Richmond council adopts zoning and code changes, updates auditorium form and approves appointments
Summary
At its meeting, the Richmond City Council gave second readings and adopted two ordinances (zoning dimensional standards and civil infractions), approved an update to the Roosevelt Civic Auditorium nonprofit rental form, confirmed several board appointments, and adopted an updated cross-connection control program at EGLE’s request.
The Richmond City Council approved multiple agenda items at its meeting, including zoning ordinance changes, code enforcement adjustments, updates to the Roosevelt Civic Auditorium rental form, several board appointments, and a revised cross-connection control program.
Zoning ordinance: The council adopted ordinance 156-35 on second reading to amend Section 5.101 of the Richmond zoning ordinance, reducing minimum gross floor area requirements for principal dwellings across residential zones (the city stated the change reduces minimums by roughly 16.6%). The city manager described the existing minimums (R-1: 1,800 sq ft; R-2: 1,500; R-3: 1,200; RT: 780) and said the revised ordinance lowers those requirements for single-family and two-family districts. The motion to give second reading and adopt passed by voice vote.
Civil infractions: The council gave second reading and adopted ordinance 167 to convert certain violations in the city code—listed examples include sections of animal, cemetery, and secondhand goods ordinances—from misdemeanors to civil infractions, a process begun after the council’s 2011 policy review. The motion passed by voice vote.
Auditorium rental form: Council approved updates to the Roosevelt Civic Auditorium nonprofit usage form to clarify which organizations qualify as nonprofits for fee-waiver purposes. The administration said the updated definition aligns the auditorium policy with the city’s established definition (organizations operating in the city of Richmond or within the Richmond School District). The council also removed one daytime rental room from general availability while preserving case-by-case exceptions for large events.
Appointments: The council reappointed Jennifer Holly and Mike Schottie to the Board of Zoning Appeals for three-year terms (expiring 12/31/2028) and confirmed Monica Wilkie to the Board of Review for a three-year term. The council also confirmed Christopher Mosher to the Economic Development Commission to fill a term expiring 07/01/2028. Motions to confirm were made and approved by voice vote.
Cross-connection control program: The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) requested that Richmond provide more detail in its cross-connection control program following a sanitary survey. The council approved an updated document that adds detail on administration, inspection frequency and testing procedures; city staff said the update did not change inspection frequency from the property-owner perspective.
All adoption items were approved by voice vote during the meeting; individual roll-call tallies were not recorded in the transcript.
