Mason planning commission backs rezoning at 710 North Cedar for DPW relocation

The Mason City Planning Commission on May 13 recommended that City Council adopt Ordinance 260 to rezone property at 710 North Cedar Street (Parcel 33-19-10-05-152-018) from C-2 General Commercial to M-2 General Manufacturing to allow the city to move its Department of Public Works into an existing vacant building.

Planning staff said the move would save taxpayers money compared with building a new facility on Avery Lane and that the site is centrally located with access to US 127 for larger deliveries. The staff presentation also said the rezoning is listed in the capital improvement plan and is consistent with the city master plan’s goals for safety, service delivery and directing growth to areas with existing infrastructure.

The planning director (name not specified), who presented the item to the commission, described surrounding zoning as M-2 to the north, east and west, with C-2 frontage on Cedar Street to the south, and said the proposed M-2 zoning would be consistent with adjacent properties. Staff told commissioners that the rezoning itself should not create significant negative environmental impacts and that future site-plan review will address site-specific environmental and infrastructure issues; the project will also require review by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy.

Commissioners opened and closed the public hearing with no members of the public speaking. A motion to approve Resolution 2025-07, recommending Council adopt Ordinance 260 to amend the zoning map for the listed parcel, was made and seconded; the commission approved the recommendation by voice vote. The commission did not record individual roll-call votes.

Staff noted that City Council took the ordinance through first reading and introduction on May 5 and that no comments were received during that process. Commissioners were also told a site plan will be submitted for subsequent review by the commission; that site plan will include specific details on site layout, utilities and any environmental permitting requirements.

In other business staff reported that the survey for the M-36 project closed May 12; staff is compiling survey results, focus-group notes and an open-house record for the consultant to refine draft designs and present them to the public and the commission at a later meeting (possibly June or July). With no further business, the commission adjourned.