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CITY OF MUSKEGON
PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
September 16, 2021
T. Michalski called the meeting to order at 4:02 p.m. and roll was taken.
MEMBERS PRESENT: L. Spataro, B. Mazade, T. Michalski, J. Doyle, J. Montgomery-Keast
MEMBERS ABSENT: E. Hood, D. Keener, S. Gawron, F. Peterson
STAFF PRESENT: M. Franzak, C. Cashin
OTHERS PRESENT: R. Leestma (Adelaide Pointe), G. Weykamp & J. Cox (Edgewater Resources)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion to approve the Minutes of the regular Planning Commission meeting on July 15, 2021 was made by J.
Montgomery-Keast, supported by J. Doyle and unanimously approved.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Hearing, Case 2021-24
Request for preliminary Planned Unit Development approval for a mixed use development at 920/1148/1204 W
Western, by Ryan Leestma.
SUMMARY
1. The proposed PUD consists of two privately-owned parcels (1148 & 1204 W Western) and a portion of the
charter park at Hartshorn Marina (920 W Western). The usage of the charter park would be done through a
shared access agreement. The size of the entire project is 37.3 acres.
2. There are three underlying zoning designations within the proposed PUD; Lakefront Recreation, Heavy Industrial
and Form Based Code, Neighborhood Edge.
3. The land uses associated with the PUD include light industrial, boat storage, multi-family residential, retail and a
new marina and boat launch.
4. The new streets (Adelaide Ave, Adelaide Dr, Adelaide Circle) will be publicly owned and maintained.
5. Public access to the site will increase significantly, especially to the lakeshore. The bike path would be
repositioned slightly, moving it closer to the water. The three peninsulas will be publicly accessible and a fishing
pier will be constructed at the end of the peninsula on the charter park property. That peninsula is currently
gated and only accessible to those utilizing the small boat basin. The gate will be removed to allow for public
access to all. The 30 slips at the former small boat basin would be removed, but 70 transient slips would be
available at the new marina. The former small boat basin would be used as another boat launch with a lift that
can launch boats up to 100 feet, an amenity the City currently does not possess. The launch would be operated
by the developer but would remain open for public use.
Staff recommends approval of the preliminary PUD.
L. Spataro mentioned that Adelaide Avenue runs north and south, he suggested that the street name change to Adelaide
Street. Avenues in Muskegon traditionally run east and west. M. Franzak mentioned that there will be an additional bike
path created as a shortcut along Western Avenue. The Planning Commission had questions regarding the loss of the
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small boat parking that is currently available to the public in the east basin. G. Weykamp and R. Leestma presented the
Adelaide Pointe project to the Planning Commission. G. Weykamp mentioned that there will be a section within the
harbor that allows for transient boat parking and the east basin will have shopper docks that allow public to park for the
day while using the facilities. The original Hartshorn boat ramp will remain. The new east basin boat launch will be
available to the public and will allow triple axel trailers to use the facilities.
A public hearing was had, one resident spoke in approval of the project. A motion was made to close the public hearing,
by L. Spataro, supported by J. Montgomery-Keast and unanimously approved.
A motion that the request for preliminary Planned Unit Development approval for a mixed use development at
920/1148/1204 W Western be approved was made by J. Montgomery-Keast, supported by J. Doyle and unanimously
approved.
Hearing, Case 2021-25
Request for final Planned Unit Development approval for a mixed use development at 920/1148/1204 W Western, by
Ryan Leestma.
SUMMARY
1. A detailed site plan (C-1.00) and illustrative map (V-2.00) can be found inside of the PUD Submittal. Within the
site plan map, you will also see a chart that depicts the building heights/sizes, unit counts and parking
information. A larger copy of this document has been separately included in your packet. Staff agrees that
parking needs can be met through shared parking by different uses and elimination of some required spaces due
to certain reductions.
2. Any approvals will be contingent upon issuance of a stormwater permit from the Muskegon County Drain
Commissioners Office. The stormwater management plan is currently under review at that office.
