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CITY OF MUSKEGON
PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
December 14, 2023
T. Michalski called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. and roll was taken.
MEMBERS PRESENT: J. Seyferth, K. Johnson, J. Montgomery-Keast, E. Hood, J. Doyle, T.
Michalski, B. Mazade, S. Blake
MEMBERS ABSENT:
MEMBERS EXCUSED: J. Seyferth, D. Keener
STAFF PRESENT: M. Franzak, S. Pulos
OTHERS PRESENT: D. Masterman
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion to approve the Minutes of the Planning Commission meeting on November 16, 2023,
was made by J. Montgomery-Keast, supported by E. Hood, and unanimously approved.
OLD BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
None.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Hearing, Case 2023-33: Request to rezone the property at 1993 Austin St from B-4, General
Business to R-2, Single-Family Medium Density Residential, by Derek Masterman.
SUMMARY
1. The property is zoned B-4, General Business. However, there is an occupied residential
house on the lot, which makes the building and use legally non-conforming. The parcel
measures 15,360 sf (formerly three parcels) and the house measures 1,000 sf.
2. The property is located along Keating Ave between the Medindorp Industrial Center and
a business corridor along Getty St.
3. The application has requested to rezone the property because he would like it to have
the proper zoning for the use and he also mentioned that he wanted accurate
comparables for assessments.
4. Notice was sent to everyone within 300 feet of the property. At the time of this writing,
staff did not receive and comments.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
None.
CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING – MOTION
A motion to close the public hearing was made by J. Doyle, supported by J. Montgomery-Keast
and unanimously approved.
MOTION
J. Montgomery-Keast moved, seconded by J. Doyle moved, that the request to rezone the
property at 1993 Austin St from B-4, General Business to R-2, Single-Family Medium Density
Residential be recommended to the City Commission for approval.
ROLL CALL VOTE
K. Johnson: Yes T. Michalski: Yes J. Montgomery-Keast: Yes
E. Hood: Yes B. Mazade: Yes S. Blake: Yes
J. Doyle: Yes
MOTION PASSES
Hearing, Case 2023-34: Staff initiated request to amend Section 401 of the zoning ordinance to
allow multi-family residential units in previously existing commercial buildings not already
converted to residential, as a special use permitted.
SUMMARY
1. Many neighborhoods, especially those in close proximity to downtown, have small
commercial buildings located within residential blocks. These may be retail buildings or
small mixed-use buildings, but are often times zoned for single-family residential. There
is a clause in the zoning ordinance that allows certain business uses in these buildings
with the issuance of a special use permit.
2. Most of these buildings were constructed when commercial businesses were more
popular within neighborhoods. Residents still request for a return of these commercial
businesses, but the establishment of large business corridors and internet commerce
make it difficult to find success at these locations. The current housing crisis also suggests
that there may better uses for these existing assets. In the recent past, the Planning
Commission has allowed for additional residential units at these buildings with the
issuance of a special use permit. This ordinance amendment request would codify
standards to approve such requests.
3. Ultimately, staff encourages these types of buildings zoned Form Based Code, which
would allow flexibility for multi-family housing and small commercial businesses as a use
by right. However, if these neighborhoods are going to continue to be zoned for single
family housing, we must amend the zoning ordinance to allow for flexibility of uses at
these types of buildings.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
None.
CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING – MOTION
A motion to close the public hearing was made by J. Montgomery-Keast, supported by J. Doyle
and unanimously approved.
MOTION
J. Doyle moved, seconded by E. Hood moved, that the request to amend Section 401 of the zoning
ordinance to allow multi-family residential units in previously existing commercial buildings not
already converted to residential be recommended to the City Commission for approval as
proposed.
ROLL CALL VOTE
K. Johnson: Yes T. Michalski: Yes J. Montgomery-Keast: Yes
E. Hood: Yes B. Mazade: Yes S. Blake: Yes
J. Doyle: Yes
MOTION PASSES
UPDATES ON PREVIOUS CASES
None.
OTHER
None.
ADJOURN
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:17 pm.
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