East Lansing City Council defers sign ordinance changes after Building Board of Appeals request

The Regular Council meeting held on May 27, 2025, in East Lansing, Michigan, focused on several key agenda items, including proposed amendments to the sign ordinance and a site plan approval for a new condominium development.

The meeting began with a discussion regarding amendments to Chapter 32, the sign ordinance. Council members acknowledged a request from the Building Board of Appeals (BBA) to delay the vote on these amendments to allow for further review. The council agreed to refer the entire ordinance to the BBA for their input, emphasizing the importance of their feedback given that some changes stemmed from an appeal they had previously addressed. The motion to refer the ordinance passed unanimously, with council members expressing no immediate urgency for the changes.

Following this, the council considered a request from Dale Inman for site plan approval for a new condominium building at 601 Road. The proposed development includes two single-bedroom units, with sizes ranging from approximately 570 to 857 square feet. The Planning Commission had previously held a public hearing and unanimously recommended approval, also granting a waiver for additional on-site parking. The project aims to reduce impervious surfaces and improve stormwater management, with preliminary calculations indicating a decrease in stormwater runoff.

During the discussion, council members raised concerns about the absence of a draft master deed and bylaws for the condominium project, which are typically provided during the approval process. Inman indicated that these documents would be prepared in conjunction with the building design over the next few months. The council expressed a desire for clarity on rental policies within the condominium, emphasizing the importance of owner-occupied units.

Concerns regarding parking adequacy were also highlighted, particularly from the East Lansing Police Department. The applicant assured the council that they would work to address these concerns, including the potential for secure bicycle parking to accommodate commuters.

Ultimately, the council decided to defer the site plan approval to the next meeting on June 17, 2025, allowing time for the applicant to address the outstanding issues, including the master deed language and parking concerns. The meeting concluded with a commitment to revisit the site plan with the necessary adjustments in place.