Local planning commissions within the Alpena County region requests your input on future planning for recreational, housing and economic development as they update the Joint Master Plan for 2025. This survey will help drive the vision and future of the region for years to come!

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* 1. Enter the age of the members of your household, including yourself.

  Self Person 2 Person 3 Person 4 Person 5 Person 6
Under 5 years old
5-18 years old
19-25 years old
26-45 years old
46-65 years old
66-75 years old
76+ years old

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* 2. Where do you live, visit, own a business, or own property?

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* 3. What is your property interest? Mark all that apply.

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* 4. How long have you lived or owned property here?

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* 5. What are the occupations for members of the household?

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* 6. What is your employment status?

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* 7. How do you get to work? (select all that apply)

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* 8. When deciding where to live or own property, what made you choose Alpena County? (check all that apply)

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* 9. Has shoreline erosion affected you or your property?

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* 10. How can the community best address water quality concerns?

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* 11. Did you know that Alpena County, City of Alpena, and the Charter Township of Alpena collectively adopted the Lake Huron Forever Pledge in 2023 to proactively protect Lake Huron?

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* 12. Of the following Lake Huron Forever Pledge actions that the Alpena area identified, please select the three you feel are most important.

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* 13. What sites within Alpena County do you think need to be considered for natural resource preservation?

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* 14. Do you support the development of Renewable Energy Facilities (such as wind, solar, and battery)?

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* 15. What additional types of recreational programs would you like the municipality to offer?

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* 16. Mark any of the following forms of public transportation that you use:

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* 17. What changes to modes of transportation would you like to see?

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* 18. Should residential areas be connected to employment and shopping areas with bike paths, sidewalks, or other non-motorized transportation multi-use trails?

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* 19. Please rate the following transportation goals:

  Important Neutral Not Important
Maintaining existing roads
Providing more paved roads
Traffic safety (guardrails, crosswalks, intersections, signage, signals, striping)
Paving the shoulders for safer non-automobile travel
Providing pedestrian access to beach and lakefront areas
Establishing new ATV trails
Establishing new snowmobile trails
Continuation of snowmobile trails within Alpena City limits
Establishing more natural trails
Establishing bicycle trails
Establishing new ski trails
Providing all-inclusive access trails
Establishing new bike lanes
Traffic circles (roundabouts)
Walkability

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* 20. Should mobile or temporary business be allowed on public property? (Food trucks, transient sales, pop-up markets, etc.)

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* 21. What types of new services or businesses would you like to see in the area?

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* 22. What types of job opportunities do you think are lacking in Alpena?

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* 23. What sites within Alpena County do you think need to be considered for commercial or industrial development?

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* 24. Do you feel short-term rentals, such as Airbnb or VRBO, are a problem in residential areas?

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* 25. Do you feel that short-term rentals should be held to a certain number?

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* 26. Should there be a local business permit process for short-term rentals?

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* 27. Should there be a recurring inspection process for short-term rentals (annual, etc.)?

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* 28. Should there be a recurring inspection process for all rental units?

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* 29. Do you feel any of the following should be pursued when developing housing in the area?

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* 30. What sites within Alpena County do you think need to be considered for residential development? What type of residential development (i.e., single-family, duplex, tri/quad plex, apartment, cottage court, etc.)?

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* 31. Are the following important to you when developing an area?

  Yes No
Requiring large lot size to preserve farmland.
Requiring large lot size to preserve forestland
Requiring large lot size to preserve wetlands.
Allowing landowners to split their property into smaller lots.

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* 32. If you are looking to move from your current residence, how long until you do so?

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* 33. If you are moving in the future, where are you moving to, and why?

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* 34. How would you rate the current quality of life in Alpena County or in your local municipality compared to 5 years ago?

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* 35. In general, are you satisfied here as a place to live, own property, own a business or visit?

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* 36. Are you satisfied with the following:

  Yes No Unsure/No Opinion
Police protection
Fire protection
Emergency medical services
Medical facilities
Drinking water
Community clean-up/beautification
Snow removal
Sidewalks
Traffic volume and flow
Recreation access
Internet access
Recycling
Library
Water quality of rivers, lakes, and streams

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* 37. What is your perception of the following:

  Improving Stable Getting Worse Unsure/No opinion
The current economic state of Alpena County is
The current real estate market in Alpena County is

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* 38. Have you used the website for your local government for information?

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* 39. Are you satisfied with the enforcement of Zoning Ordinances in your community?

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* 40. Is the local government responsive to questions on Zoning, Planning, or other needs?

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* 41. Are Planning and Zoning applications processed in a timely manner?

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* 42. Do you think that blight is improving in your community in Alpena County (blight refers to unsightly or inadequately maintained properties)? Indicate areas of continued opportunity.

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* 43. Do you feel safe in the community?

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* 44. Would you be interested in participating in a workshop about community preparedness and community safety plans (emergencies) within your community?

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* 45. Did you know that you can text 911?

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* 46. Are you aware that your local Fire Department may provide smoke alarms to residents for free?

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* 47. Which of the following services in your region do you feel effectively address your law enforcement and safety needs or concerns?

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* 48. Are you aware of the safety procedures for the following weather related emergencies?

  Yes No
Wildfires
Tornadoes
Ice & Sleet Storms
Flooding
Drought
Hailstorms
Snowstorms
Extreme Temperatures (heat & cold)

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* 49. Do you believe the public service agencies in your community should provide public safety education programs in the local schools?

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* 50. Have you ever used or had experience with any of the following services within your community?

  Yes No
Law Enforcement (police, conservation officers, etc.)
911 Dispatch
Fire Department
Emergency Medical Services
Emergency Management Office (early warning & siren systems, etc.)
Public Safety K-12 Education Programs
Community Preparedness Workshops
Emergency assistance
Non-emergency assistance (lift assistance, etc.)
911 Texting

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* 51. Values reflect what the community cares about. What are your top five values for our Alpena Community?

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* 52. What do you believe the vision for the future of Alpena County should be? Consider long-term goals that reflect the community's core values and celebrate its unique assets. What should be done to achieve this vision?

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* 53. Additional comments:

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* 54. Do you wish to continue to answer questions specific to the City of Alpena?

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