[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6362520,"mediaKeyId","2167710-35caa1661bada498368b7fc3114c67e2","parentId",2167710,"title","Commission recommends rezoning of Longfellow School site to R‑3 to allow private education and workforce housing; sends approval to City Council","audioSeconds",3046,"startMs",660000,"endMs",3706000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2167710-35caa1661bada498368b7fc3114c67e2&start=660&end=3706","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2167710-35caa1661bada498368b7fc3114c67e2/thumbnail_660000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6362520/Saginaw/Saginaw-County/Michigan/Commission-recommends-rezoning-of-Longfellow-School-site-to-R3-to-allow-private-education-and-workforce-housing-sends-approval-to-City-Council","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6362520-4ce38e5359485a98d717fc0d239f8f43/orig.mp4?Expires=1776552137&Signature=Q~ErVsobV-IWrSRwlISYmTs5ImWiB9NLefhsFBBTomtrNc9ZvRlHrspZfwtj3ar23h~oNn5XVAiYI4XHvM6DdkpHi1cJyYzF~UmU0tdqkMjODtrWJpEULYIjCSf0XCha73mnyyZjbz4ufD-uEHYIMLsYW-g~Q5bPc1fexWQdkZFdQb09pRqWw4PM54A3NSjTJU-tqq4mem539mnwx0ka0vaF3tBkSOPLe~YyK5UedyL5e2XgnjR0ZJYVBp7hySz2WNduYvZRF4mcfeg2rbrQtX4i2aY2Kr4UsMImSKvm6hW0ImEbqQIASY2Pz5r84ld7ExRedh6Ciqkhzsc97IotxQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Saginaw, MI","date","2025-01-28T00:00:00Z","article","The Saginaw Planning Commission voted to recommend rezoning 1314 Brown Street from R‑1 to R‑3 after a public hearing that drew neighborhood residents and the project team. The applicant, Renee Torres of T and S Constructing, said the plan would repurpose the Longfellow School building for a pre‑apprenticeship trades training program run by a nonprofit and include workforce‑oriented, efficiency apartments to make the operation financially sustainable.

Why it matters: Rezoning would change what uses are allowed on the property going forward; R‑3 would add private educational facilities and a range of multi‑unit housing uses, and the change runs with the parcel if City Council adopts it. Commissioners heard detailed questions about how many apartments and students the program would house, how residents would be vetted and managed, and how the project would affect parking and neighborhood safety.

Applicant and program: Renee Torres introduced herself as the petitioner and said she is working with a nonprofit called Building Poder (\"power\" in Spanish), Delta College and Michigan Works. She described a pre‑apprenticeship program covering carpentry, plumbing, HVAC and related trades and said cohorts would run about three months with \"15 to 20 students at a time.\" Torres said the team intends about \"25\" apartment units in the building and that the project would pursue grants and private funding but also offer in‑house property management to provide stability.

Neighborhood concerns: Several nearby residents spoke during the public hearing. Sheila Gamble (1415 Brown Street) and Deborah Jackson (Holland Court area) said they supported vocational training but opposed adding apartments in their established, largely senior neighborhood, citing parking, traffic and safety concerns. Herbert Gibson (Highland Court area) urged strong supervision if recreational or gym spaces are provided.

Project details and staff comments: Planning staff reported the school property sits on a single parcel that could accommodate mixed uses and said the rezoning recommendation also aligns with the city's master‑planning goal to encourage reuse of underutilized buildings. Staff emphasized that the R‑3 designation allows private educational uses without a special use permit and that a future site plan review would be required for exterior or parking lot changes. The applicant and her partners said they plan gated parking with a security booth and 24‑hour security presence and intend to prioritize employer‑arranged leases (for example, hospitals or contractors) rather than individual short‑term leases.

