1542 Michigan Street Proposed Development

Gary Hensche is requesting Approval to construct a 30-unit multiple-family development consisting of three two-story buildings behind an existing twelve-unit apartment building in a TN-LDR (Traditional Neighborhood–Low Density Residential) Zone District.


Case Number: PC-SLU-2021-0016

About The Project

In February 2019, The Planning Commission reviewed the then proposal for this property. (Please note that the latest plans are different.)

At that time, there was significant push back from neighbors, and the PC tabled their vote.

In March 2019, the Planning Commission again reviewed that proposal. Special Land Use was denied 6 to 4.

Read The Planning Commission Minutes from that hearing.

Now the developer and owner are again requesting a Special Land Use in order to build 3 new buildings resulting in 30 units on a deep set parcel in the center of Fulton Heights and within ~10 feet of adjacent properties.

Primary Concerns about this Development:

  1. The density of Fulton Heights averages 6.6 dwelling units per acre. This development is a proposed 21 dwelling units per acre.

  2. The City's Master Plan and Michigan Corridor plan both have this parcel in a low density area. Allowing a density variance erodes the low density buffer that both of those plans recommend.

  3. The proposed addition of 3 apartment buildings (4 total on the parcel) will be the only 4 apartment buildings in the neighborhood. This is not a commercial or mixed-use area. It is an established, stable (as defined by the Master Plan) post WWII neighborhood. These buildings are incongruent with the tenor and feeling of that neighborhood.

  4. The proposed development is not conservative in thinking about the existing grade, nor the existing natural features of the space. Three large footprint buildings that require over 200ft of retaining wall and extreme grade reduction is excessive, and not in line with the Special Use Standards nor the Site Plan Review standards of the Planning Commission.



What Can We Do?

Sign The Petition

Last Year's petition was cited in the Planning Commission's deliberations.



Write a letter

We have a voice with the Planning Commission. Our best bet as neighbors is to use it, and make it clear to the Planning Commission that we do not want 3 the apartment buildings that are proposed.


  1. SEND POSTAL MAIL:

    1. Postmark by Monday March 15, 2021

    2. Address Mail to:
      Elizabeth Zeller
      Planner
      City of Grand Rapids
      1120 Monroe Ave. NW
      Grand Rapids, MI 49503

    3. Reference "1542 Michigan Street NE (Special Land Use) (PC-SLU-2021-0016)"

    4. Be precise in your letter. Cite specific objections - try to tie them back to the Municiple Codes that govern the Planning Commission [Here and Here.]

    5. Include some of these discussion points to strengthen your argument.

  2. SEND EMAIL:

    1. Send an Email to ezeller@grcity.us by 12pm Friday, March 19, 2021

    2. Reference "1542 Michigan Street NE (Special Land Use) (PC-SLU-2021-0016)"

    3. Be precise in your letter. Cite specific objections - try to tie them back to the Municipal Codes that govern the Planning Commission [Here and Here.]

    4. Include some of these discussion points to strengthen your argument.

    5. Letters without cited reasons for opposition that tie to Planning Commission guidance have less weight.




Attend the virtual Planning Commission

Thursday, March 25 2021 at 1:00 PM or Soon Thereafter


  1. JOIN ONLINE:

    1. visit https://cityofgr.webex.com

    2. Enter Event Number 129 571 5902

    3. Enter Password planning

  2. JOIN by PHONE:

      1. Dial 1-408-418-9388

      2. Enter Access Code 129 571 5902

  3. Join For Comment Only

    1. If you cannot join the meeting, you may call 616-456-4381 during the meeting to comment on the development proposal.


Want to help beat this? Sign The Petition!