(by Sandi Latimer, Staff Writer - February 21, 2009)
At the Feb. 18 meeting of the Westland Area Commission, members decided to take the first steps towards beginning the Westland Area Plan.
Planning and Development Chair Patricia Brown has brought the question before her colleagues on several occasions, but no action had been taken.
However, this time was different.
The area plan, adopted many years ago, outlines land use and traffic patterns.
“Everybody I talk to (with the city planning office) says it needs updated,” Brown told the commission.
She said some areas covered by the WAP had been updated when the Darby Accord was approved.
She added that the city’s Planning Department needs a letter of intent to update from WAC to be put on the waiting list. She also said the planning office has lost two employees in the city layoffs and there are other area commissions that want assistance at creating or updating their plans.
After the letter is submitted, the Planning Department would meet to discuss the plan and then WAC would have to sign an agreement before any work could be done. The process of revision would take about a year, Brown said.
WAC President Mike McKay asked for specific information of what is needed for a letter and who it goes to so he can follow through.
WAC’s next meeting will be at 7 p.m. March 18 at Doctors Hospital. By that time, three members whose terms are expiring this year - Brown, Walter Dunn and Marian Hymer - will have to decide if they are seeking re-election.
