Future Forward: Farmington Hills City Council Approves New Master Plan to Guide City’s Next 50 Years
The Master Plan for Future Land Use lays out goals to modernize the City, attract new amenities for community members and enhance transportation options
The Farmington Hills City Council approved a new Master Plan for Future Land Use at its meeting on Monday, Aug. 12. This approval adopts a forward visioning strategy, for which it took more than three years to research, collect community input and layout the plan. The Master Plan is a strategic document that will guide change in the City of Farmington Hills over the next 50 years. It includes future land use and development, non-motorized transportation, housing, economic development and more.
“This is a really exciting time in the City of Farmington Hills,” said City Manager Gary Mekjian. “On the heels of celebrating the City’s 50th anniversary last year, we are thrilled to start work on implementing strategies that will move Farmington Hills forward, toward a modern and resilient future.”
In order to implement the vision laid out in the Master Plan, the City’s Planning Commission and City Council will have to review and approve updates to various City ordinances. This will include activities that weren’t anticipated when the ordinances were developed in the 1970s when the City was founded. The strategy laid out in the new Master Plan lays the groundwork for more modern amenities in the City, such as increased walkability, bike lanes and paths, and sustainable design. The Plan also establishes a vision to allow and encourage mixed-use redevelopment, in an effort to attract a variety of dining and entertainment options.
Desire for more immersive dining and entertainment options was a key theme that emerged through public engagement. Beginning in spring 2022, the City provided extensive opportunity for community input during the Master Plan development, which resulted in robust participation through online and in-person opportunities. Input from community members revealed several other key themes that were incorporated into the final Master Plan, including greater diversity in housing options, alternatives to driving, and a desire to continue preserving open, natural spaces and parks throughout the City.
“The updated Master Plan for Future Land Use is a reflection of the community’s shared interests and collective desires,” said Charmaine Kettler-Schmult, director of the City of Farmington Hills Planning and Community Development Department.
A copy of the approved Master Plan for Future Land Use is available online. For more information, contact the City of Farmington Hills Planning and Community Development Department at 248-871-2540.