The time has come for downtown property owners to have their say in the Sault Ste Marie Form-Based Code.
The code is a community envisioned regulatory tool used to ensure the city's downtown development matches its intended character.
It implements safe, affordable, walkable, and active neighborhoods designed to reinforce community identity through residential input and historic preservation in a city founded 353 years ago.
“It is important for people who have an interest in the future of our downtown to participate,” Community Development Director Kelly Freeman said. “We want to ensure we write a code that will work for everyone.”
The city decided to replace its “outdated” downtown zoning code in 2018. Public input sessions were held and a new code was drafted. Community feedback was expected by early 2020, but the pandemic put a fork in those plans. Jumping ahead to late October 2022, the time has finally come.
Your feedback on the proposed draft has been requested in two Zoom feedback sessions on Monday, Oct. 24 at 6 p.m. and Thursday, Oct. 27 at 2 p.m.
Modifications will be added for public hearing at a city planning commission meeting tentatively scheduled on Dec. 1.
It will then go to the city commission for adoption on Dec. 19 and Jan. 3, 2023.
Zoom meeting links and IDs are as followed:
- October 24th at 6:00 pm https://mcka.zoom.us/j/86091699490 Meeting ID: 860 9169 9490
- October 27th at 2:00 pm https://mcka.zoom.us/j/86822854227 Meeting ID: 868 2285 4227
Find the Notice of Public Input Opportunity: Proposed Downtown Rezoning here.
Any questions, comments, or concerns may be directed to Kelly Freeman, Community Development Director, at [email protected] or 906-632-570.
