MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - Building height limitations in downtown Haslett and downtown Okemos have been a concern for the Meridian Township Planning Commission.

At their meeting on March 12th, they discussed the proposal.

It was mentioned that businesses would like an 18 to 20-foot floor to ceiling height, but the standards right now are not there.

There was proposals of having a maximum 60-foot building height as well as allowing four or fives floors.

A huge concern for members of the board was how it would change the feeling of the downtown areas.

Downtown Ann Arbor and Birmingham were references because they have gone through similar situations.

Meridian Township Economic Development Sirector, Chris Buck, has been proposing the ideas.

"All we're trying to do is come up with numbers whether it's four floors or fives floors or a 60-foot cap. Those numbers, I believe, would work to cast the net, but also kind of curve the worries, allay the fears maybe some of the citizens who are concerned of the ten-foot or a ten-story or 12-story going up in East Lansing. I don't think anyones proposing to do that," he said.

In the end, the motion failed to make these changes as the members would like to personally see this concept in other downtown areas.