What is a Community Master Plan?

The CMP provides a comprehensive and long-term vision for land use in the city of Marquette, identifying how land use patterns, trends, and decisions can support our community’s goals related to topics like housing, transportation, infrastructure, natural resources, and wellbeing.

The plan includes high-level data, goals, and action steps and is implemented by the city’s zoning ordinance, policies, budget, and programming.

The Art of City Planning

Written by: Russ Soyring, Planning Consultant & David Stensaas, City Planner

The City of Marquette has engaged in a process to renew the Community Master Plan. For a plan to have relevance, it is essential to have participation by its citizens, property owners and a host of community stakeholders. And it will.

To learn and understand the values and visions of those who live, work and visit Marquette, a community opinion survey and open house was held, followed by another survey. The response was impressive.

Nearly 4,000 people filled out the surveys and more than 500 citizens attended the open house. It’s confirmed, Marquette does not want to lose its rustic charm, views and access to Lake Superior, and the wild lands that surround the community. The community also said we need living wage jobs, affordable housing and attainable day care.

The citizens made it clear – protecting natural resources is important and art and culture should not be forgotten.

City Planning is art, and the most successful cities will be those that are most imaginative. In this quickly changing world, master plans will need to tap into the intelligence of the residents, for they are truly the experts in living here and along with local businesses and institutions are at the forefront of defining the future for Marquette.

The citizens will shape Marquette, but in the long run, the city shapes the residents. The dwellings will decide how we live, the street design will influence how we walk. The parks and cultural resources will affect how we play.

Collectively, the people of Marquette are using the community as their canvas to create public art, and this thoughtful and heartfelt work is entitled “The Community Master Plan”.

You are invited to learn more about the renewal of the Marquette Community Master Plan and the upcoming schedule of public events at the following link: Marquette Master Plan (arcgis.com)

How do I get involved?

The Planning Commission is the body responsible for working with the consultants to provide a final draft of the updated Community Master Plan.The public is welcome to attend their meetings and provide input on ideas for community development.

The PC meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month in the Commission Chambers of City Hall. The Planning office is at the Municipal Service Center and the City Planner may be contacted at any time for inquiries and conversations about community development issues.

906-225-8103, dstensaas@marquettemi.gov

Six Guiding Principles of the Updated Community Master Plan

The following statements are working guiding principles to guide the 2023—2027 Marquette CMP. These were initially drafted based on an online survey then rewritten based on the feedback received from participants at the stakeholder listening sessions, community open house, and second follow-up online survey. These principles provide a quick summary of the emerging “wish list” of the folks who have participated in this community planning process to date.

STEWARD AND CHERISH OUR NATURAL ASSETS

Vital to the character and well-being of everyone in our community, they should be cared for so that current and future generations can access and enjoy them.

HONOR OUR ENTIRE HISTORY

We should respect, preserve, and incorporate Indigenous heritage and Iron history into our community fabric, including our buildings, waterfront, parks and trails, public spaces, and arts and cultural events.

ENCOURAGE QUALITY HOUSING AT MULTIPLE PRICE POINTS IN LOCATIONS WITH ACCESS TO TRANSPORTATION

City policy should encourage a variety of quality housing types that local workers, young families, and retirees can afford, in locations which are accessible to trails and public transit.

MAINTAIN AND CONNECT OUR NEIGHBORHOODS

City policy should be sensitive to the design and scale of existing neighborhoods, encourage well maintained properties in residential areas and promote easy access to goods, services, and amenities.

CREATE SAFE AND ENJOYABLE TRANSPORTATION AND RECREATION OPTIONS YEAR-ROUND

Our land use and transportation policies should promote safe, convenient, and enjoyable year-round paths for transportation and recreation for people of all ages and abilities.

ENCOURAGE DEVELOPMENT AND VIBRANCY IN OUR COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS AND CORRIDORS

City policy should support businesses, provide additional housing, increase the city tax base, and maximize the use of existing infrastructure.

Engage in the shaping of our City by participating in City-led Cultural Conversations during Art Week.

Full listing of Event Times