Planning staff updates: comprehensive plan celebration, green code study recommendations and Landshark occupancy

Planning staff provided a slate of committee and staff updates at the Sept. 24 meeting. Mister Bartley said the Age‑Friendly Communities committee has met twice and expects to finalize an updated work plan in October, which staff would later share with stakeholders and the commission.

On the comprehensive plan, Bartley noted the commission’s coordinating committee adopted the plan on Aug. 13 and staff will host a community celebration on Oct. 2 at Ansuy Plaza in Downtown East Lansing from 3 to 7 p.m. "It's gonna be fun," Bartley said, noting live music, giveaways and ice cream from Tasty Twist.

Bartley said the Green Code Study committee held its final scheduled meeting and staff expect to bring the committee's recommendations to council for initial discussion on Oct. 14. He also reported that council approved the Landshark request with a 240 total occupancy limit (seats for all customers) after earlier review; staff said the applicant was pleased with the outcome.

On a standing policy item, Bartley summarized the commission's prior recommendations concerning a downtown diverse housing requirement and told commissioners that council will be asked for direction — possibly at its Oct. 7 meeting — on what ordinance language staff should draft; that return to the commission could come in October or November depending on council direction.

Commissioners asked questions about timing and review procedures; staff said coordinating-committee debriefs on the comprehensive plan are scheduled later in the month and that a planning‑commission retreat to dig into the comprehensive plan update is being considered for October or November.

No formal votes were taken on these informational items; staff asked commissioners to watch for future agendas and to participate in the planned review activities.