Planning & Zoning

Responsibilities

The Planning Department is responsible for long range planning pertaining to growth and development in the City, particularly around land use, neighborhoods, commerce, industry, infrastructure, natural resources, transportation, and recreation. 

The department also maintains and provides information relative to land use regulations, including allowable uses and development regulations. Staff performs review of building and zoning (fence/signs) permit applications, various licensing applications, and site plans for all multi-family residential, commercial, and industrial expansions and new projects to ensure compliance with the zoning ordinance. Planning staff provides support to the Planning Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals, and the Historic District Commission.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Zoning Ordinance and Map

Updates to the City of Battle Creek Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map were adopted by the City Commission at their December 1, 2020 meeting, and are in effect as of December 11, 2020. Both were later revised effective 4/21/21.

Zoning Ordinance, effective 4/21/21
Zoning Map, Effective 1/5/22

The updated ordinance has been codified in American Legal:
Zoning Ordinances - Available Online under Part Twelve

The adopted ordinance provides updated definitions, combines zoning districts that have historically functioned the same, updates the list of permitted and special uses for each district, allows for mixed commercial and residential used in structures along core commercial corridors, and corrects several legal nonconforming issues.

The zoning map was updated to the future land use map adopted as part of the Master Plan, correct legal nonconforming issues, and to reflect the updated zoning districts proposed by the ordinance. The following link is an interactive zoning map that can be used to find a property in the City and to review the previous and current zoning districts and applicable standards. Interactive zoning map



   

Current Projects

McCamly/Van Buren parking lot
City and state representatives are collecting feedback on the city-owned parking lot at the southwest corner of this intersection, downtown. There are no pending redevelopment plans for this property, and the study will analyze possible opportunities at the site. Information from a previous public meeting, and a new survey, will help ongoing development efforts in and around downtown.

Non-Motorized Transportation Plan update
The city is updating the 2006 Non-Motorized Transportation Plan in 2019 to ensure bicyclists, walkers, kayakers/canoers, joggers, and others continue to have safe, accessible, and well-maintained routes around town and beyond. Over the last 13 years, new routes and infrastructure have been established. Additional routes, signage, and community needs have been discussed, but need a formal plan for implementation. We hope to accomplish this with the update. Learn more by clicking here

Jackson/Hamblin Sub-Area Plan
The City of Battle Creek Planning Division has contracted with Rosetti to develop a sub-area plan for Jackson and Hamblin, between Washington and Kendall. The sub-area plan will develop a vision for this neighborhood as it relates to land use, roads and utilities, and future development. The City had an initial workshop with property owners on Tuesday, February 25, 2020 to refine the vision for this area and discuss any current concerns with future property plans. The meeting presentation is here. Please call the Planning Division with any questions.