Page 31 - Northville Township

surrounding residential area (whether Suburban
or Urban in character) versus a municipal public Design and Character
works maintenance and storage site or a wastewater
treatment plant that is as intensive as most private Aesthetic enhancements such as architectural
industrial sites in a community. design, landscaping and screening, signage standards
and site amenities also contribute to development
Maintaining and enhancing desired character is a central appearance. But these factors can and should vary
aim – and challenge – of implementing community plans with the area character, which as defined here
amid constant change. A community character approach involves the interplay between buildings, paved
allows the formulation of standards within the Township’s surfaces and unbuilt areas. For example, in a
development regulations to achieve the desired character downtown core like the City of Northville’s, relative to
in newly developing areas, protect and enhance it in the Suburban and Auto Urban character areas in the
redevelopment and infill areas, and to ensure a semi- Township, landscaping shifts more to the public realm
rural atmosphere is maintained in areas where this where buildings have minimal setbacks and sites have
character type is deemed most appropriate for the long limited yard areas.
term. Character-focused categories on a municipality’s
future land use plan and character-oriented districts on
its zoning map better portray the intended on-the-ground
outcomes for land use and development. This offers
assurance to neighboring property owners, a smoother
path to approvals for development applicants and more
beneficial outcomes for the entire community.

Future Land Use and

Character

Shown on the Future Land Use and Character Map
is the general pattern of land uses anticipated and/
or desired in the years ahead along with the character
contexts in which uses occur. The map, along with the
text descriptions in this section, indicate the use that is
expected to predominate in areas where land is currently
undeveloped or, in previously developed areas, based
on what is already on the ground and will likely remain
or possibly evolve. Such transitions in use can occur
through redevelopment of previously built sites, “infill”
construction on a vacant parcel amid existing built sites
or repurposing of an existing structure for another use
without significant site changes.

Along with the predominant use types, other
complementary uses will also remain or may emerge
in particular areas of the community (e.g., small-scale,
neighborhood-oriented retail and service uses within
or near the edges of largely reisdential areas). Certain
uses can be located amid other predominant use types,
such as public facilities and places of worship within
predominantly residential areas. Mixing uses on sites
is common in downtowns and may occur elsewhere
in a community as the market accommodates and
zoning allows. Master-planned communities are often
intentionally designed to integrate and mix uses in certain

Approved August 17, 2023 29