Character-Based Code: City Commission requests amended language to draft zoning code and map

The City Commission held a special meeting in November to discuss the proposed character-based zoning code and map, as well as review feedback from the public about the topic.

Meeting Summary – The City Commission requested staff provide amended language to accomplish the following:

Exempt existing two-family dwellings (duplexes) from the Principal Residence Exemption standard that would be imposed on new two-family dwellings in the CD-3L and CD-3 zoning districts.
Modify the bicycle parking standards for commercial, retail, and service uses to prevent an excessive standard for large format “big box” retailers.
Add review standards for site plans that do not proposed vehicular parking.
Clarify the language concerning non-conforming uses, structures, and improvements; set the replacement value for such uses, structures, or improvements damaged by fire or other cause at 50% or more of its replacement value; and ensure that the Zoning Board of Appeals may consider permitting resumption of a non-conforming use damaged by fire or other cause.

Amendments: Staff introduced amendments to the text dealing with the above items at the City Commission meeting on Dec. 11, 2017. See the amendments here.

Next Steps – It is expected that the City Commission will take action on the proposed zoning ordinance and map in January 2018.

Learn More – For more information on the proposed character-based code and map, read the answers to the frequently asked questions about the draft here.

Seasonal overnight parking laws go into effect Dec. 1

The City of Mt. Pleasant is reminding residents of the following overnight parking regulations:

From Dec. 1, 2017 to April 1, 2018, on-street and City lot parking is prohibited in non-downtown areas from 2 to 5 a.m.
On-street parking is prohibited downtown from 4 to 6 a.m. throughout the year.
For those with overnight parking permits, several City parking lots have designated areas where overnight parking is allowed.

Those found in violation of any of the above ordinances are subject to a fine.

For more information about parking permits, please contact the Division of Community Services at (989) 779-5347.

Volunteers needed for Mt. Pleasant Christmas Celebration

Volunteers are still needed for the Mt. Pleasant Christmas Celebration downtown Mt. Pleasant this Friday and Saturday, Dec. 1 and 2. Several opportunities are available, including assisting with parade safety and Santa’s house.

To sign up, contact Special Event Coordinator Melinda Salchert at (989) 779-5349 or msalchert@mt-pleasant.org, or Downtown Development Director Michelle Sponseller at (989) 779-5348 or msponseller@mt-pleasant.org.

5 things to watch at the next City Commission meeting

Here are 5 things to watch at the Nov. 27 City Commission meeting:

Minor in Possession Ordinance Amendment: Last year, the Legislature passed, and the Governor signed into law, 2016 PA 357, which amended the Minor in Possession of Alcohol (MIP) statute. The City’s local ordinance related to minor in possession must be amended in order to comply with the new state law. A public hearing will be held on the initial proposed changes but no action will be taken at this meeting as the City Attorney will propose additional changes at a future meeting and another public hearing will be scheduled.
TIFA Plan Amendment: The City Commission will consider the amendment to the Tax Increment Finance Authority (TIFA) plan to add fire safety grants as an eligible project. This reimbursement grant program assists downtown property owners with the cost to install necessary fire protection systems while maintaining and/or restoring the historic character of the building.
Brownfield Redevelopment Authority Plan Amendment: The City Commission will receive the recommended amendment to the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority Plan for the West Broadway Revitalization project and set a public hearing for Dec. 11, 2017.
2018 Facilities License Agreements for Mt. Pleasant Little League, Mt. Pleasant Girls’ Fast Pitch and Mt. Pleasant Baseball: In February 2017, the City Commission approved agreements with Mt. Pleasant Little League, Mt. Pleasant Girls’ Fast Pitch Softball and Mt. Pleasant Baseball. The agreements outlined the shared expectations regarding the use of the City fields for these programs, and fees for the use of the fields were excluded based on the mutual benefit to the organizations and City residents. The City Commission will consider authorizing the continuation of each of the agreements.
2018 No-Fee Brush Collection Program: During the 2018 budget work sessions, the City Commission requested staff develop parameters for a no-fee brush collection program for 2018. The preferred parameters included a collection two times per year. In addition, discussions were held about the appropriate fee structure for this service during the remainder of the year. The City Commission will receive the recommendation as requested, and provide feedback and direction to staff.

Following the regular meeting, a work session will be held on to discuss the Michigan Medical Marihuana Facilities Licensing Act.

To see the full City Commission agenda and packet for Nov. 27, 2017, click here.

Mt. Pleasant City Commission meetings are held at City Hall on the second and fourth Monday of every month. Meetings begin at 7 p.m.

Final citywide leaf collection scheduled for Monday, Nov. 27

City Street Department crews will begin the final collection of leaves on Monday, Nov. 27. Please rake leaves into the street before 7:30 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 27, as only one sweep will be made through the City.

Leaves left in the street after crews have made their final pass will not be collected and are the responsibility of the homeowner.

Please rake leaves in low piles into the gutter and avoid covering catch basins. To prevent causing a traffic obstruction, do not place the leaf piles too far out into the street. On High and Pickard streets – where traffic prohibits leaves in the gutter – leaves may be piled on the rights-of-way between the curb and sidewalk.

