The City of Buchanan Planning Commission in compliance with Michigan’s Open Meetings Act hereby gives notice of a Planning Commission meeting to be held in the Chamber of City Hall.
* Comments may also be submitted in writing at least 4 hours in advance to the Community Development Director Richard Murphy at rmurphy@cityofbuchanan.com
* Buchanan City will provide necessary and reasonable auxiliary aide and services to those individuals with disabilities who wish to attend the public meeting upon receiving at least one (1) week’s prior notice. Any such individual requiring such aids or services should contact the city in writing or by telephoning: Buchanan City Clerk; 302 North Redbud Trail, Buchanan, MI 49107, 269-695-3844.
The Community Development Director recommends next action steps by the Plan Commission to set the City of Buchanan Master Plan adoption public comment period from August 11 – September 14 and schedule the Master Plan adoption public hearing for September 14.
City Manager Grace and Clerk Pitcher have been working to improve the effectiveness of all City commissions, boards, committees, and councils. Currently, the Friends of McCoy's Creek Trail Committee and the Buchanan Tree Friends Committee are both subcommittees of the Buchanan Area Recreation Board (B.A.R.B.) The B.A.R.B. does not possess the knowledge or expertise to provide proper oversight or guidance to those subcommittees which have, therefore, proceeded their activities independent from the B.A.R.B. However, there do seem to be significant opportunities for strategic alignment with the Planning Commission's purpose. To that end, it is proposed the Friends of McCoy's Creek Trail and the Buchanan Tree Friends be transferred from the auspices of the B.A.R.B. to become subcommittees of the Planning Commission.
If the Planning Commission is amenable to this transition, the following should be considered. According to Resolution 204.04/11, "the commission, board or council will appoint a member of its own to serve on the subcommittee to provide ongoing updates to the supervising commission, board or council". Options for the Planning Commission to comply are:
1. Appoint a current Planning Commissioner to each of the subcommittees; or
2. Appoint a member of each subcommittee to the Planning Commission; or
3. A combination of 1 and 2.
Given the Planning Commission currently has two vacancies for City residents, the Planning Commission may wish to consider appointing Richard Martin, Chair of Buchanan Tree Friends. He has indicated his willingness to serve in that capacity, has previously served as a Planning Commissioner, and is a City of Buchanan resident. There may be a similarly suited individual from the Friends of McCoy's Creek Trail as well.
Should the Planning Commission wish to proceed, a recommendation must be made to the City Commission, also in accordance with Resolution 204.04/11.