Grand Haven council approves introductory rezoning for 128-room hotel at 233 Washington

The Grand Haven City Council voted June 2 to approve an introductory resolution to rezone 233 Washington Avenue from Central Business District to Planned Development and to accept a preliminary development plan for a five‑story, 128‑room extended‑stay hotel.

The rezoning was introduced after a unanimous Planning Commission recommendation. Brian (city planner) told the council the plan development process gives flexibility for a taller building and departures from prescriptive standards that a conventional zoning approach would require. “A plan development is a tool that is ... to provide a five story, 128 room residence in by Marriott,” Brian said, describing the applicant’s proposal and the planning commission’s unanimous vote.

Peter Buick, who identified himself as part of the development team with 6PM Hospitality Partners, described efforts to blend the hotel into downtown and to address parking constraints. Buick said the proposed Residence Inn-style product averages about 60% occupancy over a year and that the project team is exploring shared‑parking options and other arrangements to reduce on‑site parking demand.

The council and members of the public questioned parking, traffic and the fate of a decorative façade element from the nearby former bank building. Several residents urged the council to preserve the bank’s historic columns and entry features if redevelopment proceeds; Wally Ewing and others described the bank façade as an architectural landmark and suggested the developers investigate whether the elements could be incorporated in the new design or salvaged for use elsewhere.

Supporters including merchants and property owners said a downtown hotel would increase year‑round visitor spending and help attract higher‑quality restaurants and retail. Sharon Beam, a longtime downtown merchant, credited Holland’s downtown hotel with spurring later investment there and urged the council to allow a hotel to support Grand Haven commerce.

Council members urged the developer to continue work on parking solutions, discouraged relying on unreserved on‑street parking as the primary remedy, and asked staff to ensure any shared‑parking arrangements or permit changes be organized before final approvals. The council noted planning‑level conditions — including EGLE (Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy) permitting where applicable, the required traffic impact study at final plan review, and the planning commission’s conditions — will be addressed during the final development plan review at the planning commission level.

Motion and vote: Councilmember Lowe moved to approve the introductory resolution; Councilmember Fritz seconded. The roll call recorded votes in favor from Moe, Fritz, McLaughlin and Vanessa; the council carried the introductory rezoning. The measure returns for a second reading and final action at a subsequent meeting when outstanding permit, parking and design conditions are resolved.

The developer and staff said they will continue to pursue possible shared parking, temporary agreements with nearby lots, and design work to soften the building frontage. Buick also said the developer would explore whether any of the bank façade details could be preserved or reused but made no binding commitment in the council meeting.

If approved in final form, the project team said the hotel would provide ground‑level pedestrian access on Washington and place most parking behind the building, with a primary entrance facing Washington and third‑party parking or shared arrangements to supplement on‑site stalls. Parcel: 70-03-20-432-017.