Commission agrees to pursue Macomb Street zoning update; to engage OHM advisers for technical work

The Planning Commission discussed next steps to implement Macomb Street recommendations from the recently adopted master plan and agreed to proceed with consultant engagement, with direction to staff and the executive committee to negotiate scope and cost.

Ross reported that the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) selected OHM advisers to update a tax increment finance plan and to prepare a streetscape design; OHM previously worked on portions of the master plan and has local experience. The commission discussed process for turning master-plan action items into zoning changes and asked staff to coordinate an initial meeting between the commission’s executive committee and OHM to clarify roles and desired outcomes before the consultant finalizes a scope and cost proposal.

Commissioners emphasized that the planning commission should provide explicit direction to consultants so consultant time is used efficiently and to prevent unfocused deliverables. Staff and commissioners noted the DDA will fund parts of the work and that any ordinance language returned by the consultant will come back to the commission for review and a formal recommendation to the township board. Commissioner Brian Bridal and others said they want staff (Brian) included in consultant conversations owing to his historical knowledge of Macomb Street.

No final vote on consultant hiring took place at the meeting; staff will schedule follow-up meetings with the executive committee and OHM to develop the scope and return recommended contract terms to the commission and the DDA.