In uncurbed areas, leaves should be raked into the streets along the street shoulders. Yard waste bags cannot be used.

Questions? Contact DPW at (989) 779-5401.

Shop downtown Mt. Pleasant Nov. 25 for Small Business Saturday

Shop local on Nov. 25 for Small Business Saturday. Launched in 2010, this annual event encourages people across the country to celebrate and support small, neighborhood businesses and all they do for their communities.

According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, there are more than 866,000 small businesses in operation across Michigan, and in recent years, nearly 50 percent of employees throughout the state were working for a small business. Furthermore, shopping locally ensures that sales taxes are reinvested back into the local economy.

“Spending your dollars locally fosters the growth of existing and new businesses. Small Business Saturday is a great opportunity to support the community we love,” said Melinda Salchert, special event coordinator for the City of Mt. Pleasant.

Small Business Saturday freebies will be available to those who shop early! For more information about Small Business Saturday, visit the Facebook event page.

Looking for more reasons to shop locally? Read more here!

Feel the holiday spirit at the Mt. Pleasant Christmas Celebration Dec. 1-2

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From Friday, Dec. 1 through Saturday, Dec. 2, visit downtown Mt. Pleasant to feel the holiday spirit at the annual Mt. Pleasant Christmas Celebration. A community tradition for 24 years, this event offers a variety of activities for the whole family, including a sing-along and tree lighting ceremony on Friday, and hot-off-the-griddle pancakes with Santa and the lighted parade on Saturday.

New this year, the parade will feature a contest with winners selected for “Most Lights,” “Most Creative/Best Craftsmanship” and “Most Holiday Spirit.” Among the winners, one will be named Best in Show. To be eligible, parade applications must be submitted to City Hall by Nov. 30, 2017. Find the parade application here.

Activities throughout the two-day celebration are listed below in order of date and start time. For the latest updates, visit www.facebook.com/downtownmp.

Friday, Dec. 1

Old-fashioned hayride to see the neighborhood Christmas lights – 4 to 8 p.m. at corner of University and Broadway
Visit with Santa and his reindeer – 5 to 9 p.m. at Town Center
Tuba Quartet performance – 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Art Reach of Mid Michigan (111 E. Broadway)
“A Charlie Brown Christmas” LIVE performance – 6 p.m. show and 8 p.m. show at the Broadway Theatre (216 E. Broadway). Tickets are $8 at the door.
Christmas Carols with Mt. Pleasant High School Choir – 6 to 8 p.m. at Pleasant City Coffee (205 W. Broadway)
Community Christmas Sing-Along – 6 p.m. at Town Center
Suzuki Music Studio of Mt. Pleasant performance – 6 p.m. at Mercantile Bank (102 S. Main)
Flutiques performance – 6:30 to 7 p.m. at Isabella Bank (139 E. Broadway)
Genesis Bell Choir – 7 to 7:30 p.m. at Isabella Bank (139 E. Broadway)
Fish-n-Chips performance at 7 p.m. at Art Reach of Mid Michigan (111 E. Broadway)
Tree Lighting Ceremony with Mayor Kathy Ling – 7 p.m. at Town Center
Warming Stations:
- Isabella Community Credit Union (102 E. Broadway) 5 to 6 p.m.
- Art Reach of Mid Michigan (111 E. Broadway) 6 to 8 p.m.
- Foster Closet of Michigan/Carousel Corn (225 S. Main) 6 to 8 p.m.
- Gray’s Furniture (222 E. Broadway) 6 to 8 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 2

Pleasant Road Runners’ Jingle All the Way 5K – 8:30 a.m. at Max & Emily’s (125 E. Broadway St.) Registration can be found here.
All-You-Can-Eat Pancake Breakfast with Santa and his reindeer – 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Sacred Heart Parish Hall (302 S. Kinney)
- Cost: $7 per person, $5 for children age four and under
Candy Cane Lane crafts with City of Mt. Pleasant Recreation Department – 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Veterans Memorial Library (301 S. University Ave.)
Holiday performance by Off Broadway Dance Studio – 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Parish Hall
“The Polar Express” movie showing – 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Veteran’s Memorial Library (301 S. University Ave.)
Santa’s Workshop make-and-take crafts – 1 to 3 p.m. at two locations:
- Cookie Decorating at Max & Emily’s (125 E. Broadway St.)
- Crafts at Art Reach of Mid Michigan (111 E. Broadway St.)
Visits with Santa and his reindeer – 3 to 9:30 p.m. at Town Center (except during parade)
Old-fashioned hayride to see the neighborhood Christmas lights – 4 to 8 p.m. at corner of University and Broadway (except during parade)
2017 Lighted Parade with People Helping People team as grand marshal – 6 p.m. start at First United Methodist Church on Main.
Christmas JAZZ! – 6 to 8 p.m. at Pleasant City Coffee (205 W. Broadway St.)
“A Charlie Brown Christmas” LIVE performance – 6 p.m. show and 8 p.m. show at the Broadway Theatre (216 E. Broadway). Tickets are $8 at the door.
Warming Stations:
- Art Reach of Mid Michigan (111 E. Broadway) 4 to 8 p.m.
- Foster Closet of Michigan/Carousel Corn (225 S. Main) 4 to 8 p.m.
- Gray’s Furniture (222 E. Broadway) 4 to 8 p.m.
- First United Methodist Church (400 S. Main) 5 to 8 p.m.

