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Battle Creek Planning Commission forwards 2025 planning and zoning report to city commission
Summary
On March 25, 2026, the City of Battle Creek Planning Commission accepted the 2025 Planning and Zoning Division Annual Report and voted to forward it to the city commission; staff highlighted ordinance amendments that reduced special-use permits, a recertification effort as a redevelopment-ready community, a housing study and a consultant-funded grant.
Battle Creek City of Battle Creek Planning Commission members on Wednesday accepted the Planning and Zoning Division2725 annual report and voted to forward it to the city commission.
A city planning staff member told commissioners the report, required under state law, summarizes the work of the Planning Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals and the Historic District Commission and outlines broader planning and zoning operations. The staff member said recent ordinance amendments have "helped to streamline development" by reducing the need for special-use permits and lessening review time for both the planning commission and city commission.
Staff reported a modest uptick in rezoning requests, which the presentation attributed in part to adjustments made after the 2020 zoning ordinance rewrite and map update. Regarding appeals work, the staff said the Zoning Board of Appeals reviewed just three items in 2025, including a sign application for a Kia dealership that required additional information before approval.
On historic preservation, staff said application volumes for the Historic District Commission were roughly identical to 2024 but have increased over a five-year span. Staff attributed the rise to an outreach campaign of mailers and new street signage that has prompted more proactive engagement by property owners.
The staff outlined ongoing projects tied to the master plan update and housing strategy. The city received a 2025 grant from "Mishda" to hire consultants to assist the housing study and planning work; according to the staff member, "we are in the process right now of uh recertifying under uh as a redevelopment ready community." Staff also described a new guide to development that compiles application steps, links and available incentives, an updated marketing plan to attract investment and an updated public participation plan to support neighborhood outreach for major text amendments.
Staff said the housing survey for the housing strategy will be distributed online and in hard copy "in 1 month," with results and a draft housing strategy expected to be presented to the Commission at a follow-up meeting in June. The draft will then follow the standard review period and be returned to the Planning Commission for final review and adoption.
Commissioner Morrison moved to accept the 2025 Planning and Zoning Division Annual Report and forward it to the city commission; Commissioner Banky seconded. The motion passed with recorded yes votes from Commissioner O'Donnell, Mayor Rinke, Commissioner Ward-Gray, Commissioner Hughes, Commissioner Morris and Commissioner Fermato. The Commission thanked staff, welcomed new Commissioner Tommy Formato and adjourned the meeting.
The report will proceed to the Battle Creek City Commission for its consideration.
