REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
BELDING CITY COUNCIL
Tuesday, June 17, 2025
7:00 p.m.
A meeting of the Belding City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan was convened in open and public session at the Pere Marquette Depot, 100 Depot Street, at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June17, 2025.
Mayor Jeannine Leary called the meeting to order and led with the Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance.
City Clerk, Janae Ortego took the roll call:
Members present: Shelley Gladding, Bonita Steele, Nikolai Zerkle (participating virtually via Facetime, under military duty orders, as allowed per MCL 15.263) and Jeannine Leary
Members absent: Linda Curtis
Moved by Zerkle, seconded by Steele to excuse Curtis’ absence per section 4.5(f) of the City Charter.
As City Manager Keven Krieger had an excused absence, Ortego noted the following additions to the agenda under New Business: Item G. DNR Mutual Aid Agreement and Item H. Budget Amendments. Moved by Gladding, seconded by Steele to approve the amended agenda. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
A. Mayor Leary presented a Good Neighbor Award to the Belding Fire Department Part-Paid Firemen. Jeffrey Puehler was present to accept the award.
B. Kim Huey advised that she is seeking to secure an artist to perform one song on the 25th Anniversary of 9-11, which is in 2026. She briefly discussed the anticipated venue (Belding Highschool), fundraising, ticket sales and requested the support of the council members in the aforementioned areas. Council members were all willing to offer support.
Moved by Zerkle, seconded by Gladding to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all. The Consent Agenda is as follows:
A. Approve Independent Bank checks 83590 to 83623 in the amount of $2,334,430.98
Approve ACH Payments
B. Approve Minutes: City Council Regularly scheduled meeting – June 3, 2025.
Zerkle reported that there haven’t been any ZBA meetings since last month.
Gladding reported that the Planning Commission meets next week.
Steele reported on the Recreation Advisory Board passed their bylaws, discussed projects and she further reported that the new Community Development Director attended the meeting.
Mayor Leary reported that the Museum Board met earlier today. They appointed their officers for the next year as follows: Bruce Feuerstein, Chairperson; Angie Terry, Treasurer and Jan Mehney, Secretary.
A. After a very brief discussion, it was moved by Gladding, seconded by Zerkle to approve the amendment to Section 2.13 (Regulations Applicable to Single-Family (outside Manufactured Home Parks) and Two-Family Dwellings) of the Zoning Ordinance to update design and construction standards for single-family and two-family dwellings including, but not limited to, regulations related to storage areas, and dwelling unit design and orientation. Motion carried 3-1 by the following roll call vote:
YEAS: Zerkle, Gladding and Leary
NAYS: Steele
ABSENT: Curtis
The Ordinance is a follows:
CITY OF BELDING
IONIA COUNTY, MICHIGAN
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND APPENDIX B, “ZONING” OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF BELDING BY AMENDING SECTION 2.13 RELATED TO “REGULATIONS APPLICABLE TO SINGLE-FAMILY (OUTSIDE MANUFACTURED HOME PARKS) AND TWO-FAMILY DWELLINGS.”
THE CITY OF BELDING ORDAINS:
Section 1. Amendment of Section 2.13. Section 2.13 of Appendix B, “Zoning” of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Belding is amended to read in its entirety as follows:
Section 2.13. - Regulations applicable to single-family (outside manufactured home parks) and two-family dwellings.
It is the intent and purpose of this section to establish design review standards and controls over housing development in the City of Belding. It is recognized that there are unique design aspects inherent in the community appearance that need to be preserved and enhanced. The adoption of these criteria will guide and ensure that all future growth enhances community character and image and fits with the unique vernacular of the City of Belding's urban setting. A positive community image enhances economic development opportunity; safeguards property values; curbs blight and deterioration; and enhances public safety and welfare. The following standards shall apply to all single-family or duplex structures erected in the City of Belding.
In the case of a one-family or two-family dwelling unit which is of standard construction, a mobile home, a premanufactured, or a precut dwelling structure, and any additions or alterations thereto, erected or placed in the City of Belding, other than a manufactured home located in a licensed manufactured home park approved under the provisions of chapter 8, RM-2 Manufactured Home Park Districts, shall conform to the following regulations in addition to all other restrictions and requirements of this ordinance:
A. Each dwelling unit shall have a minimum gross floor area of nine hundred sixty (960) square feet. For a structure of two (2) or more stories, a minimum of twelve hundred (1,200) square feet of gross floor area shall be provided with at least six hundred eighty (680) square feet provided on the ground floor.
B. For a home constructed on a corner lot, the front door of the home is required to face (and be parallel to) the principal front lot line. The front door is considered to be the door in the front wall of the building, acting as the principal entrance to the home.
C. Where the home design involves a roof pitch, it shall be at a minimum pitch of 5/12, that is, for every twelve (12) inches of lateral run, the roof shall rise five (5) inches.
D. Siding shall be the same gauge for modular and manufactured homes as for on-site-built homes. The exterior finish of the dwelling unit shall not cause reflection that is greater than that from siding coated with clean, white, gloss exterior enamel.
E. The dwelling unit shall have a minimum horizontal dimension across any front, side, or rear elevation of twenty-four (24) feet.
