[{"_1":2,"_109":-5,"_110":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,73,85,97],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":55,"_72":55},"mediaId",6655816,"mediaKeyId","5362580-54fc9ce94706d20e20e4976775d98d9a","parentId",5362580,"title","Planning commission recommends rezoning portion of 1356 Kalamazoo Ave SE to allow mixed‑use development","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",7560000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5362580-54fc9ce94706d20e20e4976775d98d9a&start=7560&end=7560","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5362580-54fc9ce94706d20e20e4976775d98d9a/thumbnail_7560000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6655816/Grand-Rapids-City/Kent-County/Michigan/Planning-commission-recommends-rezoning-portion-of-1356-Kalamazoo-Ave-SE-to-allow-mixeduse-development","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6655816-505e32cefe58df400e87702e6494255d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182676&Signature=lkav0j50Qror6ziVkIaEJAhAfDqv7~JS1S7YKHrxIXR-XcAkng5p2Xh7UaV4V0TqmeNRk3V38wfOqY2UGqMdoCC1jB5TbZKsFYhpCF4z~xPRzK82mpFwD6mUIpbnNgC8vXnlR0CvyO7siLLZ6wllXQYVivEi99VBMba2T3lgd0bRinfRI15yr6CubiEsi~XPrVs3DD4T5qfrpXW8IbaTFZYNCFBxXhstJFzoIU-f47yuWzQxrQyc~3yQVyEB-T88xZXjgQNe7PYfg0vyhJzQZBvkVLkp4QZNq7mX18exCk5zK9pmyjGgyPUWkl7hmn-M1A0RK87~frkNviChFbgDLA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-07-11T07:28:19Z","article","The Grand Rapids City Planning Commission on July 10 recommended approval of a rezoning that moves the east ~60 feet of 1356 Kalamazoo Avenue SE from TN LDR (residential) to TN TBA (traditional business) to permit a planned four‑story mixed‑use commercial and residential development on the parcel.

Staff said the parcel previously contained a gas station (circa 1960s–1970s) and that mapping and lot lines left the easterly portion zoned residential; the rezoning would make the parcel a single zone (TNTBA) and enable a by‑right mixed‑use development without returning to the commission for additional approvals. The Southtown area specific plan and the city’s future land‑use map were cited by staff as generally supportive of transition to business frontage along Kalamazoo in this location.

An applicant spokesperson said the development would bring retail and housing investment to the 49507 area; the applicant team included Saleem Usmani and members of a development team. No members of the public requested to speak at the hearing on this item.

The commission’s motion recommended approval of the rezoning, finding the change consistent with the master plan and area plan and noting that rezoning will result in a consistent zone designation on the parcel and facilitate the proposed mixed‑use project. The motion carried; the transcript does not show a numerical roll‑call tally.

Next steps: rezoning recommendation proceeds through the city’s ordinance adoption process; upon adoption and the rezoning’s effective date the applicant said it would begin work on the site and proceed with by‑right development under TNTBA standards.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Planning Commission Meeting - July 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The planning commission voted to recommend rezoning the easterly ~60 feet of 1356 Kalamazoo Ave SE from TN LDR to TN TBA so the parcel can be developed as a four‑story mixed‑use building.","taxTitle","Grand Rapids City, Kent County, Michigan","taxId",3704,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":74,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":75,"_41":76,"_43":77,"_45":78,"_46":79,"_48":80,"_50":81,"_52":82,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":83,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":84,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":55,"_72":55},6655821,"Commission approves Special Occasions banquet hall, sets noise, parking and alcohol conditions",1644,6606000,8250000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5362580-54fc9ce94706d20e20e4976775d98d9a&start=6606&end=8250","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5362580-54fc9ce94706d20e20e4976775d98d9a/thumbnail_6606000.jpg","/articles/6655821/Grand-Rapids-City/Kent-County/Michigan/Commission-approves-Special-Occasions-banquet-hall-sets-noise-parking-and-alcohol-conditions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6655821-54d84252e74094bc0ff870d73f262fb4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182676&Signature=kCmWjuDXbvnukZ-EWsdWplrGvRSZygAtm~J6Yfuedj0BgcCoRpOgyBnNAR7VhxK0b0DuUgvKeULjzKv9ABlYaeyJ~dYv0NkgNtZVDQf-ON9LmCjzk7utmPtin3bM1kYNgo~mw1p-yCgCiYBaVEt~C7eomvQsXOuvhnd6MC0PEhXltiWvNXPf9IdYqE4q~NaRJtWC~CTlkq89mIdgBJyhi1S3zKOJ1O7DoqzV~xpOvqyGehC3wtCFiLMVgIwMXF5stJPoh8RwXd5GG4TC3k0IJ1LG~8qH0R8tk~nT81atJ1dJ-ARVizyV3SNckAt1I8NgF3Lr4Yd4nNv1kTSHwY94DA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Grand Rapids City Planning Commission on July 10 approved a renewed special land‑use and site plan for Special Occasions to operate a banquet hall and event venue at 840 and 846 Cesar E. Chavez Avenue SW (listed in materials as 852 Cesar E. Chavez Ave SW), including alcohol service, live entertainment and outdoor seating, subject to detailed conditions.

