Clearzoning

By simply clicking on one page of an online ordinance instead of thumbing through many references addressing multiple zoning districts, a developer can, for example, determine where a new office building could be built. Or, for individuals, a homeowner could find out how large an addition can be. Then, with one more click, the setback, area and height regulations for that district are displayed in both text and graphic form.

The timing coincides with Oakland County’s introduction of its "Technology Planning Tool Kit" at workshops held for community officials. The purpose of the Tool Kit is to help planning officials update their planning documents and procedures using technology-based activities so their communities become competitive in the "knowledge" economy.

Dave Payne, Bloomfield Township Supervisor, said, "Bloomfield Township is the first community in Oakland County to use this tool. The Clearzoning ordinance will set a new standard for effectively communicating zoning requirements with the public. We will use the full capabilities of Clearzoning by expanding the use of color zoning illustrations and providing hyperlinks to application forms that can be filled in online."

The implementation of Clearzoning is one of several steps Bloomfield Township has taken recently to attract businesses to the Township and to support those businesses already located in the community. In 2007 the Board of Trustees approved the Master Plan Update, developed by the Planning Commission after a two-year process that included much input from both residential and business community members. Among other things, the Update recommended revising parking regulations to include flexible parking requirements for shopping centers. These recommendations were adopted in 2008.

In addition, the Planning Commission amended the Research Park Zoning District to expand the uses permitted to include uses not traditionally found in research parks. This move paved the way for several businesses to locate within the Research Park area, near Franklin Road north of Square Lake Road, instead of seeking locations in other communities. Subsequently, the Township now has The Varsity Shop Training Center for baseball and softball teams and the 4 Paws Community Center - Pet Care and Training Facility in this area. The Commission also introduced a new zoning classification called a Mixed Use District that allows retail, office and residential uses in key locations I the Township deemed ripe for development.

The Planning Department has published a "Doing Business in Bloomfield" brochure that is distributed to prospective businesses. It has added a section to Bloomfield Township’s website that highlights Bloomfield Township’s business-friendly features such as its streamlined approval processes and important economic information about the Township.

While Bloomfield Township is 95% residential, its commercial areas are situated along several of the most desirable thoroughfares in Oakland County – Telegraph Road, Woodward Avenue, and Orchard Lake Road. In recent years, the Township has seen major corporate development and expansion. Most of that has taken place along Telegraph Road north of Square Lake Road, including the expansion of an existing Costco, the opening of a new Target and a new L.A. Fitness Center, the opening of the North American headquarters for SmartCar USA and the improvement of the Bloomfield Market Place. A second Sunrise Living Centers facility recently opened on Telegraph south of Maple Road and the Mercedes Benz of Bloomfield Hills dealership has just completed improvements to its facility.

The Township is currently implementing its Median Beautification project and gateway signage program to identify and enhance the commercial corridors within Bloomfield Township.

The Charter Township of Bloomfield, located in central Oakland County, is within easy reach of the area’s major thoroughfares and expressways. It has a population of 42,000 and covers 26 square miles. Bloomfield Township provides a full range of public services, including its own police and full-time fire departments and road, water and sewer divisions.

Clearzoning, based in Lathrup Village, is a subsidiary of Birchler Arroyo Associates, Inc., a planning and transportation consulting firm established in 1989. Rodney L. Arroyo, AICP, is president. The mission of Clearzoning is to transform municipal codes into visually appealing, digital documents that better communicate ordinance regulations.