Allendale may rezone land voters nixed

ALLENDALE, Mich. (WOOD) - In 2010, the Allendale Township Board rezoned 13 acres of land near 48th and Lake Michigan Drive for a large student apartment complex. But local residents began a petition drive to stop it, got it on the ballot and won in February.

But the land may be re-zoned for student housing, anyway, and that has Allendale residents upset.

The land is currently in an industrial zone near the Grand Valley State University campus. Residents, who believed that area near GVSU is already saturated with student housing, formed "Citizens for Allendale's Future."

The group's leader, Dwayne Thomas, started the petition drive and argued the township's zoning process was flawed. The petition made it to the ballot and Allendale voters made clear they did not want more student housing at that spot.

Linda DeBoer is one of the residents who voted to block the student apartment complex. Now, she thinks the township board is trying to force it through.

"Well I feel the people had spoken at that time and I didn't feel they should bring it up again, especially this quickly," she told 24 Hour News 8.

But the issue is back after the landowner, Stuart Becker of Grand Haven, requested a residential rezoning, known as an R4, instead of the planned unit development (PUD) previously requested by a developer, Campus Crest Communities.

Allendale Township Supervisor Jerry Alkema told 24 Hour News 8 he's sorry if people thought they were voting to stop student housing. This zoning request is new, and, he said, fits with the township's Master Plan.

The planning commission has already recommended the residential rezoning to the board and they're expected to vote on Monday. People will have a chance for public comment.

24 Hour News 8 will continue to follow this story.