Planning Commission

CITY OF BATTLE CREEK PLANNING COMMISSION 10 North Division, Battle Creek, MI 49014 Minutes for June 26, 2024 MEETING CALLED TO ORDER: By Commissioner Hughes at 4:02 p.m. ATTENDANCE: Roll call was taken. Comm. Hughes, present Comm. Denison, present Comm. Godfrey III, present Comm. Moton, present Comm, O’Donnell, present Comm. White, present Comm, Gray, present Mayor Behnke, present Comm. Morris, present Staff Present: Melody Carlsen, Administrative Assistant, Marcel Stoetzel, Deputy City Attorney, Darcy Schmitt, Planning Supervisor, CJ Sivak-Schwennesen, Planner. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: May 22, 2024 MOTION MADE BY COMMISSIONER MORRIS TO APPROVE THE MAY 22, 2024 MEETING MINUTES WITH THE CORRECTION NOTED. SECONDED BY MAYOR BEHNKE . ROLL VOTE: Commissioner Hughes asked everyone in favor to signify by saying “aye”. ALL IN FAVOR, MOTION APPROVED. CORRESPONDENCE: None. ADDITIONS/DELETIONS: None. PUBLIC HEARINGS/DELIBERATIONS: TEXT AMENDMENT #R1-24 - Request from the City of Battle Creek to consider amendments to Sections 1240 and 1263 of the City of Battle Creek zoning code pursuant to Section 1281.01. Section 1240 amendments add language to residential districts R-1A, R-1B, R-2, R-3, and MFR to clarify that an accessory dwelling is only allowed as an attached unit to a single-family residential unit and to correct and clarify that an accessory dwelling unit in zoning districts T-3, T-4, and T5 is allowed as an attached or detached unit to a single-family residential unit. Section 1240 also amends the G and R-1R Districts under Special Land Uses to remove “Agri-Tourism”. Section 1263 removes language in the sign code. Staff Presentation: CJ Sivak-Schwennesen gave the staff report for #R1-24 Text Amendment changes. Public Comment: None. Commissioner Questions: None. 1  MOTION MADE BY COMMISSIONER GODFREY TO APPROVE THE PRESENTED AMENDMENT CHANGES TO AGRI-TOURISM IN CHAPTER 1240 OF THE CITY OF BATTLE CREEK ZONING CODE. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER MORRIS. ROLL VOTE: ALL IN FAVOR, MOTION APPROVED. MOTION MADE BY COMMISSIONER GODFREY TO APPROVE THE PRESENTED LANGUAGE TO CLARIFY THE SIZE AND PLACEMENT OF ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS ACROSS THE DISTRICTS IN WHICH THEY ARE ALLOWED AS PART OF CHAPTER 1240 OF THE CITY OF BATTLE CREEK ZONING CODE PURSUANT TO SECTION 1281.01. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GRAY. ROLL VOTE: ALL IN FAVOR, MOTION APPROVED. MOTION MADE BY COMMISSIONER GODFREY TO APPROVE REVISIONS TO CHAPTER 1263 SIGN ORDINANCE TO REMOVE THE MAXIMUM HEIGHT REQUIREMENT FOR WALL SIGNS IN COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS AS PRESENTED BY STAFF PURSUANT TO SECTION 1281.01 OF THE CITY OF BATTLE CREEK ZONING CODE. SECONDED BY MAYOR BEHNKE. ROLL VOTE: ALL IN FAVOR, MOTION APPROVED. MOTION MADE BY COMMISSINER GODFREY TO APPROVE REVISIONS TO CHAPTER 1263 SIGN ORDINANCE TO CHANGE THE MAXIMUM AREA REQUIRED TO REGULATE LARGER SIGNS OR PROJECTS AS PRESENTED BY CITY STAFF OF SECTION 1281.01 OF THE CITY OF BATTLE CREEK ZONING CODE. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER MOTON. ROLL VOTE: ALL IN FAVOR, MOTION APPROVED. OLD BUSINESS: None. NEW BUSINESS: None COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC: None. COMMENTS FROM COMMISSION MEMBERS AND STAFF: Commissioner Godfrey thanked Staff for the work they have put into the Amendment changes, asked about locations of proposed restaurants and new coffee shops coming to Battle Creek. Mayor Behnke asked Staff for an update on the Olive Garden restaurant coming to Battle Creek, if building permits were submitted and paid for. Also, asked Staff if there were any other new restaurants coming to Battle Creek. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Hughes adjourned the meeting at 4:17pm. Submitted by: Melody Carlsen, Administrative Assistant, Planning & Zoning. 2