Wightman Professional Planning Services GOWIGHTMAN.COM
It’s all about people. Wightman Professional Planning Services
About our firm… Wightman Professional Planning Services
The Wightman Way • Wightman has been serving communities in Michigan since 1946. • Our firm has 120 + employees and 3 locations: Benton Harbor, Allegan, and Kalamazoo. • Wightman is truly a “one stop shop” with Engineers, Architects, Planners, Interior Designers, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects all under the same roofs! Wightman Professional Planning Services • Our motto is “It’s all about people”.
Natalie Dean Planner, MSA Public Administration Central Michigan University • 12+ years with the City of Marshall as Planner/Director of Community Services (Recreation, Senior Living, Transportation, Building, Code Enforcement) • Composed most City ordinances including Hospital Campus Overlay District. • Assistant City Manager-City-wide projects, and represented City Manager in his absence • Branched out from Marshall to assist a variety of municipalities with Planning and Public Engagement needs.
Carl Baxmeyer Senior Planner, AICP, REFP Grand Valley State University Colorado State University • First Planning Director, LaPorte County, IN • Established the Planning Department including operations, policies and procedures • Updated Master Plan and Zoning Ordinance • Wrote the first Park and Recreation Plan • Founder – Baxmeyer Associates • Provided planning services to municipalities and commercial clients • Master Plans, Zoning Ordinances, Feasibility Studies • Economic Development – Targeted commercial/industry studies, TIF and EDA creation • Educational Facility Planner
Clawson… Wightman Professional Planning Services
Wightman Services For Clawson + EXPERIENCED MUNICIPAL PLANNERS + ACCESS TO A VARIETY OF SERVICES, AS NEEDED + FAMILIARITY WITH COMMERCIAL Wightman Professional Planning Services DEVELOPMENT AND GROWING DOWNTOWNS + REDEVELOPMENT EXPERTS-RRC CERTIFICATION + YEARS OF EXPERIENCE WITH ZONING ORDINANCES, MASTER PLANS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES, AND IMPLEMENTATION PLANS + GRANT WRITING EXPERIENCE + EXPERIENCE PRESENTING TO PLANNING COMMISSIONS, ZBA’S, AND CITY COUNCILS
Redevelopment Ready Communities & One Stop Ready Assistance Assisted Marshall in becoming the 8 th certified RRC community in Michigan. • The process took approximately 20 months from start to finish. • Maintain good relations with RRC staff to date. • Excited to work with the One Stop Ready program. Wightman Professional Planning Services
Site Plans Each site plan that comes into the City is unique. A site plan is always a balancing act between the developer’s ideas and the City’s ordinances. While development is good, it has to be the right development for the City! • Clawson’s process/timeline/flowchart for site plan review is to be applauded. Wightman Professional Planning Services • Review of the plan is coming from several different sources — necessary for a thorough review. • The process calls for the Planner to initially meet with the developer and serve as a continuous liaison through the site plan review and Planning Commission process. The process of review Clawson uses is familiar to us and we are impressed by the thoroughness and transparency.
Zoning Ordinances A Zoning Ordinance is a living, breathing document. As time changes, laws change, and the City’s needs change, it is necessary to amend the ordinance. We have experience writing and amending City ordinances. Wightman Professional Planning Services In 2014-2015, Natalie served on the Urban Livestock task force, commissioned under State Senator Joe Hune. • The task force was developed to take a close look at the affects of livestock in urban areas (soils, livestock health, livestock housing, waste management, slaughter and pest control. • Chickens were a large part of the discussion. The taskforce voted to recommend a comprehensive Urban Agriculture Act.
Grants! Municipalities require the use of grant money to implement successful projects within the City. 1. Environmental grants 2. Public space improvement grants 3. Housing grants 4. Recreational grants Wightman Professional Planning Services
Clawson’s community goals 1. Attract new business and industry to the City. 2. Prioritize development and revitalization along the main road corridors. 3. Preserve, protect and enhance the residential character of Clawson’s neighborhoods. 4. Encourage transitional development adjacent to commercial and industrial uses. Wightman Professional Planning Services 5. Maintain and enhance community facilities, recreation programs, and city parks to meet present and future needs of all residents. 6. Promote a safe and efficient transportation network within and through the community. 7. Minimize overuse and reliance on private access drives and parking lots, promote greenspace, and minimize environmental impacts. 8. Pursue alternative forms of transportation where appropriate.
Marshall, MI Redevelopment Ready Communities certification Celebrated on: December 2, 2016 Contractual Planner: Natalie Dean Wightman Professional Planning Services
Schoolcraft, MI Vision Plan, Master Plan, Zoning Plan Contractual Planner: Natalie Dean Wightman Professional Planning Services
Thank you, Clawson! Questions? GOWIGHTMAN.COM
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