The City of Kentwood is seeking public input on its long-range vision for growth, land use, development and open space conservation, known as the Master Plan, which the City has been working to update since 2017.
The draft plan and associated documents are available for public review on the City’s website at kentwood.us/PlanKentwood. Comments will be accepted through July 31. Those interested in submitting comments may do so in the following ways:
- Online at kentwood.us/PlanKentwood
- Over the phone by calling 616.554.0707
- Via email to eplanning@kentwood.us
- Or by mail to PO Box 8848, Kentwood, MI 49518
There will be a work session on Aug. 11, followed by a public hearing to adopt the 2020 Master Plan on Aug. 25. Both opportunities will allow for additional public comment directly to the Planning Commission.
The Master Plan is an official public document adopted by the Kentwood Planning Commission. The forward-looking development plan considers the long-range goals and desires of residents and property owners, as well as local, regional and market trends.
The Master Plan features goals, policies and recommended actions to guide land use decision-making for Planning Commissioners and City Commissioners during the next 20 years. It is reviewed at least every five years but is modified and updated as deemed necessary by the Planning Commission. The most recent update was completed in 2012.
The objective of the update process is to plan for new population growth and redevelopment while protecting key environmental features, creating sustainable economic opportunities and providing public services.
“We are nearing the finish line in the Master Plan update process, which is critical for maintaining our community’s vision with thoughtful consideration of future growth,” said Community Development Director Terry Schweitzer. “All the engagement we’ve had so far with residents, businesses and property owners has been vital to the journey, and we look forward to hearing additional feedback as we work toward the plan’s adoption.”
Beginning last summer, the City sought public input on proposed changes through “Plan Kentwood,” a community engagement series that consisted of five opportunities for the community to share their thoughts at different events throughout the City.
Discussions during the community engagement series focused on a few key areas where changes were proposed: Section 13, which consists of 263 acres of open land between 28th and 36th streets, Patterson Avenue and East Paris Avenue; a 480-acre area referred to as Section 34, which is located between 52nd and 60th streets, the Princeton Estates plat and Wing Avenue; the 28th and 29th Street commercial corridor; and the Division Avenue corridor.
Proposed changes from the 2012 plan impact policies and principles for all development in the City, as well as recommendations related to the undeveloped and redeveloping land.
This public comment period allows the Planning and City Commissioners, neighboring communities, government agencies, public utilities, transportation and telecommunications providers and the general public to further review and comment on the draft plan. The Planning Commission will then have the opportunity to make changes to the plan based on the input received. After changes are made, the Planning Commission will seek to adopt the 2020 Master Plan, and then present it to the City Commission for acceptance.