Traffic calming and rainwater reduction part of Clawson's proposed master plan
(Crystal A. Proxmire, February 10, 2025)
Clawson, Mi – The future of Clawson is in the hands of the residents when the city's master planning process approaches the grand finale. The proposed master plan will be presented to the planning commission on February 11th and will probably go to Clawson's city council for the final approval in March.
The plan is the document that leads the development in the city and defines goals and potential efforts.
On January 28, the city gathered a master plan in the town hall to talk about important topics in the master plan. Posters in the room present parts and the complete design that was checked online.
The plan created by Giffel's Webster takes a look at the safety and maintenance of the road, including a potential road diet in the city center of Clawson, which would slow down and add parking.
The deputy city manager Nikalas Stepnitz explained that the city could use temporary markings to test configurations to examine the effects on the flow of traffic before making changes such as reducing lanes and adding cycle paths or parking spaces on the street. “This gives us the opportunity to explore,” said Stepnitz.
The plan takes into account “complete streets”, which means that roads are not only designed for cars, but also for cyclists, pedestrians and people who use wheelchairs and strollers.
He noticed that individual changes were voted on by the city council. “Nothing here will change overnight,” he said. “But having these ideas in the master plan makes it easier to apply for grants.”
The plan deals with the needs of road maintenance and the needs of the infrastructure below the surface – the water and wastewater pipes, many of which go beyond their life expectancy or beyond their life expectancy.
Another concern in Clawson is flood prevention. The concentration on green areas and water retention, especially in the new development, can help to reduce the flood data on streets and cellars. The proposals for rainwater retention include: underground detention, filtration, raingarts and bioret, rainwater intake, gray water systems, green roofs, bioswales, promotion of leaf faithfulness and increase of the tree wreath.
Ideas for housing, zoning, business development and improvement in the city center, industrial areas and neighborhoods are also included in the proposed master plan.
The city council, Matthew Binkowski, was one of those present on the open day. He encouraged the residents to check the plan and share their ideas. “Don't be afraid to give public feedback,” he said. “We want to hear from you.”
Take a look at the complete master plan design and other information on the process at https://www.cityofclawson.com/your_community/master_plan.php.
