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Planners review Ottawa County's small-footprint home designs, find Zeeland not presently feasible
Summary
The Planning Commission reviewed Ottawa County's Small Footprint Homes materials and discussed Zeeland's minimum-square-footage rule. Commissioners agreed the housing type is not feasible now within the city limits but asked staff to study ordinance changes for future consideration.
Zoning Administrator Timothy Maday presented materials from Ottawa County's Small Footprint Homes Project to the Zeeland Planning Commission on Feb. 5, including a press release and slide deck from the Ottawa County Department of Strategic Impact. Maday compared several small-home designs to Zeeland's current zoning standards and existing single-family housing stock.
Commissioner Dan Klompmaker questioned Zeeland's minimum square-footage requirement for new construction and suggested the city study whether the rule unnecessarily excludes small-footprint designs. Commissioners agreed the concept might be suitable in surrounding or extended communities but concluded Zeeland currently lacks sufficient space for the housing type to be feasible.
Commissioner Sheri Holstege noted that simply reducing the minimum square footage would not be enough because many small-footprint designs conflict with other zoning standards. Klompmaker moved that staff continue to study the ordinance and not discourage potential applicants; commissioners agreed to keep the topic on the commission's radar for the upcoming Master Plan process.
Commissioner Rebecca Perkins added a broader policy comment, noting that uncapping of property taxes in Michigan has influenced housing affordability at the state level and that the Association of Realtors exerts a strong voice in related legislation. No formal zoning changes or votes on code amendments were taken at the meeting; commissioners emphasized that more in-depth review will occur as part of the Master Plan rewrite and future ordinance study.
The commission adjourned at about 6:50 p.m.
