Daniel Burnham Award for a Comprehensive Plan

City of Howell 2023-2028 Master Plan

City of Howell and Carlisle | Wortman Associates, Inc.

Every part of the Master Plan’s vision, policy, and strategy development were the result of input from community participants. The document uses a thematic approach with vision, values, and policy statements to guide chapters on Development, Housing, and Transportation. The plan themes build upon the inherent intersection of different planning areas so that recommended strategies support a myriad of policy goals. Community workshops included activities designed to solicit input on thematic topics. Jurors said: "The conciseness of the plan is outstanding, and the format is easy to use."

Congratulations to the City of Howell and Carlisle | Wortman Associates, Inc..

Daniel Burnham Award for a Comprehensive Plan

Sanilac County Master Plan

Sanilac County and Beckett & Raeder, Inc.

The Master Plan is organized by land use transect: the Natural Zone, the Rural / Agricultural Zone, Towns & Villages, Small Cities, and the Shoreline. These zones along the transect are explored through data analysis, graphics, community engagement findings, best practices, and a set of recommendations. To be successful, this plan had to understand that “ruralness” was a collective identity as well as a landscape and economic driver. And, when identity is involved, the stakes are higher. Jurors said: "This plan does an outstanding job of providing the county government and municipalities with a common roadmap for the future."

MAP congratulates Sanilac County and Beckett & Raeder, Inc.

Outstanding Planning Project: Urban Design

Caledonia M-37 Corridor Sub-Area Plan

Caledonia Charter Township and Beckett & Raeder, Inc.

M-37 is a major regional arterial that extends through the Grand Rapids metropolitan area. Over the last several decades, growth has paralleled the corridor, which can often be characterized as “anywhere USA.” In 2023, the Township decided to prepare a sub-area plan for the M-37 corridor that would be based on a vision rather than on reaction. The vision would be based on property owner expectations, community input, pending arterial expansion, and urban design principles focused on creating walkable retail and residential neighborhoods. Jurors said: The proactive nature of the plan sets it apart." MAP congratulates Caledonia Township and Beckett & Raeder, Inc..

Outstanding Undergraduate Student Planning Project

Ladybug Sustainable Communities
Michigan State University

The Ladybug Sustainable Communities is a groundbreaking project characterized by its innovative integration of agricultural practices within urban residential areas, establishing a model of self-sufficiency that is environmentally sustainable and fosters a strong sense of community. Jurors said: "This type of community is an innovative response to certain modern urban challenges; we appreciated that the report was as clear about obstacles to implementation as it was to the benefits of the approach. The implementation guide is robust and useful." MAP congratulates students: Havien Gibson, Oliver Gomez Manon, Harrison Hill, Vivian Morales, and Garrett Young and faculty Zenia Kotval, FAICP and Katharine Merritt!

Outstanding Graduate Student Planning Project

Power in Partnership: Insights for Siting Utility-Scale Renewables in Michigan

University of Michigan
Master of Urban and Regional Planning

This report aims to support Michigan Public Service Commission and its staff in the implementation of PA 233 as it applies to the siting authority of renewable energy and battery energy storage projects by increasing the staff’s understanding of lessons learned from other permitting authorities and ensure that projects sited under the MPSC process follow best practices with respect to project design and community engagement. Jurors said: "We recognize that the report can serve as a valuable resource to planners and others as they prepare for changes in permitting utility-scale renewable energy projects." Congratulations to students: Isabella Beshouri, Jessica Hobbs, Ryotaro Konishi, Marisol Mendez, Upasana Roy, Revati Thatte, Vaidehi Shah, and Griffin Sproul and faculty Dr. Sarah Mills!

Daniel Burnham Award for a Comprehensive Plan

City of Rockford Master Plan

City of Rockford and Williams & Works

The Master Plan is written as a declaration of the community's values, priorities, and culture. This is reflected in the graphical presentation, but also in the chapter titles, which are statements of not just the plan's contents, but who the community is and what it will become. The plan lays out an ambitious path to improve not only land use policies and practices, but also strategies to combat climate change, advance citywide administrative practices, and continue to foster a vibrant culture and identity. The public engagement efforts were thoughtful, fun, but most importantly, effective. Jurors said, "The graphics and overall design of the document seemed to be more of a story than a report." Congratulations to the City of Rockford and Williams & Works!

Outstanding Planning Project: Best Practice

Outstanding Planning Project: Implementation

Greater Corktown Neighborhood Planning Framework Plan

City of Detroit and Perkins & Will

The Greater Corktown Neighborhood Framework Plan set forth a vision and action plan that promotes inclusive growth of Detroit’s oldest established neighborhood while preserving the community’s unique character. Since its adoption, the Framework Plan has resulted in multiple projects including: the city redesigning and redevelopment of Roosevelt Park, the conversion of 14th Street from one-way to two-way traffic, and a full city block of vacant, publicly-owned land being transformed into a $10 million community empowerment center with an early childhood education center.  Jurors said, "What put this implementation effort into the category of outstanding vs. just a good effort was that it laid the groundwork for the city to work to mitigate the gentrification that has come with that private and public investment."  Congratulations to the City of Detroit and Perkins & Will!

