GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids City Commission has unanimously approved a series of Zoning Ordinance text amendments aimed at enhancing housing supply, diversifying housing types, and promoting housing affordability. These amendments cover various aspects such as accessory dwelling units, unrelated occupants in a household, single room occupancy dwellings, transitional and emergency housing, small-scale residential infill, and certain parking regulations.
Kristin Turkelson, the planning director, highlighted the significance of these changes, stating, “The zoning text amendments represent significant changes from existing policies." Turkelson emphasized that the amendments were crafted based on community input, current planning initiatives, and best practices nationwide to address critical housing issues and align with the Community Master Plan.
The amendments are set to take effect on May 23, reflecting the City's proactive approach towards advancing housing discussions and recommendations. Turkelson noted that the amendments were developed in consultation with community feedback to meet the goals of increasing housing supply, diversifying housing types, and enhancing affordability.
In response to the growing housing needs within the community, a recent Housing Needs Assessment projected a demand for approximately 34,700 dwelling units countywide by 2027, with over 14,000 units required in the City of Grand Rapids. This led the City Commission to task the Planning Commission with evaluating existing housing policies and providing recommendations.
During a joint Planning Commission/City Commission meeting in July 2023, stakeholders discussed the potential of zoning amendments to address housing challenges and promote affordability. The consensus was clear that these amendments could play a crucial role in meeting the housing demands of the community.
For those seeking more information on the new Zoning Ordinance text amendments, a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document prepared by the City of Grand Rapids is available for download. The FAQ document addresses common queries posed at City Commission meetings, providing insight into the amendments and their implications for residents.
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