2024 PC meeting dates and deadlines

Planning Commission By-Laws 2024-04-22

Master Land Use Plan Approved 2021

 Scio Township Project Map (August 2024)

The planning consultant for Scio Township is Laura Kreps, with Carlisle Wortman Associates.   Ms Kreps keeps regular office hours on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 1:00-4:00.   To make an appointment, please call Scio Township at 734-369-9400. 

The Scio Township Planning Commission has a mission to serve Township citizens with courtesy, integrity, and efficiency, and to provide quality land-use and development evaluations and recommendations designed to maintain and improve the manner in which our citizens live, work, and play.  

The commission consists of seven Township resident members appointed by the Supervisor with Township Board approval.  By State law, one member of the Township Board shall be a Planning Commission member and all members must be qualified Township electors.

The Scio Planning Commission has three main functions:

1. To make and adopt a plan for the Township’s land use and development.  The Scio Township Master Land Use Plan presents a vision for the Township’s future growth and development and brings together several planning efforts that the Planning Commission has undertaken to guide its future decision making.
2. To review and evaluate site plans of potential development in the township.  After completing its review of a site plan the Planning Commission makes a recommendation to the Township Board for final approval or rejection. 
3. To conduct public hearings and advise the Township Board regarding amendments to the Township Zoning Ordinance.  The ordinance establishes land development regulations, districts, and zones and regulates such elements as land use, building height, lot area, setbacks, parking, signs, and density.  It also establishes permitted activities (land uses) that can be conducted on a property .

Zoning Ordinance Review: How the Planning Commission develops proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinances.

1. Planning Commission identifies ordinances that need review based on the Master Plan, legal challenges, needed clarifications, public feedback, etc.
2. The Township’s Planning consultant convenes 2-3 planning commission members to facilitate drafting updates to present to the Planning Commission for discussion at a regular meeting or working session of the Planning Commission.
3. All changes to the zoning ordinance require a public hearing, and approval of the Planning Commission and the Board of Trustees.
4. This process is not intended to be used for an overhaul of the zoning ordinance.

In 2022, the Planning Commission has identified the items below for review, not listed in priority order. Commissioners Cheng, Culbertson and Moore are working with the Township Planner on these items.

• PUD Ordinance Revisions.
• Environmental Impact Regulations.
• Base density calculation for cluster and PUD projects.
• Animal Regulations (chickens).
• On-site waste-water facilities ordinance.
• Other items identified:

• Strengthening our tree preservation ordinance.
• Review solar approval to look at expedited permitting and setback waivers if screened.
• Density bonus AND other incentives (if possible) in sewer/water or Jackson road overlay district for net zero development also an added option for increased density in PUD ordinance.
• EV charging ordinance/solar ready ordinance.
• Increase building heights to 3 stories in Jackson overlay district.
• We also are not in alignment with our zoning and high priority preservation parcels.  There has been discussion about a 30% land conservation/preservation goal and we may want to have a working session with Barry Lonik and the LPC to see how we can be better aligned.
• Requiring maximum infiltration for storm water based on soils—other incentives for improved green infrastructure practices.
• Incentives in landscape ordinance for native/adaptive landscape and reduction of turf grass.

Apply to join the Planning Commission.