Vote and next steps: After discussion the commission moved, seconded and, by roll‑call, recommended approval of rezoning from R‑1 to R‑3. The roll call recorded affirmative votes from Commissioners Bland, Clark, Windinger, Milne and Orange and negative votes from Commissioners Moore and Nash. The commission forwarded the recommendation to City Council; final adoption requires council action and any subsequent site plan or building permits.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Saginaw Planning Commission January 28, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Saginaw Planning Commission voted to recommend rezoning 1314 Brown Street (Longfellow School) from R‑1 to R‑3 after a public hearing in which neighbors voiced concerns about apartments, parking and safety.","taxTitle","Saginaw, Saginaw County, Michigan","taxId",3479,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6362525,"Planning Commission approves site plan for expansion at 2805 S. Washington with engineering contingencies",397,187000,584000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2167710-35caa1661bada498368b7fc3114c67e2&start=187&end=584","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2167710-35caa1661bada498368b7fc3114c67e2/thumbnail_187000.jpg","/articles/6362525/Saginaw/Saginaw-County/Michigan/Planning-Commission-approves-site-plan-for-expansion-at-2805-S-Washington-with-engineering-contingencies","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6362525-db9b45ace6532b34701c262b552db512/orig.mp4?Expires=1776552137&Signature=WQwxHDh-X5CHpKnP2OX3~b4mNW6~mrcYTQtcfjmmaHWhIZAGSEOZyD3KmqkptmU~s3H04N3Jk8qpfSqmHfHb5sPclUnM8KJK5EU5o2b862FV5Bjr-ZDIA1BFOKcMm--EBBz2~GRoyllwEL7TG5Ji2xTgmTExN4o8YmpHSyRXb8RIdUSbAZNww6qcxjj4Anji3v3twsy7nHmbo2UGk6bHG6s3fK78n6T6yv~86KB2y9IFVv-msnOWZ~D3kOmHNTOPL8DCHzmatGL2cEpEARmWt3MQwR9OKU~CG35dFdIAGeCJp9kxdY1LxPMAHAeyOiGgbCfK~0FjwtWQj0474qnc5Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","John Morey, a civil engineer with D&M Site and Surveying and Engineering, told the Saginaw Planning Commission the project at 2805 South Washington proposes \"a 27,100 square foot addition to the existing ... convenience store\" and changes to parking and stormwater handling.

The commission approved the site plan after asking for clarification about stormwater detention and utility review. The approval is conditioned on completion of a flood‑plain permit and final review and approval of utility connections by the City of Saginaw Engineering Department.

Why it matters: The project adds substantial building area to an existing service station and alters site drainage and curb cuts on Wisner Street, issues the commission said should be resolved by engineering review before construction begins.

Morey said the design keeps the existing pump islands in place, relocates the dumpster, restripes parking to provide the required accessible space and ties a new 90 feet run of 8‑inch storm sewer into the single outlet the city allows. Commissioner Clark asked whether the detention would be buried; Morey replied the plan uses a single catch basin and above‑grade temporary storage on the north side pavement \"it sits for about 20 minutes before it finally makes its way out.\" Morey said there would be no new water or sanitary hookups.

During discussion the commission confirmed the application had engineering review from the city (Morey referenced a review by \"Travis from engineering\") and directed that the motion include that final engineering approval. A motion to approve the petition passed after those contingencies were added; the vote was taken by voice and recorded as approved.

The approval advances site and building changes but leaves final technical sign‑offs to city engineering and a required flood‑plain permit. The petitioner and city staff indicated those administrative approvals remain outstanding and must be cleared before construction.","The Saginaw Planning Commission approved a site plan to add about 27,100 square feet to an existing gas station/store at 2805 South Washington. Approval was contingent on a flood‑plain permit and final City engineering sign‑off on utilities and stormwater.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6362510,"City staff present interactive 2025–26 Capital Improvement Plan to Planning Commission; input due Feb. 28",546,4623000,5169000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2167710-35caa1661bada498368b7fc3114c67e2&start=4623&end=5169","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2167710-35caa1661bada498368b7fc3114c67e2/thumbnail_4623000.jpg","/articles/6362510/Saginaw/Saginaw-County/Michigan/City-staff-present-interactive-202526-Capital-Improvement-Plan-to-Planning-Commission-input-due-Feb-28","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6362510-40a9081514521d9a51adee1697c7ca81/orig.mp4?Expires=1776552137&Signature=ovkFMZj7-K3wpzTV7PCyWwjiSKdd5s3YJqVvbtw6Ewj8~ARBpUHWNa4gbNooVkxxyDkDZRsKSL2r8q8-PsGGUuqKrP3Rdl4u4W9ooY6kmnwO2mCnPZxVhJ5FyvU9MKjJcmnAxcW~VMkrEqgwXigA81QJw88Mp0tZZ-8FOBYpc26vv~OuRxB7QHJ3pYwBIb43f~W~wYl0ev0i0OeZeA8BpaueHnCu-vz8A8IqZDl2nwP5DHQZEUSKwERsk2hlXEIDJzLfSnwgWxprbdgZ-HpiDpTM3aRIufrESzDnCsl~blJP4VQeLCafEKlb2Wtg5GBsa2cpuyg0IDdLyeKmkfPEKw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jonathan Baker, budget analyst in the Office of Management and Budget, presented the City of Saginaw’s draft 2025–26 Capital Improvement Plan to the Planning Commission. Baker said the CIP has been converted from a spreadsheet to an interactive PDF with one‑page summaries for each project and drop‑down scoring to help commissioners evaluate and rank projects.

Why it matters: The CIP compiles proposed capital projects over $20,000 that affect the public realm. Commissioners’ scores and comments feed into the manager’s prioritization and the budget process; staff set a return deadline for commission scoring of Friday, Feb. 28.

Presentation details and logistics: Baker demonstrated the document, explained scoring categories (imperative, essential, important, desirable) and said each project page lists funding sources, years and short descriptions. He advised commissioners to download the PDF before using the dropdown scoring, provided his office phone (989‑759‑1519) and email (jbaker@saginaw‑mi.com) for help, and confirmed the CIP includes recurring utility and street programs (water main, sewer main, lead line replacement) that must be listed annually.

