At their regular meeting Monday night, the Hastings City Council adopted an ordinance that amends the city building code by eliminating the requirement for a basement when building a new dwelling. 

 

The Hastings Planning Commission had recommended the change, which will allow the option to construct new houses on slabs at possibly lower construction costs. The change will not allow mobile homes in the city outside of mobile home parks as they do not meet other existing requirements.

 

In other action, the council approved requests to hold events:

 

- The annual New Year's Eve ball drop in downtown Hastings to welcome in 2020.

 

- The 12th annual Barry Roubaix bicycle races to be held April 18, 2020.

 

- The 5th annual Barry County Brewfest on September 19, 2020. Brewfest is a 'moving' festival, and has been held previously in Middleville, Freeport, Delton, and in Nashville. This year it will be at the Thornapple Plaza in Hastings.