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Commission discusses possible changes to downtown diverse‑housing rule after developer presents redevelopment concept
Summary
After public comment and a city manager memo, the Planning Commission July 9 discussed possible revisions to the downtown diverse‑housing ordinance — including a fee‑in‑lieu and broader transferability of affordable‑unit credits — and requested fiscal and comparative analysis from staff before any ordinance is introduced.
Commissioners opened a broad discussion July 9 about potential changes to East Lansing’s downtown diverse‑housing requirement after public commenters and the city manager circulated proposed ideas, including a fee‑in‑lieu option and expanded geographic transferability of affordable‑unit credits.
Attorney Carrie Freeman, representing a redevelopment interest for the Student Bookstore (SBS) parcel, urged the commission to consider amendments that would allow a fee‑in‑lieu payment instead of on‑site affordable units. She told commissioners the redevelopment could "pump a lot of revenue" into the city and estimated the project might contribute nearly $2 million to a proposed affordable‑housing fund. Freeman said the current ordinance has not produced projects that meet the 25% requirement in the downtown over the past decade and argued a fee option and expanded transfer rules would make redevelopment feasible.
Developer and downtown business owner Greg Balline, who said he manages…
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