Planning Commission

CITY OF BATTLE CREEK PLANNING COMMISSION 10 North Division, Battle Creek, MI 49014 Minutes for September 27, 2023 MEETING CALLED TO ORDER: By Commissioner Gray at 4:00 p.m. ATTENDANCE: Commissioner Gray asked for attendance to be noted. Commission Members Present: Comm. Gray, present Comm. Spranger, present Comm. Godfrey III, present Comm. Morris, present Comm. Newman, absent Comm, O’Donnell, present Comm. Hughes, present Mayor Behnke, absent Comm. Fields, absent Staff Present: Melody Carlsen, Administrative Assistant, Darcy Schmitt, Planning & Zoning Supervisor, Marcel Stoetzel, Deputy City Attorney, Ted Dearing, Assistant City Manager, Travis Sullivan, Planning and Zoning Administrator. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: August 23, 2023. MOTION MADE BY COMMISSIONER GODFREY TO APPROVE THE AUGUST 23, 2023 MEETING MINUTES WITH THE CORRECTIONS AS NOTED. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER MORRIS. ROLL VOTE: Commissioner Gray asked everyone in favor to signify by saying “aye”. ALL IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED, MOTION APPROVED. CORRESPONDENCE: None. ADDITIONS/DELETIONS: None. PUBLIC HEARINGS/DELIBERATIONS: A) ZONING MAP AMENDMENT #R1-23 Petition from the City of Battle Creek to rezone properties along E. Michigan Avenue, Green Street, and Yuba Street currently zoned “MFR High Density Multiple Family District” and “T-3 Neighborhood Commercial District” to “T-4 Downtown Commercial District” pursuant to Sections 1281.01 and 1240.14 of the zoning code. Staff Presentation: Travis Sullivan gave the staff report for item #R1-23, Zoning Map Amendment Changes. Public Comment: None. Commissioner Comments: Various comments/questions to the Staff about future use and environmental issues. Darcy Schmitt responded. 1  MOTION MADE BY COMMISSIONER O’DONNELL TO APPROVE ITEM #R1-23. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER MORRIS. ROLL VOTE: ALL IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED, MOTION APPROVED. B) ZONING ORDINACE AMENDMENT #A2-23 Requests from the City of Battle Creek to consider amendments to various sections of the City of Battle Creek zoning code pursuant to Section 1281.01. Staff Presentation: Darcy Schmitt gave the staff report for item #A2-23. Each chapter of the zoning code with proposed changes were highlighted by Darcy. Public Comment: None. Commissioner Comments: Discussion within the body to vote on the changes after each Chapter is presented or to vote on the changes as a whole after the presentation. A decision was made to have a vote after each chapter was presented by staff. Chapter 1230 Titles, Purpose and Scope MOTION MADE BY COMMISSIONER GODFREY TO ACCEPT THE PROPOSED CHANGES TO CHAPTER 1230, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER HUGHES. ROLL VOTE: Commissioner Gray asked everyone in favor to signify by saying “aye”. ALL IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED, MOTION APPROVED. Chapter 1240 Zoning Districts and Maps MOTION MADE BY COMMISSIONER MORRIS TO APPROVED THE PROPOSED CHANGES TO CHAPER 1240 OF THE ZONING CODE, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GODFREY. ROLL VOTE: Commissioner Gray asked everyone in favor to signify by saying “aye”. ALL IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED, MOTION APPROVED. Chapter 1241 Schedule of Regulations MOTION MADE BY COMMISSIONER MORRIS TO APPROVE THE PROPOSED CHANGES TO CHAPTER 1241 OF THE ZONING CODE, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GODFREY. ROLL VOTE: Commissioner Gray asked everyone in favor to signify by saying “aye”. ALL IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED, MOTION APPROVED. Chapter 1250 Supplemental Zoning District Standards 2 MOTION MADE BY COMMISSIONER GODFREY TO APPROVE THE PROPOSED CHANGES TO CHAPTER 1250 OF THE ZONING CODE, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER HUGHES. ROLL VOTE: Commissioner Gray asked everyone in favor to signify by saying “aye”. ALL IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED, MOTION APPROVED. Chapter 1251 Standards Applicable to Special Uses MOTION MADE BY COMMISSIONER O’DONNELL TO APPROVE THE PROPOSED CHANGES TO CHAPTER 1251 OF THE ZONING CODE, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GODFREY. ROLL VOTE: Commissioner Gray asked everyone in favor to signify by saying “aye”. ALL IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED, MOTION APPROVED. Chapter 1260 General Standards MOTION MADE BY COMMISSIONER HUGHES TO APPROVE THE PROPOSED CHANGES TO CHAPTER 1260 OF THE ZONING CODE, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER MORRIS. ROLL VOTE: Commissioner Gray asked everyone in favor to signify by saying “aye”. ALL IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED, MOTION APPROVED. Chapter 1261 Parking Requirements MOTIONED MADE BY COMMISSIONER GODFREY TO APPROVE THE PROPOSED CHANGES TO CHAPTER 1261 OF THE ZONING CODE, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SPRANGER. ROLL VOTE: Commissioner Gray asked everyone in favor to signify by saying “aye”. ALL IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED, MOTION APPROVED. Chapter 1263 Signs MOTION MADE BY COMMISSIONER MORRIS TO APPROVE THE PROPOSED CHANGES TO CHAPER 1263 OF THE ZONING CODE, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SPRANGER. ROLL VOTE: Commissioner Gray asked everyone in favor to signify by saying “aye”. ALL IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED, MOTION APPROVED. Chapter 1281 Administrative Procedures 3  MOTION MADE BY COMMISSIONER MORRIS TO APPROVE THE PROPOSED CHANGES TO CHAPTER 1281 OF THE ZONING CODE, SECONDED BY COMMISSINER GODFREY. ROLL VOTE: Commissioner Gray asked everyone in favor to signify by saying “aye”. ALL IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED, MOTION APPROVED. NEW BUSINESS: A) REVIEW of CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN (CIP) FY24-FY30 Review of last year’s CIP for discussion of potential new projects to forward to the appropriate departments for further discussion. Staff Presentation: Travis Sullivan gave an overview of the Capital Improvement Plan for FY24-FY30. There will be an upcoming workshop and joint meeting with City Commission. Public Comment: None. Commissioner Comments: None. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC: None. COMMENTS FROM COMMISSION MEMBERS AND STAFF: Darcy Schmitt introduced the promotion of Travis Sullivan to Planning and Zoning Administrator and informed Commissioners of upcoming training that will be offered to the Body. Commissioner Gray asked staff for an update to the Non-Motorized Transportation Plan and the upcoming workshop discussed in a previous meeting. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Gray adjourned the meeting at 5:19 p.m. 4 Submitted by: Melody Carlsen, Administrative Assistant, Planning & Zoning. 5