The City Planning Commission consists of nine (9) members who are appointed by the City Council after mayorial recommendations. Eight of the Nine members must be qualified electors of the City.  One shall be a member of the City Council to be selected by resolution of the City Council to serve as a member ex officio. Planning Commission members serve terms of four (4) years; however, the terms are initially staggered so that the terms of no more than two (2) members of the Planning Commission expire at any one time. All appointed members shall hold no other municipal office, or be an employee of the city, except that one of the appointed members may be a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals.

DEFINITION: 

The Planning Commission is a public advisory board, and its purpose is to review and advise the City Council on public and private activities involving the physical, social, and economic development of the City and to review and make a comprehensive plan for the physical development of the City. The Commission also reviews and advises the City Council on matters concerning long range planning for land within the City boundaries and areas outside the City boundaries which relate to the City’s long-range planning. This is a volunteer position.

The Planning Commission affords residents the opportunity to actively participate in the planning of the City and its welfare; to learn all facets of the regulations governing such functions; interact with a wide variety of citizens participating in shaping Ludington’s future; and assume an active role in regulation changes involving zoning and subdivision activity.

DUTIES: 

• The Planning Commission has the primary responsibility for approving the City's comprehensive plan. This document includes City policy statements on growth, transportation, economic development, parks and open space and the environment. The Commission reviews all proposed amendments to the comprehensive plan and every 5 years conducts a review of the plan to keep the plan current or assigns related studies to city staff or to consultants.
• The Commission advises the City Council on annexations, zoning related issues, subdivision development, special use reviews, and architectural and site plan reviews.
• The Commission has representatives that serve as a liaison to Downtown Development Authority and The Zoning Board of Appeals. The role of the Planning Commission liaison is an ex-officio non-voting member that provides a bridge between the various boards mentioned by reporting activities of the Board to the Planning Commission and providing Planning Commission’s point of view to the Board.