Commission introduces rezoning for 18 Emerald Avenue; neighbors urge traffic mitigation

The Battle Creek City Commission on Feb. 17 introduced ordinance 052026 to rezone the property at 18 Emerald Avenue (parcel 1804-00-004-0) from R1B (single-family residential) to B1 (corridor commercial).

Bill Debtroski (62 Emerald Ave) addressed the commission during public comment about item 052026, saying he and his family are not opposed to a Dunkin' store at the corner of West Michigan Avenue and Emerald Avenue but asked commissioners to consider the impact on residents of Emerald Avenue. "The addition of a Dunkin' at this location, especially if it has an entrance and/or exit off of Emerald Avenue, will only increase the amount of traffic on our street," Debtroski said, describing existing cut-through traffic and speeds he estimated at "30 to 35 miles" per hour and urging the city to explore speed humps or stricter enforcement of speed limits.

Reese Atkins (84 S. 23rd St.) spoke in favor of the Dunkin' proposal, saying he grew up in Urbandale and welcomed the business.

Commissioner Patrick O'Donnell, who said he served on the planning commission, explained that the rezoning corrects a small sliver that was missed in earlier zoning updates so the block is continuous B1. The ordinance was moved, supported and its introduction approved; the introduction is the first step and does not enact the rezoning.

Several residents also questioned language in the city's 2018 master plan that referred to the neighborhood as "challenged," and asked that future planning recognize the neighborhood's character.

Next steps: the ordinance has been introduced and will return for further readings and public hearings before final action.