City of Cadillac amends ordinance to address housing shortage for some pushing back from residents – 9&10 News

The city of Cadillac is relaxing some of its rules in hopes of attracting more housing to the downtown area.

Community development director John Wallace said the changes would give the planning commission more discretion in different regulations within the “planned residential unit development portion” of the ordinance.

Wallace said the planning commission will be able to change design parameters within the project. He said it also reduces the demand in the lower-sized area and the number of proposed units.

That opens the door to projects like a 48-room apartment complex, currently proposed for a vacant lot on Lake Road near Mitchell that the commission said would help address the housing shortage, but the plan is raising concerns for some, like long term residents. and local attorney, Bill Barnett.

“You are a size eight going into a second shoe size. It is very large and violates all the differences that may occur. All the rules are being turned on their head, and I think this is a big permanent mistake,†said Barnett.

Barnett said the proposed apartment building in Cadillac is four times larger and should not be allowed.

With the city close to residential neighborhoods, Barnett is concerned about the impact on people on both sides of Bremer and Pine Streets.

“Overcrowding in the area would be a problem. Traffic buildings very close to the road. Parking looks like it will be difficult there. They have one and a half spots for each of the 48 units. That’s the same as the lofts,†said Barnett.

He said the rules were set for the entire city and if the planning commission were to follow the rules, he felt it could have a negative impact.

“The city staff came to the city council and said, ‘Don’t do this, you land something for a year or six months and it comes back. And when it comes back, if you don’t have things, you have inconsistencies and also a zoning issue that will be permanent,†said Barnett.

He said that creates uncertainty which makes potential developers hesitant.

Cadillac Community Development Director John Wallace said he agrees with Barnett about the sunset but that’s the only thing he agrees with.

“We have seen bigger projects at Cadillac Lofts, and I have been there many times and there are no traffic problems. So, there has been absolutely no congestion, no traffic issues on the previous project, and I would expect the same for this project,†said Wallace.

Wallace said without those changes, projects like the much-needed 48-story building would be outright rejected.

He said the amendment is necessary because the order is out of date with Cadillac’s requirements.

“The law was not written specifically for the city, and the density allowed in that area is no longer legal. Considering the changes in the city and the changes in the dynamics of what is happening downtown,†said Wallace.