Montague City Council Meeting and Work Session Recap – June 16, 2025

MONTAGUE, MI – The Montague City Council met Monday evening for a regularly scheduled session that featured updates on key infrastructure projects, zoning changes, and community safety initiatives. Mayor Tom Lohman called the meeting to order just after 6:00 p.m., leading the council through a full agenda that balanced fiscal responsibility with forward-looking development plans.

Streetscape Project Moves Forward with Cautious Optimism

A highlight of the evening was a presentation from GreenPath Engineering, who shared updated design plans for Montague’s downtown streetscape improvement project. The proposal includes narrowing vehicle lanes, widening sidewalks, installing decorative lighting, and enhancing green spaces—all part of a broader effort to make the downtown area more walkable and inviting.

Estimated at $900,000, the project is tentatively scheduled for construction in 2026. Public comments were largely supportive, though some residents voiced concern about the potential loss of parking spaces. In response, council members agreed to request a parking impact study before finalizing the plan.

“This is a great opportunity to reimagine downtown,” said Councilmember Lisa Kiel. “But we need to make sure we’re not creating new issues as we solve old ones.”

Council Approves Rezoning for 12th Street Development

The council also considered a zoning amendment request from Crowncrest LLC, which sought to rezone a parcel on 12th Street from single-family (R-1) to two-family (R-2) residential. The change would allow for duplex development on the site.

Following a recommendation from the city’s Planning Commission, the council approved the rezoning in a 4–1 vote. Councilmember Rivera was the lone dissent, citing concerns about maintaining the character of existing neighborhoods and the potential strain on local infrastructure.

City staff noted that water service upgrades would be necessary if the development proceeds, a cost that would be handled by the developer.

Public Safety: Crime Trends and Community Engagement

Chief Rick Johnson provided the council with a second-quarter crime report, highlighting both challenges and successes. While vehicle thefts saw a slight increase, residential burglaries dropped by more than half. Johnson credited ongoing patrol adjustments and community partnerships for the improvement.

The department is also rolling out new community engagement programs, including “Coffee with a Cop” sessions set to begin in July. Additionally, a recent grant award will fund the full deployment of body-worn cameras for officers, expected by September.

“These tools not only enhance transparency, they help protect both the public and our officers,” said Johnson.

Budget Review and Millage Renewal on the Horizon

Reporting May revenues of $1.22 million and expenses of $1.18 million—keeping the city in a strong fiscal position. The council also reviewed draft language for renewing a 1.5-mill levy dedicated to parks and recreation. If approved, the millage renewal will appear on the November ballot.

Councilmembers expressed broad support for the initiative, citing the importance of maintaining local parks and investing in outdoor community spaces.

Community Feedback and Resident Concerns

During the public comment portion of the meeting, several residents shared feedback and suggestions. A local resident requested improved lighting on the White Lake Trail near Sunnybrook Park, while another raised concerns about speeding on Elm Street. City staff agreed to deploy speed trailers in the coming weeks and consider the lighting request during the next parks budget discussion.

The meeting wrapped up with committee updates, including news that water main replacements on Oak Street have been completed and that the Senior Services program has seen a 12% increase in meal delivery volume this spring.

Looking Ahead

The Montague City Council will reconvene for its next regular meeting on July 21, 2025. Topics expected to return include the downtown parking analysis, updates on community engagement initiatives, and planning for the November millage renewal vote.

For more information about council meetings or to submit a public comment, residents are encouraged to contact City Hall during business hours.

Community Weighs In: Development, Lake Monitoring, and Public Safety at Montague Work Session

Following the regular council meeting on June 16, 2025, the City of Montague held a work session that drew strong community interest and extended discussion on several key topics.

Concerns Rise Over Bowen Street Development

The proposed planned unit development (PUD) along Bowen Street dominated public comment. Numerous residents—many living on or near Old Channel Trail—expressed strong opposition to the project, citing traffic congestion, pedestrian safety, clear-cutting of trees, drainage concerns, and the character of the neighborhood.

Speakers questioned whether the development aligned with Montague’s master plan and asked whether units would be for rent or sale. Several worried about long-term property values, while others raised emotional and environmental concerns tied to tree loss and disruption of local ecosystems.

Developer Responds with Revised Plan

In response, city officials and the project developer presented a revised site plan, reducing the total units from 58 to 48 and expanding buffer zones between the development and surrounding homes. The updated concept includes additional guest parking, modified road layouts, adjusted retention basins to manage stormwater, and new commitments to preserve mature trees wherever feasible.

Council members discussed the potential for a phased buildout, which could reduce construction disruption and allow flexibility in adjusting to market demand. The developer clarified that units would be owner-occupied condominiums, not short-term rentals, unless allowed under city policy.

The discussion also addressed architectural variation, with developers showing multiple façade options to avoid a “cookie-cutter” appearance. Some council members expressed cautious support for the updated concept but emphasized the need for continued refinement and communication with affected residents.

White Lake Smart Buoy Initiative Presented

Representatives from the White Lake Association gave a brief presentation on a newly deployed “smart buoy” in White Lake, which tracks wind, wave, and water quality data. Funded initially through a $40,000 EGLE grant, the buoy supports lake health monitoring, educational programming, and community access to real-time data.

The association requested the city contribute $875 to enable public access to the buoy’s online portal. Council members responded favorably, suggesting broader cost-sharing with nearby municipalities in future years.

Hazard Mitigation Plan Raises Transparency Concerns

City Manager Jeff Moss and Councilmember Paul Schultz discussed recent edits made to the Muskegon County Hazard Mitigation Plan. The city had submitted over 30 corrections after identifying several inaccuracies in the original report, including false claims about tornado sirens in the city.

While FEMA accepted the submitted edits and deemed them “minimal,” some council members remained skeptical. The plan will return for formal council action at a future meeting, which will allow Montague to remain eligible for FEMA grant funding in the event of natural disasters.

Community Wrap-Up: Continued Concerns and Open Dialogue

During the final public comment period, residents reiterated their concerns about the Bowen Street project, requesting transparency around the development agreement and expressing hope for a phased approach. Issues around emergency access, stormwater runoff, and pedestrian safety on Bowen Street and Old Channel Trail remained at the forefront.

Others called for greater public awareness and participation in future planning decisions and praised the council for its engagement and responsiveness to resident input.

Tribute to the White River Light Station

To conclude the work session, the council formally supported a proclamation recognizing the 150th anniversary of the White River Light Station, one of the community’s most iconic landmarks. The signed tribute will be presented to local lighthouse groups and commemorated during upcoming festivities.

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