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Planning Commission unanimously recommends RO1 rental restriction overlay for Harvard–Cowley to City Council
Summary
The East Lansing Planning Commission voted unanimously Jan. 14 to recommend City Council approve Ordinance 15‑55, establishing an RO1 rental restriction overlay in the Harvard–Cowley neighborhood; the overlay would prohibit issuance of new rental licenses within the delineated boundary and now advances to council for public hearing and decision.
The East Lansing Planning Commission voted unanimously Jan. 14 to recommend City Council adopt Ordinance 15 55, establishing an RO1 rental‑restriction overlay district in the Harvard–Cowley neighborhood.
Staff planner Landon Bartley told the commission the RO1 is the city’s most restrictive overlay and would bar issuance of any new rental housing licenses within the proposed boundary; he said the city currently has 21 active rental‑restriction overlays. Bartley said the overlay process begins with a neighbor petition that, once validated by the clerk, comes to staff and then to council for introduction and final action.
Neighbors described why they sought the overlay. Richard Hess, who said he has lived on Harvard Road for 49 years, told the commission a recent sale and conversion of a nearby house into a rental helped spur petitioning and canvassing led by a resident, Matthias Steiner. "We didn't want it to go into [rental]," Hess said, describing longstanding hopes to retain the neighborhood’s quiet character.
Commission discussion focused on boundaries and eligibility. Bartley explained only parcels in R1, R2 and RM8 zones can be included and that the city typically expects a 50‑parcel minimum unless a "discrete neighborhood unit" applies; he said staff judged the Harvard–Cowley block a discrete unit of roughly 18 properties. Commissioners also asked whether existing rental licenses would be affected; Bartley said R01 does not prevent renewal and that existing licenses could remain, including through sale, but no new initial licenses could be created.
Commissioner Lapine moved and Commissioner Denault seconded a recommendation that City Council approve Ordinance 15 55 as described in the packet. After clarifying language regarding the commission's intent on additions to the boundary, the motion passed by unanimous voice vote. The commission's recommendation and the ordinance will appear on a future City Council agenda for council public hearing and decision.
The vote advances the ordinance but does not itself change property rights; City Council will hold the public hearing and may modify boundaries or provisions during that process.