F. A structure with a front elevation view of over forty (40) linear feet shall have a design offset including but not limited to: bay windows, covered porches, or structural offsets from the principal plane of the building.
G. A minimum of 100 square feet of storage space in the form of an attached garage or a detached accessory building, such as a garage or shed, shall be provided in conjunction with the dwelling unit. Said area shall be calculated separately from the required interior storage space required for the dwelling unit. Accessory buildings constructed for this purpose shall be constructed of conventional materials such as wood, metal, rigid plastics, or similar materials commonly utilized for such buildings and shall be compatible with the dwelling and other dwellings in the vicinity. Buildings constructed from flexible plastic, cloth, tarps, scrap materials, detritus, or generally low-quality materials or those susceptible to damage, decay, infestation, erosion, or those that appear dilapidated are prohibited.
H. Any single-story, residential structure shall not be more than two (2) times wider than its depth (exclusive of an attached garage).
I. Single and two-family dwellings shall be oriented toward the front lot line or primary front lot line, if applicable. Building orientation shall be determined by the Zoning Administrator based on the location of the principal building entrance; the placement, orientation, and arrangement of porches, windows, and doors; the location of the driveway serving the property, the property address, and other applicable factors.
J. The dwelling unit shall be firmly attached to a permanent continuous foundation constructed on the building site, such foundation to have a wall of the same perimeter dimensions as the dwelling unit and to be constructed of such materials and type as required by the building code for on-site constructed single-family dwellings. If the dwelling unit is a manufactured home, its foundation shall fully enclose the chassis, undercarriage and towing mechanism.
K. If the dwelling unit is a manufactured home, it shall be installed pursuant to the manufacturer's setup instructions and shall be secured to the building site by an anchoring system or device complying with the rules and regulations, as amended, of the Michigan mobile home commission, or any similar or successor agency having regulatory responsibility for manufactured home parks.
L. If the dwelling unit is a manufactured home, it shall be installed with the wheels removed. No dwelling unit shall have any exposed towing mechanism, undercarriage or chassis.
M. The dwelling unit shall be constructed of conventional building materials and shall be aesthetically compatible in design and appearance with other dwellings within six hundred (600) feet. The review shall include but not necessarily be limited to: roof pitch, scale, size, mass, minimum transparency, orientation to the street, and overhangs. The foregoing shall not be construed to prohibit innovative design concepts involving such matters as (but not limited to) solar energy, view, or unique land contour.
N. The compatibility of design and appearance shall be determined in the first instance by the zoning administrator upon review of the plans submitted for a particular dwelling unit.
O. The dwelling unit shall contain no additions of rooms or other areas which are not constructed with similar quality workmanship as the original structure, including permanent attachment to the principal structure and construction of a foundation as required herein.
P. If the dwelling unit is a manufactured home, the manufactured home must either be new and certified by the manufacturer and/or appropriate inspection agency as meeting the Mobile Home Construction and Safety Standards of the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development, as amended, or any similar successor or replacement standards which may be promulgated, or used and certified by the manufacturer and/or appropriate inspection agency as meeting the standards referenced above, and found, on inspection by the building inspector or his designee, to be in excellent condition and safe and fit for residential occupancy.
Q. The dwelling unit shall comply with all applicable building, electrical, plumbing, fire, energy and other similar codes which are or may be adopted by the city, provided, however, that where a dwelling unit is required by law to comply with any federal or state standards or regulations for construction, and where such standards or regulations for construction are different than those imposed by city codes, then and in such event such federal or state standard or regulation shall apply. Appropriate evidence of compliance with such standards or regulations shall be provided to the building inspector.
R. All construction permitted herein shall be commenced only after a building permit has been obtained in accordance with the building code.
S. Each dwelling unit shall have an established vegetative ground cover no less than 12 months after occupancy. A minimum of one (1) shade tree, two and one-half (2½) inches in diameter, four (4) feet from the ground or one (1) six-foot evergreen tree shall be provided in the front yard. Existing landscaping may be accepted in lieu of this requirement.
Section 2. Severability and Captions. This Ordinance and the various parts, sections, subsections, sentences, phrases, and clauses thereof are hereby declared severable. If any part, section, subsection, sentence, phrase, or clause is adjudged unconstitutional or invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of this Ordinance shall not be affected thereby. The captions included at the beginning of each Section are for convenience only and shall not be considered a part of this Ordinance.
Section 3. Repeal. Any existing ordinance or resolution that is inconsistent or conflicts with this Ordinance is hereby repealed to the extent of any such conflict or inconsistency.
Section 4. Effective Date. This Ordinance is ordered to take effect seven (7) days following publication of adoption in the Daily News, a newspaper having general circulation in the City, under the provisions of 2006 Public Act 110, except as may be extended under the provisions of such Act.
Declared adopted on: June 17, 2025
Published Date: June 25, 2025
Effective Date: July 5, 2025
B. After discussion, it was moved by Zerkle, seconded by Gladding to approve an amendment to Section 2.18 (Keeping of Animals) of the Zoning Ordinance to provide for and regulate the keeping of chickens in the R-1, R-1.5, and R-2 zoning districts. Motion failed 2-2 by the following roll call vote:
YEAS: Zerkle and Gladding
NAYS: Steele and Leary
ABSENT: Curtis
For clarification purposes, Ortego advised everyone present that the motion did not pass and that chickens are not and will not be allowed in the City of Belding.
