Adobe Acrobat File:Introduction.pdf
This document is a text-only version of the original Adobe Acrobat file. Graphics and formatting may be lost in the conversion from pdf to html.
View the Adobe Acrobat version of this file.
Introduction
Master Land Use Plan
Located along the eastern shore of Lake
Michigan, the City of Muskegon is a
dynamic urban community. The City is
home to the nationally acclaimed Cherry
County Playhouse, the Muskegon Museum
of Art, the Frauenthal Center for the
Performing Arts, colleges, regional health
care institutions, and a host of national
firms, including representation in the
Fortune 500.
Recreational opportunities abound. Lake
Michigan's sandy beaches attract visitors
from throughout the Midwest. The
Muskegon Lake shoreline provides scenic
viewscapes and natural areas. Both lakes
are important sport fisheries.
Muskegon is a community of ethnic and now experiencing significant growth in
cultural diversity. The City is home to high-tech industrial development and
approximately 42,000 residents. It is the tourism.
region's largest city and the seat of
Muskegon County government. Founded The City is accessible by Interstate 96 and
on a lumbering base, and supplanted by US-31. Muskegon Lake provides deep
automotive and other industries, the City is harbor access for commercial, industrial,
and recreational watercraft. The Muskegon
Airport, located minutes from the City,
provides full-service passenger facilities
with linkage to major national airports.
Within West Michigan, the City is
considered a prime location for significant
growth due to lakefront development
opportunities, an existing industrial base, a
skilled labor force, and an extensive range
of educational, cultural, and recreational
amenities.
The City of Muskegon Master Land Use
Plan is designed to be a guide and strategy
for future land use. It is intended for use by
decision makers during the process of
making choices between varied and often
competing interests.
Master Land Use Plan
City of Muskegon 1 1
Introduction
Master Land Use Plan
The Master Land Use Plan is made up of rezonings, site plan reviews, variances,
three elements: the overall Master Land Use and the like should be evaluated on the
Plan document; a focused basis of consistency with specific plan
Downtown/Lakeshore Redevelopment plan; recommendations and standards.
and an extensive geographic information
system. The Master Land Use Plan As a guide for augmenting current land
summarizes numerous data gathering development regulations.
efforts, subsequent analytical steps, and
comprehensive land use recommendations. The Plan presents a framework for future
The Downtown/Lakeshore Redevelopment land use that is supported by findings and
Plan represents similar steps and recommendations which are based on:
recommendations, but focuses on the Core Perceptions of the City's past, present,
Downtown and Muskegon Lakefront. The and potential future, as shared by
geographic information system digitized members of City and regional business,
vast quantities of data for use in unlimited governmental, institutional, banking,
analysis and presentation of land use issues. investment, development, educational,
entrepreneurial, and residential
All elements of the Master Land Use Plan communities.
were generated during approximately 28
months of work in 1995 to 1997 by a large An analysis of demographic trends and
team of citizens, City and business officials, projections.
and consultants. The level of dialogue and
effort put into thinking, discussing, An analysis of traffic and accident data
proposing and finalizing a plan for the City and transportation needs.
of Muskegon was unprecedented in the
City's history. All participants should be An analysis of land use, development
proud. patterns, and natural resources.
The Master Land Use Plan should be used An analysis of potentially contaminated
as follows: property and redevelopment of former
industrial land.
As a tool when developing,
coordinating, and preparing specialized Neighborhood, business owner, City
plans and plan implementation official, and City staff workshops
programs; and when addressing issues conducted during the process of
such as neighborhoods, natural preparing the Downtown/Lakeshore
resources, and land development Redevelopment Plan component of the
proposals. Master Land Use Plan.
As a guideline during the process of Information gathered during downtown
administering zoning and other land patron and regional household surveys.
development ordinances. Decisions on
requests for special use permits,
Master Land Use Plan
City of Muskegon 1 2
Introduction
Master Land Use Plan
An examination of previous City
planning documents.
The plan is presented in thirteen sections:
1. Introduction
2. Population & Socio-Economic
Characteristics
3. Existing Land Use
4. Transportation
5. Natural Features Inventory
6. Historic District
7. Parks and Recreational Facilities
8. Brownfield Analysis
9. Residential Quality
10. Neighborhood Issues
11. Sub-Area Plans
12. Future Land Use Recommendations
13. General Plan Recommendations
Master Land Use Plan
City of Muskegon 1 3