The zoning administrator, working with the City Planner, City Council and Planning Commission, has identified a number of properties that should be rezoned to align with present and future goals of the City of Cedar Springs. This process is guided by the Master Plan, economic development and a respect for the wishes and practices of citizen property owners.
The present zoning map was recently reviewed and approved of by the zoning administrator, Planning Commission and the City Council. It reflects changes that have been made to the City’s zoning since the last update in 2007. It did not make any changes by itself but rather simply reflects changes that had already been made in the preceding 12 years. That map can be seen here.
The proposed zoning map (available here ) includes changes that are being proposed by the zoning administrator and have to be reviewed and approved of by the Planning Commission and eventually be passed by ordinance by the City Council. The proposed map represents a number of changes such as:
- Elimination of the B-1 and RR zoning districts. The B-1 district is to be mostly replaced by the B-3 district. The RR district is to be replaced by the R-1 district.
- Cleaning up the map. There were several errors included on the 2007 map which will be cleaned up in the new map. Common problems would be single parcels being accidentally colored two different colors and a lack of individual parcel lines.
- Eliminating “spot-zoning” parcels which are parcels that are zoned differently from surrounding parcels for no good reason. They “stick out like a sore thumb” and are generally frowned upon.
- Reducing the MU district and increasing the size of the downtown Industrial zoning district. The MU zoning district is a failed experiment that did not take off and has limited business development in pre-existing industrial zones.
- Changing colors to further clarify differences between zoning districts
Each proposed change is required to follow a standard public notice period and the City sends out letters to properties that are within 300 feet of each of the properties that are proposed for change. At the Planning Commission and City Council meetings citizens are encouraged to speak up and make their thoughts and questions known and the zoning administrator is available to answer questions by e-mail ahead of time.
If you have any questions, thoughts or questions about this proposed rezoning please contact the zoning administrator at manager@cityofcedarsprings.org
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