Coldwater, Michigan Development News
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City Council 7/13/2026
Published: Jul 13, 2026
Affordability Concerns Raised Regarding New Housing in Western Meadows
During the discussion on Western Meadows, a resident expressed concern that homes with three-car garages and potentially higher price tags would not be affordable for families earning an average income of around $50,000 per person. She argued that many mothers are leaving the workforce due to high costs, making it difficult for single-income households to afford such homes. The resident advocated for the city council to prioritize bare minimum housing starting at $100,000 or less, emphasizing the need for affordable family homes to foster community togetherness. Another resident, who previously worked for Ritzcraft Homes, highlighted that this company offers well-built, handicap-accessible, single-floor homes at a lower cost compared to other builders like Allen Edwin, and urged the council to consider local builders like Ritzcraft Homes.
Resident Opposes Potential Pay Raises for City Officials, Cites Spending Concerns
During public comments, a resident expressed strong opposition to any potential pay raises for city council members or staff, citing significant spending throughout the town and questioning the use of tax dollars. As an example, the resident pointed to the city pool area, stating that a large part of the town was removed to build a structure that is now unused. The resident believes council members are already overpaid and would oppose any closed session discussions regarding raises.
Resident Raises Concerns on Immigration, Community Sentiment, and Vetting
During public comments, a resident expressed concerns regarding the handling of immigrants in the community, referencing issues at Clemens and the temporary status revocation for Haitians. The speaker questioned why issues weren't addressed earlier and discussed the potential for immigrants to be considered 'illegal' if their status is revoked. They also highlighted negative community sentiments, including hateful comments on social media and calls for deportation. The speaker drew a parallel to vetting city council members, suggesting immigrants should also be properly vetted, and criticized the Biden administration for allowing unvetted immigrants. The resident also raised concerns about potential legal repercussions and negative publicity if immigrants cause harm, referencing a specific stabbing incident and the possibility of a wrongful death lawsuit against Clemens.
Homebuilder Seeks Modification to Garage Width Requirements in Western Meadows
Western Meadow and Green Development Ventures, represented by Brian Farcus of Alan Edwin Holmes, presented an alternate proposal regarding garage width requirements for lots purchased in Western Meadows. Due to lot sizes and house designs (specifically homes with rooms over the garage), meeting the strict 22-foot garage width requirement is challenging for some lots. The proposal is to meet or exceed the average garage footprint and square footage by incorporating a 16 by 6-foot bump-out for extra storage, ensuring all houses still have two-car garages. This modification aims to provide ample storage while allowing for architectural diversity and accommodating house designs that include living space above the garage. The council discussed whether this compromise meets the original intent of having larger than minimum garages.
City Manager Keith Baker Receives Favorable Evaluation and Proposed Pay Increase
The city council moved to enter a closed session to discuss the periodic personnel evaluation of City Manager Keith Baker. Following the closed session, a motion was made to give Keith Baker a favorable evaluation, proposing a 4% pay increase for 2026, followed by potential 3.5% and 3% increases in subsequent years, though these future increases are not binding. This decision follows the city attorney and city manager's statements that city council compensation has not increased in over 20 years and there are no current plans to do so.
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The Coldwater News archive
Downtown Development Authority (DDA) 7/22/2026
Historic District Commission (HDC) 7/8/2026
Coldwater Board of Public Utilities (CBPU) 7/7/2026
Planning Commission 7/6/2026
Downtown Development Authority (DDA) 6/24/2026
City Council 6/22/2026
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