Commission recommends rezoning Lakeshore Drive parcels to allow housing, marinas and small commercial uses

The Planning Commission on Aug. 14 voted to recommend rezoning multiple Lakeshore Drive and Edgewater Street parcels from Waterfront Marine to a Form-Based Code Lakeside Mixed Residential (FBC LMR) designation. The change would allow single-family homes, small multiplex housing (up to six units), small-scale commercial uses and marinas where parcels have Muskegon Lake frontage.

Staff said the current Waterfront Marine district does not allow houses despite many parcels currently being residential, which has produced cases where property owners required variances to rebuild. Staff and a June focus group of property owners concluded that Lakeside Mixed Residential better matches the area’s mix of small residences, marinas and occasional commercial operations and would provide clearer options for owners who want to keep residential uses or convert to marina-related uses.

One property owner and several speakers sought the ability to build an eight-unit building on a parcel; staff said the FBC LMR allows small multiplexes up to six units and that owners could pursue a variance or an ordinance amendment but that the present classification was chosen to balance density and preserve waterfront views. Other residents and nearby property owners said they supported bringing properties into conformance and urged the commission to approve the rezoning to remove barriers to repair and sale.

The commission moved and voted to recommend the rezoning to the City Commission. Staff said the change would give property owners more predictable options — including marinas where frontage exists — while limiting very large multiplex development in this lakeshore area.