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 Albion Comprehensive Plan

City of Albion and Beckett and Raeder, Inc.

Over several years, Albion has made a concerted effort to be more transparent, predictable, and efficient by engaging in future-oriented endeavors, such as becoming certified with Redevelopment Ready Communities© program, updating its zoning ordinance, and adopting a new comprehensive plan. As part of a robust engagement, Albion College students were asked to “design” a city which captured two different land use scenarios: 1) designing their “dream” city where they would like to live, and 2) redesigning their “dream” city based on a list of constraints. The relationship between denser neighborhoods and more open/public space was a clear preference and an important takeaway in developing the Future Land Use Map. Jurors said, "The plan was easy to read and contained communicative graphics." Congratulations to the City of Albion and Beckett and Raeder!

Daniel Burnham Award for a Comprehensive Plan

Plan Ferndale

City of Ferndale and SmithGroup

Plan Ferndale rethought the traditional process of Master Plan development by incorporating a Climate Action Plan with a Parks and Recreation Plan. The City set out to update their master plan with a renewed focus on comprehensive community equity, resiliency, and inclusivity. The plan process included a robust set of conversations with a variety of stakeholders. These discussions focused on topics around recent redevelopment and the future of growth, scale, character, and density to create clear and implementable strategies within the context of a changing climate. Plan Ferndale focused on fostering trust in local government, creating a sense of shared authorship and ownership in the future of the city. Jurors said, "There were a number of terrific graphics that communicated better than words!" MAP congratulates the City of Ferndale and SmithGroup!

Outstanding Planning Project: Best Practice

Eastpointe Zoning Ordinance Update and Steering Committee Workbooks

City of Eastpointe and McKenna

Seven workbooks recontextualized urban planning topics such as missing middle housing, height density, flexible land use, nonconformities and façade materials.  Different learning activities, acted as an ice breaker so that a higher level of conversation around the urban planning topic became possible.  Some of the activities included: Existing Ordinance Challenges: Pain Points Survey; Mixed-Use and Use Diversity: Land Use BINGO; and Façade Materials: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. Jurors said, "We were particularly impressed with the engagement with the general public at the Gratiot Cruise Public Participation Booth, as zoning ordinance updates would not typically be something the public would find engaging."  Congratulations to the City of Eastpointe and McKenna!

Outstanding Planning Project: Implementation

Outstanding Planning Project: Urban Design

Greenmead Historical Park Master Plan 

City of Livonia and Wade Trim

Greenmead Historical Park, operated by the City of Livonia, includes the nearly 200-year-old Greenmead Farm, a historical village of relocated buildings, community gardens, a nature trail, and soccer fields. The balance of preserving history and drawing visitors is always a design dilemma. The challenge was how bring all of the assets together to create a place people want to visit time and again. The phased approach prioritizes early development of the centralized plaza. The plan also includes space for concerts, a pavilion for gatherings and winter ice-skating, a petting zoo, a  playground, re-creation of some historic features, and an interpretive center.  Jurors said, "Fiscal prioritization is helpful with implementation. Assigning responsibilities to certain groups or individuals enables accountability."  Congratulations to the City of Livonia and Wade Trim! 

Outstanding Graduate Student Award

Planning Champion Award

Denise Cline

Chief Planner/Deputy Director, Northeast Michigan Council of Governments

Denise is well known and respected among many communities within northern Michigan for having created user-friendly zoning ordinances. She facilitates an exhaustive discussion with each planning commission regarding their goals. Based on their master plan, she guides planning commissioners through a thorough update of their zoning ordinance. The final product is an easier to understand ordinance for both the planning commission and the public. She has done extensive research to include the most recent updates such as solar installations, legal updates that reflect court precedents, and trends. The jury said, "Denise stands out as a true Planning Champion for her support and thorough understanding of the needs of planners and communities throughout Northern Michigan. Many communities lack the resources necessary to develop plans and zoning ordinances that are effective and easy to administer."  MAP congratulates Denise Cline and thanks her for her planning leadership in Michigan.

Helen S. Willis Outstanding Commissioner Award

Daniel Burnham Award for a Comprehensive Plan

City of East Jordan Master Plan

City of East Jordan and Beckett and Raeder, Inc.

