Cascade trustees debate whether to allow residential in proposed village form-based code

Cascade Charter Township trustees spent more than two hours debating a proposed rewrite of the township's zoning ordinance that would create form-based districts for the village core, Thornapple Center, Old 28th Street and a village fringe.

Supervisor Lehi Slater opened the work session and described the format: public comment at the start, followed by trustee deliberations. Several residents used the public-comment period to urge careful review of the draft. "Please put aside your personal preferences and fears and show dedicated leadership," resident Julie Rockwell told the board (Julie Rockwell, public comment, 00:01:43).

Planning staff and the township's consultant described the goals of the form-based approach: encourage small-scale, walkable redevelopment; require commercial uses along primary street frontages; and set architectural and access-management standards. Staff characterized the proposed approach as activation of underused parking and infill, rather than a mandatory conversion of property: new requirements would apply only when a property is redeveloped.

Trustees split sharply over whether to allow residential uses at all in the village/form-based zones. Supporters said limited residential above ground-floor commercial helps create a built-in customer base, improves safety by placing people on-site, and can make redevelopment financially viable. Opponents argued the village areas already host small businesses that could be displaced and that even modest new residential density can increase traffic and parking demand.

No final vote or ordinance adoption took place. Trustees directed staff to reconcile inconsistent draft language (for example, provisions that require commercial on the first 50 feet of a building versus other sections that allow first-floor residential behind that frontage), prepare a clean cross-referenced draft, and return for further discussion and a noticed public hearing. Planning consultant Chris Corey (McKenna) and staff agreed to prepare clarified maps and edits that reflect the board's direction.

What happens next: staff will produce an updated draft that resolves cross-references and spelling/format inconsistencies, and the board will consider scheduling a formal public hearing and additional work-session review. No binding changes to zoning law were adopted at this meeting.