Author: mpcityblog

City to present draft character-based zoning code on July 27

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Character-Based Code Presentation and Public Comment

The City will present a draft of the proposed character-based zoning code to the public on Thursday, July 27 at 7 p.m. at City Hall. The project consultant, Town Planning & Urban Design Collaborative (TPUDC), will introduce the new code and kick-off a four-week period for public review and comment. The presentation will air on Channel 188 and will be available on the City’s YouTube page.

Following the presentation, a copy of the draft code will be accessible on the City’s website, and hard copies will be available at City Hall and Veterans Memorial Library. Comments on the draft code should be submitted to the City no later than Thursday, August 24, so a revised code can be prepared for adoption.

Developing the Character-Based Code

The creation of the new zoning ordinance began in September 2016 when TPUDC visited Mt. Pleasant to hear from stakeholders and community members about the current zoning regulations and the development patterns that have occurred in the City as a result. In November, the City hosted its first ever “Planapalooza.” During this four-day event, more than 300 community members participated in discussions and shared their ideas regarding City planning.

“The new code was not only specifically created for Mt. Pleasant, it was really created by Mt. Pleasant,” said Mt. Pleasant City Planner Jacob Kain. “The hundreds of residents and business owners who participated throughout this process provided the direction that has shaped the draft code. We are excited to continue moving this process forward with the introduction of the draft code to the community.”

Purpose of a Character-Based Code

The goal of a character-based code is to create a new city-wide zoning ordinance that would emphasize form and function while updating standards for development throughout the community. This type of code would preserve and enhance the unique character of Mt. Pleasant and improve walkability, bikeability and safety along roads such as Mission Street.

The formal adoption process is expected to begin in October with implementation of the new code occurring in December.

For more information, go to www.mt-pleasant.org/character.

Summary of the June 26 City Commission Meeting

The video of the June 26, 2017 City Commission meeting is available here.

Below is the Summary of Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held Monday, June 26, 2017, at 7 p.m., in the City Commission Room

1. Removed “Worksession: Goals discussion for 2018” from the agenda.
Received petitions and communications.

2. Approved the following items on the Consent Calendar:

  • Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held June 12, 2017
  • Authorized the purchase of a 2017 Ford F-150 from Krapohl Ford and authorized the Mayor and Clerk to sign the purchase-buyback contract
  • Resolution in support of the Sean Stanton Memorial Community Slow Roll
  • Received draft of Fee/Charges Policy Guidelines
  • Payrolls and warrants

3. Held a public hearing on Special Assessment #01-17. Approved Resolutions #3 and #4
regarding Principal Shopping District Special Assessment #01-17 as presented.

4. Confirmed contracts with W&B Underground of Indian River, MI and Block Electric, of Weidman, MI to perform emergency electrical repairs at Island Park as well as the appropriate budget amendment for this work.

5. Adjourned the meeting at 7:28 p.m.

July 6 Farmers’ Market to take place at Morey Courts

20160609_074952_resizedThe Mt. Pleasant Farmers’ Market on Thursday, July 6 will take place in the parking lot at Morey Courts from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The July 6 market was originally canceled due to the flooding that has closed Island Park indefinitely.

“We are incredibly grateful to all of the organizations that offered to help, and to Morey Courts for ultimately hosting us,” said Farmers’ Market Manager Carol Moody. “We feel very fortunate to be part of a community filled with generous people who are more than willing to help one another during difficult times.”

The Farmers’ Market held on Saturdays will continue as scheduled at City Hall.

Several City parks closed and events canceled following flood

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UPDATE: The Mt. Pleasant Farmers’ Market on Thursday, July 6 will now take place in the parking lot at Morey Courts from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. (This market was originally canceled due to the flooding that closed Island Park indefinitely.)

Due to extensive flood damage, the City of Mt. Pleasant has closed all of Island Park and Nelson Park, as well as portions of several other City parks until further notice. Additionally, the USA Softball State Tournament scheduled for June 29-July 2 in locations throughout Mt. Pleasant has been canceled; and the Mt. Pleasant Farmers’ Market at Island Park is canceled for both Thursday, June 29 and Thursday, July 6.

The parks partially closed include:

  • Chipp-A-Waters Park (bridge and trails)
  • Mill Pond Park (trails)
  • Mission Creek (various locations)
  • Pickens Field (lower fields)

“Although the flood waters are starting to recede, there are still many locations throughout our parks that are unsafe to access,” said Director of Parks and Public Spaces Chris Bundy. “We are asking the community to please abide by these closings so we can focus on recovering and repairing our parks and facilities as quickly as possible.”

Additional information and scheduling changes for upcoming events will be posted as they become available at www.mt-pleasant.org and on the City’s social media pages.

See a video update regarding the City parks at https://vimeo.com/223335251.

City to provide special heavy item collection July 1; Regular refuse and recycling collection to remain on schedule

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In response to the flooding event, the City of Mt. Pleasant is offering its residents and property owners a special curbside collection of water-damaged heavy items on Saturday, July 1. Disposal instructions are as follows:

  • Items should be placed curbside, without blocking the roadway or storm drains.
  • Please do not place regular refuse and recycling with the flood-damaged items.
  • Collection is curbside only (no alley collection).
  • Residents do not need to use City refuse bags or tags. Residents may use regular garbage bags, if necessary, to contain flood-damaged items.
  • Residents may set out items now, but no later than 7 a.m. on Saturday, July 1. (Items set out now may be collected before Saturday.)
  • There is no cost for the collection.
  • Acceptable items include, but are not limited to: Carpet, padding, drywall, tile, wood flooring, furniture and cardboard.
  • Items not eligible for collection include tires, fuel-based power tools, anything containing Freon or fuel, and household hazardous waste such as pesticides and paint cans.

