Grand Rapids planning commission tables Matthews House day-center decision for about 90 days

The Grand Rapids City Planning Commission on May 8 agreed to table deliberation and a final decision on Matthews House Ministry’s request to establish a day-resource center at 1050 Leonard Street NW for approximately 90 days.

The pause, which the planning commission chair said they support, follows a lengthy public hearing in which neighbors, business owners, clergy and service providers testified both for and against the relocation. Planning department staff, the applicant and the West Grand Neighborhood Organization all told the commission they supported postponing the decision so Matthews House could revise its “good neighbor” and operations plans and continue community conversations.

The proposal would convert an existing roughly 8,300-square-foot building on a 9,700-square-foot lot into a social service facility providing meals, clothing distribution, showers, laundry, case management and a day-resource center for West Side residents. Elizabeth, planning department staff, told the commission the use is treated as a special land use and must meet standards including consistency with the City master plan and the West Side area-specific plan. She said the applicant’s packet included a good neighbor plan but that staff needed more detail on staffing levels, how both building entrances…