Page 2 — Thursday, May 6, 2021 — The Hastings BannerMain page 2
City planning commission approves
taller building on former Moose property
Sophie Bates
Staff Writer
A commercial and residential development
at 128 N. Michigan Avenue was granted a
special land-use permit, which will allow the
structure’s height to reach 55 feet, 5 inches in
the B-1 district. The permit was approved by
the Hastings Planning Commission Monday
evening.
Previously, buildings in the B-1 district
were limited to a maximum building height of
40 feet; however, the Hastings City Council,
following the planning commission’s
recommendation, adopted a change April 26
that allows buildings a maximum height of up
to 60 feet, subject to approval of a special land
use.
“As you recall, the planning commission
recently recommended a text amendment
change to our B-1 central business district
zoning ordinance to address building height
standards in the B-1 district. The planning
commission ... recommended a text
amendment change to the ordinance to allow
higher building standards as a special use,”
Community Development Director Dan King
said. “The city council had a first and second
reading and passed that ordinance. And now
we have a special-use permit request and site
plan approval.”
The special land use is granted based on
four criteria: whether the building height will
match the character of nearby buildings;
whether the building will be served by
essential public facilities and functions such
as fire protection, refuse disposal and water
and sewer; whether the building height willcreate excessive additional requirements at
public cost for facilities and services, such a
fire and police services or utilities; and
whether the building height is consistent with
the B-1 district’s intent, which is to serve as
Hastings’ downtown shopping district.
In addition to the special land use, the
planning commission approved the project’s
site plan.
The project, by developer AJ Veneklasen
Inc., will consist of 6,100 square feet of retail
space on the first floor and 21 residential units
on the top three floors.
The planning commission also held a
public hearing on a text amendment change
regarding the parking of semi-tractors, semi-
trailers and vehicles with two or more rear
axles.
Currently, no zoning district or site use in
the city allows for overnight or short-term
outdoor parking or storage for such vehicles.
City staff recently discovered that the
current ordinance pertains more to businesses
that park such vehicles in or near their own
buildings.
“So, it’s necessary for the planning
commission to consider the text amendment
change to our ordinance or in addition to it, to
allow for semi parking, both tractor and
trailer, and equipment with more than two
axles,” King said, adding that doing so would
be the first step toward bringing current uses
into accordance with the proposed text
amendment change.
King also said the city received a request
to include recreational vehicles and campers
in the ordinance.During the public hearing, commissioners
heard comment from Bill Westerveld, who
provides overflow parking in the industrial
district for such vehicles when the city lot is
full or on a short-term basis.
He told the commission that two years
ago, he was told he had to remove a trailer and
motorhome parked on his property his
property because it wasn’t allowed by the city.
“I don’t know of a better place in the city
to put motorhomes, trailers than in the
industrial zone. It’s not bothering the
neighbors. It’s not being in anybody’s way,”
Westerveld said. “I’ve been doing this for 10
years now ... but now that the city lot is full,
and I just don’t understand why we can’t park
in the industrial zone.”
After hearing Westerveld’s concerns, the
commission moved to table the text
amendment. City staff will make adjustments
to the amendment before sending it back to
the planning commission.
Planning commission members also heard
an update from chairman Dave Hatfield
regarding the addition of two-family dwelling
units as a permitted use in the residential and
apartment zoning districts. At the March
planning commission meeting, Hatfield said
he’d appointed a committee to review the
‘complex issue.’ Hatfield said the committee
will take another 30 to 60 days to before
bringing the issue to the planning commission.
Additionally, the commission set a public
hearing at the June 7 meeting to submit a
recommendation of adoption to the city
council of the city’s master plan.Nominations sought for local volunteer awards
The Barry County United Way and
Volunteer Center is accepting nominations
for its annual Volunteer Awards, which will
be virtual. The volunteer awards recognize,
honor and celebrate residents within the
county who have given so generously of
their time and talent for the benefit of the
community.
“This past year has been like no other
for our entire country. However, we have
seen members of our community – our
neighbors, our friends, our colleagues –
stepping up to do their part in volunteering
to help others,” said Morgan Johnson,
director of outreach and community
engagement at Barry County United Way.“This year, compared to all others, is truly a
year to celebrate the amazing
accomplishments of volunteers in Barry
County.”
This event is an opportunity to celebrate
volunteers who work in a variety of areas,
she said Nominations are being accepted
for Volunteer of the Year, Youth Volunteer
of the Year, Outstanding Mentor Award,
Continuing Service Award, Corporate
Service Award, and Group Volunteer Award.
Nominations must be postmarked by Friday,
June 11, to be considered.
Any organization that utilizes volunteers
in Barry County is eligible to submit
nominations, such as nonprofit agencies,service clubs and organizations, churches,
and even businesses that are involved in
employee volunteering.
Because of COVID-19- related
regulations, the annual ceremony will be
virtual at 4 p.m. Thursday, July 8. Winners
will receive awards, and all nominees will
receive a certificate of appreciation.
