[{"_1":2,"_86":-5,"_87":-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",[32,74],{"_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":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6510175,"mediaKeyId","5393621-1dd89e7386b914bf59b029749c9403bb","parentId",5393621,"title","Battle Creek commission approves conditional rezoning, writes off $20,000 promissory note and schedules closed session on city manager candidates","audioSeconds",3787,"startMs",2451000,"endMs",6238000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5393621-1dd89e7386b914bf59b029749c9403bb&start=2451&end=6238","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5393621-1dd89e7386b914bf59b029749c9403bb/thumbnail_2451000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6510175/Battle-Creek-City/Calhoun-County/Michigan/Battle-Creek-commission-approves-conditional-rezoning-writes-off-20000-promissory-note-and-schedules-closed-session-on-city-manager-candidates","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6510175-9531bd15bf22083620c1696737175adc/orig.mp4?Expires=1775128234&Signature=M3YqsUGkKO7th4qYzZThCPs4HCBfq~w2fR3k0GXDReF94iS4AFfq8es~FBR4MVK8egWUl9nGgBWJTtMpL-sAEycKIFZfFcwjE29jKy8HSdPsQHn2LXFUYdN3gvWjUi45XXZHO1VR-hoRKH~2u9Cxqd1ldT6agiZH2A9g~esCVxU0QmZw380j2Pyh6zkKSnUINKYGGZxKynzjuhc-uXphPWQHmJVdmkkv5Gfub9BCyx91NCZcf4JOOvhFfpmpKu~JpBiTefOoJCmg7Ug0eUyOXnXexRNGKnJbfdb0ShAPVOxcwKQCSx9N0O9ltY2Z4qgqBjFwBx6EdBEvR6zVSifkGw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-06-20T20:48:40Z","article","The City of Battle Creek City Commission on July 15 approved a conditional rezoning ordinance, authorized the write-off of a promissory note tied to six vacant properties, and voted to schedule a closed session to review confidential city manager applications.

Ordinance O62025: conditional rezoning approved
Madam Clerk described an ordinance that would conditionally rezone five parcels south of West Columbia Avenue and between South Helmer Road to the east and Stonejug Road to the west. The clerk said the applicant intends \"to establish a mix of employment generating light industrial development, single and multifamily residential housing, and open space intended as a natural buffer.\" The ordinance statement noted no specific development is currently planned and that the rezoning is intended to position the site to attract investment in alignment with the City of Battle Creek master plan.

A motion to adopt Ordinance O62025 was made and supported; the commission voted to adopt the ordinance. The clerk announced, \"Ordinance 6 20 25 has been approved.\" The commission did not provide a development contract or detailed site plan at the meeting.

Resolution 190: $20,000 promissory note to Neighborhoods Incorporated
Resolution 190, if approved, authorized the interim city manager to write off a promissory note dated March 9, 2000, with Neighborhoods Incorporated in the amount of $20,000 for six vacant properties on Maple Court. Supporters said the nonprofit has maintained and paid taxes on the parcels and that forgiving the debt would allow the organization to continue pursuit of acquisition, rehabilitation and redevelopment options. Interim City Manager Ted Deering described the note’s history and the city’s conversations with Neighborhoods Incorporated about potential redevelopment, including past interest in demolition and sale to neighboring owners.

A motion to approve Resolution 190 was made and supported; the clerk announced the resolution \"has been approved.\" One commissioner stated they would vote no on the write-off; the transcript recorded the objection but did not record a roll-call tally in the public record excerpt provided.

Resolution 191: closed session on city manager applications
Resolution 191, which the commission moved and supported, sets a closed session immediately following commission comments at the regular July 15 meeting to \"review and consider the contents of applications for the position of Battle Creek city manager for the applicants who have requested confidentiality.\" Commissioners voted to approve Resolution 191.

Consent agenda and other motions
The commission moved and supported approval of the consent agenda; the clerk announced the consent agenda had been approved. During commission comments, members praised community events and noted ongoing issues such as a neighborhood odor complaint and property-rehabilitation discussions.

Later in the evening, after a recess, Commissioner Lance moved to \"move forward with the city manager hiring process with the cadence as discussed.\" That motion passed.

What the votes mean
- The conditional rezoning (Ordinance O62025) changes zoning designations for five parcels to allow a mix of light industrial, single- and multi-family housing and open space; no specific developer or site plan was announced at the meeting.
- Forgiving the $20,000 promissory note (Resolution 190) transfers a historical city receivable tied to six Maple Court parcels; supporters framed it as enabling Neighborhoods Incorporated to continue redevelopment, while at least one commissioner opposed the write-off.
- The approved Resolution 191 authorizes the commission to meet in closed session to review city manager applications from candidates who requested confidentiality.

