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Planning Commission backs Land Shark’s reduced occupancy and forwards special-use permit to council
Summary
The East Lansing Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend City Council approve a special-use permit allowing the Land Shark at 101 E. Grand River Ave. to serve alcohol with a patron capacity capped at 240, down from an administratively approved 270.
The East Lansing Planning Commission voted unanimously Wednesday to recommend that City Council approve a special-use permit allowing the Land Shark, at 101 E. Grand River Avenue, to serve alcohol with a maximum occupant load of 240.
City planning staff told the commission the applicant originally operated under an administrative approval for a 270-person occupancy in 2022 but had not completed the special-use review required for alcohol service. Alicia Wrighton, Planning Department staff, said a subsequent building-department review found the existing water-closet and egress configuration met building-code requirements for an occupancy of 240 but not 270. "With the existing structure, the existing water closets, the existing doors, it does meet the building code requirements for 240," Wrighton said.
The applicant, Joe David, told commissioners he reduced the request to 240 to comply with the code and said he may later pursue physical upgrades. "We may explore widening the door space ... the expansion into 357 square feet of more operating space may be delayed just so we have time to get through special use and be ready for the Michigan State school year," David said during public comment.
Commissioners discussed how the 270 figure had been granted administratively by the building department in 2022 and confirmed the special-use process is the appropriate route now. Planning staff explained that without a favorable special-use decision, the property’s lawful occupancy would revert to its pre-2022 level of 212.
Commissioner Chapin moved to recommend approval to City Council with the ten conditions listed in the staff report; Vice Chair Wagner seconded. Commissioners cited the applicant’s effort to correct the permitting record and the site’s conformance with ordinance standards in supporting the motion. The commission’s recorded vote was unanimous in favor, and the item will be transmitted to a to-be-determined City Council meeting for final action.
Next steps: If City Council approves the rezoning, the Land Shark may proceed under the 240-person special-use authorization and would need to return for any later physical changes (for example, adding water closets or widening doors) that would be required to raise the occupancy above 240.
