In its one meeting of the month tonight, Dec. 15, the Chelsea City Council will begin its discussions during a 6 p.m. with a work session focusing on economic development.
Planned is a discussion of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation‘s “Redevelopment Ready Certification” program and process. The state program “is designed to highlight (a) municipality’s readiness level, and its unique development and business opportunities … which can be used as a framework for continuous improvement and reinvention,” according to information about the program.
During the business portion of the meeting, the City Council will consider:
- Mayor Jason Lindauer‘s recommendation to appoint Robert Dean to a vacant Planning Commission position for a term ending in June 2017 and Steve Parker to another vacant position on the planning board for a term ending June 2016. In addition, the elected officials will be asked to reappoint current Downtown Development Authority Secretary Kathy Finger to a 3-year term.
- The second reading of a proposed C-4 restricted commercial zoning district and site lighting text amendments. In a previous lengthy discussion of the proposed changes, the City Council requested that the Planning Commission revise the proposed language to tighten the criteria for overnight boarding and day care kennels in the zoning district, which would be allowed as a special use. The changes have been requested by Wags to Wiskers, which last month moved into its new, larger retail space and would like to expand its services.
The new regulations would allow “overnight boarding and day care kennels serving domestic pets, such as cats and dogs, for limited periods of time, provided boarding and care is within a building, and outdoor exercise is within a fence or otherwise enclosed area and is supervised …”
And, included in the compliance regulation, the amendments would cover minimizing the impacts of the outdoor exercise area from surrounding properties, ensure the kennel is in compliance with the USDA Animal Welfare Act and that the kennel facility obtains a kennel license from the county and an inspection certificate from the Sheriff’s Department.
- Also up for discussion is a request from the Monitor Base Ball Club for use of public property for their 2015 base ball matches, setting the City Council meeting dates and the annual visioning session for next year as well as a review of the Chelsea Area Fire Authority budget for 2015.
- A presentation about SRSLY and City Manager and Police Chief reports are also expected.
