Planning commission backs rezoning of 236 Monroe Avenue to urban-residential

The Muskegon City Planning Commission on May 15 voted to recommend that the City Commission rezone the property at 236 Monroe Avenue from B-2 (convenience and comparison business) to Form-Based Code, Urban Residential (FBCUR).

City planning staff said the request was staff‑initiated and tied to recent rezoning work in Midtown. Staff presented an updated photo of the parcel and described it as cleaned up and no longer looking like a former alley; the recommended urban‑residential zoning would allow housing uses and likely keep the parcel vacant or permit a narrow standalone house, staff said.

Staff also told the commission the parcel is privately owned and that the owner did not participate in notification meetings nor reply to mailed notices. No members of the public spoke in person; staff opened and then closed a phone line for comments but reported no callers.

Commissioners moved and supported the recommendation to the City Commission. The commission took a roll‑call vote; the motion passed with all commissioners voting yes.

The commission record shows the action as a referral to the City Commission — the Planning Commission did not adopt zoning itself but recommended the rezoning for final action by the City Commission. If the City Commission accepts the recommendation, the property’s zoning designation will change from B‑2 to FBCUR, which staff said would limit likely uses to housing rather than commercial expansions or parking lots behind adjacent properties.

No effective date or additional conditions were specified at the Planning Commission meeting.