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.
2026 Sidewalk Improvement Assessments (Bay City Road and Dublin Avenue)
The council is set to award Contract 13 under the 2026 Sidewalk Improvement Program, continuing the city's ongoing sidewalk construction and repair work.
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.
MSHDA Housing Readiness Incentive Grant
The city won the maximum $50,000 state grant to rewrite the administrative sections of its zoning ordinance — the rules for PUDs, variances, site plans and appeals. It's the next step in a seven-part overhaul of the 2004 zoning code guided by the 2024 master plan. Parking, landscaping, and sign ordinance updates are already in the pipeline.
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.
Affordable housing expansion at 3400 Isabella Street
The Affordable Housing Alliance is replacing its old bank-branch office with 10 below-market rental units — part of a bigger county push to renovate 69 units and build 60-70 new ones. The parking math only works if City Council passes the new parking rules in November, so there's some risk attached.
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.
Transition from MERS to city-run retirement system
The city is weighing whether to end its agreement with the Municipal Employees' Retirement System, which affects retirement benefits for city employees. A MERS representative addressed the council before any decision.
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 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.
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.
Freedom of Information Act appeal
The council backed the city attorney's refusal to fully release records from two September FOIA requests. Residents seeking those records now have the appeal path exhausted at the local level.
Bay City Road corridor rezoning
Jason Orvosh wants to rezone 3020 Bay City Road so an existing house-and-shop combo can become a walkable neighborhood business like a coffee shop or corner store, while the house is rented out separately.
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.
Agricultural zoning petitions in floodway and west-end areas
Two rare agricultural rezoning requests came before council: one to let a retiring owner develop wildlife habitat on 26 acres near Prairie Creek Drive, and one letting a riverfront owner keep 4-H livestock despite floodway restrictions. Both passed 5-0 as consistent with the master plan.