Planning Commission approves 16,050-square-foot office at 823–833 S. Washington

The Saginaw Planning Commission voted to approve site plan J25-2835 on a voice vote, clearing the way for a two-story, 16,050-square-foot Class A office building proposed for 823–833 South Washington Avenue.

The approval came with five recommendations and conditions, including that the project proceed under the city’s pending new zoning ordinance (if adopted), completion of engineering review and civil plans, and city approval of the vacation of the adjacent portion of Meredith/Water Street. The chair said the vacation condition will be included in the Commission’s recommendation to City Council.

Nick Seoffer, senior architect at Schein Development, said the building will feature brick and steel siding designed to look like wood, large amounts of glazing that exceed the 40% fenestration requirement, a first-floor patio connected to the riverwalk and a second-floor boardroom patio overlooking the river. He told commissioners the petitioner is coordinating utility relocation and stormwater work with the city and consultant Spicer, and that Consumers Energy is working to relocate high-power lines that affect the site.

Commissioners questioned whether Water Street had been vacated; staff noted it had not and recommended adding city approval of the street vacation as a condition. Commissioners also discussed setbacks and the new zoning rules that allow exceptions along the riverfront to orient buildings toward the river, with staff and one commissioner framing the rules as intended to encourage riverfront frontage rather than parking along the river.

The Commission’s action is a recommendation that will be forwarded to City Council for final approval and depends on the petitioner completing required engineering and civil-plan reviews.