Council rezones annexed Blue Star Highway parcel to industrial and commercial

The Holland City Council voted May 21 to rezone a 48-acre parcel at 4384 Blue Star Highway, changing the city zoning from low-density residential (LDR) to primarily industrial with a small commercial corner to make an existing store conforming.

Planning staff said the land came into the city through an annexation agreement with Fillmore Township and that the Unified Development Ordinance defaulted the parcel to LDR. Steve, planning staff, said the applicant requested rezoning "to essentially market their property for development" and that the request "is very much in line with our master plan." The proposal would convert roughly 43 acres to industrial and about 5 acres to corridor mixed-use/commercial.

Steve also explained how the airport overlay affects buildable height near the runway: structures within 500 feet of the runway face stricter limits, and beyond roughly 745 feet the overlay no longer restricts typical building heights; much of the rezoned area lies outside the most-restrictive overlay zone.

The planning commission reviewed the request and unanimously recommended approval. Councilmember Freeman moved to approve the rezoning; Councilmember Shea supported the motion. A roll-call vote recorded yes votes from Shea, Freeman, Corbin, Rowan and Mayor Nathan Box; the motion carried.

Staff said there was no development proposal attached to the rezoning; the approval allows the property owner to market the land under the new zoning designation. The city will apply standard UDO requirements for setbacks, parking, stormwater and airport-overlay setbacks when development proposals come forward.