Circuit Court Judge George Quist ruled that the zoning protest petition signed by 1,500 East Grand Rapids’ residents opposed to a Gaslight Village mixed-use development is valid. The project was narrowly approved by the city commission last fall; however, this ruling invalidates that approval.
Quist stated the petition was submitted in a timely manner and contained the required number of signatures of 20% or more. Under the petition, the commission was required to vote by a supermajority rather than a simple majority.
Residents opposed to the development have maintained the project is too large and will change the character and safety of the community.
A spokesperson for East Grand Rapids Responsible Development stated, “The developer must now submit a new and substantially different plan for approval, and the new plan must go through the entire approval process.”
City Manager Shea Charles stated officials are reviewing the court’s decision with legal counsel and the commission will discuss the case in a closed session August 17th.
For a weekly dose of news right to your inbox, sign up for the WGVU newsletter.
