MARQUETTE, MI— The Marquette Planning Commission got an overview Thursday night of public input on the city’s master plan update.
Consultants Beckett & Raeder provided a breakdown of data from the January online survey, February listening sessions, and February open house. More than 4,500 people responded.
Consistently, respondents’ top priorities were the protection of the city’s natural assets and the availability of affordable housing. People indicated the need for historic preservation and a more walkable community, including plowed sidewalks in the winter.
Dave Stensaas is Marquette’s City Planner and Zoning Administrator. He says the results weren’t surprising. He thinks community participation in the survey process was exceptional, and so do the consultants.
“We’ve done as well or better than any community in the state that they’ve worked with, as far as the amount of input we got, which shows the passion people have for the city.”
Stensaas urges residents to stay involved in the master plan process. The Commission—which meets twice a month—will be working with consultants over next three months, at least, to form a plan.
More information is on the city’s Master Plan Update page.
