The city of
Southfield is shaping its future for the 21st Century with the
development of a new Comprehensive Master Plan. Southfield recently
hired a team of consultants to develop the Plan which will state
policies and recommendations for the physical development of the City.
The Plan will also provide background information for the City to use
while making decisions pertaining to the future physical development of
the City.
As a first-tier
community, neither fully urban nor completely suburban, Southfield
needs a plan that will blend the new with the old. A public
participation program will incorporate ideas from those who know
Southfield best—the residents and business community.
The city of
Southfield’s central location, extensive business community and varied
demographic composition uniquely positions Southfield to exert a
positive influence on the future growth and development of metropolitan
Detroit. Southfield has remained a vibrant community while reacting to
seemingly endless development proposals for more than 20 years. While
there were many policies and procedures shaping that success over the
years, the time has come for Southfield to develop a new plan for the
future.
Now is the right
time to implement a new Comprehensive Master Plan because City land use
decisions have evolved from major new developments to infill and
redevelopment. The Plan will give the City guidance when deciding
future new developments/redevelopments and capital improvement
projects. It will also document the City’s planning history, and
complement the City’s Strategic Plan.
The
implementation of the new Comprehensive Master Plan will preserve the
best of Southfield and serve as a catalyst for change where it is
needed. Southfield’s various districts, corridors and neighborhoods
deserve a Comprehensive Master Plan to sustain the city as a viable
community through the 21st Century and beyond.
The consultant
team comprised of Carter & Burgess Consultants, Inc., LSL Planning,
Tetra Tech of Michigan, 5 Star Engineering and Donald T. Iannone &
Associates will embark on this two-year planning process to prepare the
plan which will address land use, transportation, community facilities
and services, utilities, economic development, environmental resources,
and community image.
A special
newsletter will be sent to all Southfield households in November that
will outline the framework of the plan as well as future steps. Several
public planning sessions will be held in the coming months to solicit
community input and involvement in the development of the Plan.
Residents and businesses may check the City’s Web site at
www.cityofsouthfield.com or call Rochelle Freeman, Southfield business
development manager, at (248) 796-4161 for more information.