Planning Commission and Council to consider changes at Market

A grand opening event will be held on Saturday at the Manchester Market, showcasing more than a year's worth of work and planning on the part of all the involved partners — Super Perky Pantry, Acorn Farmers' Market & Café, Grand River Butcher, Grand River Bakery, and Iorio Gelato.

"I think this store is going to be a great draw in, even for people outside this community," said Ken Heers, managing partner of the Super Perky Pantry. "We've heard a lot of positive comments over the past couple of weeks; everyone coming in is just thrilled, and that makes it exciting. It's been a great response, and we are thrilled to have such a great partnership with Acorn, too. Everything we do, we're all working together. We want the farmers' market to be successful."

Heers added that as fun as it has been to watch the project come to fruition, it was critical to the business that they can expand, to be able to open for as much retail as possible. That includes sales of beer and wine, primarily to-go.

For that reason, the partnership will present its plan for a Conditional Use Permit at this Wednesday's Village Planning Commission meeting, as well as at a public hearing set for the October 18 Village Council meeting. Both meetings will be held at 7 pm in the Village Council Chambers on the lower level at 912 City Road.

An email from Village Planning consultant John Enos included the following comments on the Conditional Use Permit.

"The Planning Commission and Village Council shall review the particular circumstances and facts of each proposed use, and shall consider general and specific standards established for a particular use. Planning Commission and Council shall also consider the nature and character of the activities, procedures, materials, equipment, or conditions of operation, ether specifically or typically associated with the use — including, but not limited to, hours of operation, outdoor storage, and work areas."

Enos indicated that the Village's Master Plan calls for this area to be commercial. In addition, he said, "the proposed use supports the goals and objectives of the plan calling for a variety of commercial establishments, especially dining, in the village."

He noted that no changes are planned for the exterior or parking area, and that the site has already been significantly improved, and that the proposed usage will be an improvement in relation to property in the immediate vicinity and to the village as a whole. "Successful and vibrant communities have a variety of eating and drinking establishments," he said.

He added that the proposed request (allowing for the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages at the location) is reasonable and appropriate based on the already significant improvements to the site, but noted, "The Planning Commission and Council should consider the following in making their decision: (1) approval of all state and county requirements for alcohol consumption on commercial property. The Village is concerned that the consumption of alcohol will always be secondary and incidental to the overall use. The proposed limited area shown on the plan for consumption (25 seats) should not be increased without approval of the Village; (2) clarify any planned outdoor alcohol consumption; and (3) hours of operation should be clarified."

Heers said that since the plans have been circulated, there has been a great deal of speculation about the property adjacent to the current market and the possibility of future expansion.

"What we need to do, and I've communicated with township on this — a lot of work needs to be done on that property," Heers said. "There's some pollution due to prior bulk fuel storage on that site, and the old railroad ... there will be issues to put in a building there."

Remediation on the site will "happen sooner than later," he said, but can't be done with the recycling bins on that lot. That has forced Manchester Township to consider where to relocate the recycling bins by the end of this year. Heers added, "Any expansion will be with respect to manufacturing in the market itself, and give us additional warehouse space. It will make room for more commercial and retail, and possibly becoming USDA certified down the road, which would give us more availability to cut and package meat for our other locations as well as for retail sale. And, eventually, we will need additional parking for our guests and employees at the market."

Heers noted that he and Justin Dalenberg have been in business together "for a long time," and stressed that "we have no hidden agenda. We're really pretty straightforward — we don't hide things, we are an open book, and that's the direction we have chosen to go.

"Thanks for all the support; it's really special to be a part of this community."

The open house will be held Saturday, Oct. 16, during regular hours of operation. A band will be outdoors from 11 am to 2 pm, and there will be food, games, and other entertainment.

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.