By DEBRA HAIGHT
BCR Correspondent
BUCHANAN, MI – Buchanan City Commissioners held two public hearings at last week’s City Commission meeting and handled a number of other items. No comments were received for either public hearing.
The first public hearing was on a proposed ordinance amendment to the Unified Development Code zoning ordinance to align it with the new short term rental regulations approved by the commission last year. It was the second public hearing on the ordinance amendment and commissioners approved the amendment later in the meeting.
The ordinance approved amends the Unified Development Code zoning ordinance to provide for the short term rental overlay district approved by the commission last year. City Manager Tony McGhee said the new amendment cleans up language in the zoning ordinance to align with the short term rental rules.
The other ordinance is expected to be approved next month after a second public hearing on May 11. That ordinance provides for the regulation and rehabilitation of vacant and underutilized buildings to promote their return to active use.
McGhee said the ordinance will address the vacant and underutilized buildings used for storage in the downtown and around the city that have had a negative impact on the local economy. He said that property owners will be encouraged to activate their buildings or pay a fee. He noted that enforcement won’t be “heavy handed” and that hardship cases will be considered.
Also last week, commissioners voted to raise cemetery fees. Clerk Kalla Langston-Weiss said the goal was to make sure the fees cover the city’s costs and simplify the fee schedule. She said city staff compared the city’s fees with those of other communities in setting the new rates.
Commissioners also formally accepted the $1 million Revitalization and Placemaking Program grant the city received in connection with the $20 million downtown infrastructure project. With the RAP grant, McGhee said that the paperwork and due diligence for the grant was just finished recently.
A public hearing for the Downtown Development Authority plan amendment will be held at the commission’s May 26 meeting. The plan amendment was completed recently by the newly formed DDA with assistance from Berrien County Community Development Director Dan Fette.
The proposed plan amendment was approved earlier this month by the DDA and sent to the city. The goal of the amendment is to further the DDA’s goals including the prevention of property value deterioration and the promotion of economic growth within the downtown district.
A description of the proposed amendment, including the boundaries of the development area, proposed improvements, and financing methods, is available for public inspection at Buchanan City Hall during regular business hours, and on the City’s website. Written comments regarding the proposed amendment can be submitted in advance of the hearing to the city clerk.
In announcements, McGhee reported that the “punch list” items for the downtown infrastructure project will be completed in the next few weeks. Those items include planting trees and striping streets and sidewalks.
Announcements also came from Friends of the Trail President Jerry Flenar and ALR Educational Health Services founder Dr. Ayanna Redding.
Flenar reported on the Trail Board’s accomplishments in 2025. He said the Trail extension project from Schirmer Parkway to River St. Joe is a reality and is 95 percent complete. The next goal for the trail is to join the McCoy Creek Trail to the Indiana Michigan River Valley Trail north of Niles at some point in the future.
Flenar said that volunteers remain the heart and soul of the organization, from helping with storm cleanup and planting new trees to turning out for the annual Trek-n-Treat event last October. Other events include the 2026 Salmon Scramble set for Oct. 24.
Flenar reported that the Trail Board was approached by Live Buchanan on a possible merger which will be beneficial to the Friends as they will now have a non-profit status that allows people to be able to claim tax credit for donations. The Trail Board is now also reporting the Buchanan Area Recreation Board.
Redding reported that ALR will host an open house and job fair on Thursday, April 30 at their new location in the former Stark School on Claremont Street. The open house and job fair will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will give job seekers the opportunity connect with leading companies and organizations and also take a tour of the building.