Public invited to help update city’s master plan
By Kayla Kiley
BY KRIS VERHAGE
CADILLAC NEWS
CADILLAC - City officials soon will be the seeking the public’s input in updating the city’s master plan.
The plan outlines the city’s vision of its future, especially when it comes to land use. Municipalities are required by law to renew their master plans roughly every five years, said Jerry Adams, the city’s community development coordinator. The city last updated its plan in 2002, he added.
Neighborhood meetings regarding the master plan will be held in November and December, Adams said.
City staff has spent the last eight to 12 months collecting and analyzing data that city officials will need as they go through master plan document, he said. City staff recently completed a comprehensive land-use inventory, recording the use of all properties within the city. The city’s Planning Commission on Monday was given an overview of the city’s existing land-use character and provided details on land-use trends in the past five to 10 years, Adams said.
Some details shared were:
• Residential: In the last five years, apartment units comprised the majority of new housing construction, Adams said, adding that 178 apartment units, 32 condominium units and 34 single-family detached houses were built.
The median age of the city’s houses is 50 years old.
"As housing stock ages, you have to keep in mind things such as maintenance," Adams added. "That’s going to become an issue."
Also, the average length of homeowner residency is nine years, which is considered "pretty high," he said.
Although there’s been concern about single-family homes being converted to two- and three-unit rentals, not much of this has been occurring in the last five years, Adams said.
• Commercial development: Developed commercial property has increased from 153 acres to 177 acres in the last five years, Adams reported.
Also, 55 percent of the Mitchell Street corridor frontage has been made up of auto-related businesses such as gas stations and auto parts stores, he said. However, that figure is declining somewhat, he added.
• Industrial development: Developed industrial property has increased by 60 acres in the last five years Adams said. More than 50 industries representing diverse types of businesses - not just the automotive sector - are located in the city’s three industrial parks. Most industrial growth in the last five years has come from business expansion, he said.
kverhage@cadillacnews.com | 775-NEWS (6397)
Master plan meetings
Neighborhood meetings on Cadillac’s master plan have been scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. for the following dates and locations:
• Tuesday, Nov. 3: Kenwood Elementary School gym, 1700 Chestnut St.
• Monday, Nov. 9: Cadillac High School cafeteria, 400 Linden St.
• Tuesday, Nov. 10: Lincoln Elementary School gym, 125 Ayers St.
• Monday, Nov. 30: McKinley Elementary School gym, 601 E. North St.
• Wednesday, Dec. 2, and Thursday, Dec. 3: Cooley High School gym, 221 Granite St.