Staff said the project previously received a special land‑use approval in 2022 and a 15‑space parking waiver at that time but that the earlier approval expired when the project did not proceed. The current application increases maximum occupancy from the prior approval to a proposed indoor occupancy of up to 208 people and includes about 1,500 square feet of building additions for catering and restrooms and a permanent canopy over part of the outdoor seating area.

Staff identified a parking deficit: code requires 0.25 spaces per seat for assembly uses, which yields a 52‑space requirement for 208 people. The applicant has access to a 22‑space lot across the street, roughly 11 spaces on adjacent property and on‑street parking on Cesar Chavez; staff asked the applicant to provide a parking agreement with the nearby church at 860 Cesar E. Chavez for shared use of spaces. Staff also noted the site is served by rapid transit routes 3 and 10.

Conditions recorded in the approval require that events finish and the facility be vacated by midnight Monday–Saturday and 10 p.m. on Sunday; outdoor seating must end by 10 p.m. Monday–Saturday and 8 p.m. on Sunday. The motion included requirements that an alcohol management plan be submitted before issuance of a liquor permit, that the rental agreement be amended to prohibit alcohol consumption in the parking lot and to discourage parking in adjacent residential neighborhoods, and that an indoor events license be obtained from the city clerk. The commission also required the operator (or operator’s designee) to be on site during events and called for a noise analysis if necessary; if indoor music exceeds the noise code, the building should be sound‑proofed to meet Chapter 151, Article 5 (noise control). The motion prohibited outdoor live entertainment and limited amplified ambient music to conversational levels.

The applicant told commissioners the project team reduced the outdoor patio area to increase indoor capacity and said the venue already cooperates with nearby institutions on shared parking and intends to communicate event timing to clients to avoid conflict with school pickup times at nearby Southwest Community Campus. The applicant said the business has been in the location for several years and has coordinated with nearby churches and the Granville Area Business Association.

The motion included a condition that a parking agreement for shared use with 860 Cesar E. Chavez be provided. The commission found the proposal compatible with the Granville area specific plan and the TNTBA zoning intent for mixed retail, services and entertainment in neighborhood centers. The motion carried; the transcript does not record a numerical roll call tally.","The planning commission approved a renewed special land‑use for Special Occasions to operate a banquet hall and event venue (indoor occupancy up to 208) at 840/846 (aka 852) Cesar E. Chavez Ave SW, approving a parking waiver with conditions including a shared‑parking agreement, alcohol‑management plan and noise controls.",{"_33":86,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":87,"_41":88,"_43":89,"_45":90,"_46":91,"_48":92,"_50":93,"_52":94,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":95,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":96,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":55,"_72":55},6655825,"Planning commission approves 72‑unit multifamily project at 2286 Ball Ave NE",4679,2966000,7645000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5362580-54fc9ce94706d20e20e4976775d98d9a&start=2966&end=7645","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5362580-54fc9ce94706d20e20e4976775d98d9a/thumbnail_2966000.jpg","/articles/6655825/Grand-Rapids-City/Kent-County/Michigan/Planning-commission-approves-72unit-multifamily-project-at-2286-Ball-Ave-NE","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6655825-82a5adb2a329f4a67ef6078086d73d08/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182676&Signature=LY5C8JjXcreEDUUZhM5PblvOTA~Yo~Xf-Ocr6A228FTyGtuAEdI3dvpkuZGGbUg-2g~Jl2qPeFjNOdPIhnqQco3kdZeUtrJk7DRMrRGvwft-PMHOiyhwEcOYnCCbw527EWA656LihOZyqLle4NJlSRJrdcrM14QV8QL7EQM3Ogn1x6bvEI-9ZwWzQbBvuTIIcM14O1olYtkKhZTZOlRvdGtdKADRoOnFkJOK9RBeZD-LZTOw72-RXvHC9FfSm6IdN1byMP6IKqkX9qXdfDvhxDsLkPc1ERf9H33ZWvQtOkhhxYgvzLX1dlJ4v0HEjB-qGhCYq9R5CAP5EFLA1IAWGQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Grand Rapids City Planning Commission on July 10 approved a special land‑use and site plan review for a 72‑unit multifamily residential development at 2286 Ball Avenue NE, to be built on a 4.7‑acre site formerly occupied by a school building.

