COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – On a 4-2 vote, the City of Coldwater Planning Commission approved a preliminary site plan and a special use permit Monday night for the proposed four story, 50 unit “Lofts at Milnes Plaza” apartment complex.
The yes votes were cast by Mayor Tom Kramer, Commission Chair Aloha Miller along with board members Dave Rumsey and Jessika Cole. Casting no votes were Aaron Garn and Chris Stephens. Commission members Alan Swain, Maureen Petzko and Charles Bauschard were absent.
Monday’s approval by the Planning Commission was one of several hurdles that the project has to clear before it becomes a reality.
City Planning Director Dean Walrack tried to address parking concerns that have been brought up about the proposed project which calls for 126 spaces. He reported on periodic parking counts that have been conducted by his staff within the Milnes Plaza, as well as at Chandler Estates and at Loomis Estates. Both Chandler and Loomis Estates have 48 units. Based on those counts, Walrack said the staff expects an estimated average of 61 vehicles using the Milnes Plaza. The estimates ranged from 47 to 82 vehicles.
Tom Grywalksi from Spire Development said the project would attract young couples or families as well as empty nest seniors. If everything falls into place, Grywalski says the timeline calls for phase construction to start in the spring of 2019 with leasing taking place about a year later.
During public comments, downtown business owner Alexia Rish raised questions about the parking counts and said the project was a disaster waiting to happen. Dan Corwin also felt the parking study was flawed while Downtown Development Authority Board Chair Brad Rockey said parking should be paid attention to. Rockey added the city should take its time and do this project right. Leila Ash felt it was a nice looking building but it might work some place else.
Parking questions and issues as well as the revitalization of the downtown area dominated the discussion by members of the Planning Commission before the vote was taken.
Walrack said in his staff report that the site plan for “The Lofts at Milnes Plaza” is preliminary and is necessary for Spire Development to seek development incentives from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. Walrack says final site planning will be coordinated with City of Coldwater and Coldwater B.P.U. staff before any construction takes place.
One of the contingencies is that the developers have to get MSHDA funding. An application has to be submitted by April 2, which is about a week after final action is scheduled to be taken by the City Council on March 26, 2018.
In other business, the Planning Commission approved special use permits by Kimberlie Sours to operate a Child Group Daycare Home at her primary residence on Peckham Street and by Thomas Sehy to operate an minor auto repair business at 48 Division Street which is the former location of Auto Lab before it closed in July of 2015.
