COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The process of getting an updated Branch County Master Plan on the books is continuing. The Branch County Planning Commission on Wednesday morning approved the scheduling of a public hearing for its September 7 meeting.
The updated Master Plan was on the agenda for approval during the March 29 Branch County Board of Commissioners meeting.
But no action was taken after it was discovered it had to be sent back to the Planning Commission so that they can review the changes discussed during the Commissioners work session on March 17.
Patrick Hudson of the Southcentral Michigan Planning Council, who has assisted on updating the Master Plan, said Commissioners wanted language on livestock clarified.
He told Planning Commission Chair Debbie Lounds the Commissioners wanted to make sure any ordinance on solar power should be handled by the townships.
Hudson added the Commissioners wanted an explanation of how intensive livestock operations are regulated by the state.
He added there is not much interest these days in wind energy.
If the Planning Commission reviews and approves the changes in September, the Master Plan will be returned to the Commissioners for their final approval.
The Planning Commission along with the Southcentral Michigan Planning Council have worked on the plan. It was updated thanks in part to the controversy of proposed wind turbines in the northwestern part of the county. It was also felt an updated Master Plan would benefit development and help communities with grant funding. Funding for updating the Master Plan was approved by the Board of Commissioners in December of 2019.
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