Rezoning for Fisherman’s Landing land‑swap advances to second reading amid public outcry

The City of Muskegon Commission voted Nov. 10 to move two rezonings related to a proposed land‑swap and development agreement to a second reading: a rezoning for the privately‑owned Mart Dock property (560 March Street) and a rezoning of a northern portion of city‑owned Fisherman’s Landing (501 East Western Avenue). The Fisherman’s Landing item will return for a second reading with the development agreement in hand.

Staff told commissioners the Mart Dock rezoning shifts roughly 23.5 acres to a Waterfront Industrial PUD zoning to bring active maritime and cargo operations into a conforming zoning designation. The city‑owned Fisherman’s Landing rezoning would change about 1.5 acres of waterfront from Open Space‑Recreation to Waterfront Industrial PUD; staff said the city can rezone the parcel back to recreation if the development agreement does not proceed because the property is city‑owned.

Public comment was heavy and largely opposed: residents and neighborhood groups urged commissioners not to rezone before funding and final development terms are settled, argued Fisherman’s Landing is a rare urban campground and community green space, and submitted petitions documenting public opposition. Supporters argued a swap and redevelopment could create jobs and return revenue to the city.

Commission debate centered on process: several commissioners said they supported moving the rezoning to a second reading so work on the development agreement and grant applications can proceed in parallel; others said rezoning now risks making current uses nonconforming if the swap fails. City staff and the manager emphasized the two items are linked and that staf f has amended development agreement drafts in response to earlier commissioner direction; staff said both rezonings will be effective together if the swap is approved and thus preserve the campground while the process continues.

The rezoning of Mart Dock passed on first reading; the Fisherman’s Landing rezoning also moved forward to a required second reading. Both items will return with the updated development agreement and additional documentation before final action.

Next steps: second‑reading votes will be scheduled after staff delivers the updated development agreement, associated deed restrictions and grant documentation for commissioners to review.