Special Reports

Lakeview District Subplan

Battle Creek Housing Action Plan

Consolidated Plan Strategic Priorities Guide

The city‘s Five Year Consolidated Plan is meant to establish strategic priorities and objectives in the area of community development and governs how federal funds are allocated by the city to projects and programs. To assist with the development of the strategic plan, the city hired Allovance, a strategic planning consultant with a proprietary planning method and software application designed to guide stakeholders through a five-step decision making process: strategize, compare, quantify, score, and select. This report lists all of the priorities and objectives derived from Allovance planning process, along with a brief description and scoring criteria for each objective. 

Citizen Participation Plan 

The Citizen Participation Plan describes how the city will engage citizens in the planning process for the Consolidated Plan, Annual Action Plan and CAPER.

Public Engagement Reports

Public survey results from 10 public meetings and 50 consultations with community leaders during the Consolidated Plan process.

Community Development Ecosystem Assessment

At a time when the city is pursuing a full review of our economic development strategy, housing and residential strategies are priority areas of concern. This report assesses housing and community development in the city, related to the following topics: current market, housing, and community development ecosystem conditions; strengths and gaps in the housing and neighborhoods strategy; national best practices for creating vital cities; state of nonprofit capacity and identification of opportunities for expanded impact; and recommendations for strengthening the ecosystem and building a more vital community. Released in May 2019, this report was prepared for the city by PFate and Associates LLC and the Affordable Housing Institute.

Environmental Review Policy, Procedures, and Standards

The City of Battle Creek receives federal grant funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide assistance to low- to moderate-income households and improve our community.

The purpose of these environmental procedures is to ensure that all projects funded with federal funds, including program income are in compliance with all applicable federal laws and authorities identified in Title 24 Part 58: Environmental Review Procedures for Entities Assuming HUD Environmental Responsibilities. Also, these procedures are intended to ensure a suitable living environment, or more specifically, to determine if any significant environmental impact may occur as a result of a proposed project; to release funds to support eligible projects that neither harm nor are harmed by the environment; to safeguard, enhance, and restore the environment; and to foster public participation in the development decision-making process.

As the City of Battle Creek assumes HUD environmental responsibilities for HUD grant funding under the requirements of HUD’s environmental review regulations at 24 CFR Part 58, the City acts as the responsible entity to ensure all regulations are implemented under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The HUD environmental review process within the City’s jurisdiction must be completed before federal funds can be utilized for the following programs:

  • Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
  • Home Investment Partnership Program (HOME) 
  • Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) 
  • Lead-based paint abatement programs
  • Other grants that require 24 CFR Part 58 compliance

City of Battle Creek Community Development Environmental Review Policy, Procedure, and Standards 24 CFR Part 58

Battle Creek Master Plan

The city's Master Plan serves as our official guide for growth and development over the next 10 to 20 years. It is the "road map" detailing a long-term vision and policy agenda for important issues related to growth, development, land use, sustainability and design of public and private spaces.
The plan answers, "What should Battle Creek look like?" and, just as importantly, "How do we get there?"

After a lengthy public process, our current Master Plan was adopted by the Planning Commission on Feb. 28, 2018, and by the City Commission on March 6, 2018.

Click the cover image below to read the 2018 City of Battle Creek Master Plan.
draft master plan cover Opens in new window

Sustainability Plan

Adopted Feb. 5, 2019, the city's Sustainability Plan recognizes the city's responsibility to protect the quality of the air, water, land, and all natural resources, and to conserve these resources in its daily operations. The plan was developed by the city's Sustainable BC Committee, comprised of city staff, community partners and others, who were given the task to increase the city's efforts to incorporate environmentally responsible and cost-effective policy related to built infrastructure and natural resources.
Read the plan by clicking the cover image below.
2019 Sustainability Plan cover image


Affirmative Marketing Report & Plan

The City of Battle Creek’s leadership commissioned this action-oriented report. This community-wide commitment to facing difficult truths and taking action is a strength embedded in Battle Creek’s DNA. Coalitions of leaders working to collaboratively address needs around homelessness and housing insecurity have already been meeting and openly working on building new relationships and deepening trust. This is a testament to the strength of this community and its commitment to continuous growth, learning, and improvement. The City of Battle Creek awarded the contract to complete this report to the Battle Creek Coalition for Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation (TRHT) to: 1. Ensure that COVID-19 Housing Response Grant funds are disbursed in an equitable manner that addresses root causes of disparities and applies a racial equity lens. 2. Demonstrate the value of a collaborative process for resource distribution, centering the voices of those most heavily impacted by housing disparities.

Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice

Regardless of the Community Development program, or the source of funds, the city must promote fair housing for all.  Fair Housing laws protect everyone from discrimination in the sale or rental of housing on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, age, marital status, disability, or sexual orientation/gender identity.  The City of Battle Creek has contracted with the Fair Housing Center of Southwest Michigan to conduct fair housing testing. For more information, visit the Fair Housing Center of Southwest Michigan website.

Get the Lead Out

A Plan of Action for Lead Poisoning Prevention & Remediation in Calhoun County, Michigan

Housing Studies

Comprehensive Housing Studies evaluate Battle Creek’s housing market conditions and characteristics and make recommendations for future housing development.

Downtown Plans


Community Plans


Annual Report

The Annual Report outlines the activities of the department as well as the boards and commissions listed.