City Council Update, November 21, 2022

City Council Update, November 21, 2022

At Monday's meeting Council gave their final approval to make the road diet permanent; approved Downtown Design Guidelines, updates to construction standards, and AirBnB regulations; formed a committee to fill a Council vacancy, and more.

Council agreed with the recommendations from the Coolidge Task Force concerning the road diet. Those recommendations were:

  1. Keep the traffic lanes as they are,
  2. Add stripes for the parking spots and add bump-outs at crosswalks,
  3. Update southbound Coolidge at 12 Mile so that the right lane is right turn only to match what is done at 11 Mile, and
  4. Leave the bike lanes, but in the future if there is are major changes to Coolidge reconsider the bike lanes.

Council approved the Downtown Design Guidelines and the first reading of an ordinance to allow them to be considered by the Planning Commission when reviewing new developments on 12 Mile or Coolidge.

Council also approved the first reading of two more ordinances. 

The first was an update to construction grading standards. The purpose is to prevent new construction from causing flooding problems on adjacent properties. This update relaxes some of the requirements that was making small projects cost prohibitive.

The second introduced regulating short term rentals (e.g. AirBnB) as other rentals are regulated, requiring a rental license and inspections.

Councilmember Natalie Price won her election for the Michigan House 5th District. Council has begun the process for filling that vacancy. Applications for the vacancy will be accepted until 8:30am on Tuesday, November 29. Read more at the city website.

The city is applying for a grant to make improvements to Jaycee park, including adding restrooms.

There are a few spots left for the city's senior snow removal program. Availability is based on income requirements. Visit Parks & Rec in person or call them at 248-658-3470 for an application.

The Holiday Lights Parade and Tree Lighting will be on 12 Mile from Bacon to Coolidge on Saturday, December 3 starting at 5:30. 

The Drive-By Santa Parade will be two days this year, Thursday, December 1 and Friday, December 2. It will be from 6:30 to 9 each night. A route map and the real-time Santa Tracker will be posted later.

The meeting packet.