The Wayland City Council Monday night approved four requests for special use permits for new businesses in the community.

Included among them were proposals for three marijuana retail businesses and the new University of Medical clinic between United Bank and Burger King along West Superior Street.

Brian Sikkema and Bret Butler appeared before the council to further explain the plans for the new medical clinic. University of Michigan West will move out of its current location across from the high school on East Superior to take up shop in new digs on West Superior.

City officials said they’d like to see sidewalks put in going north next to the facility, but sidewalks already are in place on West Superior and Butler said the vast majority of clients will show up in vehicles because they’re probably too sick to walk.

Councilman Norm Taylor also cautioned that taking a left turn from the health center onto West Superior may be difficult afternoons because of a huge column of traffic coming off the U.S.-131 expressway ramp.

Nonetheless, the special use permit request was approved unanimously.

The three marijuana businesses, at the former Simply Celia’s at 142 S. Main St., at the former computer repair service at 122 W. Superior, and next door to Shear Concepts at 1124 W. Superior, all earned unanimous approval.

This brings to four the number of retail marijuana shops in the community since the council adopted an ordinance last summer.

All four requests had won the blessings of the Planning Commission.

In other business Monday night, the City Council:

• Had the first reading of a proposed ordinance permitting and regulating off-road vehicle use in the city. Former Mayor Burrell Stein once again offered his enthusiastic support, saying, “I think it’s a very good ordinance” and he suggested local businesses would benefit.

• Approved the ongoing agreement with Republic Services for recycling and stipulated pickup by on Tuesdays.
• Noted the Officers’ Compensation Commission is supposed to meet in 2023, but it needs several new members.
• Approved purchase of tools for the new fire truck, thereby securing a discount in price.