Hope 101 proposes phased transitional housing at 432 E. Quarterline Rd.

Julie Vitale, executive director of Hope 101 Ministry, told the Newaygo City Planning Commission on Feb. 5 that her organization proposes to place transitional housing units on the parcel behind the UCC Church at 432 E. Quarterline Rd. She said the plan is phased: two units would be built in the first year and two more in the second year, with construction done off-site by students at NCRESA and the school covering material costs.

"Hope 101 is seeking feedback from the Planning Commission on this phased approach before investing further funds into site specific investigative work," Vitale said. Vitale told commissioners the initial units would not meet current square footage requirements until the second year. She said the units would be transported to the property after off-site construction and could be placed on either a crawl space or a basement; ownership of the parcel had not been decided.

City Manager Jon Schneider displayed a map and told the commission the parcel is already zoned for multi-family housing and therefore does not require rezoning. Schneider and Vitale told the commission that site access via 2nd Street will require road improvements and extensions of water and sewer lines; Schneider said a performance bond would be necessary and that formal site plans must be submitted for future approval. The commission's consensus was that the proposal is a positive program and that Vitale and her group should proceed to the next planning phase.