Beginning April 9, 2015, the City of Flint Department of Planning and Development will host the first of nine Zoning Workshops in each ward. The purpose of the workshops is to educate the community on a new draft Zoning Code and to gather their input the final version of the code. All residents are invited to attend the workshop held in their ward. A complete workshop schedule as well as locations where community members can review the draft zoning code and submit feedback are listed at the end of this release.
A Community Challenge Grant was awarded to the City of Flint in 2010. One requirement of the grant was the development of a new Zoning Code. The current draft of the new code is written to align with the city’s Imagine Flint Master Plan, unanimously approved by the Planning Commission and ultimately adopted by Flint City Council in October, 2013. Two years later, City staff and the community are working together towards implementation of the plan.
“The eventual adoption of this code could put Flint on the map as a distressed city on its way to recovery,” said Flint Mayor Dayne Walling. “Replacing lost industries and building communities with sustainable neighborhoods while spurring urban renewal could gain positive national attention for Flint. Mayor Walling added “if adopted, this new zoning code will be an important milestone in Flint’s revitalization”.
The new draft of the code is designed to reflect the vision of the land use map developed with the Master Plan. This new code is unique in that it accounts for the changes in Flint’s population both past and projected while also planning for innovative development in Flint’s future. The focus on “placemaking” that is seen in the Master Plan is reflected in the draft zoning. Megan Hunter, Director of Planning & Development explained this saying “the draft zoning code proposes flexible land uses and includes unique districts defined by place type, something not found in many zoning codes. For example, the Green Innovation district proposed will allow for smart growth industries to become centers for jobs and sustainability while also promoting a good quality of life.”
Updating a city’s Zoning Code is important and also a big decision as it affects each of our neighborhoods. Cities across the country have zoning codes that have not been updated in years. “In Flint there is an opportunity to implement cutting edge land use planning and it’s important that the whole community be involved,” said Director Hunter.
The City Planning Division will be hosting a number of opportunities for citizens to get involved with the new draft code. Through a combination of meetings, workshops, and courses, residents will have multiple opportunities to gain a better understanding of the new code as well as offer input and feedback. “Our staff has continually found that the inclusion of public engagement provides residents with a voice and it will ultimately aid in the code’s adoption by the City Council,” said Senior City Planner Kevin Schronce.
Residents are encouraged to contact their City Council person for more details on the upcoming Zoning Workshop in their ward. All events can be found on the City of Flint calendar located on the City’s website.
The Planning Department will be offering a series of four courses in collaboration with the Michigan State University Extension Program. These courses are a great way for interested persons to learn specifics on Flint Zoning and the process of land use decision making. Registration is required for these courses. To register, please visit www.imagineflint.com or call Kevin Schronce at 810-766-7426 x.3028.
Workshops Schedule:
Community Engagement Hub (Salem Housing): 3216 ML King Ave.Draft Zoning Code Review Locations:
Joy Tabernacle Church: 2505 N Chevrolet Ave.
Hispanic Tech Center: 2101 Lewis St.
Hasselbring Senior Center: 1002 W Home Ave.
Brennan Center: 1301 Pingree Ave.
Genesee County Land Bank: 452 S. Saginaw St.
Good Beans Café: 328 N Grand Traverse St.
Blue Badge Service Centers-
-Northside Center: 4535 ML King Ave.
-Southside Center: 3410 Fenton Rd. (inside Lincoln United Methodist Church)
-Kettering Center: 1625 University Ave.
-Dort Highway Center: Dort Mall 3600 S Dort Hwy.
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