Council finally approves ordinance

Tuesday's city council meeting began like most other council meetings at 7 p.m. That same meeting did not come to a conclusion until early Wednesday morning around 12:30 a.m. after council voted unanimously to approve an ordinance that would rezone property at the intersection of Coolidge and Lake Lansing.

During the meeting, the council held a public hearing to allow residents of the area to come forward and share the feelings about the proposed ordinance and join in a debate that has been ongoing for months.

Before the council voted to approve the ordinance, the land was classified as a B-4 location otherwise known as a restricted office business district. Rezoning to land to become a B-5 location would allow for the development of retail and sales businesses.

Montain, who is the owner of Spartan Hall of Fame Cafe, which is near the proposed rezoning area, said he strongly favored the ordinance because it would convenience to the community and be beneficial as a whole.

"What are we trying to preserve by keeping a vacant, run-down office building there instead of redeveloping the area," Montain said during the public hearing.

However, East Lansing resident Milton Price, who lives directly across the street form the proposed new development voiced his opposition to rezoning the land during the meeting.

"Rezoning that land meand giving developers full control over what happens to that land," Price said. "I don't want that and I don't think it's right because it takes away our rights as citizens."

Many other residents have also been extremely passionate and vocal in their opposition.

Click here to view a comprehensive map of the area in question.

Intersection of Coolidge and Lake Lansing Road - picture courtesy of lansingonline.com

E.L. City Council Meeting Preview

On Tuesday night the East Lansing City Council is planning to hold a public hearing regarding the rezoning of property on Lake Lansing Road. The rezoning of the land will allow for the construction of retail sales businesses as opposed to restricted office businesses which is what it currently is.

In technical terms, rezoning the property would change the land from B4 to B5 allowing varying businesses and retailers to occupy the space.

However, many in the surrounding neighborhood have voiced concern over the rezoning proposal citing the potential businesses would be a "nuisance." Thus the need for a public hearing in order to allow the Council to hear all sides in order to come to a final conclusion.

Also during the meeting, Council is expected to discuss the approval of bylaws for the previously established Michigan Avenue Corridor Improvement Authority, set for public hearing on December 21 to amended Brownfield Plan #10 for the Avondale Square (Virginia Avenue) Project and introduce an ordinance to create standards to allow Alternative Energy Generation Systems in the City of East Lansing.

You can read the full agenda for Tuesday's meeting here.
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