PC meeting 3-18-26

The City of Bay City, Michigan Planning Commission held a meeting on March 18, 2026, primarily focused on reviewing and updating the city's zoning ordinance to comply with the state's Resource Ready Communities (RRC) program. The discussion centered on revising definitions, zoning districts, and permitted uses to modernize and simplify the ordinance, including provisions for mixed-use buildings, accessory dwelling units, and reuse of institutional buildings such as vacant churches. Commissioners debated the process for approving uses not explicitly listed in the ordinance, weighing administrative staff discretion versus planning commission review, with a preference expressed for treating such cases as special land uses requiring commission approval. The meeting also addressed standards for outdoor storage, parking, and commercial uses, as well as compliance with state and federal regulations for wireless communication facilities. Action items included further review and refinement of the zoning use table and coordination with the city attorney and consultant for ordinance finalization, with plans for additional meetings to address outstanding issues before the next commission session.