Staff told the commission the proposal calls for demolition of the existing 28,000‑square‑foot brick building and construction of three three‑story apartment buildings (three 24‑unit buildings), a surface parking lot with 97 spaces, and three garage structures providing 32 garage units. The development would yield a site density of about 13.5 dwelling units per acre; staff noted the zoning district’s typical allowance is approximately 17.4 units per acre.

The site contains steep slopes (defined as grades of 20 percent or greater) on its north and east edges and a portion of the southwest paved area that lies in the 100‑year FEMA floodplain. Staff said the proposed site layout is designed to avoid disturbance of those steep slopes and that the applicant is working with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) on required permitting for floodplain mitigation. The site plan shows buildings sited to protect natural features; staff said the applicant intends to preserve 40 percent tree canopy during construction and will submit a landscape plan at permitting to meet the 48 percent tree canopy requirement.

Transportation and traffic details: staff said a trip‑generation letter (not a full traffic study) was requested by the city because projected peak‑hour trips from 72 units typically fall below the threshold for a full traffic analysis. City transportation engineer John Bartlett noted there are no current plans for a mid‑block crossing at the site, though traffic‑calming pilot projects elsewhere could inform later work.

Neighbors raised concerns during public comment about stormwater, park drainage into Huff Park, and parking and traffic impacts during ball‑game events. A nearby resident, John Persack, asked the commission to weigh environmental stewardship when the site will share drainage with Huff Park’s protected wetland. Another speaker, Janet Bird, said neighborhood streets already feel congested during park events. The Creston Neighborhood Association submitted a letter of support and its executive director, Alex Karakiewicz, told the commission the developer had met repeatedly with the association and had committed to ongoing community engagement.

Applicant testimony (Wheeler Development Group) said the team has adjusted plans to keep building footprints out of steep slopes and to replace floodplain storage where required; the applicant said poor soils in parts of the site limit placement of buildings in some corners. The applicant also said the garage structures can provide opportunities for covered bicycle parking to meet the code‑required 46 bicycle spaces; staff and the applicant agreed bicycle parking and landscape details will be finalized with permitting.

The commission’s motion approved the special land use and site plan review, finding the development consistent with the master plan’s “compact neighborhood” future land use category and the MCN LDR (mid‑century neighborhood, low density residential) zone intent. Conditions recorded on the motion included meeting the 48 percent tree canopy requirement and limiting construction activity to 7 a.m.–7 p.m. The motion carried; the transcript does not show a numerical roll call tally.

Key technical and permitting notes on the record: EGLE permitting is required for floodplain impacts and will include mitigation; the city’s stormwater engineer has reviewed preliminary plans; bicycle parking counts and final grading/retaining details are to be resolved at permitting; and the applicant must coordinate detailed grading to address steep slopes and poor soils.","The commission approved a three‑building, 72‑unit multifamily development on a 4.7‑acre former school site at 2286 Ball Avenue NE, subject to tree‑canopy and construction‑hours conditions and required permitting and EGLE approvals.",{"_33":98,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":99,"_41":100,"_43":101,"_45":102,"_46":103,"_48":104,"_50":105,"_52":106,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":107,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":108,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":55,"_72":55},6655829,"Planning commission approves Ground‑floor office conversion, 24‑hour access at former UICA building",2800,752000,3552000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5362580-54fc9ce94706d20e20e4976775d98d9a&start=752&end=3552","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5362580-54fc9ce94706d20e20e4976775d98d9a/thumbnail_752000.jpg","/articles/6655829/Grand-Rapids-City/Kent-County/Michigan/Planning-commission-approves-Groundfloor-office-conversion-24hour-access-at-former-UICA-building","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6655829-74b206c9fe9aafcc4b61dd6f7f8516ef/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182676&Signature=Rk9sanvEPJCiANqF6aeOEiUdwDpNqN4kSuE8rP--Zm96oMc2YA-5JwBkwGHhLlweISUCrnTT9KkFQ3Mvj6862bJ32yzUUZipJTJiHAf1oA8veL77uFPSwNEpAFrJ9EH~G7f~qVEw0s72Luacs4-6ozrfYpPTTZUKzl0yhNu5zUO8j50p2mCF~uicp~BH9R0-j3As-o36GEkTMUUTYKHt-QmBd~BZGVaIDnXDXQWXOeALNBan1JxuKxErluCWFueTomygQd-KZYe1eDbVfOQ4y7Jz3NZlpulUt-KT2enuc5FIg8HOlGo3i3Gf3HTHx3Bkebq0Pxp5LvBp3DXgaF1grw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Grand Rapids City Planning Commission on July 10 approved a request to convert the ground floor of the former UICA art gallery at 2 West Fulton Street into office use with 24‑hour access for members of the co‑working spaces, while maintaining existing event operations and hours authorized by an earlier approval.

