Got Vision? Help Guide Allendale’s Future

Have you ever driven through town and wondered why businesses can be built in some places and not others? Maybe you’ve asked why there is the sidewalk on only one side of the road. Or why do some areas allow apartments while others allow condos and single family homes? Those are important questions and it’s because at some point in time decisions were made about how the community should be designed. All of these ideas were put into a document called a Master Plan which is then used to guide the decisions of government for future growth and development. Among other areas, land use, infrastructure and housing are parts of the Master Plan. 

Every 5 years, Allendale Charter Township (ACT) is required to review and update the Master Plan. The update is scheduled for 2020. 

This is where you come in. 

In preparation for the update to the ACT Master Plan, the Township Planning Commission has scheduled a public workshop at the Township Hall on Wednesday, July 24th at 6:30pm. They are inviting citizens, business owners, Grand Valley State University students and staff, as well as visitors, to participate in a community SWOT analysis. The interactive workshop is expected to last 2 to 2.5 hours. Participants will be asked to help identify Allendale’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. All of the ideas gathered will be used to guide the Master Plan update. 

Kudos to ACT for asking for input. In my experience, creating a community vision document such as a Master Plan is most successful when the interests and ideas from a variety of opinions are represented. The Allendale Chamber highly encourages your engagement and participation in this process. Let’s not waste this great opportunity to share our vision and help guide Allendale’s Future. 

Janessa Smit
Executive Director 
Allendale Area Chamber of Commerce 


Info at a Glance: 
Master Plan Update Public Workshop 
Wednesday, July 24
6:30pm
Allendale Charter Township Hall
6676 Lake Michigan Drive, Allendale, MI 49401

Attendees are asked to RSVP by July 17
Contact: Kelli McGovern, ACT
616-895-6295 x1109
allendalemp@gmail.com
More info: https://www.freshcoastplanning.com/allendalemp