City moves forward with proposal to restrict downtown business usage

At the Monday Tecumseh City Council meeting, council members unanimously voted to direct Tecumseh City Manager Kevin Welch and city staff to begin collecting information that could eventually modify the ordinance that would restrict how first-floor space is used in the B-2 Business (downtown) district. What those restrictions will be are to be worked out by council, likely through a study session and council meetings, according to Welch. “There’s all kinds of options here,” Welch added. “I think a study session would be appropriate. And I think it would be helpful to have city council narrow down what its intentions are before it goes to the planning commission.”Councilmember Gary Naugle wanted to make sure downtown owners and business people be at the study session to hear their opinions. “There’s plenty of opportunity for that input,” Welch added. “This would take some time,” said Mayor Jack Baker. “I’m personally in favor of this option also. Let’s address it head on and let’s vote it up or down and put this thing to rest. This has been out there for years now.” “I just think this is something that’s really important for downtown,” said councilmember Vicki Philo. “I don’t think the whole entire thing needs to be retail, but I think there needs to be a percentage that we can’t go over that. Because keeping it retail, that’s what keeps downtown strong. Before, I was a little bit against it.”Philo added that downtowns that are heavy in services have little draw of people to visit. “I’d like to know if retail opportunities are being stifled by lack of appropriate space,” said councilmember Laurence Van Alstine Jr. “Does the retail want to come?”“Generally, and I won’t speak for Paula [Holtz, Tecumseh Economic Development Director], but I think the answer to that is yes,” Welch responded. “We’ve had a couple situations where we didn’t have somewhere to put somebody.” Welch added that the city would not have the power to move anybody out of downtown.In other business, council: • Approved the performance resolution required by the Michigan Department of Transportation for miscellaneous operations within the State Trunk Line — Chicago Blvd. — that allows for the displays of banners, parades, planting of flowers in the medians and miscellaneous work. • Approved the first reading of Ordinance No. 3-14 Sec. 2-230 – pension suspended, to allow a retired clerk, deputy clerk and treasurer to return to part-time employment by title only. This would allow for a training period for the positions’ replacements. • Approved a tentative agreement to provide water and or sewer services outside the city limits to a new Promedica medical facility. Any final decision on the source will be that of Promedica, according to the resolution.

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