Auburn Hills, MI—July 26, 2017—The City of Auburn Hills, a dynamic community committed to innovation and growth, is proud to announce that it has once again been recognized for its strategic planning and has received the 2017 Planning Excellence Award for Best Practices by the Michigan Association of Planning (MAP/APA Michigan) for its work on its Age Friendly Action Plan. 

“We are very proud of the work the Planning Commission, staff, and the community has done related to the Age Friendly initiative we launched in 2015. We are very grateful for all the volunteers who attended community meetings so that we could have a full understanding of what residents want and need so they can remain living in Auburn Hills”, said Mayor Kevin McDaniel. “This work represents a critical planning tool that will continue to support our goal of being a community for all ages”, added Mayor McDaniel. 

The nomination was reviewed by a jury of American Planning Association Florida Chapter professionals who indicated that the Age Friendly Action Plan is an “exemplary, well-documented effort to provide an opportunity for the community to have conversations about the needs of an aging population”. 

“Auburn Hills took a unique approach to this program by enlisting our Planning Commission and all City Departments in the planning effort”, Karen Adcock, Director of Senior Services explained. “We utilized four important guiding principles in the process. First, respect and support of ALL citizens. Second, access and inclusion for ALL. Third, All-out public engagement in decision making. Lastly, focus on changes that create a livable community for ALL”, she added. 

Auburn Hills will receive the award at the Michigan Association of Planning’s annual conference on September 27, 2017, at the Mission Point Resort on Mackinac Island. 

“The action plan doesn’t sit on a shelf at City Hall and gather dust. It’s a living document that our Planning Commission and City Council often consider when making land use and service level decisions”, stated Steve Cohen, Director of Community Development. “It outlines a realistic game plan on how Auburn Hills can incrementally improve the quality of life for our seniors, which will naturally make our community a friendlier and more accessible place for all” he added. 

The Michigan Association of Planning also recognized the City of Auburn Hills last year for Best Practice for its innovative Industrial Property Analysis and in 2013 for its Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Readiness Project. 

The Michigan Association of Planning, the state chapter of the American Planning Association, is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting sound community land use planning that benefits the residents of Michigan. Learn more at www.planningmi.org 

About Auburn Hills 
The City of Auburn Hills is a distinguished leader in southeast Michigan. Home to approximately 23,000 residents, as well as a workday population of approximately 100,000, Auburn Hills continues to be a thriving global business address. It is home to over 70 international corporations and hosts the World and North American headquarters for numerous outstanding businesses such as Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Continental Automotive Systems, Faurecia, and BorgWarner. Auburn Hills’ residents enjoy the amenities of city and suburban living with parks, a revitalized downtown district and a welcoming city complex with a library and community center. Additionally, the city has five colleges and universities, the award-winning Palace of Auburn Hills entertainment complex and Great Lakes Crossing Outlets, one of the state’s largest destination shopping centers, providing a variety of cultural, social and educational opportunities to residents, workers and visitors. Learn more at www.auburnhills.org. 

###