In 2026 Florence Township is updating its Comprehensive Land Use Plan, last revised in 2013. The Plan helps guide growth, development, public investments, and long-term community priorities. After more than a decade, the Township is revisiting the plan to reflect current needs and prepare for the future. Township officials are seeking input from residents, property owners, farmers, business owners, and anyone with a stake in Florence Township.  Public feedback will help identify the most important issues facing the community today and shape goals for the years ahead.

The following topics will be covered in a series of public workshops, the outcomes of which will go into revising the Plan:

• Land Use:  Where should housing and business development occur?  What land should be preserved for agriculture, recreation, or open space? 
• Natural Resources: Which sensitive areas, wildlife habitats, wetlands, shoreland, blufflands, or other natural resources should be protected? 
• Parks & Open Space: How can public outdoor spaces be improved? 
• Community Heritage: How can historic sites, landscapes, and buildings be preserved? 
• Transportation: What improvements are needed along Highway 61 and throughout the Township? 
• Economic Development: How can Florence Township support existing businesses and encourage appropriate new opportunities?

Workshops - 9:00-Noon, Town Hall

• Saturday, May 30 – Identify and confirm community priorities 
• Saturday, June 20 – Update goals for each focus area 
• Saturday, July 25 – Finalize goals and priorities
• Saturday, August 22 – Develop strategies for implementation

Community members are welcome to attend one meeting or participate throughout the process and ongoing updates will be posted on this page throughout. To receive periodic email updates, please sign up below.

Hello Everyone,

Thank you to all who participated in our Comprehensive Land Use Plan update process on May 30th.

In the folder below you can find the meeting minutes, graciously provided by Pam Miller. Thank you, Pam, for taking the time to prepare and share them.

Also included below is the agenda, information outlining why the Comprehensive Land Use Plan is important, along with pics of the actual boards created during our SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) exercise.

We are still seeking volunteers to update Chapters 2 and 3 to reflect our current status as of 2026. If you are willing to assist with either chapter, please let me know.

Finally, Deb Lee Carson has volunteered to gather SWOT information from the farming community. Thank you, Deb, for taking on this important task.

Once I have the agenda finalized for June 20th, I will share that.  Know that I will start out our June 20th session with a recap  from May 30th.

Thank you all for your continued involvement and commitment to this process.  Your voice counts.

- Jim Ahrens