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Industry is a small but significant portion of Northwest Lower Michigan’s economy. The region’s industry mix, however, has changed over the past three decades and will likely continue to evolve. While past industrial operations necessitated separation from residential and commercial land uses, many of today’s industries are compatible with other land uses. Some operations require a particular location and specific structural requirements; others can be easily operated in virtually any building anywhere in the region. In addition to accommodating new industries, supporting infrastructure development, and recruiting high-tech firms, local jurisdictions have an opportunity to respond to the decline of manufacturing throughout the ten-county region by encouraging the adaptive reuse of existing industrial buildings and complexes. Embracing the need for flexibility in locating and designing industrial developments is critical for local jurisdictions to attract and retain a wide variety of businesses within the constantly evolving industrial sector.
The definition of manufacturing and industry is constantly changing. By allowing for the development and adaptation of different industrial uses, the region increases attraction and retention of a broad range of companies. The following list provides a general overview of the variety of industrial operations and some of their characteristics. With continued technological advancements, this list will undoubtedly change over time.
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Warehouse & Distribution Facilities
• Direct access to transportation network
• Few windows
• Large, open interior spaces
• Minimum clear heights of twenty-four (24) feet
• Loading docks above grade level
• Sufficient space in front of loading docks for trucks to maneuver
• Screened loading docks and parking areas
• Significant potential impact on adjacent uses
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Manufacturing & Assembly Facilities
• Smaller than warehouse/distribution facilities
• Attention to building design and landscaping for attractive integration into community
• Separate entrances for trucks and cars
• Separate employee and public parking
• Loading/unloading area with overhead doors
• Screened loading docks and parking areas
• Emphasis on security
• Significant potential impact on adjacent uses
• Can be located within community
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Home Industries
• Small scale, low impact operations (e.g., cabinet makers, mechanics)
• Building design dependent on location (e.g., low-density residential, mid-density residential, agricultural district)
• On-street or small lot parking areas
• Deliveries by van, small truck
• Small-scale signs
• Can be located within community
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Office, Showroom, Multi-Tenant Buildings
• Quasi-commercial centers (e.g., small manufacturing, assembly with retail)
• Visibility
• Can be mixed with other uses
• Separate customer and service access
• Minimum clear height of fourteen (14) feet
• Curb appeal through building design and landscaping
• Truck access at grade
• Can be located within community
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Research & Development
• Combination of offices and laboratories
• Shallower bays and lower clear heights than traditional manufacturing
• Flexibility for more specialized spaces
• One- or two-story buildings
• Curb appeal through building design and landscaping
• Less truck access needed
• Emphasis on security
• Can be located within community
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