The building, a roughly 40,000‑square‑foot, 12‑story structure constructed in 2008 for the Urban Institute for Contemporary Art (UICA), sits at the southwest corner of West Fulton Street and South Division Avenue in the Hartside Historic District. Staff said the property is in the TNCC (targeted neighborhood commercial core) zone and in a targeted active commercial corridor under the GR Forward plan; ground‑floor office in that corridor requires special land‑use review.

Planning staff described the proposal as a mixed operation: co‑working and private office spaces on the ground floor and Level 1 (including some flexible “pop up” and retail activations), standard office suites up through floor 5, and multiple event spaces that preexist under a 2011 special land‑use approval. The applicant said the building would host a 200‑seat theater, gallery/lounge spaces and a rooftop patio for community and private events. The applicant told commissioners office areas will be membership‑based and available 24 hours, but event spaces would not be 24‑hour and would operate under the previously approved hours (events generally 9 a.m.–11 p.m.).

“A lot of our planning was done with the Hearthside Neighborhood Association,” the applicant said, adding the team plans pop‑up retail, programming and community events on the site. The applicant said co‑working members include startups, small firms and solo entrepreneurs and that security measures will include cameras and RFID access; the applicant said five on‑site staff will oversee operations and that they are coordinating with the building’s property manager and nearby parking providers to secure monthly passes for members.

Commissioners discussed pedestrian activation of Division Avenue, late‑hour security and the unusual internal layout of the building. Several commissioners said the co‑working model and the presence of employees and events could support nearby retail and enliven the street. One commissioner noted that the building’s membership model differed from a single‑employer office and was the reason staff brought the 24‑hour access request for explicit review.

In a motion the commission approved the special land‑use request for 2 West Fulton Street West LLC for ground‑floor office use with 24‑hour operations, citing consistency with the master plan and the GR Forward plan’s support for diversified uses along Division Avenue. The commission’s motion retained the earlier 06/09/2011 approval allowing on‑site alcohol service during films, performances and facility rentals through 11 p.m. for indoor and outdoor terraces; the new approval takes effect 16 calendar days after the commission’s decision. The motion carried; the transcript does not record a roll‑call or numerical vote tally.

Conditions noted on the record include standard site‑plan and permitting requirements, that operations conform to the applicant’s testimony recorded in the minutes, and that future signs must meet Article 15 requirements and receive permits before installation. Staff said one letter of support and one letter of opposition had been received before the hearing.

Background: the applicant told the commission the co‑working operator has locations in other Michigan cities and aims to combine an incubator partner (Start Garden) with office, programming and community events at the site. The commission’s packet and staff presentation included floor‑plan excerpts showing the location of office, event and rooftop spaces, and highlighted the TNCC zoning standards and GR Forward targeted commercial corridor guidance.","The Grand Rapids City Planning Commission approved a special land‑use request to convert the ground floor of the former UICA building at 2 West Fulton Street to office (co‑working) use with 24‑hour member access while leaving event uses under prior approvals.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Planning commission recommends rezoning portion of 1356 Kalamazoo Ave SE to allow mixed‑use development

Commission approves Special Occasions banquet hall, sets noise, parking and alcohol conditions

Planning commission approves 72‑unit multifamily project at 2286 Ball Ave NE

Planning commission approves Ground‑floor office conversion, 24‑hour access at former UICA building