About the Planning Commission
& Commission Meetings

Clerk: Terry Bennett
1150 Canton Center S.
Phone: (734) 394-5120
Fax: (734) 394-5128
Email: cantonclerk@canton-mi.org

About the Planning Commission

The Planning Commission is an appointed body that reviews proposed development projects and makes recommendations to the Township Board of Trustees. The Township's Planning Services Division acts as technical staff to the Commission. The Commission meets two Mondays per month, in either a study session or regular meeting. Planning Commission meeting agendas and minutes are available on-line.

All new projects in Canton must undergo a lengthy approval process. Except for industrial projects, this includes review by the Planning Commission. (The Commission has authority to grant final approval to projects located in the office district.) The approval process ensures that each project meets all local and state zoning regulations, and that the community receives the best development possible. The Commission can recommend approval of a project to the Board of Trustees, ask for revisions to be made, table any action on a project, or recommend denial of a project to the Board.

The Planning Commission is also responsible for final approval of and amendments to the township's Comprehensive Plan and Future Land Use Map.

Planning Commission meetings follow the rules of the Michigan Open Meetings Act, 1976 PA 267. That means meetings are posted in advance and minutes are kept. For those unable to attend, regular meetings are taped for later broadcast on Canton Community Television

Meeting Participation Guidelines

Residents are invited to speak during public hearings once the hearing is declared open. After the public hearing is declared closed, the Commission will discuss and vote on the project.

The Planning Commission welcomes public comment on all business items that come before the Commission.

Code of Courtesy

The Commission respects the rights of citizens to participate in the legislative process, and asks that everyone adhere to the following Code of Courtesy:

• Before addressing the Commission, please fill out a card with your name and address, and give it to the recording secretary.
• People wishing to speak must use the microphone at the front of the room.
• All public comments should provide a point of view, gain information, provide a constructive criticism, or express a concern. Citizens are asked to focus on the pertinent issue.
• Be considerate of others who wish to speak by limiting your comments to a reasonable length, and avoiding repetition of what has already been said. Normally, individuals may speak for a maximum of three minutes; group representatives may speak for five minutes.

Useful Definitions

• Comprehensive or Master Land Use Plan: A long-range blueprint for development designed to promote high-quality, orderly growth for the community and provide a basis for development regulations.
• Planned Development District (PDD): A large tract of land governed by a Master Development Plan, incorporating a mix of land uses and utilizing flexible design standards.
• Property Rights: Constitutional right of property owners to develop their property as long as they meet all applicable rules and regulations.
• Rezoning:The act of changing a zoning district to include a different set of permitted uses. Changes must be consistent with the Future Land Use Map of the Comprehensive Plan.
• Site Condominium: A subdivision plan developed under a master deed rather than a plat, and generally includes private roads.
• Site Plan: A plan for development showing location and height of the building, setbacks, parking and vehicular access, landscaping and preliminary engineering.
• Special Land Use: Requires a public hearing. Must meet specific design criteria and general criteria set forth in the zoning ordinance for all special uses.
• Tentative Preliminary Plat: A subdivision's conceptual layout plan to split land into more than four additional parcels.
• Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA): An appointed body that hears requests for variances to the Zoning Ordinance.
• Zoning Ordinance: A detailed development regulation that provides general limitations and standards for specific land uses, including setbacks, use of exterior materials, accessory structures, and landscaping.

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