Hagan Realty Returns to Planning Commission with Grove Street Housing Proposal

In the continuing saga of will they/won’t they, the Planning Commission held a public hearing at its Oct. 9 meeting concerning Hagan Realty’s proposed rezoning of three parcels along Grove Street. 

This isn’t their first collective rodeo. In 2023, Hagan Realty went to the Planning Commission with its plan to rezone a larger space in the same area, ultimately the request was denied by City Council.

This pared down plan encompasses just three properties — 743, 755, and 765 Grove Street — and proposes to rezone them from an area supporting single-family residences to one allowing multiple-family dwellings. Hagan is proposing to construct a development of five or more dwelling units that include no more than 48 bedrooms total. 

At the Oct. 9 meeting, Hagan Realty had a public hearing for its plan, and will later seek the Planning Commission’s recommendation before the proposal is voted on City Council. 

Brian Hagan of the family-run construction and development company presented their case to the commission, specifically remarking the proposed work would bring additional tax revenue to the city. He also said neighbors shouldn’t be concerned about parking because their plan includes 40 to 42 spaces.

Matt Hagan offered his own perspective.

“As far as the need for this development and where it should go,” he said, “there is not a better spot, quite frankly, that exists. This is by a sorority and fraternity, backed up by a business next to a major street.”

Matt Hagan continued to say that the demand for this type of housing has not been met, mentioning students needing a place to live. He referenced what the Hagans saw last renting season. 

“We rented 207 houses in a week; we rented 90 houses in a day and we had a backup list pages long of people that didn’t get a place, so the demand is there,” he said. “These guys will tell you that the demand is there [and] they’re not able to find the housing that they want, the quality that they want, so this is needed.”

The Hagans seemed ready to address concerns both the Planning Commission and City Council have raised about their proposal. Previously, the plan was criticized as “too vague.” At the Oct. 9 meeting, the Hagans provided renderings of potential buildings and an exact count of rooms, residents and parking spaces.

As has been seen at past meetings, the proposal is still opposed by some residents living near the site. Lisa Homic said the development is too large for the area. Even with parking for residents as part of the plan, there will need to be space for their visitors. This is a problem with the sorority and fraternity in the area already drawing so many cars, she said. 

Planning Commission Chair Joseph Sullivan wondered if the development would increase flooding in the area and remarked that the neighborhood is already dense and experiencing something of an “identity crisis.”

At its next meeting on Oct. 23, the Planning Commission will decide whether or not to recommend City Council approve the proposed rezoning.

The Planning Commission held hearings for two other proposals at the meeting.

Gunovid, LLC’s owner Jerry Gunthorpe requested both the rezoning of a 1.8 acre property it owns and a special use request to construct an approximately 21,000 square foot fabrication shop on the land.

The 1.8 acres were previously in Bath Township but had been transferred to East Lansing, according to Principal Planner Landon Bartley. The zoning was never updated and, if approved by City Council, would be reclassified as an Office Industrial Park. The land would be combined with approximately 8.2 acres Gunovid currently owns at 16647 Chandler Road.

The facility would allow the operation to be closer to the Michigan State University campus, which Gunthorpe said is a common customer during summer months when students are out of the residence halls and “outdated galvanized pipes” need to be replaced.

In the final hearing, Daniel Downes of Timber Sauna Company requested permission to install a seasonal sauna park in a vacant lot at 270 West Grand River Avenue. 

Bordered by Biggby Coffee, Crunchy’s and Valley Court Park, the park would be approximately 2,700 square feet, enclosed by a wooden privacy fence, and would host electric and wood fired units, cold plunge stations and a yurt for check-in and changing.

At its next meeting on Oct. 23, the Planning Commission will decide whether or not to recommend City Council approve the proposed rezoning.

The Planning Commission held hearings for two other proposals at the meeting.

Gunovid, LLC’s owner Jerry Gunthorpe requested both the rezoning of a 1.8 acre property it owns and a special use request to construct an approximately 21,000 square foot fabrication shop on the land.

The 1.8 acres were previously in Bath Township but had been transferred to East Lansing, according to Principal Planner Landon Bartley. The zoning was never updated and, if approved by City Council, would be reclassified as an Office Industrial Park. The land would be combined with approximately 8.2 acres Gunovid currently owns at 16647 Chandler Road.

The facility would allow the operation to be closer to the Michigan State University campus, which Gunthorpe said is a common customer during summer months when students are out of the residence halls and “outdated galvanized pipes” need to be replaced.

In the final hearing, Daniel Downes of Timber Sauna Company requested permission to install a seasonal sauna park in a vacant lot at 270 West Grand River Avenue. 

Bordered by Biggby Coffee, Crunchy’s and Valley Court Park, the park would be approximately 2,700 square feet, enclosed by a wooden privacy fence, and would host electric and wood fired units, cold plunge stations and a yurt for check-in and changing.