Planning Commission

CITY OF BATTLE CREEK PLANNING COMMISSION 10 North Division, Battle Creek, MI 49014 Minutes for November 15, 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, present Comm, O’Donnell, absent Comm. Hughes, absent Mayor Behnke, present Comm. Fields, absent Staff Present: Melody Carlsen, Administrative Assistant, Marcel Stoetzel, Deputy City Attorney, Travis Sullivan, Planning and Zoning Administrator. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: September 27, 2023 Meeting Minutes, October 25, 2023 Non-Motorized Transportation Workshop. MOTION MADE BY COMMISSIONER NEWMAN TO APPROVE THE SEPTEMBER 27, 2023 MEETING MINUTES AND THE OCTOBER 25, 2023 NON-MOTORIZED TRANSPORTATION WORKSHOP MINUTES, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GODFREY. 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: None. OLD BUSINESS: A. NON-MOTORIZED TRANSPORTATION PLAN The Non-motorized Transportation Plan was developed with the assistance of the Non-motorized Transportation Steering Committee, which consisted of seven members of the community, a member of the Bicycle Advisory Committee, and City staff. Community engagement included Neighborhood Planning Council meetings, public service announcements through social media, a webpage devoted to meeting announcements and project updates, a community-wide survey about non-motorized transportation needs and opportunities (completed by 226 people), workshops, public walking and biking tours, and a virtual meeting to introduce the final document and take additional comments. The recommendations in the plan will be incorporated in the upcoming update to the Master Plan. For these reasons, staff recommends that the Planning Commission 1  recommend to the City Commission approval of the update to the 2006 Non-motorized Transportation Plan at their November 15, 2023 meeting. Staff Report: Travis Sullivan gave the staff report for the Non-Motorized Transportation Plan. MOTION MADE BY COMMISSIONER GODFREY TO RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COMMISSION THE APPROVAL OF THE NON-MOTORIZED TRANSPORTATION PLAN, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER NEWMAN. Commissioners Discussion: Commissioner Morris express his concern about the number of meetings that were mentioned previously and said he would not support the approval of the Non-Motorized Transportation Plan. ROLL VOTE: Commissioner Spranger No Commissioner Godfrey Yes Commissioner Morris No Commissioner Gray Yes Commissioner Newman Yes Mayor Benkhe Yes FOUR APPROVED, TWO APPOSED, MOTION APPROVED. NEW BUSINESS: A) APPROVAL OF AMENDED BYLAWS Proposed amendments to the Planning Commission Bylaws to review. Adding the “Secretary” election from among the appointed members of the City Planning Commission per MCL 125.3817(1). These changes do not change the content or requirements of the current Planning Commission Bylaws. Staff Presentation: Travis Sullivan gave the staff report for the Amended Bylaws. MOTION MADE BY COMMISSIONER NEWMAN TO APPROVE THE AMENDED BYLAWS, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GODFREY. ROLL VOTE: ALL IN FAVOR, NONE APPOSED. MOTION APPROVED B) 2024 MEETING DATES AND DEADLINES MOTION MADE BY COMMISSIONER GODFREY TO APPROVE THE 2024 MEETING DATES AND DEADLINES, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER NEWMAN. ROLL VOTE: Commissioner Gray asked everyone in favor to signify by saying “aye”. ALL IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED, MOTION APPROVED. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC: None. COMMENTS FROM COMMISSION MEMBERS AND STAFF: None. 2 ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Gray adjourned the meeting at 4:05.p.m. Submitted by: Melody Carlsen, Administrative Assistant, Planning & Zoning. 3