Midland · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in City of Midland public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Parking reconfiguration at 315 McDonald Street apartment building
The owners of a renovated eight-unit apartment building lost permission to use a neighbor's driveway and now need a new curb cut on MDOT-controlled E. Buttles Street plus redesigned parking. They say the delays and stormwater requirements are costly while they can't lease units without parking.
Cemetery Fee Ordinance Amendment
Midland Cemetery fees haven't changed in 24 years, and the cemetery only recovers about a quarter of its costs. The proposed increase is 20% for residents and 50% for non-residents, plus a new premium rate for winter or after-hours burials. Only about 770 plots remain — the cemetery is nearly full.
Dial-A-Ride Bus Purchase
A new light-duty cutaway bus is up for purchase to keep the Dial-A-Ride transit service running for riders who depend on it.
Landfill equipment replacements
The city is buying four vehicles — a fire pickup, parks van, forestry lift truck and wastewater sludge hauler — for about $531,000 combined through state cooperative pricing.
Rezoning of Tittabawassee River Road properties
Three residential parcels were shifted to agricultural zoning, locking in their low-intensity use. The property owner supported the change and no one objected at the hearings.
Downtown Development Authority Lot D reconstruction
The downtown Lot D parking area and lift station drive will be repaved for about $133,000.
4705 Bay City Road rezone and parking code rewrite
Hearings were set for November 23 on rezoning part of 4705 Bay City Road to Regional Center zoning and on a full overhaul of the city's parking and loading rules.
Rezoning of Prairie Creek Drive and Laughton Drive properties
Two single-family residential properties could be rezoned to agricultural under Zoning Petition 674. Neighbors would get a chance to comment at the public hearing before any decision.
Overhaul of city parking requirements
A study found Midland parking lots average only 43% full at peak, meaning developers have been required to build far more parking than needed. The new rules would cut minimums, allow shared parking and infill flexibility, and add bike parking and pedestrian safety standards citywide.
Yard waste collection fee increases
Yard waste costs are going up: $70 a year for your first roll-out container, $35 for extra ones, and 80 cents per bag sticker. The silver lining — fees are waived in April, October and November.
Rezoning petitions 674 and 675
Two petitions would let property owners legally keep farm animals and cultivate land inside city limits, since city rules bar farm animals outside agricultural zones. One neighbor worried about wetlands, tree removal, and future zoning escalation.
Valley Drive Pump Station backup generator
The Valley Drive pump station is the city's backup drinking water supply during power outages. A new dedicated generator, backed by $600,000 in federal EPA money, will make sure water keeps flowing when the lights go out.
Countywide transit facility study
The city is spending up to $59,842 (mostly federal grant money) on a study of a joint transportation facility that would serve all of Midland County's Dial-A-Ride needs, including possible bus storage and maintenance sites.
Arc of Midland social service agency at 5114 Jefferson Avenue
The Arc of Midland wanted to operate a social service agency at 5114 Jefferson Avenue, which needs a conditional use permit under the city's zoning rules. Neighbors got a say at a public hearing before the council signed off.
New credit union development at 4600 Bay City Road
Isabella Community Credit Union is building a 2,850-square-foot branch with drive-through near Costco. The big question was parking — they got permission for double the normally allowed spaces because they plan to double their staff. The site adds sidewalks, a bike rack, and underground stormwater detention.
City Forest master plan
A resident submitted a petition over planned tree removal in her neighborhood, asking the council to reconsider the project.
Civic Arena fee increases
Ice time, skate rentals and drop-in programs at the Civic Arena are getting more expensive, with ice rental rates rising to $290 then $325 an hour. Hockey leagues and residents came to object, saying the higher costs could hit youth and amateur programs hard.
Drive-through restaurant on S. Saginaw Road
A new 4,408-square-foot commercial building with a drive-through restaurant is planned at 1815-1917 S. Saginaw Road, next to Popeye's and Jersey Mike's. Cross-access agreements with both neighbors are being worked out.
Police equipment and technology upgrades
The police department is getting three new patrol vehicles to replace aging, high-maintenance units, plus a $104,874 records management system that supports investigations and public transparency.
The Arc of Midland facility on Jefferson Avenue
The Arc of Midland wants to move into the former daycare at 5114 Jefferson Avenue to serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities — no clients would live there, and hours would be 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Some neighbors raised concerns about traffic, lighting, and whether it fits a single-family neighborhood; the commission unanimously forwarded it to City Council.
Sewer line dispute at 725 S. Saginaw Road
A damaged sanitary sewer line crossing the auto repair garage site has left businesses at 712 Cambridge Street without sewer service, and the property owners haven't reached an agreement on repairs. The city says it's a private dispute, but it's complicating the site plan review.
Floodplain management and repetitive loss planning
Multiple neighbors cited flooding worries and asked for dredging; staff explained the 'problem sites' map tracks open-drain culvert debris and said woody debris removal along Sturgeon Creek is scheduled for later this year.
Jefferson Avenue reconstruction
The city hired engineers to design the rebuild of Jefferson Avenue between Wheeler and Wackerly streets, funded largely with federal aid.
