Planning and Zoning
Planning and zoning is a way for a community to envision its future: what it will look like, where things will be located, how it will function, who will live in it and affect it and when and where changes will take place. A community defines itself through zoning and planning, both short and long-term. Planning and zoning is not self-correcting; instead it is a successive cycle of planned strategies and actions set forth to meet certain goals. In order for planning and zoning to be effective, policies must be constantly analyzed, monitored and revised to adjust to an ever-changing environment and society.
Planning and zoning is a multi-step process that includes identifying problems or goals, analyzing the existing conditions, developing a process to achieve the desired results, evaluating possible consequences of the process, monitoring its progress and constantly adjusting policies. The most well thought-out plans are worthless without realistic goals and means of achieving them. Critical components of successful planning and zoning include setting reasonable objectives and designing ways to accomplish them.
The Eaton County Community Development Department is charged with the responsibility of administering the Eaton County Land Development Code (Zoning Ordinance) for the unincorporated portions of Eaton County. The staff of the department works with the Board of Commissioners, Planning Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals, the private sector and special interest groups, other municipalities and the citizens of Eaton County to develop goal-oriented strategies.
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