Those interested in volunteering for this event may email Melinda Salchert, special event coordinator, at msalchert@mt-pleasant.org.

In memory of Tim Brockman, People Helping People team named grand marshal of Lighted Christmas Parade

The People Helping People team from Max & Emily’s Eatery will serve as grand marshal of the 2017 Lighted Christmas Parade on Saturday, Dec. 2. Founded by the late Tim Brockman, the People Helping People program serves a free meal to those in need every Sunday. Brockman’s family will lead the parade in his memory.

People Helping People began in 2015 when Brockman learned that many of the area’s hunger relief programs were not available on Sundays. “Tim believed that no one in our community should ever go hungry, and when the idea of People Helping People came to him, he acted immediately,” said Chris “Elmo” Walton, owner of Max & Emily’s Eatery. “After a few weeks of the program, Tim and the staff started to create relationships with the program’s recipients. Smiles became hugs, faces became names, and stories were told on how his vision was positively impacting their lives.”

Funded by Max & Emily’s and community donations, the program remains strong and serves approximately 85 people each Sunday.

“Tim would be honored that this wonderful People Helping People program is being recognized in this year’s parade, and afterwards, he would challenge those in attendance to go out and do the right thing for someone else,” said Walton. “Doing the right thing is one of the many lessons Tim Brockman will continue to teach us long after his passing.”

The Lighted Christmas parade begins at 6 p.m. downtown Mt. Pleasant, and is one of several events taking place Dec. 1-2 for the annual Mt. Pleasant Christmas Celebration. Additional activities include a community sing-along and tree lighting ceremony on Friday night; and a pancake breakfast and visits with Santa on Saturday. For details, go to www.facebook.com/downtownmp.

5 things to watch at the next City Commission meeting

Here are five things to watch at the Nov. 13 City Commission meeting:

Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting: The City Commission will receive the announcement that the City of Mt. Pleasant has been awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR) for the 30th consecutive year. Presented by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA), this award is the highest form of recognition in the area of government accounting and financial reporting.
2018 Annual Operating Budget: A public hearing will be held on the proposed 2018 Annual Operating Budget. To see the proposed budget, click here.
TIFA Plan Amendment: A public hearing will be held on the amendment to the Tax Increment Finance Authority (TIFA) plan to add fire safety grants as an eligible project. This reimbursement grant program assists downtown property owners with the cost to install necessary fire protection systems while maintaining and/or restoring the historic character of the building facades.
Proposed Zoning Ordinance and Map: A public hearing will be held on the proposed zoning ordinance and map. To learn more about the proposed character-based code, including a link to FAQs, go to www.mt-pleasant.org/character.
Barrier Free Parking Signs Downtown: The City Commission will consider the final approval of placing barrier free parking signs at several locations downtown Mt. Pleasant to identify the barrier free parking spaces added earlier this year. This temporary traffic control order has been in place for 90 days and staff is recommending it be approved as a permanent traffic control order.

To see the full City Commission agenda and packet for Nov. 13, 2017, click here.

Mt. Pleasant City Commission meetings are held at City Hall on the second and fourth Monday of every month. Meetings begin at 7 p.m.

Nov. 11 is “Ladies’ Night Out” downtown Mt. Pleasant

Saturday, Nov. 11 is the 13^th annual Ladies’ Night Out downtown Mt. Pleasant. This year’s event will feature fantastic shopping opportunities and giveaways for women while benefiting two local women’s organizations – the Women’s Initiative and the Women’s Aid Service.

The event begins at 4 p.m. at the Broadway Theatre downtown. With a $5 donation at the door, ladies will enter the theatre for an exciting raffle for fun and tasty prizes provided by many local businesses. Once the giveaways are gone, ladies can visit participating downtown businesses to take part in the countless in-store giveaways, promotions and specials.

A number of area businesses, including Herbs Etc. and Mt. Pleasant Hot Yoga, are also offering deals and discounts known as “Early Girl Specials” throughout the entire day.

Over the last 13 years, the Ladies’ Night Out event has raised more than $22,800 for the Women’s Initiative and the Women’s Aid Service.

The Women’s Initiative Fund, initiated by the Mt. Pleasant Community Foundation, provides for the needs of women and girls in Isabella County by granting funds to local organizations that combat the issues more commonly faced by women, including single parenting, abuse, eating disorders and more. The Women’s Aid Service provides emergency shelter and crisis intervention for domestic violence victims, as well as counseling services and support groups for victims of violence. For more information about these organizations, visit their Web sites at www.mpacf.org and www.womens-aid.org.

See the list of participating businesses and the available specials as they are announced on the Downtown Mt. Pleasant Facebook page!