Birmingham to rezone property at 550 W. Merrill to O-1 Office

Birmingham Planning Director Jana Ecker informed the city commission at its most recent meeting that Birmingham Public Schools are requesting that the city rezone the property located at 550 W. Merrill from R-8 Multi-Family Residential to O-1 Office. Birmingham Schools are attempting to sell the property.

According to Ecker, the property has been used for offices, anyway, for the last 40 years. The purchaser is proposing to use the bottom floor of the building for medical offices. The only real hang-up at this point is parking. The purchaser explained to the commission that the parking lot presently there will not be adequate for the medical offices. The City Engineer is going to look into that.

One small point of contention during the public comment section was raised by Commissioner Conrad. Conrad pointed out that Mayor Pro Tem Rinschler, who was present, is married to a member of the Board of Education. Conrad questioned whether this created a conflict, but the motion to rezone was approved anonymously anyway.

Sources:

http://www.ci.birmingham.mi.us/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=3925