SPARC is launched to ignite economic development.

Throughout Michigan, communities are working to attract new business.  Yet, a recurring lament repeated by developers is that the process for securing site plan approval can be tedious and fraught with roadblocks.  In some cases, it can take many months before a ground breaking occurs and in the development world, time is definitely money.  Unfortunately, there are instances when a developer opts to pick up a project and move it elsewhere to keep it moving forward. 

A site plan review is a necessary step for moving new construction projects to the ground breaking stage.  It allows a local community to evaluate a construction proposal to insure that it meets all local requirements and zoning ordinances.  If the process is clear and predictable, developers are able to move quickly into the construction phase.  If the site plan review process is cumbersome and unwieldy, it can hinder a company’s interest in investing in the community. 

Clearly, communities that simplify this process send a strong message that they are open to attracting new business. 

The Macomb County Department of Planning and Economic Development (MCPED) is taking proactive measures to position our communities as business friendly without compromising the need for sound development practices.  The “Site Plan Assistance Review Collaborative” (SPARC) will help to foster physical and economic development in Macomb County by streamlining and simplifying the site plan approval process. 

MCPED has been working in conjunction with Birchler Arroyo Associates, Inc. to develop a universal program that will offer their technical expertise and resources to assist communities with obtaining SPARC designation.   The designation will help communities welcome developers with a process that is predictable, efficient and offers a strategic advantage.

To date, five workshops to gather input regarding the SPARC initiative have been hosted throughout the county.   Meeting participants have included local community planners, elected and appointed officials and developers.  Each offered an opportunity for a dialogue exchange to examine the challenges and approaches to site plan review.  Utilizing the data from the workshops, the SPARC program will develop two or three levels of designation for the participants in the program.   Rod Arroyo, Vice President of Birchler Arroyo, observed, “The SPARC workshops with local government representatives, developers and design professionals have been invaluable.  The participants provided a wealth of knowledge and insight that will help build a meaningful program from the ground up for Macomb County communities.”

As part of the pilot program, two Macomb County communities - one urban and one rural – will be selected to help launch the program.   The ultimate goal of the program will be to assist communities with identifying designation goals and marketing.  SPARC communities will be promoted as those that are ready for development and redevelopment opportunities. The county will provide program evaluation and modifications on an annual basis.  According to Stephen Cassin, Executive Director of MCPED, “By branding Macomb County communities as development-friendly, we hope to increase awareness and participation and position the County as one that openly invites opportunistic development.  During this downturn in our local economy, now is the time to strategically plan for a better future today by igniting development through the SPARC initiative.”

For additional information regarding the Site Plan Assistance Review Collaborative, please contact our offices at (586) 469-5285 or visit our Web site www.macombcountymi.gov/mcped for updates.