1/14/14 - As the economy improves along with renewed development interests in the certain areas of the City of Howell, the prospect of updating the overall zoning code for the South Michigan Avenue corridor has surfaced again. Council met Monday night and received a presentation from the Cityâs planning consultants comparing traditional zoning to a form-based code approach for the Michigan Avenue corridor, south of the railroad tracks down to I-96. The 2008 South Michigan Avenue Corridor Plan (an artist's rendering of which is pictured here) laid out the basic vision for possibly using form based code for that area. However due to economic conditions, the Cityâs fiscal restraints and decreased development, the code update was deferred. Then about a year ago, City Manager Shea Charles says staff started to see increased inquires and the was economy picking back up so in order to implement the plan, overall code must be updated to develop as envisioned. The contract to develop a form based code was actually awarded last summer and was followed by an initial work session where feedback was gathered from the community, planning commission and Council. Additional research was done leading up to last nightâs presentation. After some discussion, Council decided to proceed with drafting the proposed form based code over the next 30 to 60 days. Some members expressed the City owes it to the community to have an overall plan, noting there have already been zoning challenges in that area. Councilman Doug Heins said he felt it was a radical approach to zoning, and wasnât sold on the concept, noting he still had concerns about the rights of property owners and potentially forcing something on them. It was made clear during the meeting that additional input will be sought from property owners in the area and the public as the process moves forward. (JM)
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