Holland Plan Commission recommends against adopting zoning amendment after residents oppose 'hospitality services' change

The Town of Holland Plan Commission voted unanimously Dec. 2 to recommend that the Holland Town Board not adopt Ordinance 2024‑09, a proposed amendment to Chapter 330 of the Holland Town Code that would amend definitions and clarify the status of "hospitality services" in the R‑1 Single‑Family Residence district.

The vote followed a public hearing and extended public input. Attorney Ellen Anderson, representing nearby property owners David Valenti and Larry Britton, asked the Plan Commission to "slow down and table the conversation" and said the proposed ordinance presumes the town's legal interpretation about the nearby American Orthodontics (AO) property is correct while that interpretation is under appeal to the Board of Appeals on Dec. 4. Several residents and written correspondents said adopting the ordinance before the Board of Appeals or any court decision would be premature.

An email submitted by a member of the public, included in the meeting packet, stated: "We would like to add our voice of objection to any change of the residential zoning of Pine Beach Road and other Lake areas in the town of Holland. Hospitality Services should NOT be allowed to have ANY form of retreat, corporate guest houses or any other business endeavor. Leave the woods and Lake Front alone." The clerk noted that correspondence was included in the packet and is on file with the Town office.

During public input, speakers argued that adding or clarifying "hospitality services" as a conditional use in R‑1 could permit hotel, motel, or lodge‑style operations in areas intended for single‑family residences. Residents asked whether any conditional‑use conditions could be prescribed in ways that limit proximity, quantity, occupancy, or other impacts; Chair David Huenink said conditions would need to be reasonable but could address aspects such as proximity and quantity.

The Plan Commission also heard questions about a permitted use at N2047 Pine Beach Road South, a dwelling owned by American Orthodontics. Members of the public raised concerns that the structure was built to host nonresident guests and said that the issuance of a building permit and certain plan features suggested commercial intent. Chair Huenink told the commission that a final inspection had not been called for by the building inspector and that, as written today, the Holland Town Code allows the proposed use pending the pending Board of Appeals review of the Plan Commission's legal interpretation.

Following the hearing Chair Huenink called for the motion to take the ordinance off the table and recommend the Town Board not adopt the proposed text as drafted; the motion carried by unanimous roll‑call vote.