Master Plan Update, Overlay Districts Discussed by Planning Commission

The East Lansing Planning Commission met for the first time of the 2024 calendar year on Wednesday (Jan. 10). 

The nearly three-hour meeting included several issues debated by both planning commissioners and community members. Additionally, several issues were voted upon and the commission voted for a chair and vice chair. 

Chair and vice chair of the Planning Commission were reappointed. 

The meeting started with a brief roll call, followed by agenda approval and approval of minutes. All commissioners were in attendance, and the agenda and minutes were approved without debate. This was followed by the election of officers for the 2024 Planning Commission, in which the chair and vice chair positions were being voted upon. In a unanimous vote, Joseph Sullivan returns to his chair position and Ed Wagner was elected as vice-chair. Wagner replaces Dan Bollman whose tenure on the committee ended in December.

Commission discussed formation of a Master Plan coordinating committee

The Michigan Planning Enabling Act requires all cities to present a Master Plan in order to project land usage and planning 20 years into the future, and for that master plan to be updated every five years. As the last master plan in East Lansing was voted on by the Planning Commission in 2018, the group is now required to create an update. A significant amount of time in Wednesday’s meeting was dedicated to discussing formation of a Master Plan Update Coordinating Committee, how many people should be on the committee, and which other committees and stakeholders within East Lansing should be represented. 

After considerable debate, the Planning Commission decided the Master Plan Update Coordinating Committee will include three members of the Planning Commission, and have 30 members total, including members of other commissions and stakeholders outside of government. 

Public hearing on Glencairn rental restriction overlay district draws numerous speakers.

The meeting transitioned to public hearings, where a rental restriction overlay district that would significantly limit the ability for homes within its jurisdiction to obtain rental licenses was discussed. 

The proposed district makes up parts of the Glencairn neighborhood and, if passed, would allow only homes currently being used as rental properties to be rented by their current owner for either long-term tenants or short-term stays. Any home without a rental license, or any home currently being rented but is sold to a new owner, will be denied a rental license in an effort to encourage long-term residency within the neighborhood. 

Sixteen community members spoke during the hearing and numerous written communications were included in the agenda packet. Each speaker was allowed five minutes to speak, and touched upon a number of different concerns. However, these concerns fell generally into two categories. 

There were those who expressed support for the overlay district as a way to preserve the Glencairn neighborhood as a quiet, safe and peaceful area of East Lansing.

“There will be a significant and negative long-term consequence for the Glencairn neighborhood  if the overlay district is not approved,” Glencairn resident Beverly Bonning said.

The second group was residents upset with the borders drawn for the overlay district.

“It completely bisects the neighborhood,” said Glencairn resident John French, whose home was not included within the boundaries of the proposed overlay district. 

A special overlay information meeting will be held 6 p.m. Wednesday (Jan. 17) at the Hannah Center. The meeting will be open for the public to attend both in person and on a live stream to be broadcast on the city of East Lansing website.

​​A vote to recommend approval or denial by the City Council is expected at the Planning Commission’s Jan. 24 meeting.

New Lake Lansing Road retail building proposal discussed.

Next in public hearings was a discussion of a proposed new 6,000-square-foot retail building at 210, 218 and 224 W. Lake Lansing Road. The building would include retail space and a restaurant space with a drive through. 

The lead engineer of the proposed project, David Christian representing DC Engineering, spoke on behalf of the proposal. He spoke to the feasibility of the project both from an engineering and urban planning perspective. A representative from the developers, responding to a question about potential tenants, said they would begin a marketing campaign once the plans are finalized. No action was taken by the Planning Commission on the issue and it is expected to be voted on Jan. 24.

Planning Commission recommends approval of parking spaces at 2111 Merritt Road.

In old business was discussion of a request from Mullin Family Investments LLC to build an additional 52 parking spots at their 2111 Merritt Road property. This motion was approved by the Planning Commission, with the amendment that the company must limit the number of spots to under 50 or build an electric vehicle charging station as mandated by East Lansing city ordinances. The proposal now goes to City Council for consideration.

Also under old business was the withdrawal by the Lansing Board of Water and Light (BWL) of its request for rezoning of properties at Stoddard Avenue and Burcham Drive. BWL had requested the rezoning as part of a plan to convert a former substation building on the property into a utility employee training facility.

Steven Swan of BWL wrote to Principal Planner Landon Bartley to withdraw the request.

“BWL’s T & D Underground Team has been given a firm commitment for another facility that was not previously an option for them when we began this rezoning request,” he wrote. “It has been a pleasure working with you and your team at East Lansing.”

A recording of the meeting can be found here and the Planning Commission will meet again at the Hannah Community Center on Wednesday, Jan. 24, at 7:00 pm.

Corrections: Ed Wagner was newly elected as vice chair of the Planning Commission. Additionally, the proposed development at 210, 218 and 224 W. Lake Lansing Road will consist of retail and restaurant space. The story has been corrected.