By DEBRA HAIGHT
BCR Correspondent
BUCHANAN, MI – Downtown Buchanan restaurants and bars got a boost last week from the Buchanan City Commission as commissioners approved a new ordinance to streamline the process of getting permits for outdoor dining.
Buchanan City Commissioners held the second of two public hearings at the start of last week’s commission meeting and later adopted the new ordinance. The ordinance establishes regulations, standards for operation and a permit process for businesses to have outdoor sidewalk cafes outside their premises.
City Manager Tony McGhee said the new ordinance comes at the right time with a number of new bars and restaurants planning to open in the downtown and existing establishments wanting to offer more. New businesses set to open include a coffeehouse, a Vietnamese restaurant and a new bar.
“This allows the city to handle these outdoor dining requests through a permit process,” he said. “It’s quicker and easier for everyone. Businesses want to be able to serve alcohol outside and this makes that easier.”
Mayor Mark Weedon applauded the move. “I’ve found that it’s a fun experience when I go to other cities that offer outdoor dining,” he said.
Weedon noted again that “the city is on the move.” “It’s an honor to be the mayor,” he said. “I’m more and more impressed with everything going on, with the people, the city staff, and the new businesses coming. It’s absolutely impressive.”
McGhee said that what Buchanan is doing is different than what other municipalities have done and is something he came up with in conjunction with the city attorney. He said most municipalities have met Michigan Liquor Control Commission requirements on such ventures by reaching license or lease agreements with individual businesses.
“Businesses need to have a license or franchise agreement to use space on the sidewalk,” he said. “That would include a formal agreement with a legal description of the property. With our approach, we can do the permit at the staff level.”
Outdoor dining is expected to be available from spring through fall. Space wise, it will be offered on Front, Main and Oak Streets as well as on Days Avenue in the central business district.
McGhee noted that this is different than the social district the city created in the downtown. The social district allows people to carry alcoholic drinks as they walk through the downtown but doesn’t allow liquor to be served outside as this new ordinance will.
In other business related news, commissioners lauded a number of new ventures. The former Rite-Aid building at Front Street and Skyline Drive will soon become an Auto Zone store. In addition, there are reports that the Michigan Secretary of State office will relocate temporarily from downtown Niles to a building on East Front Street while the Niles site is being renovated.
Commissioners also heard from Dennis Mori of Buchanan Business Boosters. They sponsored a Lucky Ducky Kids Festival Saturday morning and are also putting out a new “Discover Buchanan” brochure highlighting downtown businesses.
In action, commissioners approved a marijuana permit renewal for Redbud Roots, bought material for cold patch this spring, and approved a software purchase to convert BS&A and community development modules to the cloud. The total cost for the conversion is expected to be $38,205 and has been budgeted.
Petra Parm of Redbud Roots answered questions about the permit renewals which are for adult use processing and growing and medical marijuana growing for locations on Post Road and Terre Coupe Street. She said they have no plans to sell their business and said they would address odor concerns from nearby residents.
The cold patch material is being purchased from Saginaw Paving Company at a total cost of $7,500 for 50 tons. McGhee said the goal is patch up potholes as best they can, at least temporarily, with the cold patch before hot patch is available.
In news, McGhee reported that administrative assistant Emma Lysy has been promoted to deputy clerk/administrative coordinator and will be in charge of communications and procurement activities. He also noted that Clerk Kalla Langston-Weiss has been nominated as a finalist for the Michigan Municipal Clerk of the Year award.
Langston-Weiss reported that there are vacancies on a number of city commissions and people can apply on the city’s website. There are vacancies on the planning commission, the zoning board of appeals, the construction board of appeals, and the Buchanan Area Recreation Board.
The filing deadline for three seats on the city commission is April 21 at 4 p.m. Commission seats up for election this November are those currently held by Raquell George, Mark Weedon, and Dan Vigansky.