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April 28, 2021 By Jessica Mathews / news@whmi.com The Howell City Council has renewed some changes to its civic event policy that helps reduce red tape involved with putting on different types of events. Last June, the City modified policy to allow the manager to approve pop-up events, expansions to outdoor seating at restaurants and other small activities to promote downtown Howell and local businesses though October. That included waiving the time frame to submit civic event applications and the requirement that Council approve all such events. The approval...

April 27, 2021 The City of Howell’s Community Development Director is departing. At Monday night’s Council virtual meeting, City Manager Paul DeBuff announced that Tim Schmitt is moving on and has put in his notice. Schmitt has been with the City for roughly 6-and-a-half years. The City website states the department facilitates and promotes high-quality growth and development. It’s responsible for coordinating long-range planning, current planning and zoning, code enforcement, building inspections, economic development, neighborhood development, and bro...

Howell city officials are considering creating a "social district," as is Brighton.  Several communities in the state have taken advantage of state legislation passed last summer. Michigan established social district permits that allow businesses to sell alcohol to customers who then consume it in public spaces such as sidewalks and parks within the boundaries of the social district.  Howell City Manager Paul DeBuff said city staff, Howell Main Street, Inc. and the Howell Downtown Development Authority have been working on a plan. The city council is expected to discuss the potential so...

April 13, 2021 By Jessica Mathews / news@whmi.com The City of Howell is the latest community to explore the possibility of creating a social district. Council met virtually Monday night, where City Manager Paul DeBuff stated staff has been discussing the possibility of creating a social district, sometimes called a refreshment district, which expands the legally allowed area for alcohol consumption within boundaries usually defined by signs. Under a new permit law through the state, a municipality can set up a social district where alcohol can be sold by lic...

March 11, 2021 By Jessica Mathews / news@whmi.com Discussions about managing the park and boat launch will be taking place between the City of Howell and the Howell Area Parks & Recreation Authority over the next couple of weeks. The City contracts with the Authority to run Scofield Park and the Thompson Lake boat launch for around $45,000. The Authority is responsible for manning the guard booth and handles pavilion rentals, which goes on year-round. It also manages the distribution of annual park passes for City residents and other participating municipal...