Planning staff briefs commission on zoning ordinance amendments, family-definition change and upcoming meetings

Planning staff updated the East Lansing Planning Commission on Jan. 8 about several items the commission will see in the coming weeks, including multiple ordinances referred from City Council, committee meeting dates for the comprehensive-plan update and the Green Code Study Committee, a grant application for a historic-preservation resource guide, and a co-hosted conference on community benefits.

Staff said City Council introduced and referred Ordinance 1543, a package of zoning-ordinance amendments described as corrections and clarifications. "I think we're up to about 60-something pages of red line," the staff speaker said, and told commissioners staff will break the package into smaller topics over several meetings before scheduling a public hearing, likely in February. Staff also said Council introduced Ordinance 1545, an amendment to the city's definition of "family"; Council Member Meadows revised the proposed language to add people under guardianship, foster children and cousins, and to include nieces and nephews.

Staff reported Council held public hearings on other items the commission already considered, including a conditional rezoning request related to properties on Grove Street and a rezoning and special-use request for a property listed in the packet (transcript reference unclear). Staff said Council took public comment but did not act on those items and could revisit them at its next meeting.

Planning staff also noted organizational and engagement items: the Comprehensive Plan Update Committee will hold a work session Jan. 23 focused on near-term implementation; the Green Code Study Committee had an organizing call and will meet in person Jan. 28; and the city is co-hosting a free, one-day conference Jan. 15 with the MSU Center for Community and Economic Development on community benefits agreements. Staff said it had submitted a Certified Local Government grant application to the State Historic Preservation Office for a property-owner resource guide; staff asked commissioners to let the office know if they want a registration link to the Jan. 15 event.

Commissioners asked procedural questions and received clarification about next steps. The commission also heard a brief report in commissioner concerns that the Community Development Block Grant review process is beginning; one commissioner said available CDBG funding was roughly $550,000, subject to final award information in summer.