MICHIGAN
Work on the East Village Master Plan appears to be drawing to a close, but some East Lansing residents say they still don't have enough information about the project.
The East Lansing Planning Commission is likely to take a final vote on the plan tonight.
Several community members have asked why specific studies of the environment, traffic or housing markets in the area were not conducted as part of the planning process.
The Michigan Municipal Planning Act requires commissions to "make careful and comprehensive surveys and studies of present conditions and future growth" when developing master plans.
"I think that's something they've failed to accomplish," said Ryan McBride, an agriculture and natural resources and communication senior who lives in FarmHouse fraternity, located on the edge of the East Village at 151 Bogue St.
But city officials maintain that doing studies ahead of time isn't necessary or desirable.
"What you see in the plan is just a general statement of a vision, not what will happen," said Jim van Ravensway, the city's director of planning and community development.
The East Village plan, most recently revised in December, calls to restructure the Cedar Village area into a new community with buildings up to eight stories high, expand access to the Red Cedar River and significantly increase the area's population by constructing higher-density housing.
The 35-acre area — between Bogue Street and Hagadorn Road south of Grand River Avenue — is adjacent to MSU's campus and home to more than 1,800 people, primarily student renters.
Andrea Brown, executive director of the Michigan Planning Association, said the planning act doesn't require specific studies, but they could be helpful in attracting developers and reassuring residents.
Conducting studies of the East Village would have costs of more than $100,000, said Tim Dempsey, East Lansing's community development administrator.
But the city did spend $55,000 on a conceptual plan and drawings.
