Planning Commission

CITY OF BATTLE CREEK PLANNING COMMISSION 10 North Division, Battle Creek, MI 49014 Minutes for February 26, 2025 MEETING CALLED TO ORDER: By Commissioner Hughes at 4:00 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, absent Comm, Gray, present Mayor Behnke, present Comm. Morris, present Staff Present: Melody Carlsen, Administrative Assistant, Darcy Schmitt, Planning Supervisor, Marcel Stoetzel, Deputy City Attorney. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: December 18, 2024. MOTION MADE BY COMMISSIONER GODFREY TO APPROVE THE DECEMBER 18, 2024 MEETING MINUTES. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GRAY. ROLL VOTE: Commissioner Hughes asked everyone in favor to signify by saying “aye”. ALL IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED, MOTION APPROVED. CORRESPONDENCE: None. ADDITIONS/DELETIONS: None. PUBLIC HEARINGS/DELIBERATIONS: Chairperson Hughes feels there is no conflict of interest with the Rezoning of 80 N 20th Street but wanted to let the Commission know that he did list the property for sale in 2018/2019. Commissioner Hughes has not had any type of affiliation with the property since. A. REZONING- 80 N 20TH STREET: Petition from Titus LLC, Michael Gothberg requesting the rezoning of property located at 80 N 20th Street, Battle Creek, MI 49015. The property located at 80 N 20th Street is currently zoned “R-1B Single-Family Residential District,” and the applicant is requesting to be rezoned to “T-3 Neighborhood Commercial District” pursuant to Section 1281.01 of the zoning ordinance. Parcel #0611-35-673-0. Staff Presentation: Darcy Schmitt gave the staff report for the Rezoning of 80 N 20th Street. Applicant Presentation: Michael Gothberg and Cody Newman of Driven Design Studio were present to speak. 1  Questions by Commissioners: Commissioner Godfrey asked if the Neighborhood Planning Council had any recommendation of approval or denial of this project. Commissioner Gray inquired to the number of phone calls staff received from residence in the neighborhood. Commissioner O’Donnell asked about the number of residential units that would be allowed under the proposed zoning, asked about traffic congestion with a large number of new residential units being added in the area. Commissioner Hughes gave some context to Commissioner O’Donnell’s question regarding the number of potential residential units under the new zoning and had a clarifying question regarding condition on a rezone. Public Comments: Mark Husa, of 145 Cameron Drive, expressed concerns with degrading the neighborhood with development at this location. Rick Barnes, of 177 Cameron Drive, expressed concerns with the size of a housing complex and traffic and would like to see something that everyone could live with. Chuck Cherney, of 41 Lynwood Drive, represented the owners of an adjoining parcel where there was an assisted living facility that burned down and senior housing next to the parcel in question. Had questions about a site plan and what can be build there, concerns with the retention pond and excess what drain off. Would like to see the item tabled until some questions are answered. Sharon Heisler, of 173 Cameron Drive, expressed concerns about higher traffic and noise, retail spaces, would like to see a site plan and where buildings would be placed. Chris Humphrey, of 604 Eldred Street, asked what could be done about adding sidewalks on both sides of Eldred Street. Discussion: Commissioner Gray inquired to any time deadlines that would have to be met that should be considered and if the applicant would be open to a lower number of units on the parcel. Commissioner Hughes asked the applicant could calculate their economics and present some scenarios. Concern with the not knowing what could happen with long term uses. Commissioner O’Donnell would like to see a spark in the area to revitalize the area. MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER GODFREY TO APPROVE THE REZONING OF 80 N 20TH STREET, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER O’DONNELL. A ROLL VOTE WAS TAKEN: NONE IN FAVOR, ALL OPPOSED, MOTION DISAPPROVED FOR THE REZONING AT 80 N 20TH STREET. OLD BUSINESS: None. NEW BUSINESS: A. Election of Officers MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER MORRIS TO NOMINATE COMMISSION HUGHES AS CHAIRPERSON, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER O’DONNELL. 2  MOTION MADE BY COMMISSIONER GODFREY TO KEEP THE CURRENT SLATE OF OFFICERS IN POSITION. SECONDED BY COMISSIONER MOTON. ROLL VOTE WAS TAKEN: ALL IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED. MOTION APPROVED. B. Send Lakeview District-Corridor Plan to City Commission: Staff Report: Darcy Schmitt gave a report. Presentation: Eric Kehoe was present to speak and answer questions from Commissioners. Questions from Commissioners: Mayor Behnke inquired to if there would be any recommendations of acquisition of current properties, what is driving new restaurants in that area, and if there would be any new auto dealerships in this area, inquired to the older hotels and if we would see a continuation of new hotels in the area. Commissioner O’ Donnell had a question about the Beckley Road traffic and what the changes would be. Commissioner Gray inquired to the conversations with the mall owner and current retail owners. MOTION WAS MADE BY MAYOR BEHNKE TO APPROVE SENDING THE LAKEVIEW DISTRICT-COORIDOR PLAN TO THE CITY COMMISSION, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER MORRIS. ROLL VOTE: Commissioner Hughes 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. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Hughes adjourned the meeting at 5:43 pm. Submitted by: Melody Carlsen, Administrative Assistant, Planning & Zoning. 3