Lima Twp: Notice of Adoption of Ordinance

TOWNSHIP OF LIMA

WASHTENAW COUNTY, MICHIGAN

NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE

TO:         THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE TOWNSHIP OF LIMA, WASHTENAW COUNTY, MICHIGAN, AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS:

                PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the following is a summary of Ordinance No. EDPA-25-01 creating the Sylvan-Lima Joint Planning Commission. This ordinance was adopted by the Lima Township Board at a regular meeting held on November 10, 2025. 

Ordinance No. EDPA-25-01

ORDINANCE TO ESTABLISH THE SYLVAN-LIMA

JOINT PLANNING COMMISSION

SECTION 1. PURPOSE. The purpose of this Ordinance is to create a joint planning commission to supplement the Agreement for Conditional Transfer of Certain Property Between Sylvan Township and Lima Township dated June 13, 2025 (“425 Agreement”) to allow for joint zoning and joint planning for the parcels that are subject to the 425 Agreement; and provides that Sylvan Township and Lima Township shall be the participating municipalities.

SECTION 2. NAME. The “Sylvan-Lima Joint Planning Commission.”

SECTION 3. JURISDICTIONAL TERRITORY OF THE JOINT COMMISSION. The Joint Planning Commission shall have jurisdiction over the area subject to the 425 Agreement.

SECTION 4. POWERS AND DUTIES. This section of the ordinance addresses the authority of the Joint Planning Commission over the affected parcels regarding: planning powers and duties; zoning powers and duties; capital improvement review; capital improvement programs; and subdivision review. There shall be a joint ZBA, as provided in the joint zoning ordinance. The Joint Planning Commission shall have certain supervisory authority over its staff and may hire one or more of the following positions: planning director; planner; zoning administrator; and enforcement officer. The Joint Planning Commission has the discretion to hire professional services such as planning, legal and other professional consultants as it deems necessary.

SECTION 5. COMPOSITION OF THE JOINT COMMISSION AND QUALIFICATION OF OFFICE. The Joint Planning Commission shall be made up of two Planning Commission members and one Board member from each of the participating municipalities; each participating municipality shall also appoint one alternate member from its Township Board or Planning Commission.

SECTION 6. TERMS. Members appointed from the participating municipalities’ Planning Commission or Township Board shall serve until the end of their term on the respective Township Board or Planning Commission.

SECTION 7. REMOVAL FROM OFFICE. Only the appointing municipality may remove a member it appointed to the Joint Planning Commission; provides the method for removing a member from the Joint Planning Commission and gives examples of cause to remove someone; and provides for situations that create vacancies and what happens when there is a vacancy on the Joint Planning Commission. 

SECTION 8. ORGANIZATION AND PROCEDURES. The Joint Planning Commission shall appoint officers; adopt bylaws; form committees, as necessary; provide an annual report to the legislative body for each participating municipality; hold not less than four (4) regular meetings per year; and comply with the Open Meetings Act and Freedom of Information Act.

SECTION 9. OPERATING BUDGET AND OFFICE. The Section provides a budget approval process and states the fiscal year shall be April 1 through March 31 of the following year; that the initial office shall be Sylvan Township Hall and that this may be changed from time-to-time by mutual agreement of each party; that Sylvan Township shall also serve as the fiduciary for the Joint Planning Commission and shall account for the funds, assets and serve the role of employer for any staff of the Joint Planning Commission; that the municipalities shall share equally in the costs of operating the Joint Planning Commission; that the Joint Planning Commission is responsible for the creation of fee schedules; and money shall be kept in an account by the fiduciary.

SECTION 10. STATUTORY POWERS. Except as otherwise provided, the Joint Planning Commission shall have all the powers contained in the Joint Municipal Planning Act, 2003 PA 226.

SECTION 11. TRANSITION PROVISION. Until the Joint Planning Commission has adopted a master plan and zoning ordinance, the affected area shall remain subject to its current zoning regulations under the respective local ordinance.

SECTION 12. AMENDMENTS.  Amendments must be made by both municipalities.

SECTION 13. EFFECTIVE DATE. Provides the effective date for the Ordinance.

SECTION 14. REPEAL. Conflicting ordinances and parts of ordinances are repealed.

SECTION 15. TERMINATION. This Ordinance terminates upon the termination of the 425 Agreement.  

                PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the full text of this Ordinance has been posted at the Office of the Lima Township Clerk at the address set forth below; on the Lima Township website at www.limatownshipmi.gov; and that a copy of the Ordinance may be inspected at the office of the Lima Township Clerk during regular business hours of regular working days following the date of this publication.

TOWNSHIP OF LIMA

Ann Kwaske, Clerk

12172 Jackson Road, Dexter, MI  48130

Published in The Sun Times News 11/19/25