Council approves conditional rezoning of 743–765 Grove Street for 48‑bedroom multifamily project

East Lansing City Council approved Ordinance 1540 on Jan. 21, 2025, conditionally rezoning 743, 755 and 765 Grove Street from R2 (medium‑density single‑family) to RM32 (city‑center multiple‑family) to allow a future multifamily building with up to 48 bedrooms. The motion passed on a 3–2 roll call vote.

The rezoning vote advances only the zoning designation; no building permit or final site plan was approved. Landon Bartley, the city’s principal planner, told council the conditional rezoning would allow the applicant to pursue site plan approval for a building that the applicant has conceptually described as 14 units totaling 48 bedrooms. Bartley said the applicant’s conceptual site plan shows 40 on‑site parking spaces but that the RM32 district limits on‑site parking to no more than 50% of the required parking unless the council waives that restriction. He also described the district’s parking ratios, which vary by unit size and could push the required parking higher depending on the final unit mix.

Neighbors and nearby residents urged the council to delay or deny rezoning over stormwater and neighborhood‑compatibility concerns. Deborah Stewart, a long‑time resident of the College Grove historic neighborhood, said the Grove, Burcham and Abbot storm drains are already inadequate and that the proposed rezoning would increase impervious surface and worsen flooding. “Without a proper stormwater detention system that keeps all postdevelopment flow less than or equal to the predevelopment flow, this project should not be approved,” Stewart said during public comment.

Developer representatives including Matt Hagen of Hagen Realty argued the rezoning aligns with the city’s comprehensive plan and the existing character of the immediate area; Hagen said his team has revised the project in response to earlier feedback and is prepared to address stormwater and other technical requirements during the site plan review. Hagen told council his team is willing to invest about $1,000,000 in the site and that the project is intended to add housing near downtown and campus.

Council members split on how the rezoning fits the city’s land‑use plan and on infrastructure risks. Council Member Altman said the master plan contemplates lower‑density analogs (RM8 or RM14) for parts of the area and cited compatibility and stormwater concerns as reasons to vote no. Mayor Brookover and Mayor Pro Tem Singh said the block already contains varied housing types and that the conditional rezoning preserves council oversight because a site plan and permits must follow; they voted in favor.

Next steps: with the ordinance adopted, the applicant may return with a formal site plan to the planning commission and council; that process will include engineering review, stormwater and public works permitting, and other departmental approvals.

Votes and formal action: Ordinance 1540 (conditional rezoning of 743, 755 and 765 Grove Street to RM32) passed 3–2. The rezoning does not approve a building; site plan approval and required permits remain to be obtained.