D&P voted the second set of FBC amendments out to full Council without so much as a comment. Now I really don't understand what all the hemming and hawing the last few months was about. So this should be on the agenda Monday. Due to the required 30-day hold after adoption, you won't see the new version or map up until Feb 26. (I did see comments about the district colors being too similar so those will be altered).
The draft proposal is still online at lansingmi.gov/374/Zoning and no other changes have been made. Staff has not received any recommendations from residents, planning commission, or Council. I think the most important changes are those that would allow cottage courts and housing cooperatives; reducing minimum dwelling width to 20'; removing the minimum lot size for middle housing developments of 2-6 units; and broadening allowable land use language for light industrial/production in commercial areas.
ADUs will be un-tabled February 12. I are not sure how it will play out but it is most likely the Councilmember-amendment for a homeowner occupancy requirement will be forwarded as the correct process for ordinances. I don't think the city will see a huge build up of ADUs no matter the regulations, they are still ~$100,000+ investments, but staff just wants to help with housing choice and reduce the barriers. The next available Council date for passage would be February 24.
For those interested I made a reply in the zoning thread so as to not take up space here. I actually hit the character limit so I was being long-winded giving nuance and the reasoning behind changes.
One thing I appreciate about Kost is his willingness to express his viewpoint from the start (for better or for worse) but he will also learn about the issue. You hinted at councilmembers who choose to wait until the full vote to say anything. By then it is impossible to address any concerns. Thankfully I think ADUs will not be destined to legislative purgatory. I don't think the council president can be chair of any committee? but in any case, Garza is once again Chair of D&P this term.
I am also impressed with the new building; it is a rare case in Lansing of "nicer than it had to be". It's great to see a company showing some civic pride.
I have been wanting to try the new restaurant in the train station, I have not heard much about the place good or bad, I am just glad that there are two new businesses in that beautiful building.
I read today that the Walter French building is open and welcoming new residents. Another "nicer than it had to be" project!
I emailed someone with the Capitol Commission whom I had contacted before regarding the Park Michigan project and it's not good news. They had just presented their finalized plans to the Commission in December but something went awry:
Unfortunately, the park proposal never made it to the finish line. We still need the governor’s support. The Commission continues to support the project and believes it would be greatly beneficial to Michigan. Please feel free to contact the governor’s office expressing your support. The project could be included within any supplemental appropriation bill.
Sounds like the issue is with the Governor's office, as has been alluded to before.
It looks to me like a nice theater or auditorium would be an easy project to build with the foundation of the seating already built. I still cringe when I take the time to look at this, what a shame it was to tear the theater down. I sat in that balcony for many movies, and I even saw the last theatrical stage production that played on that stage which was a pretty good production of "Jesus Christ Super Star". I remember leaving out the back way and the alley behind was a dense block of buildings, it was a very urban big city feel. 50 years later maybe they will build something with an urban big city feel. it has taken long enough!
@MichMatters I think the Park Michigan proposal did not get funded this year as it was expected to, it sounds as though they had a shovel ready design. A lack of support from the governor is implied.
As for the old Michigan Theater balcony, the renderings of the parking garage make it appear as though this part of the building will be razed. AFAIK the city would still need to provide some kind of formal approval to build ramp over the street which I don't think was part of anything approved so far? I don't know what to expect.
I also have not heard anything new about city hall, my neighborhood group was supposed to have a city rep attend a meeting that was cancelled, no word on anything since.
I'm not sure how that act would relate to this project, its wording isn't terribly clear. Obviously one can't just unilaterally decide to build a structure over a public ROW, I guess the question is if what the planning commission/council already approved grants air rights for that section of Grand Ave? If not then what's their plan moving forward? Wait until construction on the tower is already underway?
I'd be elated if we were to somehow see the full height tower constructed without the structure going over the street.
I'm generally not in favor of structures over the road. I was thrilled to see the portion of the parking deck over Grand go years ago. However, I'm not completely opposed in this situation. I know I've said it before, and I know I'm the odd one out, but I'm curious to see how it plays out. I guess I'll be fine whichever way it goes.
Those renderings of the housing look better, but the development still looks terribly cheap, depressing and institutional. I know there's only so much budget for affordable/workforce housing but I feel like they could've done better. It's replacing a long boarded up building though (if I'm understanding it's location correctly), so that's something.
Of course, new buildings that have people living there will be a great improvement over those strange buildings that are there now, we can hope they will look better that these A.I. [?] depictions. Not a lot of imagination in these pictures.
Comments
The draft proposal is still online at lansingmi.gov/374/Zoning and no other changes have been made. Staff has not received any recommendations from residents, planning commission, or Council. I think the most important changes are those that would allow cottage courts and housing cooperatives; reducing minimum dwelling width to 20'; removing the minimum lot size for middle housing developments of 2-6 units; and broadening allowable land use language for light industrial/production in commercial areas.
ADUs will be un-tabled February 12. I are not sure how it will play out but it is most likely the Councilmember-amendment for a homeowner occupancy requirement will be forwarded as the correct process for ordinances. I don't think the city will see a huge build up of ADUs no matter the regulations, they are still ~$100,000+ investments, but staff just wants to help with housing choice and reduce the barriers. The next available Council date for passage would be February 24.
One thing I appreciate about Kost is his willingness to express his viewpoint from the start (for better or for worse) but he will also learn about the issue. You hinted at councilmembers who choose to wait until the full vote to say anything. By then it is impossible to address any concerns. Thankfully I think ADUs will not be destined to legislative purgatory. I don't think the council president can be chair of any committee? but in any case, Garza is once again Chair of D&P this term.
I have been wanting to try the new restaurant in the train station, I have not heard much about the place good or bad, I am just glad that there are two new businesses in that beautiful building.
I read today that the Walter French building is open and welcoming new residents. Another "nicer than it had to be" project!
Sounds like the issue is with the Governor's office, as has been alluded to before.
As for the old Michigan Theater balcony, the renderings of the parking garage make it appear as though this part of the building will be razed. AFAIK the city would still need to provide some kind of formal approval to build ramp over the street which I don't think was part of anything approved so far? I don't know what to expect.
I also have not heard anything new about city hall, my neighborhood group was supposed to have a city rep attend a meeting that was cancelled, no word on anything since.
I'd be elated if we were to somehow see the full height tower constructed without the structure going over the street.
Those renderings of the housing look better, but the development still looks terribly cheap, depressing and institutional. I know there's only so much budget for affordable/workforce housing but I feel like they could've done better. It's replacing a long boarded up building though (if I'm understanding it's location correctly), so that's something.