The Wayland City Planning Commission will have a public hearing at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 11, on some zoning change recommendations along Reno Drive on the south and west end of town.
Planner Kirk Scharphorn Jr. of Professional Code Inspections made the recommendations after it was noted some properties in the area are designated PERC, or Planned Enterprise Residential Cluster, which Commission Chairman was commonly used “in ages past… It was were even before I came on board the Planning Commission.”
Gonzales said the idea now is to tweak zoning descriptions along Reno Drive and areas nearby so they more accurately reflect what’s going in at the sites.
Scharphorn mostly adjusted the PERC zonings to B-2 business and I-1 or I-2 industrial.
“I just tried to make the zoning more consistent,” he explained. “Perhaps now there is more interest in commercial.”
He noted he is recommending a lot of B-2 zoning.
Regardless, Plan Commission members said they don’t believe the industrial truck traffic is too heavy on Reno Drive, with the possible exception of recreational vehicles at General RV.
In a somewhat related discussion, City Councilwoman Tracy Bivins asked the Planning Commission to not permit building of an apartment complex to the south and west of Baker Elementary Street on Sycamore Drive. She said she lives on the street and the traffic is backed up as far as Pine Street Elementary when school opens and closes each weekday.
“You can’t even get a fire truck down that street (Sycamore) at those times,” she commented. “I wonder if the city would be liable.
“And the traffic problem at Baker seems to have gotten worse this year.”
Planning Commissioner Sam Dykstra agreed, saying there are similar problems along East Maple near Steeby Elementary because of parents dropping off and picking up their children.
MAP: Planner Kirk Scharphorn’s sketch of recommendations for changes in zoning designations along Reno Drive.
Why change the zoning without any potential buyer/developer interested in the property? If it is rezoned and later has to be rezoned again to suit the buyer’s business, was this not a change and expense for nothing? And does the city still own land in the development? If yes, why? Another waste of taxpayer dollars.
Is anyone aware the taxes paid to live and have a business in this town are some of the highest in West Michigan? Sewer and water hook up fees are the highest in Allegan County? Why? Welcome to Wayland – here’s your wonderful tax bill – thank you!