Commission approves directing staff to draft rules allowing libraries and laundromats in more residential zones

The Saginaw Planning Commission voted to direct staff to prepare code language that would allow public libraries and neighborhood laundromats in residential zoning districts, with permitting variations by zone.

Under the commission’s direction, staff will draft language to allow public libraries as permitted uses in R‑2 and R‑3 and by special‑use permit in R‑1. Laundromats will be allowed in R‑3 as a permitted use and in R‑1 and R‑2 by special‑use permit, the commission decided after debate about traffic and commercial intensity.

Commissioners debated whether laundromats — which range from small coin‑operated shops to large commercial laundry plants — should be allowed in single‑family neighborhoods. Commissioner Land and others expressed concern about traffic and scale, and the commission amended the original motion to require special‑use review in lower‑density zones so neighbors and the commission can review site plan, parking and screening details before approval.

Commission discussion also noted some existing laundry and dry‑cleaning facilities are located in commercial or industrial zones, and staff will recommend definitions to distinguish small, neighborhood coin‑operated laundromats from industrial laundry plants. Planning staff said existing standards (parking, buffering and site plan review) will be used and that staff will return with tailored language and recommended conditions if the motion is approved.

The vote came after commissioners reviewed the draft zoning text and the consultant’s approach to a citywide recodification. City planning staff reiterated the process requirements for public notice and public hearings; staff said a public town hall on the draft ordinance is scheduled for April 9 and that the planning commission is likely to hold the formal public hearing in May once final language and required public‑notice materials are available.

What the motion does and next steps

The commission’s direction does not immediately change permitted uses; it asks staff to prepare ordinance language and any required definitions and cross‑references. Staff will draft special‑use conditions for laundromats in R‑1 and R‑2 and proposed standards for libraries in R‑1, and will return for commission review and public hearing. If the commission approves formal ordinance language following public hearing, the code change will be forwarded to city council for final adoption.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to allow libraries and laundromats in R‑1/R‑2/R‑3 and to require special‑use review for laundromats in R‑1/R‑2 and libraries in R‑1: approved; staff directed to draft implementing language and definitions.