C. Moved by Gladding, seconded by Steele to approve an amendment to Section 2.21 (Corner Lots) to clarify the designation of principal and secondary front lines on corner lots and through lots in the city. Motion carried 4-0 by the following roll call vote:
YEAS: Steele, Gladding, Zerkle and Leary
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Curtis
The Ordinance is as follows:
CITY OF BELDING
IONIA COUNTY, MICHIGAN
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND APPENDIX B, “ZONING” OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF BELDING BY AMENDING SECTION 2.21 “CORNER LOTS”
THE CITY OF BELDING ORDAINS:
Section 1. Amendment of Section 2.21. Section 2.21 of Appendix B, “Zoning” of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Belding is amended to read in its entirety as follows:
2.21 Corner lots and through lots
A. Corner lots and through lots shall have two (2) front lot lines: a principal front lot line and a secondary front lot line. Principal and secondary front lot lines shall be determined as follows:
1. On a corner lot where a property is undeveloped, the principal front lot line shall be the shorter of the two (2) lot lines.
2. On a corner lot where a property is developed, the lot line adjacent to the street on which the property is addressed shall be the principal front lot line.
3. On a through lot where a property is undeveloped, the principal front lot line shall be the front lot line adjacent to the street toward which the principal buildings located on the adjacent properties are oriented.
4. On a through lot where a property is developed, the lot line adjacent to the street on which the property is addressed shall be the principal front lot line.
5. Where there is a discrepancy or when the lot lines are not apparent, then the zoning administrator shall determine the principal front lot line. In making this determination, the Zoning Administrator shall consider the location of existing or proposed driveways serving the building, the orientation of adjacent buildings, the property address, traffic flow, emergency services access, and similar factors.
6. Once the lot lines are determined, they shall remain as such and are not subject to change unless specifically approved by the Planning Commission.
B. General provisions.
1. The required front setback shall be measured from both the principal and secondary front lot lines. For a corner or through lot with three front setbacks, the remaining setback shall be a rear setback.
2. The remaining setback shall be a rear and a side setback. The rear setback shall be measured from the rear lot line, which in the case of a corner lot, shall be the lot line opposite the principal front lot line.
3. The width of a corner lot shall be determined by the entire length of the primary front lot line.
4. For through lots, the remaining yards shall both be side yards, unless provided otherwise in subsection (1) above.
5. Office, business, and industrial zoning districts. For a corner or through lot which is completely within an OS-1, B-1, or B-2 zoning district, the setback measured from the secondary front lot line(s) shall not be less than thirty (30) feet. All other setbacks shall comply with the minimum setback requirements of the zoning district within which the lot is located.
6. Residential zoning districts. For a corner or through lot which is completely within an R-1, R-1.5, or R-2 zoning district, the setback measured from secondary front lot line(s) shall be as follows:
| | R-1 | R-1.5 | R-2 |
| Secondary front lot line setback (in feet) | 20 ft. | 20 ft. | 10 ft. |
Section 2. Severability and Captions. This Ordinance and the various parts, sections, subsections, sentences, phrases, and clauses thereof are hereby declared severable. If any part, section, subsection, sentence, phrase, or clause is adjudged unconstitutional or invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of this Ordinance shall not be affected thereby. The captions included at the beginning of each Section are for convenience only and shall not be considered a part of this Ordinance.
Section 3. Repeal. Any existing ordinance or resolution that is inconsistent or conflicts with this Ordinance is hereby repealed to the extent of any such conflict or inconsistency.
Section 4. Effective Date. This Ordinance is ordered to take effect seven (7) days following publication of adoption in the Daily News, a newspaper having general circulation in the City, under the provisions of 2006 Public Act 110, except as may be extended under the provisions of such Act.
Declared adopted on: June 17, 2025
Published Date: June 25, 2025
Effective Date: July 5, 2025
D. City Council had the first reading of the proposed Driveway Ordinance.
E. Moved by Steele, seconded by Gladding, to approve the Special Event Application for Gus Macker. Motion carried 4-0 by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
F. Moved by Steele, seconded by Gladding to approve the quote for several new ADA compliant doors for the new city hall in the amount of $27,165. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
G. Moved by Zerkle, seconded by Gladding to continue the DNR Cooperative Mutual Aid Fire Control Agreement and authorize City Manager Keven Krieger to sign the agreement. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
H. Moved by Steele, seconded by Gladding to approve the budget amendments as presented. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
Zerkle gave general closing comments.
Steele gave general closing comments.
Gladding commented specifically on misinformation, along with general closing comments.
Mayor Leary relayed thanks to John Lovell on behalf of the Museum Board, along with general closing comments.
Moved by Steele, seconded by Gladding to adjourn the meeting at 7:58 p.m. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
___________________________________________ ___________________________________________
Jeannine Leary, Mayor Janae Ortego, MiPMC
City Clerk