Step 3: Articulate the Vision
Once the vision has been developed through public engagement and partner coordination, the community must articulate the future of its waterfront in a way that resonates through years of implementation.
Goals and Objectives
The most direct way to articulate the vision is through goals and objectives:
- Goals: Broad, big-picture statements describing the community’s aspirations.
- Objectives: Specific actions required to achieve the goals.
Key Characteristics
- Goals and objectives should not be generic; they must be tailored to the community, its waterfront, and its people.
- Objectives should provide practical approaches for implementation.
Example
- Goal: “Create new public spaces on the waterfront for preservation and recreation, especially in areas identified as vulnerable to flooding.”
- Objective: “Purchase the former industrial parcel at 123 Waterfront Drive and redevelop it into a park with a naturalized shoreline."
Components of a Waterfront Plan
A simple list of goals is not enough. Each Waterfront Plan should include the following:
1. Future Land Use/Character Plan
The Future Land Use Map demonstrates the vision’s physical form and development goals. It goes beyond simple land use categories to show what the community desires for the area, including the look, feel, and function of the shoreline.
Key Features
- Display recommendations using graphics, charts, and photographs.
- Provide specific details about each category:
- Land Uses
- Site Design
- Landscaping
- Architecture/Design
- Relationship to the Water
- Shoreline Treatment
- Transportation Infrastructure
- Public Waterfront Access
- Utilities
- Environmental Protection (Stormwater management, erosion control)
- Hazard Mitigation
- Sustainability Goals (Economic, environmental, social)
- Community Assets
2. Future Transportation Plan
Land use patterns often follow transportation investments. The plan should outline how transportation systems (e.g., cars, bikes, pedestrians, boats) will complement planned land use and enhance public access.
Key Questions
- Will there be a waterfront pathway or access roads for private docks?
- Are there existing roads or railways that hinder access?
Addressing Challenges
- Mobility Barriers: Busy roads may prevent pedestrian or bike access.
- Flood-Prone Areas: Reroute roads or identify emergency routes.
- Green Streets: Incorporate permeable pavement, rain gardens, or bioswales to manage stormwater and reduce pollutants.
3. Environmental Preservation Framework
Waterfronts require additional measures to protect their complex natural dynamics.
Key Areas to Address
- Wetlands and Floodplains: Evaluate their role in flood control and water quality improvement.
- Noncontiguous Wetlands: Local ordinances can protect smaller wetlands excluded from State regulations.
- Sand Dunes and Beaches: Protect critical dunes through zoning overlays or site plan review.
- Riparian Buffers: Preserve strips of native vegetation along water edges to filter runoff and protect water quality.
- Septic Systems: Partner with health departments to strengthen septic standards and reduce groundwater pollution.
Green Infrastructure
Communities can enhance resiliency by mapping and managing natural areas, parks, and tree-lined streets as a Green Infrastructure Plan for comprehensive stewardship.
4. Recreation and Public Access Plan
Parks and recreation plans are essential for improving public access to the waterfront and ensuring eligibility for Michigan Department of Natural Resources grant programs.
Key Considerations
- Inventory public waterfront sites: Assess size, location, amenities, and condition.
- Identify safe and environmentally appropriate locations for:
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Boating
- Non-motorized crafts