“We hope that you will take a few
moments to submit a nomination and
recognize a volunteer or volunteers that you
know are doing great work for the
community,” Johnson said.
Anyone with questions may email
[email protected] or call 269-945-
4010.Hastings Legion hosting
Memorial Day ceremonies
American Legion Post 45 of Hastings will
conduct its annual Memorial Day ceremonies
Monday, May 31, but with some changes.
At 11 a.m., the ceremony will open with
comments from officials at the Hastings
Veterans Memorial in Tyden Park. Wreaths
will then be placed at the base of the Civil
War Monument and the POW-MIA flag.
The Legion’s honor guard will fire a rifle
salute, followed by the playing of taps.
Remaining in the park, the entourage will
then walk to the riverbank to place a wreath in
the Thornapple River to honor those who
have served on and under the waterways of
the world.Another rifle salute and playing of taps
will end the Legion’s Tyden Park ceremony.
Sisters Faith Byykkonen and Kaylin
Rhoades will lead a patriotic sing-along after
the ceremony for anyone who would like to
participate.
At noon at Riverside Ceremony, Post 45
members will have a ceremony at the Avenue
of Flags and at the Grand Army of the
Republic monument, with comments from
officials, placing of wreaths and giving
honors. As in the past, organizers may honor
the veteran most recently buried at Riverside.
Masks and distancing will be observed,
based on recommendations at the time.Barry County Commissioner Dave Jackson cast the lone “no” vote on Drain
Commissioner Jim Dull’s request for more hours for a drain maintenance worker,
saying it should go through the traditional budget process – along with all the requests
the board receives from other departments. (Photo by Rebecca Pierce)More than 150 family, friends, veterans and others gathered at Middleville’s Downtown Development Authority amphitheater
Saturday afternoon to pay tribute to Charlie Pullen, who served for 18 years on the village council, 11 of those years as president,
before he died Nov. 20, 2020, of complications from COVID-19. (Photo by Rebecca Pierce)and he saw that adding a bridge out on Crane
Road would benefit Bradford White
[Corporation] and the employees there. He
was always ready to try something new for
the village, if it made the village better and
our citizens better.
“Charlie listened and weighed each council
member’s opinions and always kept an open
mind. If discussions sometimes got a little
heated, Charlie had a way of becoming a very
calming influence.”
Former Trustee Phil Van Noord spoke of
Pullen’s influence in getting the Paul Henry
Thornapple Trail extended to Middleville.
Pullen’s daughter Amanda gave an
emotional tribute to her father’s love for his
family.
“My dad ... loved his family so much.
They were everything to him,” said Amanda
Pullen, who serves on the Middleville
Planning Commission and is its former
chairwoman. “He was a loving husband, the
best dad, and it wasn’t only to his kids, it was
to our friends, too. One of the greatest things
that he loved was his grandkids.
“He also loved his community. As my sister
Katie has said, ‘There was no such thing as a
stranger to him, especially if you were a
veteran.’ It didn’t matter what branch or what
war you were in, he would walk up to you and
shake your hand and thank you for your
service.”
Charlie Pullen, who served in the U.S.
Army during the Vietnam War, was actively
involved in veterans’ activities around Barry
County. In addition to his leadership on the
development of the Middleville veterans
memorial, he served for six years on the board
of the county Veterans’ Trust Fund, including
two as chairman. He also volunteered
regularly at the Grand Rapids Home for
Veterans, often being the last person a veteran
would see before dying.
“This was an important and passionate
mission for him, and one that he spoke about
whenever he had the opportunity,” Pattrick
Jansens, director of the county veterans
service program, said. “It usually resulted in
[Charlie] becoming choked up, resulting in apause, so he could recompose and continue
explaining the importance of what the No
Member Dies Alone program entails.”
State Sen. John Bizon, R-Battle Creek, read
a proclamation he signed, along with Gov.
Gretchen Whitmer, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist
and state Rep. Julie Calley, R-Portland,
honoring Pullen’s service to the community
and to local veterans.
“The life of Charlie is a study in the power
of hard work, dedication and commitment to
his career, his family and his community,”
Bizon read from the proclamation. “We are
clearly grateful for his achievements, which
will continue to help the family and all of
Michigan in the future.”
A seven-member honor guard from
American Legion Post 45 in Hastings fired
three rifle volleys, which is traditional for a
veteran’s funeral, followed by the playing of
taps. Commander Rich Jenkins of American
Legion Post 140 in Middleville presented an
American flag to Barb Pullen, honoring her
husband’s military service.
Several speakers, most notably Schellinger,
concluded their remarks by referring to a
signature line Pullen would say at the end of
each village council meeting.
“Thank you for your time, and thank you
for your patience.”
Then Schellinger paused and concluded,
“Thank you, Mr. Middleville.”“I am a much better
person having Charlie
as a friend, as a boss,
as a mentor, and
someone I will always
remember.”
Duane Weeks
we’ve finished; the other 13, we’re still
moving forward on.”
The government shutdown caused by
COVID-19 has set his office back, he said,
and he’s running out of manpower.
