The Frankenmuth Business Park, located south of Roedel Road on M83, is dedicated to the development of a research and technical business destination. Owned by the City of Frankenmuth, the Frankenmuth Business Park will be a phased project, beginning with at least five (5) acres east of MainStreet (M83). The Frankenmuth Business Park is zoned Industrial Special Use Planned Unit Development (IS PUD.) Property owned by Frankenmuth Insurance and located immediately west of the City owned property is zoned Commercial-Local Planned Unit Development (CL-PUD).

Through collaboration with Frankenmuth Township as defined in the City Township Master Growth Plan, the area identified in purple is zoned Industrial Special-use Planned Unit Development.  In 2010, the property has been annexed to the City. For planning purposes, the City and Township share the exact zoning code related to I-S PUD for this property.

As seen in the illustration, the area zoned and ready for development (shaded in purple) is about five (5) acres. With the Township as a partner in this process, a project requiring more than five (5) acres, providing a good business plan, private investment and employment opportunities will be well-considered for zoning request changes, as needed.

The vision for the Frankenmuth Business Park is to provide a location for businesses housed in attractive buildings in park-like surroundings, encouraging innovative land use, design layout and type of structures, achieve economy and efficiency in land use and energy while providing employment opportunities. The site will promote community attractiveness, integrating the site with adjacent areas using topographic features, transitional areas and the liberal application of landscape and screening devices providing a pleasant environment for the shopping and work experience.

Most importantly, the City and Township hope the Business Park improves the economic base and tax structure of the Frankenmuth metropolitan area by encouraging the development of stable, economically sound industrial concentration.

USES. With the current zoning, the City is actively seeking businesses in research, sales and production. Generally speaking, I-S PUD developments follow the rules and regulations established by City Code for Industrial developments.

For the development of the Frankenmuth Business Park, these uses are specifically prohibited:

• Contractors Equipment Yards
• Automobile Machinery and Assembly Plants
• Industrial Painting, Varnishing and Undercoating Shops
• Salvage/Junk Yards
• Recreation Vehicle Encampments
• Camps
• Residential Developments
• Livestock/Poultry Farms
• Dairy Farm Operations
• Churches and Schools
• Hotels/Motels
• Outdoor Sales
• Amusement Parks
• Outdoor Storage
• Storage of Flammable/Toxic Liquids or Chemicals
• Trucking as primary business
• Blast Furnaces (and Like)
• Corrosive Material Manufacture
• Smelting of Metals, Metal Plating, Buffing or Polishing
• Stockyards and Slaughter Houses
• Petroleum Refinings
• Mixing Plants for Asphalt etc.
• Processes Requiring Outdoor Storage
• Cemeteries or Mausoleums
• Jails, Penal, Detention or Corrections Facilities
• Non-Commercial Clubs or Lodges
• Sanitary Landfills and
• Anything causing obnoxious fumes, smoke, noise or apearance.

SPACE MANAGEMENT. The City of Frankenmuth desires to maintain a park-like effect in the Business Park, with the area lawned or landscaped, with the exception of that area occupied by buildings, structures, parking area, sidewalks, loading areas or drives. Creativity will be encouraged. Parking will be located on side and rear setbacks where possible. The Front Setback may include signage, driveway, sidewalks or other means of access to the interior of the property and may contain a minimum amount of parking if needed. The front setback may also be used for utilities, which will be located underground, unless deemed unsafe or unreliable according to the utility services provider.
A majority of the front setback will be green space, with at least 10% of the area landscaped with trees, shrubs and general plantings. Existing 12” or more caliper trees will be retained or protected if not within the buildable area. Rain Gardens, supporting storm water management, are encouraged.
Undeveloped land or land held for expansion may remain natural or farmed, provided that due maintenance is taken to prevent weed spread and a four (4) foot perimeter is maintained.

SIGNAGE. Freestanding signs will be limited to 8 feet in height and 50 square feet per side; and

BUILDING MATERIALS. Construction of all buildings will be of steel, structural block or masonry. All buildings shall have an exterior facing of architectural materials such as face brick, concrete block, architectural concrete, steel or aluminum factory-finished panels and glass. All sides of a building fronting a public street or highway must be treated with finished materials. Windows shall be incorporated in the office/entry areas and, as practical, in other areas of the building.