Planning and Community Development/Zoning and Assessing

The following link is for public information of assessing records: For information on the web go to:(Assessing Records)

The Planning and Community Development Department oversees the administration of the Planning, Zoning, Assessing, Recreation, Grant Administration, Geographic Information Systems, Insurance Administration, Workplace Safety, and Economic Development functions for Chocolay Township. This also includes the sharing of this information to the public, and coordination with other units of government.

The Department also assists the Township Supervisor with personnel management and acts as a liaison to the Fire Department.

Meet the Staff

Jennifer Thum, Director of Planning and Community Development

Jennifer joined the Township on June 19th, 2007. Jennifer was previously employed as the Director of the Ishpeming Main St. Program. Jennifer’s planning experience began in Pittsfield Township as an Assistant Planner. She received her Bachelors of Science degree in Urban and Regional Planning from Eastern Michigan University in 2002 and currently is attending Northern Michigan University for her Masters degree in Public Administration.

Randall L. Yelle, Zoning Administrator

Randy joined the Township in November 2002 as the Zoning Administrator. He is also the Zoning Administrator of Sands Township.

Tina Fuller, Assessor

Tina joined the Township in October 2002, and came to us after working as the Assistant Assessor in Breitung Township.

Thomas Murray, Community Development Coordinator

Tom joined the Township in September of 2005 and came to Chocolay Township after working as the Planning and Zoning Official for the City of Marquette.

DEPARTMENT FUNCTIONS

Planning: Land use planning promotes the careful development of land and the preservation of resources while balancing the practical realities of our location in conjunction with the character of our community and our ability to meet the demands of growth, both now and in the future.

Current planning activities include the review of development plans and conducting site visits to determine compliance with the Comprehensive Plan and local ordinances.

Long Range Planning deals with the building of the Township's future and maintains awareness of the future vision created by the Township residents during the development of the Township's Comprehensive Plan. It includes master planning, ordinance writing, resource protection, economic development, policy planning and coordination with capital improvements budgeting, advanced mapping, report writing, and acting as liaison to the Planning Commission.

Zoning: The Zoning Administrator is responsible for the review and administration of permits which do not require Planning Commission or Board approval and makes recommendations regarding certain zoning requests to the Planning Commission and Township Board while providing customer service throughout the permit process.

The Zoning Administrator also provides enforcement of the Zoning, Junk Car, and Nuisance Ordinance and acts as staff liaison to the Zoning board of Appeals.

Assessing: The Assessing Department's primary function is to assess all real and personal property within Chocolay Township each year. The Assessor is required by state law to assess at 50 percent of truce cash value all assessable property as of December 31. The assessment roll must be completed and prepared by the Assessor for presentation to the March Board of Review.

The Department maintains information for the public use on taxpayer name and mailing address, size, age and characteristics of buildings, parcel sizes, legal descriptions, property addresses and sale prices of vacant and improved properties (if known). Information is available at the Township office.

For information on the web go to: (Assessing Records)

Community Development Coordinator: The Community Development Coordinator is responsible for overseeing the Township Recreation Plan, obtaining and administering various economic development and other grants, and assist the Director of Planning and Community Development with economic development functions, including the Township insurance programs.

The Community Development Coordinator also acts as a liaison to the fire Department with regards to grants and personnel administration.

LAND USE DOCUMENTS

Comprehensive Plan: The Township Comprehensive Plan was adopted in August 2005 after a lengthy public process. The Comprehensive Plan is the principle planning document the guides Township Officials on zoning, public infrastructure, and other land use decisions. You may pick up a CD of the plan for no cost at the Township offices.

Zoning Ordinance: The Zoning Ordinance is a book of land use regulations that are developed to assure compliance with the Comprehensive Plan.