The East Grand Rapids Planning Commission signaled support Tuesday for the first phase of a controversial 40-unit housing development in Gaslight Village, even as neighbors continue a lawsuit challenging the project's approval process.

Commissioners heard from six residents who opposed the proposal and one who supported it during a public hearing at the city's Community Center. No vote was taken. The project will return to the planning commission in July for further consideration, according to City Manager Shea Charles.

What the first phase would build

The proposal from Gaslight Investors covers an 8.6-acre site at 2255 Wealthy St. SE and 515 Lakeside Drive SE. The first phase would convert the northern two acres into three residential buildings with 40 housing units:

• Building F: A four-story structure up to roughly 56 feet tall. The ground floor would include a lobby and 24 parking spaces. The three upper levels would contain 24 residential units, including six one-bedroom, 15 two-bedroom, and three three-bedroom units. The units could be sold as condominiums or rented as apartments.
• Building G: A three-story building with seven townhome units for sale, each with two to three bedrooms. 14 enclosed parking spaces would be located on the west side.
• Building H: Nine for-sale condominiums with up to three bedrooms each, with flexibility in interior layout.

The site was formerly home to the Ramona Medical Center.

Why commissioners are supportive

Commissioners said the project would add housing types that are not widely available in a city where approximately 95 percent of housing is single-family, according to Commissioner Matt Feyen.

"I'm happy to see us adding some variety to our housing options in East Grand Rapids," Feyen said, according to MLive.

Commissioner Greg Metz praised the design and materials.

"This certainly is not going to be that. This is going to be a very high-quality project, which I think is great for the city and something that we want," Metz said.

Michael Corby, president of Integrated Architecture, the firm designing the project, defended the use of stone on the buildings.

"I wouldn't at all call these trendy. I don't think you see a lot of buildings with stone on them. It was used a lot in mid-century modern buildings. It's a timeless material," Corby said.

Commissioner Laura Schwartz said she would like to see alternative designs before moving forward, taking issue with the look of Building H.

"A lot of people feel this is skewing a little too trendy, a little too modern," Schwartz said.

The lawsuit that has not stopped the clock

A group of residents organized under Gaslight Village Responsible Development is suing the city over its approval of the project's concept plan last year. The plaintiffs are asking a judge to require a higher vote threshold for approval or to send the project to a public vote.

City Attorney John Huff has said the litigation does not suspend the project and that the review process can continue unless a court rules otherwise.

"The plaintiffs have not challenged the preliminary site plan approval. Plaintiffs have not challenged the substance of the project itself. Instead, plaintiffs have challenged whether the City followed proper procedure in denying the protest and referendum petitions," Charles said, according to FOX 17.

What neighbors are saying

Opponents raised concerns about building height, density, traffic, and insufficient green space.

"It's too big, it's too massive, it's too private, there's not enough studies about how this is going to affect the community," resident Judith Baxter told commissioners.

Resident Jerry Anderson urged commissioners to consider the full development rather than reviewing it in phases.

"Of course, that's the part we're looking at first, because once it's approved, it locks things in and gives us less flexibility to review the denser portion that needs serious consideration," Anderson said.

Commissioner Christopher Rosmarin said he was sensitive to those concerns but did not see a need to hold up the process.

"I think we, as the commission, have the ability when the next phase comes out to make changes to that. I just don't see much benefit of us holding up the process to get a bigger picture," Rosmarin said.

One resident spoke in favor of the development. Calder Stanley, 18, cited the housing supply shortage.

"The reason why I support the project is because of the housing crisis with not enough supply," Stanley said.

What happens next

The planning commission did not vote to send the plan to the city commission because a development agreement has not been completed, Charles said. The agreement would confirm the site plan and include documents such as surveys and easements.

The city previously approved a development agreement for a 2004 Gaslight Village project led by Jade Pig Ventures, the predecessor to Gaslight Investors.

"We'll be looking to update that to account for the new development," Charles said.

The project is expected to return to the planning commission in July. The overall Gaslight Village project would eventually include six buildings with 147 residential units and 32,000 square feet of commercial space, according to city documents.