East Lansing City Council held three pubic hearings regarding a site plan and special use permits, the largest of which focused on the former Taco Bell building at 565 E. Grand River Ave.
The proposed five-story building would require the demolition of the existing structure.
The mixed-use building would feature mostly four-bedroom apartments on the higher floors, with space for commercial use available on the first floor. At this time, applicant David VanderKlok said no businesses have expressed interest in using the space.
Commission member Stephen Wooden also expressed concerns about the fact that 17 of the 30 apartment units would have four bedrooms.
“For students that might be optimal,” Wooden said. “But for future residents that might not be as flexible.”
The public hearing concluded with the suggestion to re-consider the size of some rooms, particularly on the first floor.
Other properties discussed included a large building proposal which would require the demolition of the Tasty Treat building, Citgo gas station and Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity house.
This four-story building would be constructed directly on the corner of Spartan and Grand River avenues.
At this time, Lambda Chi Alpha members have not been approached about the plan.
“The developing company has not reached out to our fraternity regarding the construction proposal,” said Kyle Sims, president of Lambda Chi Alpha. “Neither has (Community Resource Management Company), which is the housing company that we currently lease through”
However, there is currently a very large tree located on the lawn of the fraternity house at the addresses 116-132 Spartan Ave. and many residents and commission members were vocal about the effects of construction on the tree.
University botanists examined the tree in 1994 and determined that it is at least 300 years old.
The applicant from Next Generation Investment Properties, Joseph Goodsir, heard these complaints and brought up a revised plan that would move the structure back and protect the tree.
The new building would be six stories tall with underground parking and the commission unanimously agreed it was a more attractive and interesting proposal.
These proposals are only the latest in a series of developments which have seen properties along Grand River Avenue growing taller, as a larger portion of the market moves toward higher-end student apartments.
A proposed building at 500 Albert Ave. and 122 Division St. appeared before planning commission again, after the previous public hearing on April 8.
However, the commission was still concerned with the existing buildings being restricted by the new development being built so tightly between the two.
An amendment to the plan will be added addressing these concerns.
The planning commission will hold their next public meeting May 13.
In addition, an application to keep the CVS Pharmacy on M.A.C Avenue open 24 hours was approved by the planning commission Wednesday and will soon appear before East Lansing City Council.
The store currently closes at 11 p.m. and is under a restriction prohibiting the sale of alcohol before 9 a.m. or after midnight.
However, the modified special use permit which was recently approved will allow the store to operate as a 24-hour business and sell beer and wine between the hours of 7 a.m. and 2 a.m.
Commission members were initially worried people leaving the nearby bars would be able to purchase alcohol from CVS but East Lansing police officer Timothy Smith reported there were no concerns relative to the changed status.