This master planning process placed a special emphasis on developing realizable visions for three priority redevelopment sites: the former East Jordan Foundry, the city-owned Community Center downtown, and a former boat launch site. Evocative renderings throughout the plan illustrate the city's vision. Relying on descriptions of land uses, setbacks, and photographic architectural styles do not have the same impact or generate the same level of enthusiasm as a visual representation. Jurors said, "Unique discussions on natural resources, broadband access, tree cover, and impervious surfaces were well detailed and supported with data and case studies." Congratulations to the City of East Jordan and Beckett and Raeder! Click here to watch the award presentation.

Outstanding Planning Project: Best Practice

Holland Unified Development Ordinance

City of Holland and McKenna

The Unified Development Ordinance includes a number of innovative features that advance, best practices in zoning and other development regulations: a user guide, to make navigating the document easier for everyone; no commercial districts; instead mixed use districts allow for much-needed housing; unique situations, such as historic neighborhoods, the airport, and the waterfront, are taken into account; and both policies and regulations regarding street design are included in order to more clearly tie the public realm to the private realm. Jurors said, "The UDO is dense, but easily navigable and written to be accessible by residents or developers; the "how to" guide was great - more codes need this. The regulations are directly linked to policies adopted by the community." MAP congratulates the City of Holland and McKenna! Click here to watch the award presentation.

Outstanding Planning Project: Urban Design

Lake Center District Corridor and Placemaking Study 

City of Portage 

The Lake Center District’s unique characteristics, environmental resources, and diversity of stakeholders make it a special place in the City of Portage. The plan tackles Portage Road’s challenges, opportunities, and illustrates the trade-offs that occur with the public right-of-way and puts forth recommendations to rebalance the right-of-way to support more diverse multimodal uses. Extensive community engagement over the 18-month project, conducted before the pandemic, and during the pandemic by utilizing digital tools and outdoor workshops to provide safe participation.  A phased implementation plan for achieving goals provides a practical blueprint and the City has already completed the majority of the Year 1 Action Plan.  Jurors said, "We were impressed to see significant capital funds allocated in first year for projects."  Congratulations to the City of Portage!  Click here to watch the award presentation. 

Outstanding Planning Project: Resiliency and Sustainability

Helen S. Willis Award for Outstanding Commissioner

Matt Payne

Planning Commission Chair, Pittsfield Charter Township

A champion for planning, Mr. Payne has provided a pro-planning and extensive planning understanding to the Township and has shown a commitment to support the planning of his community through chairing over 400 Planning Commission and other related meetings in his 13 years as Planning Commission Chair. Mr. Payne has shown enthusiasm, understanding of smart land use principles, and constant advocacy of planning in Pittsfield Township.  Township Supervisor, Mandy Grewal, writes, "Matt has not just been a steadfast and logical voice of reason on the Planning Commission but he has Chaired and led the Commission through one of the most transformative periods in Pittsfield Township’s history. I would add that his humility and humor (even and especially during periods of conflict) round him off as the perfect Planning Commissioner. He never loses sight of the big picture (promoting equity and sustainability) while, simultaneously, detailing the minute details essential to healthy planning outcomes." Congratulation to Chairperson Payne!  MAP thanks him for his planning leadership in Michigan.  

Watch the award program video here.  

Planning Champion Award

Dennis Stachewicz

Community Development Director, City of Marquette

Dennis saw the City of Marquette's potential and worked with the planning commission to coordinate Marquette’s 2002 landmark master plan that envisioned Marquette as A premier livable, walkable, winter city. Few would disagree that 20 years later this vision has been achieved.  Throughout his tenure with the city, Dennis can see and understand various community issues and perspectives and can frame ideas in ways that bring people together with effective results. In short, Dennis uses his interpersonal skills to build social capital and mobilize human and financial resources. He has done this effectively time and time again across a diverse set of contributors within local government, state government departments, and private development sectors. Under his leadership, the city planning department has doubled in size, hiring another professional planner and separate dedicated zoning official. Jim Tischler, FAICP of Michigan's Land Bank Authority, wrote, "Dennis’ work has garnered statewide attention and been useful as tangible demonstration, not only for Marquette, but as example for the present-day project work across the entire Upper Peninsula." Congratulations to Community Development Director Stachewicz!  MAP thanks him for his planning leadership in Michigan.  

Watch the award program video here.