Staff proposes using 8‑acre county parcel near Westshore Mall to seed small‑footprint and supportive housing

Housing staff outlined a proposal to leverage an undeveloped county parcel (just under 8 acres near Westshore Mall and adjacent to county campus facilities) as a pilot site for small‑footprint starter homes and supportive housing for seniors and people with disabilities.

Paul Sacks presented the rationale: market demand for smaller, lower‑cost for‑sale housing remains unmet, zoning and perceived community concerns often impede private development, and the county can lower developer risk by completing collaborative site‑design work and obtaining preliminary Planned Unit Development (PUD) approval. That “de‑risking” would be followed by a formal RFP to developers who would purchase and build the identified product types. Staff said funding for an initial site designer is budgeted in FY26 and that the county has already engaged Holland Township planning staff about concept feasibility.

Sacks emphasized the site’s advantages: available water and sewer, commercial zoning, proximity to transit, mental‑health and social services, and nearby amenities. He said the site could accommodate a mix of product types (for‑sale small homes, rental supportive housing, and transitional units) depending on partner needs. Staff described prior two‑acre approval in the city of Zeeland as a reference project for small‑footprint cottage‑style homes.

Commissioners discussed whether the county should take an active role in shaping housing markets or limit itself to enabling private development. Several members supported moving the idea to the full Board for further vetting; others asked for clearer metrics about how the project would change local zoning or encourage similar development elsewhere. Several commissioners stressed the importance of partnership with local units — suggesting that township buy‑in or matching commitments would strengthen the model.

Outcome: committee members expressed a willingness to advance the concept to the full Board for consideration of design funding and next steps. Staff said they would return with a more formal site design contract and scope if the Board provides direction.

Next steps: staff will refine the concept, secure a site designer under existing FY26 funds, produce a conceptual PUD and stakeholder design, and, if the model shows promise, issue an RFP to the development community.