Commission approves downtown townhome plan, conditions include parcel split and public‑safety reviews

The Planning Commission approved a site‑plan review for a proposed townhouse development on two downtown parcels at 221 West Michigan and 215 South Pine Street.

Staff said the original mixed‑use project had a roughly $7 million capital stack and that developers are pursuing grants to keep units affordable; in parallel the applicant submitted a townhome design. The proposal described in staff materials called for two buildings, each containing five attached two‑bedroom units and approximately 280 square feet (staff reported unit footprint data in the packet) with a total of 20 vehicular parking spaces and bicycle parking. Staff recommended approval with conditions that the applicant split/merge parcels so each building is on a separate parcel and comply with public building safety, public safety and public‑works requirements.

The developer called the site “prime area within Downtown Mount Pleasant” and said that the townhome option is a plan B while they continue to seek incentives for the larger mixed‑use project. One online public comment praised the developer’s thoroughness at the ZBA hearing and urged approval; commissioners asked clarifying questions about prior approvals and whether ground‑floor commercial would be included. After public comment and applicant responses, the commission moved and approved the site plan review subject to the staff conditions.