Disclaimer: Recipents of access or enhanced access
receive all information AS IS. While every reasonable
attempt has been made to ensure that the data provided is
accurate, Chocolay Township, its officers, officials,
employees, agents, volunteers, contractors, or its public
bodies make no warranties of any kind, including but not
limited to warranties of accuracy, fitness for particular
purpose or of a receipient's right of use. Recipents are soley responsible for investigating, resisting, litigating, and settling such complaints that may arise regarding the data accessed, including the payment of any damages or costs. Tax roll descriptions, sometimes referred to as legal descriptions are not meant to replace a legal description by an attorney.

The Planning and Community Development Department oversees the administration of the Planning, Zoning, Assessing, Recreation, Grant Administration, Geographic Information Systems, Insurance Administration, Workplace Safety, and Economic Development functions for Chocolay Township. This also includes the sharing of this information to the public, and coordination with other units of government.

The Department also assists the Township Supervisor with personnel management and acts as a liaison to the Fire Department.

Meet the Staff

Jennifer Thum, Planning Director/Zoning Administrator

Jennifer joined the Township on June 19th, 2007. Jennifer was previously employed as the Director of the Ishpeming Main St. Program. Jennifer's planning experience began in Pittsfield Township as an Assistant Planner. She received her Bachelors of Science degree in Urban and Regional Planning from Eastern Michigan University in 2002 and received her Masters degree in Public Administration from Northern Michigan University.

Tina Fuller, Assessor

Tina joined the Township in October 2002, and came to us after working as the Assistant Assessor in Breitung Township.

DEPARTMENT FUNCTIONS

Planning: Land use planning promotes the careful development of land and the preservation of resources while balancing the practical realities of our location in conjunction with the character of our community and our ability to meet the demands of growth, both now and in the future.

Current planning activities include the review of development plans and conducting site visits to determine compliance with the Comprehensive Plan and local ordinances.

Long Range Planning deals with the building of the Township's future and maintains awareness of the future vision created by the Township residents during the development of the Township's Comprehensive Plan. It includes master planning, ordinance writing, resource protection, economic development, policy planning and coordination with capital improvements budgeting, advanced mapping, report writing, and acting as liaison to the Planning Commission.

Zoning: The Zoning Administrator is responsible for the review and administration of permits which do not require Planning Commission or Board approval and makes recommendations regarding certain zoning requests to the Planning Commission and Township Board while providing customer service throughout the permit process.

The Zoning Administrator also provides enforcement of the Zoning, Junk Car, and Nuisance Ordinance and acts as staff liaison to the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Assessing: The Assessing Department's primary function is to assess all real and personal property within Chocolay Township each year. The Assessor is required by state law to assess at 50 percent of true cash value all assessable property as of December 31. The assessment roll must be completed and prepared by the Assessor for presentation to the March Board of Review.

The Department maintains information for the public use on taxpayer name and mailing address, size, age and characteristics of buildings, parcel sizes, legal descriptions, property addresses and sale prices of vacant and improved properties (if known). Information is available at the Township office.

For information on the web go to: (Assessing Records)

PLEASE CALL THE MARQUETTE COUNTY TREASURER'S OFFICE AT 906-225-8425 FOR DELINQUENT TAX INFORMATION.

LAND USE DOCUMENTS

Comprehensive Plan: The Township Comprehensive Plan was adopted in August 2005 after a lengthy public process. The Comprehensive Plan is the principal planning document that guides Township Officials on zoning, public infrastructure, and other land use decisions. You may pick up a CD of the plan for no cost at the Township offices.

Zoning Ordinance: The Zoning Ordinance is a book of land use regulations that are developed to assure compliance with the Comprehensive Plan.