Horizon Community Planning - Community Plans

The City of Saugatuck has launched the initial phases of its Master Plan update, setting the stage for a collaborative and community-driven planning process. The project will guide the City’s future land use, growth, and investment decisions, rooted in a shared vision for the community’s long-term success.

Key priorities for the plan include strengthening the historic downtown area while preserving small-town character, promoting environmental sustainability, expanding pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, promoting arts and culture, and supporting a welcoming, inclusive, and year-round residential community. 

The Paw Paw Township Master Plan effort is currently underway to guide the community’s future growth and land use decisions. Funded through the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) Housing Readiness Incentive Grant Program, the plan focuses on managing incremental residential and commercial development around existing public infrastructure. A central goal of the project is to ensure that future growth and development of the housing supply occur in a coordinated and sustainable manner, while protecting key environmental and agricultural resources. Priority areas for preservation include the Paw Paw River watershed, prime farmland, and the region’s historic fruit-growing farms. The draft master plan is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2025.

The Almena Township Master Plan has recently commenced to help shape the community’s long-term growth and land use strategy. Supported by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) Housing Readiness Incentive Grant Program, the plan focuses on expanding housing supply in targeted growth areas while preserving the township’s rural character.

A major priority of the effort is the protection of the Paw Paw River, which diagonally bisects the township and serves as a critical natural resource. The planning process began with strong public engagement, including a well-attended community kickoff meeting with over 120 participants and statistically significant feedback collected through a township-wide survey. The draft master plan is scheduled for completion late 2025.

The Marshall Township Master Plan Update established a comprehensive framework to guide the Township's future growth while preserving its rural character and natural environment. Led by the Planning Commission, the update provided a 20-year outlook to ensure adaptability over time. Key components included a detailed community profile, needs assessment, and an inventory of facilities and infrastructure. A clear vision statement, goals, and guiding principles were developed alongside a future land use plan and an implementation strategy. Emphasizing civic engagement, the plan serves as a practical guide for zoning, land use decisions, and capital improvements, promoting targeted development in areas supported by public infrastructure and utilities. The plan was approved on November 21, 2022.

The City of Ferrysburg is a friendly and family-oriented coastal community and its citizens take great pride in the area’s natural assets, neighborhoods, and local businesses. The goal of this planning process was to re-engage the citizens through open house collaboration and dialogue, participation in a community survey, and many discussions at monthly Planning Commission meetings. The project refined the future land use plan and created an implementation strategy. The plan was approved by the Ferrysburg City Council on December 17, 2018. 

The City of Hart has strong neighborhoods, a historic downtown, numerous recreational opportunities, and places of business and employment. Providing its own utility services, it can be considered a self-reliant community where residents can live, work, and play. The City’s vision is to maintain a strong community that retains its small-town appeal. The plan is a living document that is the basis for decision-making and an annual work plan for implementation. Additionally, the adoption of this plan was an essential step for Redevelopment Ready Communities certification. The plan was approved by the Hart City Council on December 19, 2017.

David Jirousek managed this project while at a previous firm (Williams & Works). This experience now informs the tailored approach and expertise offered by Horizon Community Planning.

 Change in Coldwater Township and the City of Coldwater has been significant over the past few years. Economic development efforts have landed significant industrial, commercial, and agricultural operations through joint planning and utility service agreements. Along with growth is the need for protection of the Township’s resources and preservation of rural character outside of areas targeted for growth. Considering the balance, this plan identifies the most appropriate areas for major commercial and industrial growth outside of the City’s limits for an agreed-upon future general development framework. The plan was approved by the Township Board on December 4, 2017. 

David Jirousek managed this project while at a previous firm (Williams & Works). This experience now informs the tailored approach and expertise offered by Horizon Community Planning.

 Construction of the new M-231 highway through the heart of Robinson Township has caused concerns over development pressure and appropriate land use at future access points along the route. The M-231 Sub-Area Plan was intended to address planning, growth,  and development issues for two target areas: land in the vicinity of the M-231intersections with Lake Michigan Drive and Lincoln Street. The plan builds upon and supplements the Township’s long-range master plan by providing more detailed recommendations for these two subareas in an effort to balance the preservation of prized community assets with economic growth opportunities. The plan was approved by the Township Board on July 8, 2015. 

David Jirousek managed this project while at a previous firm (LSL Planning). This experience now informs the tailored approach and expertise offered by Horizon Community Planning.