COMMUNITY PERCEPTIONS

 

Riparians do not see lake access as a problem while non­riparian do.

 

Nearly 60% of all respondents see intensity of lake shore development as a problem.

 

Traffic congestion is not seen as a significant problem while the conditions of the roads are a concern.

 

There is a general agreement among groups, though not a majority agree, that lack of job opportunities; lack of skilled job availability; and seasonal employment are problems. Lack of an industrial park in the township is not perceived to be a problem.

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Lack of affordable housing is seen as a problem among non­riparian and year-round residents.

 

Loss of farm land is viewed as a problem by close to 45% of all respondents. Thirty percent do not see it as a problem.

 

Two-thirds of property owners either see loss of rural character as a problem or are undecided.

 

Rapid growth is viewed as either a problem or potential problem. Slightly more than one-third of respondents feel that rapid growth is not a problem.

 

Limited, controlled growth was favored by virtually all groups of respondents.

 

There is little support for increasing the amount of land for mobile homes. If mobile homes are allowed, the preference is to locate these in mobile home parks.

 

Landowners generally agree that there is adequate allocation of land for duplexes, apartments or condominium units, and seasonal or vacation homes.

 

Over 60% of landowners said that current levels of allocation for single family homes is adequate.

 

There is little support for allocating more land to commercial uses.

 

An overwhelming majority of the respondents believe that current allocations of land to overnight lodging establishments and office and service uses are about right.

 

There appears to be general agreement that less land should be allocated to highway strip commercial, discount and outlet malls, or large regional shopping centers.

 

Almost half of the respondents indicate the present allocation of land for small shopping centers is about right.

 

Heavy manufacturing is not desired in the township, nor is land for storage and wholesale facilities.

 

Most support (23%) was evident for allocating more land to light industrial uses, while nearly 60% of respondents feel current levels are about right.

 

The greatest support appears for allocating more land to park lands and forest lands. There is two-thirds agreement that commercial agriculture is at about the right level, although,

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a fairly significant percentage (47%) feel that more land should be allocated for open space.

 

Over half of the respondents support additional land acquisition for parks with "low impact and quiet sports" such as bicycle paths.

 

Allocation for other types of recreational uses is deemed adequate or over abundant (golf courses, ORV trails and shooting ranges).

 

There is almost unanimous agreement among property owners that desirable qualities of the township include clean air and water, scenic views of open space and water, and lack of crime. There is also strong agreement that maintaining farmland, forest land, rural image, and recreational opportunities are either very important or somewhat important.

 

A clear majority of landowners also highly value the rest of the qualities of the township, i.e., sense of community; informal lifestyle; slower pace of life; and locally owned family businesses.

 

A majority of landowners value small population; small town atmosphere; little industry; and in-home businesses.

 

There is overwhelming agreement among landowners that resource protection measures are important.

 

There appears to be general support among landowners for strict local regulations to protect land. There is also noticeable support to require open space in new developments, and for stronger enforcement of local ordinances.

 

There is much less agreement among landowners over such land protection measures as: government purchase of land via special millage, or other taxes earmarked for development rights purchases.

 

The most favored activities are identified as tourism and resort related businesses, farming, light manufacturing, and commercial/retail.

 

Comments generally were not favorable toward providing governmental incentives for economic development. It seems to be felt that expanded economic activity will be a natural product of area growth in general.

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