No litigation or statutory citations were adopted as part of these votes; commissioners said they are continuing searches and planning work outside this meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Commission regular meeting - 7/15/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The City of Battle Creek City Commission on July 15 approved a conditional rezoning ordinance, authorized the write-off of a promissory note tied to six vacant properties, and voted to schedule a closed session to review confidential city manager applications.","taxTitle","Battle Creek City, Calhoun County, Michigan","taxId",3332,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6510179,"DNR presents deer-management options as commissioners weigh sharpshooting, hunting and nonlethal measures",2528,532000,3060000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5393621-1dd89e7386b914bf59b029749c9403bb&start=532&end=3060","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5393621-1dd89e7386b914bf59b029749c9403bb/thumbnail_532000.jpg","/articles/6510179/Battle-Creek-City/Calhoun-County/Michigan/DNR-presents-deer-management-options-as-commissioners-weigh-sharpshooting-hunting-and-nonlethal-measures","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6510179-681ee93abcd392901e387fb8261be494/orig.mp4?Expires=1775128234&Signature=e1Wkvq5NVQX10~ikFBSus20aQkUdIjsE3A6H9xc9Hop0kNKt3ojyovqqjryTYQ7pRoDS4DjbIPeXTiiLwDAxyrrUF46LVSXvw~xiq9N6UtmGgRt6oGcqVFKoK0~n6ujK1zZHLbqhzVmwNnBwOTvirAq7rnAfQr7xB73zwf3q5NHVZq1aQb1OMyylXFzOWh51VN-lLGFEySyeLj9YUZTGtOTjwfwZ5RpyIe2s39neSS3HocXWleg~8VrGAFVCQKBRWDc8LkSp7PqO4pLbDLBjcPnvTl2eaxoBFCFBYVtwvlZww8rVS0S3KR22m3SdDa5ojMw9vR7s8vVv5Kxk6~s55A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City of Battle Creek commissioners on July 15 heard a presentation from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources about urban deer population dynamics and management options, including hunting, sharpshooting and nonlethal measures.

Randy Hinesy, a wildlife biologist with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources who covers Eaton, Calhoun and Barry counties, told commissioners that urban deer populations typically show high survival, small home ranges and elevated reproductive rates in developed areas. “Typical characteristics of urban deer populations: there’s a high survival rate because there’s just not a lot of mortality other than maybe car-deer accidents inside city limits,” Hinesy said during the presentation.

Hinesy summarized management approaches and limits. He said exclusion—6- to 8-foot fencing around gardens or small orchards—is effective but unpopular because of cost and appearance. He described repellents and coverings as short-lived solutions that require frequent reapplication. Hinesy said trapping and transporting deer is not allowed in Michigan because of the risk of spreading chronic wasting disease, and that contraceptives or surgical sterilization are not feasible at the population scale because they are costly, labor-intensive and do not reliably reduce numbers when animals move in and out of the area.

Hinesy described lethal approaches used elsewhere in Michigan, including organized hunting programs and targeted nighttime sharpshooting performed by trained personnel. He noted the city of Marshall has used a law-enforcement–organized program and that meat from sharpshooting removals is often donated to food banks or needy families. “They’re very safe,” he said of law-enforcement sharpshooting teams.

Commissioners and members of the public described local impacts that have prompted calls for action. Commissioner Patrick O’Donnell said he has seen deer downtown and called them “everywhere.” Commissioner Chris Simmons cited resident reports of landscaping destruction and property damage, including a pool liner that a constituent said suffered about $10,000 in damage. Simmons said chronic wasting disease and ticks were also community concerns.

During public comment, Rhys Atkins, who said he regularly works with a local food pantry, described an existing avenue for using venison removed from population-control efforts. He said a donor group provided the food bank with a large donation of processed venison that was distributed to pantries and accepted by residents.

No formal action was taken at the meeting. Commissioners expressed interest in exploring options used by other Michigan municipalities—such as coordinated archery hunting programs, law-enforcement sharpshooting in isolated sites, or organized hunter-access programs—and in continuing to gather information about public safety, property damage and regulatory constraints.

Commissioners also discussed local factors Hinesy raised that make control challenging: urban green corridors and nearby habitat that can create refuges where deer congregate, and high reproductive rates documented in Southern Michigan that can lead to rapid increases unless substantial removals occur. Hinesy cited one study (describing an enclosed area that grew from six deer to about 220 in seven years) to illustrate exponential population growth and said managers sometimes must remove “around 50 to 60% of the population” to reduce density to acceptable levels.

The commission did not adopt any ordinance or resolution related to deer management at the July 15 meeting. Staff indicated the topic will remain under consideration and that the commission may examine models used by other cities if it chooses to pursue removal or hunting programs in specific, isolated locations.","A Michigan Department of Natural Resources wildlife biologist told the Battle Creek City Commission that urban deer in the area have high survival and reproductive rates; commissioners discussed options including fencing, targeted hunting and sharpshooting but took no formal action.","actionData","errors"]

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Battle Creek commission approves conditional rezoning, writes off $20,000 promissory note and schedules closed session on city manager candidates

DNR presents deer-management options as commissioners weigh sharpshooting, hunting and nonlethal measures