Community Development
Community Development Department Staff
Michelle Stenger
Community Development Director
(231) 592-4035
mstenger@cityofbr.org
Joseph Walker
Planning and Zoning Technician
Rental Inspection Coordinator
(231) 592-4036
jwalker@cityofbr.org
Community Development Director
(231) 592-4035
mstenger@cityofbr.org
Joseph Walker
Planning and Zoning Technician
Rental Inspection Coordinator
(231) 592-4036
jwalker@cityofbr.org
Melanie Doughty
Grant Coordinator
231-592-4032
mdoughty@cityofbr.org
Andrew Hartung
Rental Inspector and Code Enforcement Officer
Office: (231) 592-4057
Cell: (231) 250-9588
ahartung@cityofbr.org
Grant Coordinator
231-592-4032
mdoughty@cityofbr.org
Andrew Hartung
Rental Inspector and Code Enforcement Officer
Office: (231) 592-4057
Cell: (231) 250-9588
ahartung@cityofbr.org
Building Official
Mecosta County Building Department
(231) 592-0105
Mecosta County Building Department
(231) 592-0105
About the Community Development Department
The Community Development Department has the following offices: Planning and Zoning, Code Enforcement, Rental Inspections, Grant Administration, and Community Economic Development.
The Department of Community Development includes the following functions and responsibilities:
- Providing technical support to the City Commission in matters pertaining to planning, zoning, building, and community development, and other specific subjects as directed by the City Commission or City Manager.
- Providing technical support to the Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals.
- Administering the Zoning Ordinance.
- Administering the City's building, housing, and subdivision regulations and any other ancillary or related portions of the City Code as assigned by the City Manager.
- Maintaining and updating the plans and regulations administered by the Department, and others at the direction of the City Manager.
- Conducting zoning and other regulatory inspections as required by the City Code or the City Manager.
- Discovering and pursuing grants and other funding opportunities for the City.
Starting a Development Project
Prior to the beginning of any development process in the City of Big Rapids, applicants are encouraged to meet with City staff for a Development Pre-Application Meeting. It is helpful to utilize the Development Pre-Application Checklist in gathering all of the necessary information for the meeting. To request a Development Pre-Application Meeting, please contact the Community Development Director, Michelle Stenger, at (231) 592-4035 or mstenger@cityofbr.org.
Please note, you are not required to have any preliminary drawings or site plans to schedule a meeting. Our Community Development and Public Works staff would be happy to meet and discuss concepts for a property so long as you have a specific site and use in mind. If you do not have a specific site and use in mind, please contact our City Manager to discuss economic development opportunities.
Prior to the beginning of any development process in the City of Big Rapids, applicants are encouraged to meet with City staff for a Development Pre-Application Meeting. It is helpful to utilize the Development Pre-Application Checklist in gathering all of the necessary information for the meeting. To request a Development Pre-Application Meeting, please contact the Community Development Director, Michelle Stenger, at (231) 592-4035 or mstenger@cityofbr.org.
Please note, you are not required to have any preliminary drawings or site plans to schedule a meeting. Our Community Development and Public Works staff would be happy to meet and discuss concepts for a property so long as you have a specific site and use in mind. If you do not have a specific site and use in mind, please contact our City Manager to discuss economic development opportunities.