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Bay City Commission approves four development and code measures; several resolutions advance
Summary
The Bay City Commission on July 7 approved a $300,000 industrial facilities tax exemption, two obsolete-property measures for Hawthorne Realty, and a full rewrite of the city s sign code; several resolutions also advanced by roll call.
The Bay City Commission on July 7 approved four special-order items and several routine resolutions, including a reaffirmation of residency requirements for elected officials and a schedule change for the September meeting.
The commission approved an industrial facilities tax exemption certificate for Straits Wood Treating Inc.; amendments and an exemption for Hawthorne Realty pair of actions tied to the Arlington/Arlington Hotel project; and a full repeal and replacement of the city s sign code (Chapter 85). Commissioners voted on each item by roll call.
Straits Wood Treating: Commission approved an industrial facilities tax exemption certificate of $300,000 for a new warehouse at 4804 East Wilder Road. Commissioner Renberg moved to approve; Commissioner Morris seconded. During discussion a company representative confirmed the project is a new additional warehouse and said the 17 jobs associated with the project are expected to include permanent positions once the facility is operational. A roll-call vote recorded unanimous approval.
Hawthorne Realty: The commission approved two related items for Hawthorne Realty LLC at 201 South Lynn Street: an amendment to the obsolete property rehabilitation district and a separate 12-year obsolete property rehabilitation exemption certificate. Commissioner Morris moved to approve the district amendment (second: Commissioner Coakley); Commissioner Tenney moved to approve the 12-year exemption (second: Commissioner DeWitt). Commissioners spoke in favor of reactivating and rehabilitating the historic Arlington Hotel property; both measures passed by roll call.
Sign code rewrite: The commission approved a repeal and replacement of Chapter 85 (Signs) as recommended by city staff. Commissioner Tenney moved (second: Commissioner DeWitt). Commissioners said the change would curb recent disruptive digital advertising on trucks and modernize the sign code; the measure passed by roll call.
Other actions: The commission adopted the consent agenda and approved a resolution reaffirming residency requirements for elected officials (moved: Commissioner Morris; second: Commissioner Tenney). The residency reaffirmation passed on a roll-call vote with one dissent (Commissioner Charlebois voted no). The commission also approved a schedule change moving the Sept. 2 meeting to Monday, Sept. 8. A first reading was received and the change to the commission rules that would move public input in the regular order of business was received and referred for second reading at the next meeting.
Votes at a glance (selected): - Industrial facilities tax exemption (Straits Wood Treating Inc., 4804 East Wilder Road, $300,000): mover Renberg; seconder Morris; outcome: approved (roll-call: Tenney yes; DeWitt yes; Rhumburg yes; Charlebois yes; Morris yes; Cubitt yes; Coakley yes; Bernie Obershaw yes). - Obsolete property rehabilitation district amendment (Hawthorne Realty LLC, 201 South Lynn Street): mover Morris; seconder Coakley; outcome: approved (roll-call: unanimous as read). - 12-year obsolete property rehabilitation exemption certificate (Hawthorne Realty LLC, 201 South Lynn Street): mover Tenney; seconder DeWitt; outcome: approved (roll-call: unanimous as read). - Code of Ordinances Chapter 85 (Signs) repeal and replacement: mover Tenney; seconder DeWitt; outcome: approved (roll-call: unanimous as read). - Residency reaffirmation resolution: mover Morris; seconder Tenney; outcome: approved (roll-call: 7 yes, 1 no — Charlebois). - Meeting date change (Sept. 2 to Sept. 8): mover Coakley; seconder DeWitt; outcome: approved (roll-call: unanimous as read). - Commission rules change (public input moved in order): received and referred for second reading (majority vote to send to next meeting).
What s next: The sign ordinance replacement and the Hawthorne Realty measures were approved as presented. The commission will consider the rules change (public input placement) at a future meeting for final adoption. The residency and schedule changes take effect as approved.