Questions from commissioners focused on accessibility of the interactive file, the project list (which projects are already in active construction or design phases) and how to return completed scoring. Staff said some projects are in multi‑year phases (design then construction) and that completed scoring should be returned to staff via email if commissioners prefer.","City budget staff presented the public‑facing Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for 2025–26 as an interactive PDF with one‑page project summaries. Commissioners were shown how to score projects; staff requested completed scores by Friday, Feb. 28, and provided contact information for assistance.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6362515,"Commission approves staff‑initiated rezoning of North Michigan/I‑675 corridor to B‑2 amid neighborhood questions",920,3704000,4624000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2167710-35caa1661bada498368b7fc3114c67e2&start=3704&end=4624","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2167710-35caa1661bada498368b7fc3114c67e2/thumbnail_3704000.jpg","/articles/6362515/Saginaw/Saginaw-County/Michigan/Commission-approves-staffinitiated-rezoning-of-North-MichiganI675-corridor-to-B2-amid-neighborhood-questions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6362515-3f045004cf8f17ac081aa9cb780442e7/orig.mp4?Expires=1776552137&Signature=cybNhpJOaY6FdUelqF0G0XIwcfN9R7~xr4HEb9O9pj964P1wQBe9lsNxBcxHkeBXzH48RZCjp1Ui59StBd5IdgZza0Olhhxaoenrvn8aJ209KwlNHy~-~h9YF~fLaF57zWhJwQGGluceCFDUv-wi5dZS-eWuRQszzY2lsZl7tYJ02QzjTd-Rs0FcYwPJMmB3jnJwlzht9BrU9gE~cxx2KIWyD2p9ImWWCzLgMUdnlajzOmYu7iJMIHt7ZKT8usHhcmjhvEo5xuFxfi3HolG0CCwrI6tiCOr44JB-wUE3jEA-hmqUJ9lBG1TVMQSWRghP5wB4janvWhHeB9eHBsWwbA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Planning staff presented a staff‑initiated proposal to rezone the North Michigan/I‑675 corridor — a block from Shaffer to North Michigan and east to the railroad tracks, including properties that abut North Michigan from Davenport to Kronk — from B1A and RMU‑RC (riverfront/mixed use overlay) to B2 (general business). Staff said the corridor does not meet typical riverfront/mixed‑use characteristics and that B2 would better support redevelopment of high‑traffic parcels such as vacant pharmacy buildings and a parcel behind Family Dollar.

Why it matters: The change alters the set of permitted commercial uses on multiple parcels and could accelerate private redevelopment by making sites more attractive to high‑traffic franchised businesses. Several residents and property owners attended and asked about tax impacts, the effect on churches and houses near Shaffer Street, and whether the change would enable large residential developments or preclude future walkability and pedestrian improvements.

Public comments and concerns: Helen Atkinson, who owns a rental on North Michigan near the I‑675 ramps, asked whether taxes would increase and whether a rental could be converted to storefront use. Terry Pearson, pastor of a small church on Shaffer Street, asked whether the church parcel would be affected; staff clarified that properties on the west side of Shaffer (including 1915 Shaffer) were not part of the proposed rezoning. Mary Ellen Frayer spoke on behalf of her brother about long family ownership and asked for clarity on which parcels are included. Dylan Helles, representing Covenant Health Care, said Covenant supports the change and urged maintaining connections between the Covenant neighborhood and downtown.

Commission discussion: Commissioners questioned whether the rezoning would impede future nonmotorized or pedestrian improvements; staff said the corridor is highly traffic‑intensive and not currently conducive to pedestrian orientation and that nonmotorized projects would be considered citywide where appropriate. One commissioner noted a developer interest in a property and that a stand‑alone rezoning would move a likely project forward faster than waiting for the broader zoning ordinance rewrite.

Decision and next steps: After public comment and discussion the commission voted in favor of the staff‑initiated rezoning to B2. Staff said the change aims to encourage commercial redevelopment of underused parcels; individual property owners would still need to pursue site plan or building permits for changes of use.","Planning staff proposed rezoning parcels along North Michigan (I‑675 corridor) from B1A and RMU‑RC to B2 (general business) to encourage redevelopment of auto‑oriented parcels; the commission approved the change after a public hearing in which nearby residents asked about tax impacts and effects on churches and homes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission recommends rezoning of Longfellow School site to R‑3 to allow private education and workforce housing; sends approval to City Council

Planning Commission approves site plan for expansion at 2805 S. Washington with engineering contingencies

City staff present interactive 2025–26 Capital Improvement Plan to Planning Commission; input due Feb. 28

Commission approves staff‑initiated rezoning of North Michigan/I‑675 corridor to B‑2 amid neighborhood questions