By Lisa Carolin
The proposed Palmer Lot Event Space cleared a hurdle at the March 20 Chelsea City Council meeting. Following a public hearing, the majority of the board approved the first reading of Ordinance No. 179 the Downtown Development Authority Amendment to Development and Tax Increment Finance Plan. (Council Members Melissa Johnson and Jane Pacheco voted against it, and Council Member Marcia White was absent.)
Chelsea City Manager John Hanifan described it as, “a community enhancement project”. He said the estimated cost is $1.5 million and that the work on the Palmer Lot is expected to be completed by the end of 2017. He described the second part of the plan as improvements to the parking lot between the Purple Rose Theatre and Cleary’s Pub, which will cost $250,000 and are expected to be completed by 2019.
Several Chelsea residents spoke out against the amendment with complaints that included feeling punished for living downtown and expressing concerns that parking could be hazardous when the Palmer Lot Event Space is completed.
The second reading of the ordinance will take place at the city council’s April 17 meeting.
The second public hearing at the city council meeting involved utility rate changes, which were unanimously approved.
Included were:
- a $1-monthly decrease in the water and wastewater ready to serve charges beginning April 1.
- a $2-monthly increase in the electric ready to serve charges beginning April 1.
- a 3-percent increase in residential electrical rates beginning July 1.
- a 3-percent increase in commercial and industrial electrical rates on July 1.
- no proposed water or wastewater increases for FY 2017-18.
The third public hearing was a resolution supporting the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Grant application for $200,000 to connect McKinley Road to Main Street with the goal to eventually connect with other regional trails, which the city council unanimously approved.
Also approved were temporary traffic control orders for the Heart and Sole Race, the Memorial Day Parade, Sounds and Sights on Thursdays, and the Sounds and Sights Festival.
Susan Morrel-Samuels was unanimously approved as the new member on the Chelsea Human Rights Commission with a term that will last to 2020.
Mayor Jason Lindauer presented a proclamation to Eagle Scout Ben Brannon, a member of Troop 476, for his project.
“Ben’s project was to build a pathway from where the nuns live to the sanctuary at St. Mary Catholic Church using brick pavers with words from The Bible,” said Lindauer. “This is a big project as Eagle projects go.”
To view the City Council meeting, click here.
