Policy Guidelines for Managing Growth on the Leelanau Peninsula The Leelanau General Plan is intended to serve as the foundation for planning on the Peninsula. Developed with support and guidance from many citizens and all local governments in the County, the Plan sets forth a vision of balanced growth to protect and enhance the County’s high quality of life. To attain that vision, the Plan provides a policy framework that is founded on coordination between the County’s governments and citizens. The Leelanau General Plan is a complex document. A great deal of background information, policy guidelines, and recommendations are provided to assist citizens and governments in research and decision making. However, the basic premise of the Plan is captured in the principal goal: It is the principal goal of the Leelanau General Plan to establish a strategy for guiding growth that protects and, where possible, enhances the unique character of life on the peninsula. To that end, the General Plan focuses on balancing environmental protection, resource management, and economic development so as to provide a foundation for a suitable economy that permits long term prosperity for all present and future Leelanau County residents. The balance so achieved should not sacrifice environmental quality when reasonable and prudent development alternatives exist. This plan recognizes that a healthy economy depends on a healthy environment. Achievement of this goal means protecting the integrity of the land base for use by present generations without unnecessarily compromising the options of future generations. The General Plan was first adopted in 1995. Updates were approved by the Leelanau County Planning Commission in 2000 and 2005. To view the General Plan, you will need Adobe Reader, free downloadable software. |
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