Commission postpones site-plan review for Columbus Avenue convenience store project

The Bay City Planning Commission on March 18, 2025 postponed consideration of site-plan review SPR2406603 for a proposed building and convenience use on Columbus Avenue, giving the applicant time to revise the plan to meet dimensional, ADA and lighting requirements.

Terry Maltane, planning staff, said a revised site plan had been submitted late in the prior week but staff had not completed a full review. Commissioners raised concerns about the layout behind the building, pedestrian access, the width of circulation aisles, and compliance with ADA van-accessible parking space standards. One commissioner said the marked van-accessible space as shown was not compliant because the access aisle needed to be on the passenger side and both van-accessible spaces must meet the 8-foot width standard.

Applicant Vishal Rathore spoke from the podium, described the project as a positive addition to the area and said he could provide a small number of trash bins rather than a dumpster. Commissioners and staff also discussed the need for elevation drawings, a landscaping plan, and a lighting/photometric plan for the building and parking areas; staff noted lighting details are typically reviewed during building plan review and electrical permitting but asked to see lighting for the site-plan file.

Commissioner motioned to postpone the item to the next meeting to allow the applicant and his engineers to address the comments; the motion passed. Staff agreed to meet with the applicant to provide clearer direction on the required changes before the next submittal.