They Wear Work Boots

Posted by – Steve Cohen, Director of Community Development

My Dad often said to me, “Stevie, in order to leave footprints in the sands of time, you must wear work boots.”  My Dad is now gone, but his words still motivate me.

Perhaps that’s why I was so energized being with the Planning Commission this past Wednesday night.  I could not go to sleep when I got home after the meeting.  So much to do, so many possibilities.

The Planning Commission created an ambitious work plan for Y2017 during their marathon four-hour study session.  We are so thankful for them.

This dedicated group of volunteers work with a clear mission.  They give up their nights and spend well over one hundred hours annually reviewing projects and planning issues so that the City of Auburn Hills will be strong in the future.

What will they do next year?  Below are just a few of their assignments:

• Inventory the remaining vacant and underutilized land in Auburn Hills (including the Palace of Auburn Hills property) and provide recommendations on how those parcels should be redeveloped.   The City Council has set this project as a 2017 goal for the community.
• Work with Senior Services Director Karen Adcock to make policy and ordinance recommendations to the City Council to implement the City’s 2015 Age Friendly Action Plan.
• Create a plan of action, study, and work with the City Council to implement policies and ordinances addressing student housing.
• Begin updates to the City’s Zoning Ordinance, Master Land Use Plan, and Parks and Recreation Plan.
• Hold public hearings and review an anticipated 20+ private development projects.

Yes, the Planning Commission has put on … and laced up tight … their work boots so that they can leave footprints in the sands of time.  It’s exciting that Assistant City Planner Shawn Keenan and I get to work shoulder to shoulder with this group to assist them with their mission.

As I tried to get some sleep in the early hours of Thursday morning, all I could think of was, “It just can’t get any better than this!”  The bar has been set.  Let the work begin.