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."