Preserving a community’s unique characteristics and values while fostering responsible growth and development is one of the greatest challenges growing Townships face. Deciding what is appropriate and responsible growth on a case-by-case basis is a difficult, if not impossible, task. A community master plan, sometimes referred to as a comprehensive plan, serves as the guide to realizing responsible and beneficial growth and development in the community.
Among the most important powers and duties granted by the State Legislature to a Township is the authority and responsibility to engage in master planning and to regulate land use for the purpose of protecting the public health, safety and general welfare of its citizens. A concise and effective master plan includes a clear identification of the goals, objectives, principles, guidelines, policies and standards upon which development of the township is to be based. These policy statements and recommendations on future land use, zoning and development decisions do not have the authority of law and regulation, but are intended to be used as guidelines by the decision-making bodies of the township. As such, a Master Plan is the most important document by which the township forges its future and implements its present set of laws.
Shelby Township sits at an important crossroads in its development. Given today's regional economic situation and global influences such as the rising cost of energy and demographic changes, it is questionable if continuing along the same development trajectory of the past 30 years will result in the best possible future for Shelby Township. Now is an important time to take stock of where Shelby Township is, where it should go, and the best way to get there. Please, join us in the planning process, lend us your voice, and let's chart a course for a bright future for our community.
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