The developers plan on putting three commercial businesses in the area, including a pharmacy.

The rezoning would allow for different kinds of retailers to occupy the space.

Allowing a B-5 rental zone would accommodate businesses with later hours and varied business uses, such as a hotel or retail shopping.
The vacant space is owned by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.

The development plan would demolish the building for a mixed-use building.

There is a neighborhood concern about the development because residents don’t want the potential businesses to be a nuisance to the neighborhood.

The request has been in and out of city council for about eight months. After being sent through the East Lansing Planning Commission again at its Oct. 27 meeting, the commission voted 4-3 to recommend the council approve the ordinance.

Joseph Reynolds, an East Lansing resident, said he has lived in the Pinecrest Neighborhood, which is closest to the intended development, since 1983 and would be living across the street from the property.

He said many residents disagree with the ordinance because the location and nature of the retailers slated to move into the area would not fit the existing neighborhood community.

“Simply put, (the rezoning project is) not residentially compatible,” Reynolds said.

Ralph Monsma, president of the Pinecrest Neighborhood Association Board, said he holds similar views.

Monsma said the project would cause the area to lose its charm as a neighborhood district.

“It’s losing the soul of East Lansing since it’s always been neighborhood-oriented — this is going in the opposite direction,” Monsma said.
East Lansing Mayor Vic Loomis said the council has received e-mails expressing concern about the project, but also has received positive reactions.
“We’ll take (the public’s) comments and factor them into our decision making,” Loomis said.

Council members expects to vote on the issue tonight. he said.

Council members also plan to discuss an ordinance that would create new standards of alternative energy in residential and commercial space.
Darcy Schmitt, East Lansing’s planning and zoning administrator, said an ordinance as such would give the city a good guideline for future developments in alternative energy, such as solar panels and wind turbines.

“Because of the technology becoming more widely used, we want to make sure we know what these uses entail,” Schmitt said.

“We want to make sure we have an understanding of what these technologies will be and how we can properly handle them for future technologies and purposes.”

Councilmember Nathan Triplett said the ordinance would give East Lansing a cutting edge on alternative energy.

He said the idea of an official set of standards would be beneficial to individuals planning on incorporating alternative energy into their homes safely.

“I think it’s helpful to individuals to … have a clear set of guidelines that would take away the uncertainty and the risk that people have encountered in other communities,” Triplett said.