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Votes at a glance: consent items and zoning amendments from Feb. 25 Muskegon commission meeting
Summary
The Muskegon City Commission recorded a set of formal outcomes Feb. 25: it adopted the consent agenda (with three items pulled), approved two zoning ordinance amendments (cottage court developments and accessory commercial units) and failed to adopt proposed park rules including a vaping prohibition.
The Muskegon City Commission recorded the following formal outcomes during its Feb. 25 general session.
Consent agenda - Action: Adopt consent agenda as presented, with items C, F and G removed for separate consideration. - Motion: Commissioner Kilgore (mover); Commissioner German (support). - Vote (roll call as recorded): Vice Mayor St. Clair — yes; Mayor Mary Johnson — yes; Commissioner Kilgore — yes; Commissioner German — yes; Commissioner Gorman — yes. Outcome: adopted.
Zoning: Cottage court developments (Item F) - Action: Approve request to amend section 400 and article 2 and 20 of the zoning ordinance to create regulations permitting cottage court developments in specified residential/form‑based districts. - Motion: Commissioner German (mover); Commissioner Kyogo (support). - Key provisions: creates a definition for "cottage court," permits cottage court developments in specified residential and form‑based districts, requires minimum lot width of 110 feet and alley or dedicated drive access; setbacks follow underlying zoning; intended to add a medium‑density housing option. - Planning Commission: Unanimous recommendation (7 of 9 present) to approve. - Vote (roll call as recorded): Mayor Mary Johnson — yes; Commissioner Kilgore — yes; Commissioner German — yes; Commissioner Gorman — yes; Vice Mayor St. Clair — yes. Outcome: approved; will return for second reading per zoning amendment procedure.
Zoning: Accessory commercial units (Item G) - Action: Approve request to amend section 400 and article 2 and 20 of the zoning ordinance to allow accessory commercial units (ACUs) in designated community node overlay areas. - Motion: Commissioner German (mover); Vice Mayor St. Clair (support). - Key provisions: ACUs would permit ground‑floor or in‑house commercial uses (retail, office, personal services, galleries) in residential properties inside defined community node overlay polygons; alcohol sales excluded; ACUs require a special use permit and notice to nearby property owners. - Planning Commission: Recommended approval (unanimous of those present). - Vote (roll call as recorded): Commissioner Kilgore — yes; Commissioner German — yes; Commissioner Gorman — yes; Vice Mayor St. Clair — yes; Mayor Mary Johnson — yes. Outcome: approved; will return for second reading.
Park rules (Item C) — outcome - Action: Motion to adopt the 02/2025 City of Muskegon Park rules as presented (including a prohibition on smoking and vaping). - Motion: Commissioner German (mover); Commissioner Kilgore (support). - Subsequent amendment: Commissioner Kilgore moved to remove the words "or vaping" from rule 4 (supported by Vice Mayor St. Clair); amendment failed on roll call. The original motion to adopt the rules as presented did not receive the required majority and therefore was not adopted. Staff to determine next steps.
Notes and next steps - Zoning amendments approved tonight will follow the normal zoning ordinance process and return for second reading before formal adoption. - Staff will coordinate sign, outreach and timing if park rules are resubmitted; commissioners discussed potential signage/education ahead of any enforceable code change.
Recorded roll calls are summarized above using the names read into the record during the meeting. If there are specific items you need the formal minute text, contact the city clerk’s office for the official meeting minutes and adopted ordinance language.
