Planning commission tables Market Avenue affordable‑housing site plan, seeks more engagement and underwriting data

The Grand Rapids Planning Commission on March 13 postponed consideration of an optional plan review for a proposed affordable housing development at 427 and 449 Market Ave S (near the Grand River), asking the applicant to return after expanded neighborhood engagement and additional information on financing/market assumptions tied to parking.

Phil Seibert (developer) and Jacob Horner of Dwelling Place presented a conceptual plan for a five‑story building with about 80 dwelling units intended as affordable housing. The city has an option agreement for the city‑owned parcel; the resolution adopted by the City Commission (Feb. 11) specifies minimum program requirements, including a minimum story count and affordability commitments: at least 80% of units affordable at 120% AMI and of those at least 40% affordable at 60% AMI or below. The option agreement also requires a 50‑foot riverside easement, with the first 30 feet reserved for riverwalk improvements.

The applicant’s current schematic shows a 46‑space interior garage on the ground floor and a proposed 80 surface spaces at the riverside portion of the property. Planning staff explained the site constraints: a deep trunk sewer requires a 50‑foot easement (precluding buildings or permanent structures there), a floodwall and a grade change to Wealthy Street limit access, and the lot is relatively narrow and shallow for a structured parking solution. Because anything abutting the river or a street counts as a front yard under city code, the applicant must seek optional plan review for parking located in the front yard.

Developer and Dwelling Place representatives said the project team explored alternatives and that financing strategy will rely on 4% low income housing tax credit underwriting and MSHDA lending; that underwriting typically includes a marketing review that evaluates amenities (including parking) relative to similar projects. The project team and commissioners noted there is no immediate April 1 deadline, and the developer invited further neighborhood input.

Public comment included letters of support from affordable housing advocates and a formal, written opposition from Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. (DGRI), which said the proposal conflicts with the GR Forward and riverfront plans and opposes front‑yard surface parking. Speakers in support pointed to the acute local need for workforce/affordable housing in the riverfront corridor.

After discussion commissioners were split: several said they support the project’s goals but were not comfortable approving this amount of riverside surface parking without further neighborhood engagement, a clearer pro forma/market/underwriting justification for the parking count, and consultation with MSHDA to explore alternatives. The motion to postpone (table open) directs the applicant to continue neighborhood outreach, to provide documentation of discussions with MSHDA or evidence from underwriting about parking requirements, and to provide examples of comparable core‑city developments and their parking ratios. The motion carried by voice vote.