Benzie County does not administer planning and zoning for the local units of government within the County. If you are seeking specific planning or zoning information for a township, village, or the City of Frankfort, please contact the local unit of government directly.
Description
The Planning Commission is an eleven-member commission appointed by the County Board of Commissioners. Planning Commissioners are appointed to three-year terms.
Purpose
The purpose of the Benzie County Planning Commission is to initiate and promote county planning including, but not limited to master planning, according to all applicable provisions of the Michigan Planning Enabling Act, Michigan Zoning Enabling Act, and the Benzie County Planning Commission Ordinance as amended.
The Planning Commission is a local non-political unit of the Benzie County government providing services that are directed by the Michigan Planning Enabling Act 33 of 2008 .
Township Zoning Review
Each township, village, and city in Benzie County administer their own zoning and planning. In accordance with the Michigan Planning Enabling Act and the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act, the County Planning Commission may provide recommendations on master plans and zoning ordinances to units of government within the County. The County Planning Commission and staff will conduct a review prior to the recommendation. The recommendation allows the county planning commission to coordinate planning and zoning efforts by:
- Providing constructive feedback that will be helpful to the local unit of government.
- Establishing a dialog with local units of government on planning and zoning issues.
- Tracking plans and ordinances that become resources for other communities.
- Aid in coordinating proposed plans, zoning ordinances, or zoning ordinance amendments by any township within Benzie County with the plans and zoning ordinances of neighboring townships, cities, or villages, and ensuring an overall common approach to land use policy within the County.
The Benzie County Administrator's Office handles all FOIA requests for the BCPC.
