Planning Department Overview
The two primary areas of responsibility for the department are: Land Use Planning and Transportation Planning
Land Use
- Develop, maintain and update the Tribe’s Land Use Plan as directed by Tribal Council
- Assist (as needed or requested) in the Tribe’s land acquisition efforts, including the process of placing Tribal lands into Federal Trust Status
- Develop Tribal land-use zoning/planning ordinances or regulations as needed
- Serve as Tribal Building Office. Responsibilities include:
- Enforcement of Tribal Building Ordinance
- Issuing building permits and certificates of occupancy
- Arranging site/building plan reviews and building inspections
Transportation
- Serve as Tribal contact/liaison with the Bureau of Indian Affairs Roads Program
- Develop, maintain and update the Tribe’s Long Range Transportation Plan as directed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs Roads Program
- Develop, maintain and update the Tribe’s Transportation Safety Plan in accordance with Bureau of Indian Affairs Roads Program policies
- Maintain and update the Tribe’s BIA Roads Inventory as needed
- Develop the annual Tribal Transportation Improvement Plan (TTIP)—list of road construction & maintenance projects that are funded with BIA federal highway monies
- Serve as Tribal contact/liaison with other transportation-related entities: Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), Manistee County Road Commission (MCRC), and Federal Highway Association (FHWA)
Other
- Serve as Tribal contact/liaison with area non-profit and governmental agencies
- Serve as Tribal contact/liaison with the U.S. Census Bureau