Village establishes “change of use“ ordinance

Manchester Village Hall. Photo courtesy of Carrie Keller.

by Marsha Chartrand

At its February 20 meeting, Manchester Village Council approved the Village Planning Commission’s recommendation to establish a “Change of Use Permit“ ordinance for commercial buildings within the village.

“It’s really a simple concept,“ said Village Manager Michael Sessions. “If a building has previously been used as an eating establishment, for instance, it will need a change of use permit prior to becoming a retail shop. If the usage will be similar in the new iteration, no change of use permit will be required.”

The ordinance reads, in part, “No building or structure, or part thereof, shall be changed to or occupied by a use of a different class or type unless a change of use permit is first obtained for the new or different use. Buildings with more than one use must apply and hold a change of use permit for each use within the building.“

Last fall, the Planning Commission found itself with a quandary when a new business requested a use that was not clearly established in the I-2 district, within the building on Duncan Street between Torrey and Division Streets. Due to its non-conforming use, the business owner was required to come before the Planning Commission for a public hearing and be approved by the Village Council as well.

All is well, and High Line Spirits is now operating in its new location. But planning commissioners observed that there are a number of businesses within that building and others in town where there are unidentified businesses operating; and while the building owners may be aware of the occupancy, the village is not. The simple ordinance that has been developed does not include a fee for the change of use permit at this time and is merely a formality so that the village becomes more aware of what types of businesses are operating and that the property is appropriately zoned for such enterprises.

Building owners and business owners will be jointly responsible for filing said permits. Questions about the ordinance can be directed to the Village Office at (734) 428-7877.

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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.