Grand Rapids City Commission Meeting - July 15, 2025
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Grand Rapids City Commission Meeting - July 15, 2025
The Grand Rapids City Commission met on July 15, 2025, to discuss and vote on several resolutions, including approvals for social districts, tax abatements, and an MOU with Canal Street Brewing. The commission also deliberated on a zoning ordinance amendment, a closed session for pending litigation, and received updates on the climate adaptation plan and facilities master plan. Key decisions included postponing a meeting date, setting a hearing for ordinance changes, and failing to reach consensus on adopting the climate plan.
Consent Calendar
- Resolution recommending approval of a social district under PA 12 of 2020 for Grandville L C at 15 Ionia. Passed unanimously.
- Resolution scheduling the November 11 city commission meeting to November 13. Postponed to the July 29 meeting after a motion by the mayor to allow more time for calendar checks.
- Resolution for a 12-year Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Act (OPRA) for ICCF's project at 2017 Eastern Avenue, adding 15 residential units and continuing a U.S. Postal Service location. Passed unanimously.
- Resolution for a 12-year OPRA for Chivas Scott's project at 1032 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, activating five new residential units and two commercial spaces. Passed unanimously.
- Resolution for an amended MOU with Canal Street Brewing (formerly Founders) for a three-year agreement to accept concentrated waste at off-peak hours, with rates set through the rate study. Passed unanimously.
Discussion Items
- Zoning Ordinance Amendment (Lot and Yard Requirements): The commission discussed a resolution to set a July 29 hearing for adopting amendments recommended by the Planning Commission. The amendments would allow administrative departures (staff-level variances) for basement egress windows and front yard parking instead of the current variance process. Commissioners raised concerns about the clarity of criteria, particularly the phrase "no other feasible location is practical" (subpoint 1). The mayor suggested removing subpoint 1, while the planning director noted that the city commission could amend the language at adoption. The resolution to set the hearing date passed unanimously.
- Climate Adaptation Plan (CAP) Update: Chief Sustainability Officer Annabelle Wilkinson presented an update on the CAP, which aims for 62.8% per capita greenhouse gas reduction by 2030 and 100% by 2050. She outlined three options: (1) adopt the plan with 14 prioritized actions (from the May 13 workshop) and 6 staff-recommended actions, (2) adopt only the 20 priorities, or (3) adopt the plan after a 3-month implementation analysis. Commissioners expressed varying views: Commissioner Kilgore supported option 1 but wanted to incorporate community input on the final six priorities; Commissioner Purdue strongly supported option 1, arguing the plan is ready; Commissioner Robbins preferred option 3 to understand financial impacts; Commissioner Asassi leaned toward option 1 but wanted more clarity on the six staff recommendations; Commissioner Knight supported option 3; Commissioner Belcher leaned toward option 3; and the mayor supported option 3, wanting clearer separation of city vs. community actions. A poll showed 4 commissioners (Kilgore, Knight, Purdue, Asassi) favored option 1, and 3 (Robbins, Belcher, Mayor) favored option 3. No consensus was reached; the city manager will bring the item back for further discussion on July 29.
- Facilities Master Plan and Calder Plaza Update: City Engineer Mr. Berkman presented an overview of the facilities master plan, including a $280 million investment in recent projects, and proposed three preliminary design studies: renovation of City Hall (300 Monroe), a new community resource center (one-stop shop for permits), and co-location of Environmental Services and Water at the Water Resource Recovery Facility. The studies would cost about $600,000 total, requiring a budget amendment. The Calder Plaza deck replacement is overdue, with construction planned for 2026-2027. Enhancements under consideration include more green space, shade, and improved access to Monroe Avenue. No funding source has been identified for the enhancements. Commissioners asked about the timeline and ensuring the plaza remains functional for large events. No vote was taken.
- Closed Session: The commission unanimously voted (roll call) to move into closed session immediately after the public hearing for consideration of pending litigation.
Key Outcomes
- Resolution to postpone November meeting: Postponed to July 29 meeting for further discussion. Passed unanimously.
- Resolution setting hearing date for zoning ordinance amendment: Set for July 29. Passed unanimously.
- Climate adaptation plan: No decision reached. Staff will continue discussions and seek input from community partners. The item will return on July 29.
- Facilities master plan and Calder Plaza: No action taken; further updates expected at future meetings.
Meeting Transcript
Microphone on. Now the committee of hole will come to order. Um city clerk, uh, do we call you call attendance for this? Sorry. Uh so first on our agenda is uh resolution approving uh pardon me resolution recommending approval by the Michigan liquor control uh social district um pursuant to um PA 12 2020 for the Grandville L C at 15 Ionia. Uh Mr. Clerk, any other details? Support. Any other details, Mr. Clerk? No. Uh any discussion? All in favor, say aye. Aye. Passes. Uh brings us to the second resolution, and this is a resolution scheduling November 11 uh city commission meeting um uh to November 13. And uh I would like to uh given that this is uh we all have complicated lives, uh my first impulse was to um simply have you all commit to thinking about whether that makes sense uh and perhaps tabling this in our adjourn what's the technical word postpone this for a couple weeks uh and then on the 29th we can all make a hard commit there. Like I don't want to push anyone too fast on their calendar. This is after all November we're talking about. So if I don't know if it's kind of a motion to postpone. Anyone or do it does everyone want to go forward? If you want to commit to this now, I would I would rather postpone and give everyone time to think about it for the couple weeks. Don't think it really harms anything. Discussion? Ms. City City Manager. I was just gonna offer the the the reason for the the meeting is our annual work planning session where we prioritize and it is essential that we have a hundred percent participation by all commissioners. So if there's someone who cannot participate, we really should rethink that date. I I believe this was um some dates were already fielded previously and discussed, at least for from my end and and for other commissioners possibly. So I personally have no reason to postpone it this time, but if it needed to be readjusted later, we could discuss that. Okay. I'm not one go ahead. Uh I'm good with it. I'm good with the date. I mean I I'd rather do it now. Do we need to make a motion to get it on the floor though to have this discussion, City Clerk? I think you're right. So uh motion uh motion for the support. Yeah. All right. I'm good. Okay. Um I am not a thousand percent sure of my schedule that far out. So I I would appreciate uh some more time to think about it. Uh Commissioner Robbins. Yeah, I I I can probably make either day work at this point, but if you're still trying to figure that out, I'd I'd prefer to postpone this for a couple weeks to give you some extra time. I think I'm okay with that. So I'd would I have to make an amended motion or make a motion to postpone this to our um July 29th meeting. Sure. Second.
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