Planning commission recommends rezoning 26 Harvard St. from R-2 to T3

The Battle Creek City Planning Commission voted July 23 to recommend rezoning 26 Harvard Street (PRZ25004) from R-2, two-family residential, to T3 Neighborhood Commercial, forwarding the recommendation to the City Commission for final approval.

Planning staff told commissioners the property’s current R-2 zoning permits two dwelling units and would not allow the four-unit use the petitioner indicated he sought. Staff noted the lot adjoins T3 zoning to the north and that the surrounding development pattern and an adjacent parking lot supported the rezoning request. "Given those facts, staff recommends approval of the application," a staff member said during the staff report.

The commission heard no public comments and the applicant was not present. Commissioners asked whether the applicant had conducted outreach; staff said all property owners within 300 feet were mailed notice of the public hearing and confirmed staff would recommend as a condition that the rezoning application include written approval from the property owner. Commissioners discussed and agreed that, if the owner’s written approval is not received, the recommendation would not advance.

After discussion, the commission moved to recommend approval with staff-recommended conditions, including written owner authorization. The motion passed on a recorded voice vote. Mayor Behnke, Commissioner Hughes, Commissioner Morris, Commissioner Denison and Commissioner White voted in favor; the motion passed.

The recommendation will now go to the Battle Creek City Commission, which must approve any zoning change before it becomes effective.