The Lansing City Council on Jan. 12 heard extended public testimony on a rezoning request for 3310 West Mount Hope Avenue, a proposal to rezone the parcel from single-family residential (R-1) to multifamily residential to permit construction of a 29-unit apartment building.

Planning staff and the planning commission recommended approval, saying surrounding zoning and land use supported multifamily development and that the location is consistent with the city master plan designation for the area. Supporters in public comment said Lansing faces a housing deficit and that converting some single-family lots to multifamily is one tool to add units.

Neighborhood speakers objected. Giuseppe Stella and Clarence Cromwell, representing River Park Estates residents, raised concerns about increased traffic, noise, potential for 72 more cars, property-value impacts for homeowners, and, most extensively, drainage and historic water damage to their complex. Cromwell recounted multi-year infrastructure repairs, undermined roadways, repeated catch-basin failures and large costs borne by residents, and urged the council to reconsider rezoning because of potential exacerbation of stormwater problems.

An engineer for the development responded that city requirements will require catch basins, detention and over-design to contain runoff and prevent impacts on adjacent properties, and said the project team has longstanding experience working in Lansing and will aim to meet city site-plan standards.

The council took no final zoning vote at the meeting; the matter was introduced and referred to Development & Planning for the public-hearing process and further review. Affected residents will have further opportunities to provide testimony when the item returns for hearing and final action.