A Recap of Council Deliberations, Public Concerns, and Development Updates
The Montague City Council convened for a regular meeting followed by a detailed work session on July 21, 2025. The evening featured significant discussions about the Muskegon County Hazard Mitigation Plan, housing development impacts, and strategic land use planning in the industrial park. Below is a summary of the evening’s proceedings.
Council Meeting Highlights
Agenda Approval and Consent Items
The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by unanimous approval of the evening’s agenda and the agenda:
- Included: Board and commission reports and $147,818.76 in regular bills.
Resolution 2025-07: Muskegon County Hazard Mitigation Plan
The council debated Resolution 2025-07, concerning the city’s adoption of the Muskegon County Hazard Mitigation Plan, required for FEMA grant eligibility.
- Criticisms Raised:
- Councilman Paul Schultz objected to inaccuracies in the plan—over 30 errors pertaining to Montague.
- The county acknowledged receiving Montague’s corrections but will not incorporate them until the 2027 plan updates begin.
- Schultz warned against approving “fictional documents” and called the process “a waste of public money.”
- Arguments in Favor:
- Councilmembers expressed concern that rejecting the plan could make Montague ineligible for FEMA grants for up to five years.
- Susan Newhof and Laura LaGuire noted the moral dilemma of accepting a flawed plan while risking the community’s access to disaster assistance.
- Resolution Outcome:
- A motion was passed to adopt the resolution contingent upon the county’s formal acknowledgment of errors and their commitment to correct them in the next revision cycle.
DDA Appointment
The Council affirmed the mayoral appointment of Sarah Riel (Greenridge Realty) to the Downtown Development Authority, filling the seat of Mark Martinez (term ending 2026).
Fireworks: Celebration vs. Concern
Residents and councilmembers reflected on the city’s fireworks display:
- Positive feedback: Many praised the quality and atmosphere of the downtown show.
- Concerns voiced:
- Noise impacts on veterans, pets, and wildlife.
- Residential fireworks posed safety hazards and littering issues.
- Calls were made to explore state-level legislation limiting residential fireworks use near homes.
Work Session Summary
The council’s work session focused on Bowen Street residential development, stormwater management, and industrial park planning.
Bowen Street Site Plan: Community-Driven Adjustments
Responding to concerns, the development plan was adjusted to better reflect community input:
- Density Reduced: Units were reduced from 60 to 48, meeting the target of under 5 units per acre.
- Stormwater Retention Options:
- Alternatives to large retention basins were discussed, including connecting to existing storm drains on Bowen Street.
- This could preserve more trees and improve property aesthetics.
- Traffic & Pedestrian Safety:
- Traffic studies showed a 5% projected increase in local traffic from the development.
- Sidewalks and buffers will be added, and making Bowen Street one-way was brought up.
- Architectural Design Improvements:
- The developer is working with the city to provide diverse facades, rooflines, and building placements.
- The city aims to preserve mature trees and natural buffers through flexible site planning.
2025 Deer Hunting Parcels
- Council discussed re-certifying a single public hunting parcel south of the bike trail.
- Permit durations were discussed to be extended from two to four weeks, pending an ordinance amendment.
- Four deer were harvested last year on public land.
Industrial Park Lot Strategy
The council reviewed a proposal to subdivide a 13-acre parcel in the city’s industrial park into smaller, 2-acre lots for low-impact storage uses (e.g., boat storage).
- No current demand for large-scale industrial use due to infrastructure limitations and nearby residential areas.
- The plan preserves natural tree buffers and focuses on quiet, low-traffic tenants.
- Council emphasized that landscaping and tree preservation standards should be established before any parcels are sold.
Public Comments
Several residents shared thoughtful input:
- Bowen Street residents raised safety concerns about increased traffic and requested signage or turning restrictions near Old Channel Trail.
- One resident suggested the city notify FEMA earlier in the hazard mitigation planning process to avoid future conflicts.
- Another praised City Manager Jeff Auch for recent improvements like crosswalk signage downtown.
City Manager Announcements
- Wetland Restoration Project begins next week behind Montague Foods — volunteers welcome!
- Cruz’in White Lake Parade is Friday at 6 PM; streets downtown will close at 5 PM.
- Michigan Municipal League Convention will be held in Grand Rapids from September 17–19.
- Park Street sidewalk/curb work is underway; completion aimed for early August.
- Fireworks planning for 2026 (Montague’s big celebration year) will appear on the next agenda.
- MDOT’s “Road Diet” meeting for downtown corridor planning is August 25, 4–5:30 PM at City Hall.
Council and Mayor Reflections
- Mayor Tom Lohman, along with councilmembers, acknowledged both the praise and criticism surrounding fireworks.
- Multiple members echoed the value of resident engagement and the need for improved information sharing in planning decisions.
Looking Ahead
- Council will reconvene in August to:
- Finalize the Bowen Street site plan
- Certify 2025 deer hunting parcels
- Begin review of the PUD agreement for the residential development
Stay tuned to CatchMark Community for more updates.
