Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Infill Housing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission approves three‑unit infill at 821 Cottage Grove with conditions to raise first floor and connect walkways
Summary
The Planning Commission approved a stacked three‑unit dwelling at 821 Cottage Grove SE, subject to conditions including pedestrian connectivity between units, parking pad and sidewalk, maintenance of basement egress wells, fall protection near the sidewalk, and staff review to raise the first‑floor elevation to better match neighboring homes.
The Planning Commission on April 24 approved a special land use and site plan review for a new three‑unit stacked residential building at 821 Cottage Grove SE, finding the development compatible with the neighborhood and the 2024 Community Master Plan’s goals for compact, walkable neighborhoods.
Applicant Orlando Garcia described the project as a three‑unit building (lower, main and upper units) with a total of 10 bedrooms and six bathrooms. Planner Avery (City of Grand Rapids Planning Department) told commissioners the 6,500‑square‑foot vacant lot meets most site standards but requires special land use because multiple‑family developments of three units require review. Staff recommended conditions to address three exceptions: the lower‑level entrance orientation, pedestrian connectivity from the rear parking pad to the sidewalk, and whether the street type is appropriate.
Commissioners asked about basement window wells and the building elevation. Staff and the applicant agreed to work at the staff level to raise the first‑floor finished floor to better match neighboring homes and improve basement light and the house’s relationship to the street. The commission added conditions requiring the applicant to provide walk connections from units to the public sidewalk and rear parking pad, ensure fall protection and building‑code compliance for egress window wells, and maintain the wells free of snow and debris.
The motion to approve included standard site plan conditions and the added direction that the applicant work with staff to elevate the finished floor to be more consistent with adjacent properties; the motion passed by voice vote.
Ending: Staff will finalize compliance items administratively with the applicant prior to permit issuance, including finished floor elevation, walkway connections, and required permits.
