Special Reports
Consolidated Plan Strategic Priorities Guide
The City‘s Five Year Consolidated Plan is meant to establish strategic priorities and objectives in the area of community development and governs how federal funds are allocated by the city to projects and programs. To assist with the development of the strategic plan, the City hired Allovance, a strategic planning consultant with a proprietary planning method and software application designed to guide stakeholders through a five step decision making process: strategize, compare, quantify, score, and select. This report lists all of the priorities and objectives derived from Allovance planning process, along with a brief description and scoring criteria for each objective.
Citizen Participation Plan
The Citizen Participation Plan describes how the City will engage citizens in the planning process for the Consolidated Plan, Annual Action Plan and CAPER.Public Engagement Reports
Public survey results from 10 public meetings and 50 consultations with community leaders during the Consolidated Plan process.Community Development Ecosystem Assessment
At a time when the city is pursuing a full review of our economic development strategy, housing and residential strategies are priority areas of concern. This report assesses housing and community development in the city, related to the following topics: current market, housing, and community development ecosystem conditions; strengths and gaps in the housing and neighborhoods strategy; national best practices for creating vital cities; state of nonprofit capacity and identification of opportunities for expanded impact; and recommendations for strengthening the ecosystem and building a more vital community. Released in May 2019, this report was prepared for the city by PFate and Associates LLC and the Affordable Housing Institute.
Battle Creek Master Plan
The city's Master Plan serves as our official guide for growth and development over the next 10 to 20 years. It is the "road map" detailing a long-term vision and policy agenda for important issues related to growth, development, land use, sustainability and design of public and private spaces.The plan answers, "What should Battle Creek look like?" and, just as importantly, "How do we get there?"
After a lengthy public process, our current Master Plan was adopted by the Planning Commission on Feb. 28, 2018, and by the City Commission on March 6, 2018.
Click the cover image below to read the 2018 City of Battle Creek Master Plan.
Sustainability Plan
Adopted Feb. 5, 2019, the city's Sustainability Plan recognizes the city's responsibility to protect the quality of the air, water, land, and all natural resources, and to conserve these resources in its daily operations. The plan was developed by the city's Sustainable BC Committee, comprised of city staff, community partners and others, who were given the task to increase the city's efforts to incorporate environmentally-responsible and cost-effective policy related to built infrastructure and natural resources.Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice
Regardless of the Community Development program, or the source of funds, the city must promote fair housing for all. Fair Housing laws protect everyone from discrimination in the sale or rental of housing on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, age, marital status, disability, or sexual orientation/gender identity. The City of Battle Creek has contracted with the Fair Housing Center of Southwest Michigan to conduct fair housing testing. For more information, visit the Fair Housing Center of Southwest Michigan website.
- 2013 Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice (Final) (PDF)
- 2006 Analysis of Impediment to Fair Housing Choice (Final) (PDF)
Get the Lead Out
A Plan of Action for Lead Poisoning Prevention & Remediation in Calhoun County, Michigan
Housing Studies
Comprehensive Housing Studies evaluate Battle Creek’s housing market conditions and characteristics and make recommendations for future housing development.
- 2020 Detailed Age Profile Profile Calhoun County
- 2015 LIVE LOCAL STUDY: Battle Creek
- 2015 WALKUP Report
- 2015 Target Market Analysis of Downtown Battle Creek (PDF)
- 2013 Comprehensive Housing Study (Final) (PDF)
- 2006 Comprehensive Housing Study (Final) (PDF)http://mi-battlecreek.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/1950
Downtown Plans
Community Plans
- Battle Creek Vision Plan (Updated 2015)
Annual Report
The 2022 Annual Report; outlines the activities of the department as well as the boards and commissions listed.