The new rules aim to make it easier to build small multifamily housing developments.
Grand Rapids, Michigan city officials unanimously approved a package of zoning reforms aimed at increasing the housing supply, reports Michael Kransz in M Live. The city aims to add more than 14,000 new housing units by 2027 to meet rising demand.
According to Kransz, “The broad set of changes apply to residential neighborhoods and will remove some city approvals needed for developers to create multi-family housing developments with six or less apartments in those neighborhoods. It will also remove some city approvals needed to build smaller, independent residential dwelling units attached or detached to homes.” The new rules also eliminate parking requirements for new housing with less than six units and raises the number of unrelated people that can live in a household. City leaders hope these changes will create more opportunities for smaller, infill development projects.
Grand Rapids planners are developing a Community Master Plan to guide development over the next two decades.
FULL STORY: Grand Rapids approves zoning changes to help address ‘housing crisis’

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