planning_commission.asp JONESVILLE PLANNING COMMISSION REFLECTS AND LOOKS AHEAD Jonesville, Mich. - The Dec. 7, 2010, meeting of the Jonesville Planning Commission took a look back on what was accomplished in 2010 while touching on what is coming up in 2011. One of the biggest accomplishments that the commission touched on was the adoption of a joint master plan between the village and Fayette Township. This plan will be valid for 10 years, with reviews scheduled for once every five years. "The master plan is pretty much the biggest responsibility of the planning commission," village manager Adam Smith said. Smith also mentioned that the adoption of the Michigan Planning and Enabling Act was critical for compliance with new requirements for planning commissions in Michigan. The requirements include reviewing the ordinances and resolutions that originally created planning commissions. The commission has completed the necessary implementation of new bylaws addressing the necessary changes. The creation of the Headwaters Recreation Authority and the passing of the Complete Streets ordinance were also noted by Smith as significant steps forward. The commission also took a look ahead at the issues that they will encounter in the coming year, including a revision of the sign ordinance and moratorium on medical marijuana facilities. "Medical marijuana is something that is going to appear on the agenda for the next several months," Smith said. The commission will be discussing how other areas are handling zoning regulations for medical marijuana facilities. Tuesday night's discussion centered on the Michigan Municipal League's perspective on the issue. A joint sign ordinance with the City of Hillsdale was discussed. A committee was formed to move forward on the issue that includes planning commission members, city administrators and other community representatives. "We tried to ensure that all major interests are represented," Smith said. The commission vice chairman Jerry Drake said that the joint sign ordinance could result in less stringent regulations on area signs. "The committee could come up with something less restrictive, that all the businesses like and that takes advantage of some newer technologies, potentially," he said. As far as improvements or changes to the area's signs, there is still work to be done. "We're going to wait for a report from the committee before doing anything on that issue," Village Council President-elect Bob Snow said. Snow, who is new to the commission, is eager to work with committee members on improving the community. We've got a good group here that is very interested in what is happening in our community," Snow said. "I think we're off to a good start." - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake