City of Bay City, MI Live Stream

The City of Bay City, Michigan held a City Commission meeting on August 10, 2026, which included the swearing-in of the new city manager, Rick Haymon. A significant portion of the meeting focused on the adoption of a comprehensive update to the city's zoning ordinance, including a discussion about a specific property on Germania Street that is currently zoned medium density residential but is proposed to be reclassified as mixed use. Residents expressed concerns about potential impacts on their neighborhood, including increased traffic, parking, and changes to the residential character. City staff explained that the zoning update is citywide and guided by the 2024 master plan, with opportunities for public input on special uses but less discretion on permitted uses. Commissioners debated the balance between modernizing zoning to encourage development and protecting neighborhood integrity, with some proposing amendments to restrict certain uses like bars or hotels as special uses rather than permitted uses. The commission voted to approve the zoning ordinance update, with plans to consider amendments to address specific neighborhood concerns. Additionally, the commission approved a resolution to improve public access to city resolutions and ordinances by making them more easily searchable and available online. No contract awards or procurement decisions were made during this meeting.