Welcome to Bridgewater Township, Michigan
BRIDGEWATER TOWNSHIP, WASHTENAW COUNTY, MICHIGAN
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS FOR
ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS
Notice is hereby given that the Bridgewater Township Planning Commission will hold public hearings on Monday, August 16, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. in the Township Hall (10990 Clinton Road, Manchester, MI 48158) for the purpose of receiving comments on the following proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance No. 67 by authority of Public Act 110 of 2006, as amended:
1. Hearing on Solar Energy and Wind Energy Amendments proposed to articles 11.0 (Special Development Procedures) and 19.0 (Definitions) of Zoning Ordinance No. 67 for the purpose of inserting a new Section 11.39 (Solar Energy Facilities and Devices) to allow for potential development of new commercial solar energy facilities (“solar farms”) as a special land use in the AG (General Agriculture) District on land near the high voltage electrical transmission lines in sections 10, 15, 22, and 23; the eastern half of section 3, the southeast quarter of section 20; the northeast, northwest, and southwest quarters of section 24; the southwest quarter of Section 27; the northern half of Section 28; and the northeast quarter of Section 29. The proposed amendments would also establish standards for private solar energy devices and would update provisions for wind energy conversion systems in Section 11.40 of the Zoning Ordinance.
2. Hearing on Zoning District Amendments proposed to articles 2.0 (Zoning Districts), 3.0 (Dimensional Standards), 4.0 (Land Use Table), and 5.0 (Use Standards) of Zoning Ordinance No. 67 for the purposes of deleting the Bridgewater Center (BCD) District in its entirety, updating the Local Commercial (C) District’s intent and dimensional standards, and adding “Accessory Dwellings” as an allowable special land use in the Local Commercial District.
The proposed amendments are available for review on the Township website at http://twp-bridgewater.org/ or at the Township Hall by appointment through the Township Clerk's office; please call (517) 315-7545. Written comments on the proposed amendments may be mailed to: David Horney, Planning Commission Chair, 8254 Boettner Road, Saline, MI 48176, or sent via email to the Township’s Planning Consultant at Rodney@BuildingPlace.net.
Necessary and reasonable auxiliary aids and services will be provided to individuals with disabilities at the public hearing upon seven days’ notice to Clerk McQueer; by phone at (517) 315-7545 or mail to Bridgewater Township Clerk, 10990 Clinton Road, Manchester, MI 48158.
Hamlet Area Commercial District
Solar and Wind Energy Facilities
Board of Commissioners Release List of Potential Projects for Washtenaw County Rescue Plan
Washtenaw County, MI – The Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners has released a list of potential projects that could be included in the Washtenaw County Rescue Plan. This plan leverages the $71 million the county will receive through the American Rescue Plan’s Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery program, along with other funding. The total will be approximately $100 million of investment in our community. The potential project list for these investments can be found here.
“The overarching goal of the Washtenaw County Rescue Plan is to help households and businesses recover from the COVID-19 pandemic while also laying the groundwork for a more equitable future,” said Sue Shink, Chair of the Board of Commissioners and Commissioner for District 2. “The last year has exposed long-lasting disparities that are going to require targeted investments and structural change to address. The Washtenaw County Rescue Plan is one opportunity to begin doing just that.”
The list of potential projects has been organized into seven categories: Connecting Washtenaw County, Encouraging Generational Success, Addressing Housing Affordability and Homelessness, Creating a More Sustainable Community, Supporting a Strong Local Economy, Investing in our Health & Wellbeing, and Practicing Good Government. Not all projects listed qualify for American Rescue Plan funds. Some will require the county to use other available resources and funding streams.
Along with the priority project list, the Board also announced a public engagement process to gather feedback and connect with residents about the Washtenaw County Rescue Plan. This process includes a newly launched survey where residents can express support for different potential projects, offer feedback about each priority category, and suggest other possible uses as part of this plan. Commissioners will also plan to host in-person and virtual town halls in their districts in the coming weeks and months to meet with residents and discuss the Washtenaw County Rescue Plan. Those dates will be announced on the Board of Commissioners website as they are scheduled.
“This is a special opportunity for our community to start moving the needle on so many issues,” said Justin Hodge, Chair of Ways and Means Committee and Commissioner for District 5. “When making decisions as important as this, it’s important that in addition to looking at data and best practices, we also are engaging with our community to make sure this plan is tailored to meet the needs of Washtenaw County residents.”
The survey will be live throughout July for residents to submit their feedback. Town halls and community meetings will continue to be held throughout the summer and fall as specific proposals are developed, voted on, and implemented. Some of the proposed ideas will require future community engagement, meaning that this initial round of outreach will lay the groundwork for additional conversations as the Washtenaw Rescue Plan is implemented over the next 3 to 4 years.
“While we won’t be able to fund everything on this list with these funds, we do believe that with input from our community, we can create a plan that will help everyone in Washtenaw County gain access to the opportunity and resources they need to succeed,” said Chair Shink.
WASHTENAW COUNTY BROADBAND TASK FORCE
CALL TO ACTION
Title: Broadband Equity is Within Sight
Body: Washtenaw County Could be the First in Michigan to have 100% Digital Access
Did you know?
- Washtenaw County is receiving $72m in Covid relief funding (American Rescue Plan)
- These funds are not part of the county’s general fund and must be allocated by the end of 2024.
- An encouraged use of these funds is to build broadband infrastructure to un/underserved
- At least 3,317 households in Washtenaw County do not have access to the infrastructure to access the internet
- The Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners could vote to use ARP funding and make Washtenaw County the first county in Michigan to have 100% broadband accessibility
- The cost of closing the digital divide in Washtenaw County is $14.7m (20% of the ARP funding the County will receive)
HAVE YOUR VOICE HEARD!!! By July 5, 2021, email Broadband Task Force Chair Barb Fuller, barb@provide.net and let her know you support closing the digital divide in Washtenaw County. Share your stories, your frustrations and let her know our Board of Commissioners can be leaders in the county, the state and the country by allocating $14.7m to ensure every single household, regardless of location, has access to high speed internet.
Barb will compile your notes and send them to the Board of Commissioners -
Additionally – you may have your voice heard by phoning in to the Wednesday, July 7 Board of Commissioners meeting (Participate via Zoom: https://washtenaw.me/BOCZoom, passcode: 576150 To participate via Phone: dial 1 (312) 626-6799, webinar ID: 924 4462 0326) – you have up to 3 minutes to speak and encourage the commissioners to use 20% of the American Rescue Plan funding to deliver high speed internet to thousands of rural county residents.
Broadband Update
Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Award
Mercury Wireless
Broadband Update RDOF Award
Additional Information from Washtenaw County