Rezoning of 3100 and 3120 N. Saginaw Road
Property on N. Saginaw Road could shift from office-service to neighborhood-center zoning, allowing a wider mix of neighborhood commercial uses. A public hearing is set for August 24.
Traffic volumes on Saginaw Road
Residents raised concerns about existing and future traffic; staff noted recent counts of about 16,000 vehicles per day on this stretch of Saginaw Road, with traffic under City jurisdiction.
Vacation of Maple Street
The city may give up a little-used portion of Maple Street so neighboring property owners, including a developer planning 16 apartments, can use the land — with a promised easement keeping park and street access. The City Council makes the final call.
Sugnet Road bridge replacement
Engineering work begins on replacing the W. Sugnet Road bridge over Sturgeon Creek, with Eng, Inc. hired for $210,267.50.
Currie Golf Course simulator and clubhouse expansion
The golf course is getting a $140,398 golf simulator and a $474,700 clubhouse expansion — a big investment in year-round recreation at Currie.
Hart Park tribute plaza
Case Western Reserve University is funding a tribute plaza at Hart Park honoring Dow Chemical's founders; the city needs a budget amendment of up to $75,000 to proceed.
Industrial tax exemption for Midland Compounding PM
Midland Compounding PM wants an industrial facilities tax exemption for a new 15,960-square-foot production building. The council set a July 13 public hearing — the company's tax break isn't approved yet.
Library investments in digital history and collections
The library gets a major upgrade: $215,000 to digitize Midland's historical newspapers (city-owned files), $205,000 for e-books and audiobooks, $175,000 for new books, plus outdoor furnishings and new auditorium lights.
Larkin Township water service agreement
A new water service agreement with Larkin Charter Township was approved, with one resident speaking against it at the meeting.
New office and dental clinic on West Wackerly Street
A 6,200-square-foot building with an architecture firm and a dental clinic is proposed on a vacant lot between West Wackerly and US-10. The commission wants landscaping, sidewalk, and lighting details cleaned up before voting June 23.
Zoning modernization program
The city is steadily rewriting its zoning rules — landscaping/screening standards are nearly ready for introduction, consultants are working on parking standards (report expected late July) and a sign ordinance update.
Pine River Road and Benson Street Reconstruction
The council awarded a $627,613 contract to rebuild Pine River Road from Poseyville Road to Benson Street and Benson Street itself, funded by the Major Street Fund.
Saginaw Road Streetscape Phase II Design
The council hired Moore & Bruggink for up to $559,500 to design the next streetscape phase from Dartmouth Street to Ashman Circle, funded by leftover Phase I money — though a former city engineer and another bidder spoke against the selection.
Street surface treatment program
$600,000 in street funds will pay for surface treatment of major and local streets this year by Fahrner Asphalt Sealers.
Downtown special assessment
Downtown property owners will fund a $90,000 economic revitalization program entirely through special assessments under the newly established 2026 district.
Pi's Brothers Liquor License Revocation
Pi's Chinese Restaurant's liquor license is headed for revocation after the business failed to pay its winter 2025 property taxes despite repeated notices. The recommendation now goes to the state liquor commission.
State Zoning Preemption Opposition
Midland joined cities pushing back against Michigan housing bills that would override local zoning, urging legislators to work with municipalities instead.
Park rules changes and unhoused residents
Updated park rules — including camping provisions — were adopted, with residents raising concerns about how the rules affect unhoused people who spend time in city parks.
Lancaster Street reconstruction
Lancaster Street between Love Street and E. Sugnet Road will be rebuilt this year under a $734,433 contract with Malley Construction.
7900 Eastman Ave rezoning for multi-family housing
The council gave final approval to rezone a parcel on Eastman Avenue from township zoning to RB Multiple Family Residential — opening the door for apartment-style development along a major corridor.
Gas Station Traffic Access on Bay City Road
A new gas station with over $3 million in investment will replace a vacant corner at Bay City Road, though neighbors are concerned about the driveway placement off Bay City Road.
Rezoning of 7900 Eastman Avenue
A proposed rezoning of 7900 Eastman Avenue to allow multiple-family residential development will get a public hearing on March 23. The Planning Commission has already recommended approval.
CDBG-DR Woody Debris Management Project
The city is moving ahead with a $2.665 million woody debris cleanup project funded by federal disaster recovery dollars — the grant fully reimburses the cost, including $232,620 for engineering services from Spicer Group.
Commerce Drive reconstruction
Commerce Drive between Eastman Avenue and the Jacobs Drain will be rebuilt this year under a $617,253 contract funded by the Major Street Fund.
Airport improvements and staffing
The city will buy avigation easements so trees around Barstow Airport can be removed for flight safety, with funds already budgeted.
Contractor's yard conditional use permit at 3500 Isabella Street
Brian Musgrove got final council approval for a contractor's yard on Isabella Street after the Planning Commission recommended it. Nobody spoke at the hearing.
Rezoning of 1605 Bookness Street
A petition to rezone 1605 Bookness Street from single-family residential to Neighborhood Center zoning got its first reading; the real public hearing is March 2.