Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Planning And Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
DDA director reports on zoning items, downtown banners, Michigan Main Street training and priority-project advocacy
Summary
Director Audrey updated the board on building repairs, a rezoning application for 50 North Hanchett Street, a proposed Century Bank drive-through, business-recognition decals, new downtown banners, Michigan Main Street historic-preservation training in June, and ongoing advocacy for a streetscape priority project.
In the director’s report Audrey reviewed routine building maintenance, land‑use developments and upcoming programs.
Building and business updates
Staff repaired a leak at the children’s museum and noted ongoing small maintenance tasks. A rezoning request for 50 North Hanchett Street (the former Kinsey’s Barber Shop) seeks to move from C‑2 downtown zoning to A‑3 residential; planning commission has reviewed the request and the director said it will proceed through planning commission action. A proposal for a drive‑through at Century Bank’s 100 West Chicago Street location was also noted; staff have seen a tenant interest in the former Two Banets restaurant location at 61 West Chicago Street but do not yet have opening dates.
Branding and banners
The DDA’s business-recognition decals have been rolled out to most businesses; staff will conduct a short audit to confirm installation. The director said new warm‑season banners using the organization’s branding campaign will be installed on East and West Chicago Street and North Hanchett Street; board members asked why there are gaps in pedestrian-scale banners in the three-block downtown core and staff agreed to investigate pole availability and jurisdictional issues.
Michigan Main Street training and events
The Michigan Main Street historic-preservation training will be held in downtown Coldwater Thursday–Friday, June 26–27, with Thursday for directors only and Friday for broader participation. Tibbets (Tibbetts) Theatre will offer discounted tickets tied to the event, and the DDA and related committees plan supplemental programming including an open-late art walk and a dinner during Hops on Monroe.
Zoning code updates and planning commission
The director reported planning commission recommended that tattoo parlors be allowed by special use but prohibited along West Chicago Street and South Monroe Street; that recommendation differs from the DDA’s previous submission and will proceed to city council for final determination. Other zoning topics (outdoor dining rules, residential within the C‑2 district, parking reductions and ground-floor transparency/window standards) remain tabled at planning commission.
Priority-project advocacy
Staff and volunteers are coordinating support and public comment for a streetscape-priority project; a discussion about use of millage revenue and general-fund balance was scheduled for April 28 at city council. Staff reported receiving at least a dozen letters of support to date and said the DDA will help organize public comment and schedule speakers.
Why it matters
The updates affect downtown land use, aesthetics and event planning. Rezoning and zoning-code changes can affect what businesses locate downtown and how streetscape improvements are funded and implemented.
