Big Rapids panel approves Saint Andrew’s parking expansion to improve Manna Pantry deliveries

Big Rapids planning commissioners approved a site-plan review to expand the parking lot at 323 South State Street, the site of Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church and the Manna Pantry, adding six parking spaces and a route intended to accommodate box-truck deliveries.

The approval, granted with a condition that three designated areas shown on the applicants’ site plan be fully landscaped, also requires the applicant to submit a revised, dated site plan and supporting documents within 60 days. The vote was recorded as yes by Wilcoff, Vogel, Kaleidos, Cloud, Montgomery and Reddick.

The proposal, presented at a public hearing, was described by Michelle, city planning staff, as an expansion that would add six new spots and a box-truck route “mainly for delivery for the food pantries” and would serve both the church and the pantry. Michelle said the property is zoned “RR, restricted residential,” and noted that because the expansion adds fewer…