Pere Marquette’s Planning Commission is made up of seven members appointed by the Township Board. These members are responsible for all preliminary plans and reports regarding the physical development of the Township. There is currently in place a Comprehensive Plan for the long-term evolution of the community. The Plan reflects the community’s commitment to the economic well-being of its residents while maintaining the area’s natural beauty and quality of life.

The Comprehensive Plan is flexible and its intent is to allow responsive action to the changing conditions in the Township. The plan allows for the effects of social and economic changes in the community as well as the interests of the residents. These are all reflected in the periodic review and updating of the Plan.

Many areas of the community change, and growth begins with the Planning Commission. This includes the general location, character, and extent of the streets, viaducts, bridges, parks and open spaces. Public buildings and other public property are also included, as are public utilities and terminals.

If an area needs to be changed, whether due to expansion and growth or due to deterioration, the Planning Commission is the place that action starts. The PC deals with all phases of residential, commercial, and agricultural development as well as farmland preservation and capital improvements. Conditional Use permits and Site Plan reviews come under the authority of the Planning Commission, which also recommends action on Conditional Use permits to the Township Board.

The Planning Commission considers all petitions and proposals for changes in the Zoning Ordinance, and makes recommendations to the Township Board. All planning reports and plans are reviewed prior to being made public. In Pere Marquette Township, Planning Commission regular meetings are on the first and third Tuesdays of each month.

Currently serving are Chairman Al DeMeester and Vice Chair Connie Andersen, Secretary Ron Soberalski, and members Ted Winkel and Larry Gustafson.  There is also one member who is appointed from the membership of Township Trustees to act as a liaison between the Township Board and the Planning Commission.  That position is held by Pamela Beal.

For those who may have been counting and checking up on us, that's only six members.  Yep -- there is a vacancy right now on the Planning Commission.  Commission members must live in Pere Marquette Township, so if you are a resident here and would like to serve, please click below for an application:

 www.pmtwp.org/PublicInfo/Forms/tabid/PDFs/App4BdsComm.pdf

and send it in to our Township Supervisor, Gene Jorissen.