Van Buren County is currently considering a new Rural ID policy designed to address the unique challenges of identifying and managing vacant or agricultural lands. This proposed policy, under review by the E911 committee and County Commissioners, seeks to improve safety, data accuracy, and overall efficiency in rural areas. While the policy is still in its planning stages, we want to keep the public informed and encourage feedback during the decision-making process.
Why a Rural ID System is Being Considered
In rural areas, assigning traditional addresses to vacant or undeveloped land often leads to confusion and inefficiencies. By proposing a Rural ID system, Van Buren County hopes to solve several issues that arise when vacant land is treated the same as developed properties:
Preventing Misleading Information for Emergency Responders: When a traditional address is assigned to an empty field, emergency services may be dispatched under the false assumption that people or structures are present, wasting valuable time. Rural IDs would clearly indicate that the land is vacant, allowing responders to focus on actual emergencies.
Clarifying Permits and Zoning Requirements: Assigning full addresses to undeveloped land can lead property owners to mistakenly believe they can begin construction without obtaining the necessary permits. A Rural ID would signal that the land isn’t yet ready for development, preventing confusion.
Avoiding Unnecessary Mail and Utility Services: Sometimes mail and utility providers attempt to service vacant land that has a full address, which can result in unnecessary trips and wasted resources. Rural IDs would prevent this by indicating the land is not developed.
Maintaining Data Integrity: Assigning traditional addresses to vacant properties can lead to inaccurate data in county records. Rural IDs would help ensure these lands are properly classified, keeping county databases accurate and up to date.
Future Development Flexibility: When an address is assigned prematurely, it may not suit the final building location, should development plans change. Rural IDs would allow for flexibility, providing an address only when construction is imminent.
The Benefits of a Rural ID System
The proposed Rural ID policy offers several key benefits:
Improved Emergency Response: Rural IDs would provide clear, precise location data, allowing emergency responders to find vacant or agricultural properties quickly. This is crucial in large, undeveloped areas where locating specific sites can be difficult without buildings present.
Clear Visual Identification: Each Rural ID would come with a unique numbering system and a red sign to easily distinguish vacant land from developed properties. This helps emergency services assess situations quickly, reducing response times.
Enhanced Data Accuracy: By following standards set by the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) and integrating with the Michigan State 911 GIS Repository, the Rural ID system would ensure accurate property data across county databases. This supports a consistent, reliable system for both county management and emergency planning.
How the Proposed Rural ID System Would Work
If adopted, here’s how the system would function:
Obtaining a Rural ID: Property owners would need to submit a site plan or drawing showing the access point to their land. There is no need for a driveway permit. The cost would be $75 and includes the installation of a red sign for clear identification.
Integration with Emergency Response Systems: The Rural ID system is designed to align with NENA standards and the Michigan State 911 GIS Repository, ensuring:
Unique identification for each parcel of land.
Accurate, up-to-date data in county records.
Compliance with emergency service standards to enhance response times.
Compatibility with Next Generation 911 (NG911) systems for future-ready emergency management.
What Happens Next?
It’s important to emphasize that this Rural ID policy is still under consideration. Both the E911 committee and the Van Buren County Commissioners are currently reviewing the proposal, and no final decision has been made. The process is expected to take several months before a potential implementation timeline could be determined.
Your Feedback is Important
At this stage, public input is crucial. Van Buren County values the opinions of its residents, and we encourage community members to share their thoughts on the proposed policy. Your feedback will help shape the final version of the policy, ensuring it meets the needs of both property owners and emergency services.
We welcome any questions or comments you may have. Please feel free to reach out to the Van Buren County Digital Information Department or attend an upcoming public meeting to make your voice heard.
Stay tuned for further updates on this proposed policy as discussions progress!
