UDO, which is 330 pages in its current form, includes 14 articles, each pertaining to certain subjects like zoning, lighting, landscaping and others.
Among the most contentious issues for city residents are proposed changes to the single-family residential (R-1) zone district, renamed Low Density Residential in the UDO, and the Traditional Residential Neighborhood zone district, called Traditional Neighborhood Residential in the UDO. Planners say the goal of the changes is to slowly increase housing stock in Holland and allow for a greater variety of housing options.
The UDO proposes changes to those neighborhoods to make it legal in LDR to convert a single-family home to a duplex, as long as the property owner lives in one of the units and the footprint of the home does not change, and to make more properties in the TNR zone district eligible to construct multi-family housing.
WEST OLIVE Ottawa County will waive the entire food license fees for certain local restaurants that had to close over the past year due to the coronavirus pandemic, as well as reduce restaurant license fees for the coming year.
The county board of commissioners unanimously passed a resolution Tuesday, April 27, which would waive fees for 33 Ottawa County restaurants that paid them in 2020, but did not operate from May 1, 2020, to April 30, 2021.
County staff estimates this will generate savings around $13,600 for the restaurant owners. These businesses would still have to pay for their state licenses.
For the upcoming licensing year, which begins May 1, restaurants would receive a 30 percent reduction in their license fees from the county. For example, a restaurant that pays $700 for a fixed food license would receive a $210 rebate from the county.
GRAND RAPIDS Michigan s path to post-pandemic normalcy will depend on the state s vaccination rate, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Thursday, April 28.
Whitmer announced the MI Vacc to Normal plan, a framework that provides four vaccination milestones for the reopening of certain sectors like added capacity at indoor stadiums, lifting the curfew at restaurants and bars and lifting the state s indoor mask mandate. As more Michigan residents receive the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, more restrictions will be lifted.
Here are the metrics for reopening:
Two weeks after 4.5 million Michiganders have received their first vaccine dose (55% of the eligible population), the state will lift requirements that employers mandate employees work remotely where feasible.
WEST OLIVE We re trying really hard.
That was the message from Ottawa County Department of Public Health Officer Lisa Stefanovsky, speaking during an April 27 county board meeting.
As the health department continues to navigate the coronavirus pandemic, some residents have taken issue with the mitigation tactics OCDPH has enforced over the past year mask mandates, testing, contact tracing and quarantine for students and the enforcing of other health orders from the state.
During the public comment portion of county meetings, it s typical for a handful of residents to air their grievances, questioning why OCDPH is enforcing COVID-19 mitigation tactics and taking issue with other state orders.
HOLLAND Eligible individuals are encouraged to sign up for a COVID-19 vaccine if they have not received one already.
The Ottawa County Department of Public Health has announced multiple clinics for anyone 16 and older, regardless of which county they reside in; people can sign up for to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
Individuals can visit the OCDPH website at miottawa.org/health/ochd/coronavirus to schedule an appointment. Some OCDPH vaccine clinics will allow walk-ins while supplies are available, but vaccine-seekers are encouraged to schedule an appointment. Clinics announced this week include:
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, April 27, at St. Patrick and St. Anthony Parish at 920 Fulton Street in Grand Haven. OCDPH will provide the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine, with the second dose scheduled for May 25. Walk-ins are accepted from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., based on supply.