Shannon Bagley

Key discussions during the meeting included state-level concerns shared by the State Representative, specifically addressing roads in Battle Creek, the Public Safety Trust Fund, energy costs, and Legislative Directive Spending. City staff provided updates on the Battle Creek Housing Strategy from the Planning Department. The Code Compliance officer reported on enforcement activities, including a new code enforcer for snow removal. Two individuals expressed interest in becoming members of the council. Commissioners provided updates on the housing strategy and LDDA, and introduced a new data analyst. A discussion regarding finalizing 2026 meeting dates was deferred to the subsequent February meeting.

The meeting convened but lacked a quorum for the approval of previous minutes. City Staff reports covered police activity regarding accidents and homeless individuals refusing shelters due to sobriety rules, and code enforcement issues concerning snow removal from sidewalks and city plow obstructions. Commissioner reports included updates on a Small Business Developments website, a Landbank home buyer assistance program, potential paid opportunities for mowing vacant lots, and the resumption of water shut-offs in March. Other key discussions involved the state budget, a road budget, a new energy project, and potential consolidation of city precincts. A significant portion of the meeting focused on a presentation by Allen Edwin Homes regarding a proposed Eldred Corner Single Family Detached development, covering lot sizes, home features, and resident concerns about driveway access and traffic impact. The Battle Creek Housing Strategy Overview was also presented, detailing various housing types being considered for vacant lots, noting that the developer for the Old Kmart Site project will break ground in the Spring, and that the developer for the Post Addition project has withdrawn.

The meeting commenced with a moment of silence and the pledge of allegiance. Key discussion points included recognizing recipients of the beautiful Battle Creek Awards, specifically Jason and Heather Augenstein for property revitalization, and issuing a proclamation for National Public Works Week, acknowledging DPW workers and mentioning an upcoming open house. A significant portion of the session involved public comments concerning agenda items related to flag displays at City Hall. Concerns were raised regarding transparency issues with the Battle Creek Police Department concerning the use of Signal messaging app for official communications, and several speakers addressed the proposed resolution to fly the Pride Flag during July, debating issues of viewpoint discrimination, government neutrality, and community inclusivity.

The Planning Commission meeting centered on consideration of rezoning request number PRZ25-Z00006, a petition from the City of Battle Creek to rezone five parcels from B2 Regional Commercial District to MFR High Density Multiple Family Residential District. The discussion highlighted that the current B2 zoning made existing single-family uses on these parcels legal non-conforming. The proposed rezoning aims to align these parcels with the MFR zoning to the south, thereby eliminating the non-conforming status and permitting single-family development on vacant parcels. A property owner raised concerns about the change from the previous agricultural zoning and the lack of prior notification, leading to staff clarifying the process for managing legal non-conformities and offering to provide written documentation to property owners detailing current zoning allowances.

The briefing provided updates on the current COVID-19 situation in Calhoun County, noting surging case numbers with a total of 1,754 cases, 134 hospitalizations, and 48 deaths as of the meeting date. Key discussion points included epidemiological data highlighting that the most common symptoms are a new cough, lethargy, weakness, headache, and muscle aches, rather than fever alone, and emphasizing that individuals with allergy-like symptoms should stay home and seek testing. Transmission sources were identified primarily as social gatherings, with secondary sources being close quarters living situations and worksites. The importance of physical distancing, mask-wearing, and handwashing to mitigate spread was reiterated. Additionally, the presentation stressed the unequal distribution of risk among the population, noting higher risk for those with underlying medical conditions like obesity, and called for community vigilance, including obtaining flu shots to prevent co-infection.