The Master Plan as of Today

In the current issue of of the Hills Highlights Summer 2011 #80 the official newsletter of the City of Bloomfield Hills, Mayor Zambricki lists a number of priorities. One of which is "amending ordinances to ensure compatibility with our Master Plan." This  is not  a new idea. Six months ago in the previous edition of the Hills Highlight, Winter 2011 #79,  Then Mayor Michael McCready wrote "Planning Commission is currently following the Master Plan directive to improve and update selected ordinances.. In the same issue in an article entitled "Master Plan Tune up " then  commissioner Zambricki wrote about "ideas" such as enforcing the Master Plan objectives by allowing gated driveways and front yards walls only in neighborhood where they already exist". In the current issue of the Hills Highlight, Commissioner Connie Salloum  mentions that she served as a member of the ordinance task force  "where we are reviewing  our current zoning ordinances, where needed. to become the Bloomfield Hills of Tomorrow, while preserving our city's character. As of this writing we are finalizing our recommended revisions on fences, walls, and Gate within our city. Next on our agenda is the review of the Woodlands protection ordinance."

 Something is going on.

City Ordinances are being reviewed and changed.  The reviewers and changers are hardly trying to keep it a secret.While the Hills Highlights may not be the most read publication in town , it is the official publication of the City Government where the movers and shakers  tend to move and shake.

The Scary Part Is....

In George Orwell's novel 1984 history is constantly being rewritten to satisfy the ever changing demands of Big Brother. The Master Plan is not Big Brother but a rather  an engaging little fellow when you get the chance to meet him.  The scary part is the persona of the Master Plan as the Holy Writ which has emerged. This persona answers no questions, tolerates no viariances, and  simply issues mandates or directives.

 Ordinances are laws and the Master Plan is neither.

 Ordinances are laws and are laws and enforceable. The Master Plan  is  not a law, or an ordinance or enforceable.  It is just a plan. To legalize the Master plan you would probably have to change the charter which would require a lot attention and maybe a big fight. Change the ordinances  one by one to mirror what the Master Plan says,  and you make the Master Plan the Law, legally and unobtrusively.