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Wayland City seeks new planner as Johnsons leave Wade Trim

The Wayland City PlannJanis Johnsoning Commission and City Council are looking for a new planner.

Janis Johnson, who had been planning consultant for about a year, has left the Wade Trim engineering firm to re-start Main Street Planning with her husband, Tim.

This leaves the city with the task of finding a new planner, City Manager Tim McLean said, because “They (the Johnsons) signed a ‘no compete’ clause in their contract with Wade Trim, so it’s not likely we will be able to continue with them.”

Johnson became planning consultant almost immediately after longtime Planner Mark Sisson resigned to go full time as planner with Gaines Township.

Tim Johnson also has been planner for Dorr Township, but Township Supervisor Jeff Miling said he didn’t think the move would affect him continuing to work with the Dorr Planning Commission.

The Wayland City Council has authorized McLean to develop a request for proposal to seek bids for planning services. The city meanwhile will continue to consult with Professional Code Inspections of Dorr, to use some services of McLean, who has some experience in the field and check with Wadce Trim.

The Planning Commission Tuesday night decided to proceed with the tasks outlined for the coming year, even though a planner currently is not on board. The reasoning was that the tasks have been identified regardless of the status of a local planner.

PHOTO: Janis Johnson

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