Grand Rapids City Commission Meeting - August 14, 2025
Grand Rapids City Commission Meeting - August 14, 2025
The Grand Rapids City Commission met on August 14, 2025, to consider several resolutions and receive briefings. Key actions included approving two liquor licenses, a brownfield plan amendment, and the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan, along with discussions on noise ordinance changes, the Third Ward Equity Fund, and a state talent partnership grant.
Liquor License Approvals
- Early Bird LLC – Resolution approved for a development district liquor license at 1445 Lake Drive SE. Commissioners noted this is a new flexible tool allowing licenses in business districts where quota licenses are unavailable. Unanimously approved.
- Terraformal Holdings LLC – Resolution approved for a development district liquor license at 701 Wealthy SE. Unanimously approved.
Brownfield Plan Amendment – Pleasant Hills Phase 3
- Resolution approving an amendment to the City of Grand Rapids Brownfield Redevelopment Authority plan for the Pleasant Hills Phase 3 redevelopment. The project will demolish an existing building to construct 27 residential for-sale homes, serving households at 80–120% AMI, with 16 units expected below 80% AMI. Unanimously approved.
Climate Action and Adaptation Plan
- Resolution accepting the Grand Rapids Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAP) and prioritizing 20 actions. The plan sets community-wide science-based targets: a 62.8% per capita greenhouse gas emission reduction by 2030 (from 2019 levels) and 100% by 2050. The resolution clarifies that the plan is voluntary and incentive-based, with no mandates, and aims to avoid unintended consequences for housing affordability. Mayor David LaGrand and several commissioners spoke in support, emphasizing the importance of density and avoiding cost increases. Commissioner Rowland opposed, citing remaining concerns about affordability. The motion carried with a majority aye vote.
Noise Ordinance Briefing
- The City Attorney’s office presented a briefing on potential amendments to the noise ordinance, focusing on regulating amplified sound at healthcare facilities. The discussion centered on constitutional concerns (First Amendment rights) and the need for a narrowly tailored approach, such as a buffer zone (e.g., 300–500 feet) around entrances. Mayor LaGrand and Commissioners Sassi and Belchak expressed support for further exploration, while Commissioners Purdue, Robbins, and Knight raised concerns about enforcement, slippery slopes, and unintended consequences. The majority of the commission directed staff to continue analyzing options and bring back a proposal for consideration.
Third Ward Equity Fund Update
- Deputy City Manager Barrens provided an update on the Third Ward Equity Fund, including past investments (e.g., MLK Park Lodge, youth programming, cultural arts tour) and future plans. For FY2025, staff recommended transferring $425,000 earmarked for small business support to the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority and/or Economic Development Corporation, as general tax dollars cannot be used for direct small business assistance. Future FY2026 investments may focus on transformational infrastructure, such as the South Side Creekways trail project or major street corridor improvements. Commissioners expressed support for the transfer and discussed potential uses, including land banking and emerging developer grants. The fund remains ward-specific, though some commissioners raised the idea of expanding to neighborhoods of need citywide.
Michigan Talent Partnership Grant Briefing
- Staff presented the status of the Michigan Talent Partnership grant application, a $17.4 million state program for talent attraction in four cities (Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, Detroit, Lansing). The city’s proposed project is the “North Monroe Revitalization” or “Hill and River Network,” connecting Belknap, the Grand River, and North Monroe to downtown. Other projects considered included South Side Creekways and Bridge Street (west side). The application deadline is September 25, 2025, with a 50% match required. Commissioners discussed concerns about focusing on an already developing area versus other corridors like Eastern Avenue and Kalamazoo. Staff noted the project was deemed most competitive based on state criteria. The commission will receive updates on the award timeline.
Key Outcomes
- Liquor licenses: Both approved unanimously.
- Brownfield plan amendment: Approved unanimously.
- Climate Action and Adaptation Plan: Approved with one dissenting vote (Commissioner Rowland).
- Noise ordinance: Staff directed to continue analyzing options for regulating amplified sound at healthcare facilities; no formal vote.
- Third Ward Equity Fund: Staff directed to proceed with transferring $425,000 to the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority and EDC, and to bring forward specific agreements. Future FY2026 proposals will focus on infrastructure.
- Michigan Talent Partnership Grant: Application to proceed; staff to provide updates on award decisions.
- Closed session: The commission moved into closed session for collective bargaining discussion after the regular meeting.
Meeting Transcript
Uh first item of business is a resolution approving approving a request from that early bird LLC for development of a liquor license a district list liquor license at uh located at 1445 Lake Drive Southeast. Uh can I have a motion? So mo support. Uh any discussion. I don't know that we've got I I can give I'll give you a couple things because a development district is a little bit different than a quota um license. So we have we have licenses that are under quotas for on premise um alcohol. Um we've hit we've hit that quota because it's based on the population. Um so then we the state also allows for development districts. So um since these next two are in development districts, they because they're inside one of the um business corridors or the or the districts, then the there's allowed for uh development district license based on up up um upping the the restaurant and doing other things with it. So that's why these are a little bit different than if we had a quota license. Right. Um and this is something I actually know maybe more than our clerk does about since I've had I've been involved in this business. But um we have when we have liquor generic liquor licenses, they're limited by population and there is a formula for it, and there's a limited number of them. So there's a secondary market that people sell them on, and you get lawyers involved. So this is a new flexible tool that we developed, I don't know, ten years ago maybe, um, that allows us to essentially uh let these things pop up in business districts. So it still means we ought to seem to me be asking the same questions to ourselves, which is like are we making it a community problem? Like are there too many bars on this strip, or you know, are we getting negative negative community uh consequences from this? Um and I will just say briefly that I both of these look are look fine to me. I mean the early birds are good, well-run operation on Lake Drive. Um doesn't seem to be like you know, we don't have Mardi Gras down on Lake Drive yet. Um and um, you know, same with I mean I mean I shouldn't throw Shay on Mardi Gras, but you know, we don't have like big chaotic things happening on on Lake Drive and uh 701 Wealthy too. That's an area with a lot of good restaurants and bars, and nice to see development going on there. So um any other discussion of this one. All right. All in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Uh that brings us to our next one. That's the resolution for from uh approving a request from terraformal holdings LLC for development to district liquor license to be located at 701 Wealthy Southeast. The move to support. All in favor. Uh any discussion? All in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Great. This brings us to our third, which is um just to refresh everyone's memory. We had the um at our last meeting we had the public hearing about this project. This is a resolution to approve the amendment to the Brownfield plan, the City of Grand Rapids Brownfield Develop Redevelopment Authority for Pleasant Hills Phase 3 redevelopment. Good morning. Thank you, Mayor. Uh yes, this is uh this is the third phase of the habitat project. Um so this is going to uh raise an existing building to make way for 27 residential for sale uh homes. And uh we're they will be serving 80 to 120 uh percent AMI uh with 16 of those expected for below 180 actually. Or I'm sorry, below 80, not 180. Got it. So we'll need a motion, Mayor, so moved. Support. Okay. Um any discussion?
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