The City of Wayland and Lumberyard Events Center owners Mark and Marty Shepard have reached agreement on parking requirements for the business at the corner of Railroad and Maple streets.
City Manager Joshua Eggleston said the center has come up with a plan to have 100 parking spaces available, the number the city has required.
Eggleston said the agreement “gives it a little more teeth (in enforcement) if they don’t comply.”
The Shepards have an Aug. 1 deadline for presenting a site plan for the center, which will be host for reunions, weddings and large parties.
Councilman Rick Mathis, noting the business now is one of his clients, announced that he will avoid any potential conflict of interest by abstaining.
In other business at Monday night’s meeting, the City Council:
• Noted the public hearing on the 2018-19 budget will be at 7 p.m. Monday, June 18. Eggleston reported, “It balances, and we’ve got a pretty good net for next year.”
• Heard from citizen Ryan Eposito, who said he’d like the city to begin talks again about adopting a chicken ordinance. He said communities nearby already have done so and he and his family want to raise the animals on their property on Forest Street. The city had discussions about the matter last year, but they somehow fizzled.
• Was told by Eggleston that about 45 tons of “stuff” was collected last month in the city’s annual trash pickup program.
• Was praised by Allegan County Sheriff’s Sgt. John Paul Damveld for its continued participation in the “Thin Blue Line” public relations program. He told council members it’s been obvious police nationwide have been getting negative publicity, but, “The loudest voices come from the smallest crowds.”