Regular refuse and recycling collection will remain on schedule this week. Large Item Stickers are not needed for the July 1 collection of flood-damaged items. There is no cost for the collection.

Please do not attempt to remove flood-damaged items from a basement until water has receded and the space can be safely accessed. All flood-damaged items should be considered contaminated and unsafe for use. City officials strongly discourage scavenging items placed at the curb for disposal.

For more information, call Public Works at (989) 779-5401.

Flooding Update

Due to the flooding overnight, the City storm drain system is at capacity, and as the rain stops, some of the flooding is receding. City crews are checking storm drains for blockages.  

We are working to compile a list of streets in the City that are closed.                

If you have sewage backing up, please call 779-5401 and Street Department staff will respond as soon as possible. 

The City can be reached at the following phone numbers: 779-5401, 779-5100, 779-5101.

FLOODING SAFETY: 

  • Avoid entering standing water as there may be many unforeseen hazards.
  • Please stay away from the river. It is very high and fast-moving, and poses a great danger to those who get too close. 
  • Do not drive on roads covered with water.
  • Avoid driving on roads with water along the sides. While it may appear passable, the road could be damaged and not safe to drive on.

Community asked to provide feedback on City communication

The City of Mt. Pleasant is seeking community input through an online survey to measure the effectiveness of its current methods of communication with the public. Responses to the survey questions will help the City improve its efforts to ensure citizens are informed and involved.

“As technology and social media evolve, it is important we continuously evaluate how well our communication strategies are working,” said City Manager Nancy Ridley. “This feedback will help us determine the best ways to reach as many of our residents and property owners as possible,” said City Manager Nancy Ridley.

A link to the survey is available here. Hard copies of the survey can be found at the reception counters of City Hall (320 W. Broadway), the Division of Public Safety (804 E. High Street), and the Division of Public Works (1303 N. Franklin Street).

The survey closes July 1.

USA Softball of Michigan Girls’ State Championship Tournament slides into Mt. Pleasant

Softball Tournament 2016The City of Mt. Pleasant’s Parks & Recreation Department will host the 2017 USA Softball of Michigan Girls’ Fastpitch State Tournament June 29 – July 2. A total of 108 Class A teams comprised of age groups 12U through 18U will compete for the state title, and the winning team from each age group will continue on to the prestigious USA National Fastpitch Tournament. Games will be held at Island Park, Pickens Park, Mt. Pleasant High School, Central Michigan University and McDonald Park. Admission is free.

“The City has been fortunate to host the USA Softball of Michigan State Tournament for the past seven years, and we look forward to this weekend every year,” said Tournament Director Steve Hofer. “Some of the best athletes across to the state will be here to provide excellent competition for the community to watch. We expect this event will bring more than 3,000 people to Mt. Pleasant, and we are excited to provide a great experience for them on and off the field.”

The tournament will likely generate several hundred bookings for local hotels, and increased business for restaurants and attractions. Mt. Pleasant Parks & Recreation staff is committed to providing unbeatable service to the teams and spectators.

For more information, call Parks & Recreation at (989) 779-5331 or visit www.mt-pleasant.org/recreation, and select “Youth Athletics and Activities.”

Summary of the June 12 City Commission Meeting

The video of the June 12, 2017 City Commission meeting is available here.

Below is the Summary of Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held Monday, June 12, 2017, at 7:02 p.m., in the City Commission Room:

1. Director of Public Works Zang introduced newly hired Street Superintendent Matt Weaver.

2. Received petitions and communications.

3. Approved the following items on the Consent Calendar:

  • Minutes of the regular meeting and two closed sessions of the City Commission held May 22, 2017
  • Resolution to approve and authorize the City Manager to sign facilities license agreements
  • Resolutions #1 and #2 to commence proceedings for Principal Shopping District Special Assessment 1-2017, tentatively determine the necessity and set public hearing for June 26, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. to receive public input on necessity
  • Receipt of appointment of Mayor Ling to the Appointments Committee
  • Appointment of Police Captain Latham as alternate to the 9-1-1 Central Dispatch Governing Board
  • Set special meeting for August 7, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. for work session on Zoning
    Ordinance
  • Payrolls and warrants

4. Approved the bid of M & M Pavement Marking of Grand Blanc, MI for the 2017 Pavements Markings bid.

5. Authorized the City Manager to execute Agreement with Northern Initiatives, authorized the transfer of CLP funds to Northern Initiatives, and appointed committee members.

6. Approved an amendment to the contract with Countyline Power for additional $60,000 for the installation of pedestrian lighting on West Broadway Street from Harris to Maxwell.

7. Approved Ordinance 1025, an Ordinance to approve the Third Amendment to the Mission Street-Pickard Avenue District Development Plan and Tax Increment Financing Plan proposed by the Mt. Pleasant Downtown Development Authority and to provide for the collection of Tax Increment.

8. Divided Capital Improvement Plan motion into two parts: 1) Fire Safety Grant Program and 2) Remainder of 2018-2022 Capital Improvement Plan.

9. Approved Fire Safety Grant Program portion of 2018-2022 Capital Improvement Plan.

10. Approved remainder of 2018-2022 Capital Improvement Plan.

11. Approved the amended Outdoor Dining Policy.

12. Approved the outdoor dining applications for The Coffee Room-Narrativality Coffee Roasters and Pleasant City Coffee.

13. Authorized the Mayor and Clerk to execute the assessing contract as presented with Coucke Property Services, LLC.

14. Appointed Chris Coucke through Coucke Property Services, LLC as the Mt. Pleasant City Assessor in place of Mary Ann Kornexl as the interim Assessor.

15. Authorized the Mayor to sign letters of support for a bicycle passing law as presented.

16. Approved appointment of George Ronan to Historic District Commission.

17. Adjourned at 8:29 p.m.