3. The Public Works and Fire Department offices are still working with the applicant on the location of fire hydrants
and water main at the northern end of the site. Public Works desires to see all of the public water main located
within the public right-of-way. All approvals should be contingent up staff approving these measures.
4. The Planning Department would like to see buildings C5 and C6 contribute more to the public realm and
pedestrian experience on Western Ave. This is the area that has the underlying form based code zoning, which
was intended to create more walkable, pedestrian oriented developments. Regarding this development, its
obvious that the waterfront is the key feature. However, staff believes that some modifications to these
buildings could help draw people into the development and other future developments on the south side of
Western Ave. Staff would recommend that these buildings be located closer to Western Ave and incorporate
pedestrian-scaled elements such as transparent windows and adequate entrances along the front façade.
5. The Planning Department would also encourage the proposed parallel parking spaces on Adelaide Circle be
reduced from 10 feet to 7 feet, which could reduce the size of the ROW by up to 6 feet.
6. Staff is currently working with the developer on these staff comments and they are preparing to present new
materials at the meeting that will address these issues.
7. The developer is currently finalizing the phasing plan and will present it at the meeting.
Planning Commission had a short discussion about the project. L. Spataro requested that sidewalks be added around
buildings C6 & C5.
A motion was made to close the public hearing, by J. Montgomery-Keast, supported by L. Spataro and unanimously
approved.
A motion that the request for final Planned Unit Development approval for a mixed use development at 920/1148/1204
W Western be recommended to the City Commission for approved with the following conditions was made by L.
Spataro, supported by B. Mazade and unanimously approved.
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1. A stormwater permit is obtained from the Muskegon County Drain Commissioners Office.
2. Staff approves an amended site plan that addresses the comments from the Public Works, Fire and Planning
Departments, including adding sidewalks around buildings C6 & C5.
Hearing, Case 2021-26
Staff initiated request to amend the Lakeside Form Based Code to allow caregivers, microbusinesses, designated
consumption establishments, class A recreational grows (500 plant max), class A medical grows (100 plant max), class B
medical grows (500 plant max) and temporary marihuana events as a special use permitted in the Lakeside Commercial
and Lakeside Heavy Commercial context areas.
SUMMARY
1. Marihuana caregivers are allowed in B-2, B-4, Medical Care, I-1 and I-2 zoning districts.
2. The Lakeside Business District was made up predominantly of B-2 and B-4 zoning districts. They were rezoned
to Lakeside Form Based Code in May 0f 2019. The newly created Lakeside Form Based Code did not allow for
caregivers at the time, an oversight from staff. There is now a legally non-conforming caregiver located in
Lakeside, as it existed before the zoning change.
3. In November of 2020, in an effort to help get more local people involved in the marihuana industry, the
Commission adopted an ordinance amendment that would allow smaller marihuana license types to operate
where caregivers were already allowed. These license types included microbusinesses, designated consumption
establishments, class A recreational grows, class B recreational grows, class A medical grows and temporary
marihuana events as a special use permitted.
4. Had the Lakeside Business District not been rezoned to Lakeside Form Based Code, the Lakeside Businesses
would have enjoyed the ability to operate these uses under a special use permit.
5. Staff is proposing to amend the Lakeside Form Based Code ordinance to allow these same license types in the
Lakeside Commercial and Lakeside Heavy Commercial Context areas.
6. There are 37 properties in Lakeside that have Lakeside Commercial and Lakeside Heavy Commercial Context
areas, however, most of them do not have enough space to operate for marihuana production. Its estimated
that for a 100 plant grow, there will need to be at least 4,000-5,000 sf available for growing and harvesting.
The Planning Commission requested that staff send notice to the affected area and hold another public hearing on this
topic at the October Planning Commission meeting. No action taken at this time.
NEW BUSINESS
None
OLD BUSINESS
None
UPDATES ON PREVIOUS CASES
None
OTHER
None
ADJOURN
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:16 PM.
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