William Caya, director of the city's Downtown Development Authority, says it's time to remove some zoning restrictions that have mired development and building changes in red tape.
"It's been a while since we updated our zoning ordinance. There are someimpediments to smooth developments with the Downtown buildings. We want tomake it easier for developers to do business Downtown," Caya tells GlobeSt.com.
Now, he says, if a change needs to be made, a petitioner has to jump through many appeals hoops. This could be smoothed in a new rezoning ordinance, Caya says.
For example, the Downtown districts could be brought under the single umbrella of an overlay district, so that different rules are not subjected to the area, which is similar in nature, Caya says. He adds there could also be changes to allow residential uses Downtown, with the introduction of loft housing above the historic buildings.
These changes were requested of the Uptown Reinvestment Corp., a partnership of government, business and cultural leaders. The company has bought seven parcels in the Downtown area. Uptown officials have asked for the changes in rezoning to assist incurrent negotiations with various tenants.
As part of the Uptown activity in the last 18 months, other vacant properties have been purchased by private interests, resulting in all former vacant parcels now under new ownership, Caya says. He hopes to start revision of the zoning ordinance in May, working with the city council and planning commission.
Flint has been the home of more than a few automotive manufacturing facilities, mostly owned by General Motors Corp. Like Pontiac about 20 miles to the south, plant work has diversified from Michigan and gone into other states and countries, and Flint has fallen inpopulation and status. It is the county seat of Genesee County, and is generally known as the far northern boundary of the Southeast Michigan markets.
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