Outstanding Planning Project: Resiliency and Sustainability

Planning Advocate Award

Ryan Kilpatrick, AICP

Owner of Flywheel Community Development Consultant

Ryan has prioritized collaboration and provided direction to community leaders as they navigate a critical shortage of housing. Joshua Lunger of the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce said, "Ryan Kilpatrick was one of the foremost subject matter experts helping craft the legislation signed by Governor Whitmer that provided new tools for local governments to support workforce housing. His working knowledge in drafting the legislation helped assure that the final product is practical and effective for both developers and communities in meeting this clear need."  The jury said: "Ryan is a passionate leader and clear choice for the Planning Advocate Award. His education, experience, and contributions through Housing Next and the development of MAP's Zoning Reform Toolkit has increased understanding and awareness of planning statewide."  MAP congratulates Ryan Kilpatrick and thanks him for his planning leadership in Michigan.

Planning Champion Award

Outstanding Community Administrator Award

Bill Bamber

Supervisor, Oceola Township

William “Bill” Bamber served as the Supervisor of Oceola Township for 27 years before his retirement in 2023. Throughout his time as an elected official, Bill was a strong advocate for planning – and for the implementation of plans. Under Supervisor Bamber’s leadership, Oceola Township developed a robust zoning administration system and a strong culture of planning. Bill ensured that the Township would be well-staffed, with a full time zoning administrator and a planning consultant. Bill also recruited strong planning commissioners and zoning board of appeals members, and nutured their sense of duty so that appointees stayed in their positions and put in time outside of meetings. Planning commissioner Timothy Weir wrote, "Mr. Bamber keeps politics, which many townships succumb to, out of all decisions and truly does what is best for the community. His vision has created a nice balance of growth while maintaining the rural characteristics of the township." Congratulations to Supervisor Bamber!  MAP thanks him for his planning leadership in Michigan.  

Outstanding Community Administrator Award

Outstanding Planning Project: Implementation

Macomb Township Master Plan - MTC

Macomb Township and Carlisle | Wortman Associates, Inc.

The Macomb Town Center (MTC) is an emerging mixed-use development that aims to serve as a "downtown". This plan started as a vision in the late 1990s. In 2001, to spur development, Macomb Township built its township hall, recreation center here. In 2020, the MTC became the focal point of a much larger land use vision. Through virtual work sessions, the township's planning department convinced elected officials, developers, property owners and residents of the importance to continue the original MTC vision. Conversely, public comments and questions regarding preferences gave the staff insight, which required some rethinking. As staff presented facts and information, attitudes improved, and interest reenergized.  Support was received from elected officials, residents and developers alike. Due to collaboration and renewed vigor, the MTC now has roughly 1,000 residential units either built or being built and thousands more that are in the planning and engineering process.  Jurors said, "It seems that forward-minded thinking in the 1990s set the foundation for future efforts in the Cultivate Macomb! Master Plan and Town Center vision."  Congratulations to the Macomb Township and Carlisle | Wortman Associates, Inc.!  Click here to watch the award presentation. 

Outstanding Planning Project: Resiliency and Sustainability

The City of Sterling Heights Sustainability Plan

City of Sterling Heights

The City of Sterling Heights Sustainability Plan aims to implement over fifty local initiatives, to ensure that the city regularly operates in a manner that does not deplete resources for future generations. The plan’s foundation is the 17 United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and each section highlights the pertinent SDG’s applicable to that portion of the plan.  Jurors said, "We found the topic areas to be highly specific to Sterling Heights including a deep dive into opportunities and challenges within the context of the community; further we appreciated the focus on avoid flooding issues by being proactive and purchasing flood prone parcels prior to these properties being developed."  MAP congratulates the City of Sterling Heights!  Click here to watch the award presentation. 

Outstanding Graduate Student Award

Helen S. Willis Award for Outstanding Commissioner 

Betsy Dayrell-Hart

Planning Commission Chair, City of St. Ignace

Betsy Dayrell-Hart's passion for tackling issues is infectious and heartfelt. From fighting to expand housing options in the city for long term and seasonal employees, to attempting to broker a compromise on food trucks in the downtown and helping rewrite the city’s master plan, Betsy is inquisitive, persistent, humble, and collaborative.  When times get tough in these initiatives – which always happens – she manages to keep the long-term picture in mind.  Rebecca Bolen, formerly a planner with Eastern Upper Peninsula Regional Development Commission, said, "Betsy's leadership and collaboration with others led to the completion of other key projects, including the completion of a public participation plan [and] developing the City’s first capital improvement plan. Betsy truly values St. Ignace’s heritage, and champions the role that its residents have in building the City’s future through the planning process."  MAP congratulates Chairperson Dayrell-Hart and thanks her for her planning leadership in Michigan.  

Watch the award program video here.  

Helen Foss Outstanding Volunteer Award 

Christopher Germain, AICP

Chief Executive Officer, Lake Superior Community Partnership

This prestigious award was established in 2004 to recognize individuals whose contributions to MAP go above and beyond the call of duty.  Honorees are selected by MAP staff to acknowledge that the work of MAP is conducted through the contributions of our elite members. 

As an early leader of MAPs Emerging Planning Professional Committee, Christopher Germain served as vice-chair and chair, piloted its mentoring program and member survey, and recruited speakers for EPP professional development talks.  And as one of the first AICP planners on the MEDC RRC staff, Christopher was a strong advocate for MAP and for the principles of best planning practices to both your colleagues and municipalities across the state.   His contagious optimism is an asset to the planning profession, and to communities throughout Michigan large and small.  The State of Michigan and the MAP organization are better because Christopher is involved.  

Watch the award program video here.