WEST BENZIE JOINT PLANNING COMMISSION
Robert (Bob) Hall– Zoning Administrator
231-882-4411, Ext.108
zoningadmin@benzoniatownship.gov
Mary Pitcher– Planner & Code Enforcement Officer
231-882-4411, Ext. 103
planner@benzoniatownship.gov
Benzonia and Platte Townships have partnered for Planning and Zoning purposes, establishing the West Benzie Joint Planning Commission (WBJPC) through Joint Planning Commission Ordinance No. 4–11. (button can be found under DOCS ON DEMAND below)
Planning and zoning are essential tools for promoting the health, safety, and welfare of our community—serving both residents and visitors alike.
Land use in the Township is guided by the WBJPC Master Plan and enforced through the Zoning Ordinance. The most recent Master Plan was adopted in 2023, and the WBJPC is currently updating the zoning ordinance to reflect the goals and priorities of the Plan.
The Planning & Zoning Department works directly with property owners to address land use issues and ensure compliance with local regulations. This office accepts permit applications and issues permits for land use, handles complaints, enforces established ordinances, assists in the drafting of township plans & ordinances, and staffs both the West Benzie Joint Planning Commission (WBJPC) and the Zoning Board of Appeals.
The Planning Commission is currently drafting an updated Zoning Ordinance. A citizen advisory Stakeholder Subcommittee has been established to assist with the rewrite project. This eleven-member Stakeholder group is a working committee representing a cross-section of the community, including environmental groups, builders, realtors, business owners, and engaged citizens. All the members share a deep appreciation for the unique beauty of our region. The Stakeholder Committee represents fellow Township residents, bringing knowledge and expertise to the project. The committee is gathering public input, conducting research, and will make recommendations to the Planning Commission on specific zoning ordinance content, as well as broader planning and development considerations.
The West Benzie Joint Zoning Ordinance was created to (Section 1:1):
- Promote the public health, safety & general welfare
- Provide adequate light & air, and protect air and water quality
- Encourage the use of lands in accordance with their character and adaptability
- Limit the improper use of land
- Conserve natural resources and energy
- Meet the needs of residents needs for food, fiber and other natural resources, places of residents, recreation, industry, trade, service and other uses of land
- Ensure the uses of land are situation in appropriate locations and relationships
- Avoid overcrowding of populations
- Lessen congestion on public streets & highways
- Reduce hazards to life & property due to fire, flooding, erosion, pollutions, excessive dust, fumes, smoke, nose, vibration, noxious odors of other hazards
- Prevent overburdening of existing or available public services and utilities
- Facilitate the adequate provision of a system of transportation, sewage disposal, drainage, public water supply, education, recreation
- Conserve the expenditure of funds for public improvements and services
- Conform with the most advantageous use of land, resources and properties, conserve land, community character and property values
- Prevent nuisances
The Planning Commission
- Creates and adopts a Master Plan to guide the township’s future land use patterns
- Creates and adopts other related plans and studies
- Drafts and makes recommendations on zoning ordinance refinements and updates
- Makes recommendations on rezoning requestsReviews and approves development proposals
- Makes recommendations on other general law ordinances, as needed
- Reviews and approves development proposals
West Benzie Joint Planning Commission 2026 Meeting Schedule
January 15, 5:00 PM *
February 12, 6:00 PM
March 12, 6:00 PM
April 9, 6:00 PM
May 14, 6:00 PM
June 11, 6:00 PM
July 9, 6:00 PM
August 13, 6:00 PM
Sept. 10, 6:00 PM
October 8, 6:00 PM
November 12, 6:00 PM
December 10, 6:00 PM
* Note time change from regular meeting schedule.
Zoning Board of Appeals
The Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) hears and decides matters brought before it under the provisions of the West Benzie Joint Zoning Ordinance. Such matters are primarily requests for a variance from a required building setback or other dimensional provisions of the Zoning Ordinance. The ZBA will also hear some appeals of an administrative decision or interpret the zoning ordinance at the request of staff or an applicant.
The application form for a variance request can be found to the left. Contact staff for additional information prior to preparing your application. Staff will help to determine if you require a variance and if your request is eligible for appeal under local and state law.
WBJPC Commission Members
Staff: Bob Hall, Zoning Administrator – Mary Pitcher, Planner / Code Enforcement Officer – Alison Michalak, Recording Secretary
Zoning Board of Appeals Members
