Commission holds public hearing on housing master plan amendment, tables adoption until full commission can vote

The Garden City Planning Commission opened a public hearing July 9 on a proposed master plan amendment aimed at expanding housing options, but tabled any adoption until a later meeting when a three‑fifths majority of the seven‑member commission can vote.

Staff (Ortega, with Development Director Miller) said the amendment — prepared using a state grant and aligned with parts of the Michigan Statewide Housing Plan — encourages more housing variety and affordability, including townhouses, senior living and 3‑ to 4‑story mixed‑use buildings for the downtown and a redevelopment concept for the Kmart site. Ortega said the effort also includes proposed incentives and updates to parking and setback standards to better match modern multifamily development.

Ortega described public outreach and visioning feedback that favored downtown density, townhouse styles near downtown and design elements that "embrace the past" while allowing modern materials and accessible housing. Miller noted the work was funded by a grant and that the city had completed a public process to gather comments.

Commissioners praised the downtown focus but expressed concern about including small "cottage courts" in the draft; one commissioner said they could not support the amendment while that housing type remained. Commissioners also noted the commission has been discussing the master plan for an extended period and urged focus on implementable priorities.

Because Michigan law requires a three‑fifths majority of the planning commission to adopt a master plan amendment (five of seven members), and only four members were present, the commission unanimously voted to table adoption until a later meeting with a fuller quorum. Staff said clerical and minor wording edits submitted by a commissioner will be incorporated before the item returns.