“I’d like to ask, just for commissioners’
benefit and any public listening [to the
meeting]: What are the consequences if we
don’t get these drains clean?” Chairman Ben
Geiger said.
“The farmers get flooded out,” Dull replied.
“The property owners get flooded out.”
No one questioned the need for the work to
be done. But Jackson expressed concerns
about the timing of Dull’s request.
“There is a regular process to submit
requests for new employees and funding
positions and stuff like that. I personally
would rather see this go through the budget
requests because I trust [County Administrator]
Michael [Brown] with his ability with
everything going on in the county and kind of
analyze this and see where it fits ... I’m not
sure it’s an unreasonable request.”
Jackson noted that, last year, the county had
requests totaling $1.1 million for new
positions, most of which were turned down. “I
like Michael Brown’s ability to evaluate – I’m
probably a ‘no’ vote at this point.”
But Dull noted that the timing for this
request was necessary. The chances of finding
someone else later “are slim to none.”
“The workers just ain’t out there,” he told
Jackson. “Nobody wants to be 3-feet deep in
a drain, cutting wood and chucking it out.”
The last time they sought workers, two
people applied, and one didn’t have a driver’s
license. The chances of finding someone who
could do the job “and not cut a leg off” are
problematic, he said.
Dull added that he was afraid to allow a
woman to run a chainsaw.
“Jim, have you read over the physical
requirements on this [job description]?”
Commissioner Jon Smelker asked him.
“I wrote ’em,” Dull replied.
“You pretty well ruled me out, didn’t you?”
Smelker said, reading from the job description,
“Lifting objects weighing up to 200 pounds?”
“That [200 pounds] is me,” Dull said,
laughing. “I know that sounds terrible, but if
we’re out on a drain and I go down, I want
somebody that can [lift 200 pounds]. They
may not be able to lift me but, hopefully, they
can get me out of the drain – or at least get my
head out of the water.”
“Michael [Brown] and I had a discussion
about that,” he added. “He said to just wait for
the EMTs to get there.”
“How long can you hold your breath?”
Smelker asked, chuckling.
“Exactly,” Dull said.
“So, they’ve got to be able to maneuver 200
pounds,” Smelker said.
“Yeah,” Dull replied, adding, “They can
put a rope around my neck and drag me out.”
Before the board voted on the
recommendation, Geiger said he wasn’t sure
that just adding the hours to the existing
position would be the best option. “But I
know the farmers in my district. This is for
them. And, for the lake property ownersaround Barry County, this is for them, too.
“I’m going to support this, but I still would
like this to see this as a temporary solution
until we find a better one.”
The timing of the request is understandable,
Commissioner Vivian Conner said,
acknowledging Jackson’s concern.
Conner pointed out that, sometimes, actions
such as adding hours are necessary because
“things happen. ... A lot more work happens
in the summer because of the water issues.
“I think it’s excellent we’re trying to
alleviate these drain issues that have built up
over the years.”
“We’re unique – and we have more water
than any other counties around us,” Geiger
agreed.
After the board voted on his request, Dull
expressed appreciation to commissioners,
adding, “If anybody wants to volunteer to
work on the drains, we’d be tickled to death.”
“Only if I can run the chainsaw,”
Commissioner Catherine Getty told Dull.
Then she added with a smile, “I’ll bring my
own.”
In other action, commissioners:- Recommended approval of a
reimbursement grant agreement for $20,
from Two Seven Oh Inc. to complete four
renovation projects, including fence, gutter,
glass barrier and concrete projects at the
Barry County Animal Shelter, 540 N.
Industrial Park Drive. - Recommended submission of fiscal year
2022 Office of Community Corrections grant
application for $116,636 to fund the Cog
(cognitive behavioral therapy) program, drug-
testing program and the relapse-prevention
group. This remains the same for 2022. - Recommended spending $24,448 to
renovate the stairwells at the Barry County
Courts & Law Building. In the prior bid, the
original price for this work was $61,133,
which the county rejected on the advice of
Construction Manager Tim Vander Kodde.
After soliciting other prices for the project, an
acceptable alternative was found. The work,
involving about 96 steps and 12 landings, will
require shot blast and/or diamond grinding to
remove existing clear coating to remove it and
provide maximum adhesion of an epoxy-type
coating that will be stain-proof. The paint on
the walls of these stairwells and the chipped
handrails are about 30 years old, Brown said. - Discussed plans for the upcoming county
budget process, including scheduling a night
meeting in August to allow interested residents
who can’t attend daytime sessions to attend an
evening session. - Recommended approval to amend this
year’s general fund budget by $31,400 to
reflect a more accurate estimate of the state
grant for medical marijuana and interest on
payroll revenues. This amendment includes
benefits recently approved by the board for
the retiree health savings program and
increased costs for other post-employment
benefits, position changes in the information
technology and register of deeds offices, and
reauthorization of funds budgeted in 2020 for
the drain commission storm water rules
update.
FAREWELL, continued from page 1
DRAIN, continued from page 1