Sherwood Township asks Planning Commission to review solar and wind ordinances after state changes
July 01, 2026 | Sherwood, Branch County, Michigan
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Sherwood Township Clerk Marjorie Whitcomb moved Dec. 5 to give the township Planning Commission authority to investigate options for updating the township's solar and wind ordinances after new Michigan legislation. Trustee Jeff Brott seconded the motion and the board voted to approve it.
The board said the review is intended to assess how state-level changes affect local siting, permitting and standards for renewable energy projects. Whitcomb framed the vote as a procedural step that directs the Planning Commission to return with recommended ordinance language or options for the board to consider.
The direction to the Planning Commission follows broader public attention at the meeting to recent energy-related legislation at the state level. A visitor also presented a model resolution other townships have approved and asked the board to consider signing it; the board took that resolution under consideration but did not take recorded action on it at the meeting.
The Planning Commission appointments were also handled that night: Ken Bell and Ron Denney accepted terms and the board approved their reinstatements, so the commission will carry out the assigned review.
Next steps: the Planning Commission will investigate options and report back to the board with recommendations; no timeline for that report was specified at the meeting.
The board said the review is intended to assess how state-level changes affect local siting, permitting and standards for renewable energy projects. Whitcomb framed the vote as a procedural step that directs the Planning Commission to return with recommended ordinance language or options for the board to consider.
The direction to the Planning Commission follows broader public attention at the meeting to recent energy-related legislation at the state level. A visitor also presented a model resolution other townships have approved and asked the board to consider signing it; the board took that resolution under consideration but did not take recorded action on it at the meeting.
The Planning Commission appointments were also handled that night: Ken Bell and Ron Denney accepted terms and the board approved their reinstatements, so the commission will carry out the assigned review.
Next steps: the Planning Commission will investigate options and report back to the board with recommendations; no timeline for that report was specified at the meeting.
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