The Frankfort Planning Commission has been working on the City’s Master Plan with Wade Trim, the Consultant for planning and zoning. The first draft was presented to the Planning Commission with a summary of the summer’s public workshop activity in September.
This DRAFT Master Plan includes public comment compiled from a week of meetings on various topics centered around what the public saw as issues, new ideas, economic situation, about development concerns, and the common ground of our beautiful natural surroundings. Also added are visions of alternative energy, a detailed history and a bit of an inventory of all of the parks that Frankfort residents enjoy, to name just a few topics. There was approximately 150 participants in this workshops series which was held in mid-July.
The Plan includes the following examples of discussion:
Mixed-use, primarily residential and commercial, in the entire downtown and waterfront district.
Along Forest Avenue, east of 7th Street, an increased density of multi-family residential with limited commercial use (limited existence now on both Forest & 7th St.). This is currently zoned R1 and R2 (low & medium density).
Mixed use “Working waterfront” which includes marinas, repair & storage facilities, etc. allowing for residential units over businesses on the east end of town.
Downtown entry improvement via 7th Street by creating a Tree boulevard between Main Street and Forest Avenue, toward the Bay.
Main Street – 1) do we narrow street and replace the angle parking with parallel parking to incorporate wider sidewalks and bicycle lanes, while reducing car lanes and losing a possible 29 parking spaces; 2) do we consider ‘bump out’ (curb extensions) scenarios in certain sections of downtown to slow traffic and offering wider sidewalks with clear pedestrian crossings; 3) or don’t change the downtown area?
Development of ‘northern tier’ via George St/Day Ave with attention to steep slope terrain and adding agricultural uses to formerly R1 uses only (low density residential)
Increase opportunities for more bicycle traffic and ‘walkable’ areas throughout the City
Hard copies of this report are available at the Benzie Shores Library and City Hall. If you prefer an email version, please send your request to friendsofbetsiebay@gmail.com Also submit your input to this address and FoBB Board members will check regularly to be sure and forward them on to the Frankfort Planning Commission for this process.
The City and Planning Commission needs public input from all residents, especially as this process moves toward the final Public Hearing, perhaps in early 2010. Please join in this most important public conversation! Your thoughts really do matter.
Frankfort’s Master Plan
