Creating a common vision of the future for Glen Arbor Township

Press release
Three town meetings will be conducted over the next 12 months in Glen Arbor Township. They offer unique and exciting opportunities for area citizens to chart a common future for the Township. The town meetings are a part of a project to update the Future Land Use Plan of the Township and offer everyone the opportunity to visualize a better community and take the first steps toward achieving that vision. The first town meeting will identify the aspirations and desires of Township residents (seasonal and year-around) regarding the future character of the Township, and serve to dramatically shape the preparation of a new Future Land Use Plan for Glen Arbor Township.

All citizens of Glen Arbor Township are invited to attend. The first meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August 14 at 7 p.m., and will take place at the Glen Arbor Township Hall, 6394 Western Avenue.
The first town meeting will include a “futuring” session where participants will explore the future potential of the area. The meeting begins with a journey into the past, helping everyone to understand the changes that have resulted in present conditions. Participants are then broken into small groups and asked to identify what makes them proud about the community and what makes them sorry. Each group selects two or three of its proudest “prouds” and sorriest “sorries” for presentation to other groups. Next, project consultants will present local trends and conditions facing the community. Finally, participants will again break into groups and be asked to visualize how they would like to see Glen Arbor Township evolve in the next 20 years.
A second town meeting to be held in November will focus on the results of citizen opinion surveys and on draft goals and objectives for the Township’s Future Land Use Plan project. The final town meeting will address the draft Future Land Use Plan and will likely take place in August 2004.
The town meeting on August 14 is your opportunity to help shape the plans and policies which will affect the development of your community for years to come. Don’t miss this opportunity to translate your ideas into action. Come to the town meeting, bring your friends and help chart the future direction of Glen Arbor Township. If you have any questions about the meeting, contact the Glen Arbor Township Planning Commission: Terry Gretzema at 334-6140 or Lance Roman at 334-4590.