Hello and happy peak of fall color!
Here are upcoming dates and times to be mindful of as we continue our efforts toward empowering all of us to define the future of Long Lake Township.
Tuesday, Oct. 24, 8 am - Special Budget meeting to approve the 2024 budget. The Township doesn't make this available online, but you can get a copy at the Township office or if you would like a copy emailed to you, email ProtectLongLake@gmail.com and someone from the Friends for the Protection of Long Lake (Friends) will send you the copy we scanned in for this purpose.
Tuesday, Oct. 24, 6 pm - Planning Commission regular meeting. View the Township meeting calendar and click on the meeting to view the online agenda packet.
At both of these meetings, the Friends will be making the following requests and suggestions:
The master plan draft in review had input from just 520 residents. This is less than 5% of the Township population - which is NOT a representative sample of the community.
There are now nearly 2,000 voices interested in sharing their opinions through an easy-to-engage opportunity because of the awareness of this process brought on by the Dollar General development. We are requesting that the Board of Trustees postpone voting on this current draft plan and embrace this community opportunity to their benefit.
We will be suggesting the Township host facilitated and interactive community input sessions (both in-person and online) to develop updated community goals for the following master plan components:
• residential
• mixed-use and commercial
• community character
• environmental and parks and recreation.
At the budget meeting we will also be requesting that the Township invest in contracted marketing and facilitation services to improve awareness of these input sessions, guide the conversations to draw out more diverse input, and deliver a more visually compelling plan that is easy to comprehend for all residents.
I hope you can make similar requests by emailing Ronda, Township Clerk, asking the Township Board to postpone their vote to take advantage of the recent mobilization of township residents to truly develop a plan that expresses the desires of the community.
Thank you. I hope you get to enjoy the fall colors in the Township this weekend!
Maia Turek