Planning Commission Recap: Master Plan, King Milling Canopy

The Lowell Planning Commission met for 40 minutes on Monday night to discuss two pieces of business. All members were present except Commissioner Marty Chambers.

Master Plan Implementation Chapter

The first piece of business was to continue work on the Master Plan which is currently being revised. Andy Moore, the city’s planning consultant from the firm Williams & Works, presented a suggested final chapter for the plan that included six areas for implementation.

This chapter of the plan is meant as a “to-do list for the city” and highlights the next steps that should be taken after the plan is adopted. As prepared by Moore, the six items on the city’s to-do list would include:

1. Flat River Activation: This section encourages city efforts to improve access and navigability on the Flat River.
2. Zoning Ordinance Revisions: Examples included in this section include incorporating design standards for downtown buildings, adding land uses not presently in the ordinance, procedural changes to facilitate development and adding housing types.
3. Place Plan Implementation: This section encourages implementation of the Downtown Lowell Placemaking Plan which was adopted in 2018.
4. Housing Strategy: Here, the master plan encourages a focus on improving public spaces such as streets and sidewalks as well as encouraging a greater mix of housing options. The section notes that the city has recently approved several higher density residential developments, and “The City should explore ways it can enable the development of additional attainable housing options.”
5. Partnerships with Local Governments, Schools and Community Stakeholders: This section encourages cooperation between local entities. For example, it suggests coordinating with the township for unified zoning and land use standards along the M-21 (Main/Fulton) corridor.
6. Continued Nonmotorized Trail Development: This section addresses building out additional nonmotorized infrastructure and improving those systems already in place.

“My first impression is that there is definitely more deliberation needed on zoning,” said Commissioner Colin Plank when commissioners were asked for their feedback.

He noted that the zoning suggestions “looked like a great set of ideas,” but he wasn’t sure exactly what they all meant or how to implement them. He thought perhaps having a working group of commissioners to study the issue further would make sense.

“We’d like to maintain some flexibility,” Moore replied. “We’re trying to give you some examples of some things that help accomplish the goals.” If a working group was created, Moore thought it could include “staff and maybe a city councilmember.”

Plank thought it might be good for commissioners to get some training and education on what the zoning changes might entail.

During commissioner comments at the end of the meeting, Commissioner Nikki Holst also asked about training opportunities.

Moore noted the Michigan Association of Planning was having their annual conference in Grand Rapids in September. The organization also offers in-person and virtual training sessions. Moore added that City Manager Mike Burns had asked him to prepare some training for the commission as well and that commissioners could call or email him at any time with questions.

Commissioner John Barnett shared that some of the MAP training was free, and he had recently listened to an online session about fair housing.

For training sessions that have a cost involved, City Clerk Sue Ullery said commissioners could contact her about registering. The city budget includes an appropriation to cover these costs.

As for the master plan, Moore said the next step would be to provide commissioners with a full draft of the document for their review and discussion at the next meeting. Eventually, there will be a public hearing on the plan.

King Milling Upgrade Approved

King Milling was before the Planning Commission to request approval of an update to its rail receiving pit. This would accommodate a second rail and place a canopy structure over the rails to keep grain dry. The improvement would eliminate the need for trains to cross Hudson a second time while at the site.

Moore noted that the application was unusual in that the property where most of the improvement would be made is not King Milling land but rather owned by the Mid-Michigan Railroad Company. However, the company had provided a letter stating they were in support of the upgrades.

Commissioner Mike Gadula asked what would happen if the property were sold or changed hands. Moore said he didn’t think that would affect what was being proposed, but the city could request a more formal document from the railroad company approving the placement of the canopy structure.

Planning commissioners unanimously approved the site plan for the project.

The meeting adjourned at 7:41pm, and the next regular meeting of the Lowell Planning Commission will take place on Monday, September 9, at 7pm in Lowell City Hall.