Master Plan Implementation Workshop – April 22 Public Input Needed to Confirm Farwell’s Future Direction

The Village of Farwell is requesting the public confirm its development direction.  The Village’s land use Master Plan is being updated, and Fawell would like to hear from the community about what they envision for and desires of the Village’s future. 

Community master plans provide guidance to the Village’s Planning Commission and Village Council regarding land use and capital infrastructure decisions.  This plan lays out the Village’s vision for itself and sets the future development course for the next 20 years.

In the spring of 2024, the Village kicked off the land use Master Plan update process by constituting a volunteer Steering Committee made of residents, business owners, and others.  They’ve finished their efforts and they’re finishing up the plan to recommend it to the Planning Commission for action. 

Prior to formally adopting the Plan, the public is being invited to attend an Implementation Workshop.  This workshop will present the Master Plan’s vision, goals and actions, Future Land Use Map, and implementation recommendations in a visual way for community review and comment. 

This Master Plan Implementation Workshop will be held on Tuesday April 22 from 5-7 p.m. at the Village of Farwell Farmer’s Market, 124 W. Illinois St.

The draft Master Plan is a comprehensive vision that provides succinct action strategies for new development while supporting actions that will build the community’s sense of place and character. 

Once adopted, the Farwell Master Plan 2025 will serve as a framework for the ongoing development of the Village through identifying a series of goals and actions and implementation strategies.  The master plan’s long-range view of the community will guide development over the next 10 to 20 years while providing flexibility to respond to changing conditions, innovations, and new information.

For the Plan to be effective, it requires the public to confirm its vision and direction for the community.  This Implementation Workshop will be designed to elicit responses from residents, business and property owners, and other interested parties with interactive stations.   

To ensure that the plan reflects the goals and desires of the community, the team drafting the plan would like to confirm the recommendations incorporated into the Plan to address the land use issues facing the Village and its residents. 

Land use goals identified by the Steering Committee include: 1) Retaining and Enhancing the small-town character; 2) Strengthening the Downtown; 3) Eliminating blight; 4) Lessening the negative impacts of M-115; 5) Expanding nonmotorized pathways; and 6) Expanding housing choice in the Village.

Once this input is received, the draft Master Plan will return to the Planning Commission for their input.  If they’re satisfied with the Plan, the Commission would then recommend the Plan to begin its formal review and adoption process to the Village Council.  After this mandated process is completed, one of the final adoption steps would be a formal public hearing before the Planning Commission. 

Got great ideas on how Farwell should continue to develop?  The Master Plan Steering Committee and Planning Commission would like to hear from you.  Everyone is welcome to attend the Workshop, and representatives of Villag and the consultant will be present to listen to the input.

The multidisciplinary consulting firm Wade Trim is leading this effort.  Wade Trim has been providing urban planning services to municipal and private sector clients since 1972, and its team is focusing on the unique needs of Michigan’s small towns and rural communities.  

For any questions or additional information, contact Farwell Village Manager/Clerk Ross Wilson at 989-539-7145.