Third city commissioner in two years resigns; scope of work for master plan approved

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Erik Robinette said it was with “mixed emotions” that he formally resigned from his position as a city commissioner on Monday night, making him the third in fewer than two years to do so.

At the end of Monday’s meeting, Robinette cited his ineligibility to remain on the commission with his family’s recent purchase of a home outside the limits of Mount Pleasant. However, he said he will continue to work in the area as director of business development-Isabella County for MidMichigan Health.

“I would recommend people that are interested to try and start out on some local board or commission and work their way up to learn more about different topics and things like that,” he said. “It’s unfortunate, because I was kind of feeling like I was getting in my groove. I just got elected.”

Two other commissioners in recent years have also stepped down mid-term. Jeffrey Palmer resigned in May 2010 and, in February 2011, it was David McGuire, who Robinette was appointed to replace last April. Robinette was elected for a full three-year term in November.

Robinette came to the commission with experience on both Mount Pleasant’s Zoning Board of Appeals and Planning Commission. Commissioner Sharon Tilmann first recommended Robinette’s appointment in April.

But City Manager Kathie Grinzinger said, based on the city’s charter, the manner in which a commissioner is replaced differs between circumstances.

“This particular resignation is less than 12 months from the nearest regular election, which is going to be held in November,” she said.  “So the commission will appoint their own colleague.”

Other business

Also at Monday’s meeting, city commissioners approved a scope of work involved in updating Mount Pleasant’s Master Plan, which is required by the state every several years.

Within the approved proposal were several strategies and goals for city development in areas such as downtown, public facilities and services, public safety and community economic vitality.

The scope included an estimated $40,000 to $50,000 cost for the update, though city documents and state recommendations for budget amendments will be made at a later date. City Commissioner Jim Holton expressed concern that these estimations were “astronomical” and remained the sole dissenting voice in the 5-1 vote.

According to a memo from Jeff Gray, director of planning and community development, the scope could also accommodate the City Commission’s desire to have ZBA and Planning Commission zoning procedures documented if they’re in a region heavy with student housing redevelopments.

But some commissioners pointed to previous discussions during which they expressed the need for a more general sense of transparency. Commissioner Jon Joslin said the system of reviewing and approving items seems backwards in an area with increases in student density.

Variances are currently looked at on a case-by-case basis, he said, and consideration may not be applied equally.

“The way it’s happening is it’s starting at the zoning board and coming to the Planning Commission rather than the City Commission developing a policy that says, ‘This is what we want’ and that policy working its way down,” Joslin said. “We want a procedure that makes it so people have more opportunities to attend public hearings and offer input.”