Bay City Planning Commission members will vote on a 120-unit housing project Wednesday evening at the site of the razed YMCA building and Bay County Market. The Feb. 18 meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. in Bay City Hall.

The four-story apartment building would bring 40 one-bedroom units, 59 two-bedroom units and 21 three-bedroom units to 501 Columbus Ave. Developers cleared the YMCA structure and market canopy from the property last year. The site sits in an office and general business zone, so special use permission is required, along with site plan approval.

The property spans street frontage on Columbus, Madison, Adams and 11th streets. Developers filed a petition to vacate Jefferson Street between Columbus Avenue and 11th Street. That request heads to the City Commission in March.

Parking poses another hurdle. The plan calls for 130 spaces to serve the 120 units. City rules demand 1.5 spaces per one-bedroom unit and two per two-bedroom unit, pushing the minimum higher. The Zoning Board of Appeals will weigh a variance request at its March 10 meeting.

City planners point to the 2024 Master Plan, which flags the Madison-Columbus intersection as prime for projects matching this size and design. Commission chair Tom Kramer said the panel expects a full presentation from applicant Bay City Housing Partners LLC.

Local residents have watched the site closely since the YMCA closed in 2022. Demolition wrapped up in late 2025, leaving the half-block parcel vacant. Neighbors raised concerns about traffic and density at a January public input session, according to city records.

If approved, construction could start by summer. The developer projects completion in 18 months, adding much-needed rentals to a downtown area short on family-sized housing. Bay City’s vacancy rate for apartments hovers around 4%, per recent housing data.

Commissioners will hear from staff, the applicant and public commenters before voting. Special use approvals require a majority vote and alignment with zoning goals. The panel meets monthly to tackle similar rezoning and development cases.

This project fits a wave of housing pushes across mid-Michigan. Saginaw County saw 300 new units permitted last year, while Bay County lagged at 150. Officials hope denser urban infill eases suburban sprawl pressures.

Anyone wishing to speak must sign up by 6:15 p.m. The agenda and full site plans are posted on the city website.