1-Introduction

What is planning?

Planning is an activity that has been ongoing since the beginning of civilization. Quite simply, planning is preparation for a future event, activity or endeavor. Everyone conducts some type of planning in their daily lives. Where the issues are simple and the outcomes are clear, the plans can be simple. More complex issues and problems require plans to be more complex and detailed. It is relatively easy to propose plans for events that can reasonably be anticipated. It is much more difficult to prepare plans for events which are not anticipated. The most effective plans are those which are accurate enough to prepare for anticipated events, and flexible enough to provide guidance for events which are not anticipated.

In the process of planning, the following steps are involved:

• Identification of the problem or issue
• Setting of goals to be achieved
• Formulation of alternative solutions and evaluation of impacts
• Developing a plan of action

How is the City authorized to plan?

The City of Royal Oak derives its authority to prepare a Master Plan from the Municipal Planning Act, P.A. 285 of 1931. The Act states:

Section 6. The commission shall make and adopt a master plan for the physical development of the municipality, including any areas outside of its boundaries which, in the commission's judgment, bear relation to the planning of the municipality. The plan, with the accompanying maps, plats, charts, and descriptive matter shall show the commission's recommendations for the development of the territory, including, among other things, the general location, character, and extent of streets, viaducts, subways, bridges, waterways, flood plains, water fronts, boulevards, parkways, playgrounds and open spaces, the general location of public buildings and other public property, and the general location and extent of public utilities and terminals, whether publicly or privately owned or operated, for water, light, sanitation, transportation, communication, power, and other purposes . . . The commission from time to time may amend, extend, or add to the plan.

Why plan for Royal Oak?

As the year 2000 rapidly approaches, there is a strong need to evaluate the physical development of the City. The current Master Plan was adopted in 1968 and has not undergone a major revision. Despite a perception that the City is fully developed, significant changes have occurred in thirty years:

• The construction of I-696 has provided a conduit for metropolitan traffic at the front door of Royal Oak
• Downtown has been transformed into a mixed use retail, service and entertainment district
• New housing has been built in response to a desirable residential environment (a total of 772 new dwellings since 1980, the majority of which has been owner occupied condominiums in multi-family complexes ranging from 3 to 124 units).

What process has been followed?

The City's response to these changes has been to undertake a systematic process which involves analysis of the community, citizen participation, and revision of the Master Plan. The revised Master Plan will provide for the orderly development of the City, assist the community in its effort to maintain and enhance a pleasant living environment, and spark a vision toward the future.

The following flow chart depicts the Master Plan process as a whole, and at what points public input is obtained.

The revised Master Plan has the following characteristics:

• It is a physical plan. Although social and economic conditions are considered, the plan will be a guide to the physical development of the community.
• It provides a long range viewpoint. The Master Plan will depict land use and community development within a time frame of 20 years.
• It is comprehensive, covering the entire City and all the components that affect its physical makeup.
• It is the official statement of policy regarding such issues as land use, community character and transportation which impact the physical environment. As a policy guide, it must be sufficiently flexible to provide guidance for changing conditions and unanticipated events.

How is the Master Plan different from Zoning?

The Master Plan is not a Zoning Ordinance. The Master Plan is the long range policy guide for the physical arrangement and appearance of the City. The Zoning Ordinance more specifically regulates the manner in which individual properties are used. The Zoning Ordinance is only one of a number of tools used to implement the Master Plan. Formulating a Master Plan is the first step in providing a sound and legal basis for revising the Zoning Ordinance and other regulatory Ordinances, investing in public capital improvements, and guiding private land use decisions.

How has the community been involved?

The master planning program has relied on the involvement of and input from various stakeholder groups including neighborhood groups, citizens-at-large, non-residential property owners, business owners, outside planning consultants, City staff, City Commissioners, and Plan Commissioners. Public input was obtained through a series of workshop sessions conducted throughout the City. The public input process is described more fully in the Section entitled "Visioning and Public Participation."

Who is responsible for Planning and Zoning?

The City of Royal Oak has a number of bodies that are actively involved in the planning and zoning decision-making process:

City Commission - The City Commission is the chief governing body of the City. By Michigan Statute, the City Commission approves rezoning requests, zoning and text amendments, and subdivision plats.

Plan Commission - The Mayor and one City Commissioner serve on the Plan Commission as required by the State Law Option adopted by the City. Six of the nine Plan Commission members are appointed by the Mayor and approved by the City Commission. Pursuant to City Ordinance, the remaining Plan Commission member is nominated by the City of Royal Oak School Board of Education. The Plan Commission is the principal recommending body to the City Commission on matters pertaining to the planning and development of the community. The Plan Commission approves site plans and special land uses and makes recommendations to the City on rezoning requests, zoning text amendments, and subdivision plats. Michigan statues require a Plan Commission to prepare and adopt a Master Plan.

Zoning Board of Appeals - The Board of Appeals serves to interpret provisions of the Zoning Ordinance when requested and determine when variances should be granted when practical difficulties with property make it impossible to meet the strict provisions of the Zoning Ordinance.