Major Transportation Corridors
The County’s transportation network plays an important role in our economy by linking producers to markets, workers to jobs, residents to services, and students to schools. These corridors are also attractive locations for development given their visibility and access to markets. However, certain transportation corridors may be better suited for development, while others will continue to remain agricultural or undeveloped. Those that are more likely to experience development will have access to municipal services or located within a growth area identified by a township or city.
"The Future Land Use Plan map (see figure below) has recognized these corridors as Major Transportation Corridors. This land use designation essentially serves as an overlay, providing direction towards design standards more so than land use."
Policies
- Access to Major Transportation Corridors from individual properties/parcels should follow the road authorities access management guidelines.
- Roadway design should be guided first by the desired character of the road followed closely by the function and volume of traffic.
- Site planning and building orientation should direct visual elements of the site (i.e. landscaping and architectural details) toward the primary corridor. Setbacks should vary for residential and commercial uses.
- Commercial uses should be oriented principally around key intersections and commercial nodes.
- Residential uses should be allowed along the corridors, but should have increased setbacks proportional to the intensity of the traffic function of the corridor.
- Development along a Major Transportation Corridor must embrace the Comprehensive Plan’s Future Land Use Factors to minimize conflicts.
Land Use Patterns
Most of the interchanges along I-94 have been recognized in local comprehensive plans as areas of opportunity for development.
The State Highways have attracted strong industrial and commercial growth, as well as lake-related recreational and residential development pressure in certain areas (e.g., Highway 23). Light industrial/manufacturing uses can also bee seen along these corridors.
Corridors that are more rural in nature provide opportunities for smaller scale development that do not require municipal services. These corridors may be more attractive for rural subdivisions, light-industrial/manufacturing, and business that complement the agrarian lifestyle.
