As we prepare to ring in the new year, the City of Battle Creek is seeking volunteers to share their expertise and interests by serving on one of our boards or commissions.
It is through the work of our dedicated citizens who choose to serve in this way that we have citizen representation in the business of city government.
Appointed members from the public must live in the City of Battle Creek, and some boards and commissions have additional requirements for service.
Learn more about each city board, committee and council, and get an application to join at our website, www.battlecreekmi.gov. Navigate to Your Government; Boards, Committees & Councils.
For current vacancies, applications are due on Friday, Jan. 13. However, applications are accepted throughout the year for all committees and are kept on file.
The city currently is seeking members for the following boards and commissions:
- Planning Commission – The Planning Commission is responsible for planning the future growth of the community and reviewing specific development projects, including special use permits, zoning ordinance amendments, and property rezoning requests. Members must be representative of segments of the community such as agriculture, natural resources, recreation, education, and public health.
- Zoning Board of Appeals – The ZBA has authority to waive zoning ordinance requirements when an ordinance’s conditions or requirements create a hardship or difficulty for property owners to use their property.
- Historic District Commission – The HDC’s main purpose is to review applications and plans for the construction, alteration, repair, moving, or demolition affecting the exterior of a structure/property within a Local Historic District. State and local laws require one member to be an architect, if available, and a majority of members to have a clearly demonstrated interest in or knowledge of historic preservation.
- Board of Appeals – The Board of Appeals’ purpose is to hear and decide on appeals concerning the application or interpretation of provisions and standards of the International Property Maintenance Code, the minimum maintenance requirements for existing buildings. It also hears appeals from decisions by the Dangerous Buildings Hearing Officer.