Planning Commission approves OmniFiber utility cabinets with conditions after historic-district concerns

The Bay City Planning Commission on Sept. 24 approved five site-plan applications from OmniFiber LLC to install above‑ground fiber‑optic utility cabinets at locations in the city’s Second Ward, including sites within the municipal historic district, subject to conditions and administrative review of proposed minor relocations.

Commissioners voted to approve the applications after several commissioners and planning staff said the Historic District Commission (HDC) had raised concerns about placing large cabinets on major thoroughfares and asked applicants to consider siting cabinets behind sidewalks or around corners onto side streets. Planning staff incorporated HDC comments into the staff reports and reminded the applicant that Michigan Department of Transportation permitting is required where cabinets would occupy state right-of-way.

Terry Moltene, planning staff, summarized HDC’s position: “They preferred the cabinet be located behind the sidewalk or not at all within the right of way,” and said the city attorney had reviewed the ordinance language and staff would consult the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) for additional guidance.

OmniFiber’s representative told the commission that the cabinets are located where the company’s fiber routes converge but that relocation to a nearby side street was feasible. The company’s representative said, “the cabinet is basically set in this location because all of the maps, they connect,” and later agreed that moving a cabinet to North Van Buren, North Farragut or a side street could address the HDC’s concerns.

The commission approved the first case, SPR25‑05 (888 Center Ave.), with conditions that the cabinet be reviewed for relocation around the corner (to Van Buren) and that the installation meet setback and clearance criteria in Section 34‑1‑44 and related code sections. The motion required the applicant to provide notice at least 14 days before installation by first‑class mail to property owners within 100 feet, submit as‑built drawings to the city after installation (scale no less than 1 inch = 10 feet; include lot lines, right‑of‑way boundaries, utilities, trees, hydrants, bus stops and the responsible contact), and hold the city harmless for inaccuracies in as‑built drawings.

Following that approval, the commission combined other locations when appropriate and approved SPR25‑07 (1498 Sixth St.) and SPR25‑10 (2025 Seventh St.), noting those sites had no HDC conditions. For the two McKinley Avenue locations (SPR25‑06 for 1104 McKinley and SPR25‑12 for 616 McKinley), the commission approved both but required SPR25‑06 be relocated to the North Farragut side of the same property and that the relocation be administratively approved by planning staff with engineering review as needed.

Commissioners asked staff and the applicant to coordinate with MDOT where cabinets would sit in state right‑of‑way; staff confirmed MDOT permits will be required and noted MDOT’s stated preference that cabinets not be placed within the state right‑of‑way. Commissioners also pressed the applicant on practical maintenance access and the potential visibility/traffic impacts at intersections; staff and the applicant said standard clearances and engineering reviews would address sight‑distance concerns.

No public speakers came forward during the hearing on these cases. One written comment was received raising a sight‑distance concern at an intersection; staff and the applicant reviewed maps during the meeting and told the commission the cabinet location in question appears set back and would not worsen an existing sight-line limitation.

The commission voted on each motion by voice; the chair declared each motion passed with aye votes and no recorded opposition.

Commissioners instructed staff to record HDC input in the planning record and to administratively process minor relocation requests consistent with the conditions the commission read into the motions.

The approvals allow OmniFiber to proceed with the next phase of their build schedule, subject to required permits and the administrative conditions recorded in the motions.