Council splits on housing proposal, moves forward on development and voting plans

Sent to the Ledger the week of 9/23

Digitally Published 9 Oct. 2025

By Justin Tiemeyer - Contributing Writer

Lowell’s City Council gathered for a regular meeting on Monday, Sept.15, 2025, at 7 p.m., with all members present.

The City Council meeting was preceded by a joint meeting with the Planning Commission, and the first two items of new business felt like a continuation of the joint meeting. Both involved ordinance discussed at recent Planning Commission meetings, and both were presented by Andy Moore, the city’s planning consultant with Williams & Works.

New business (a) involved a proposed zoning ordinance map amendment for 119 Lincoln Lake Road from C3 general business to mixed-use, allowing developer Sam Travis to convert the existing building into a seven-unit apartment complex. The reason the property needs to be rezoned is because C3 would limit Travis to five units. Once approved, Travis would then submit a site plan to the Planning Commission, it would be reviewed, and it would be approved or denied based on whether it meets the conditions of the zoning code and the intention of the Master Plan.

New business (a) was approved unanimously. The same could not be said about new business (b), which involved a proposed zoning ordinance amendment to allow accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, to be constructed and used as primary residences in the City of Lowell. ADUs, also known as granny flats or mother-in-law suites, are one of a handful of methods the Planning Commission seeks to increase and diversify Lowell’s housing capacity to meet growing needs within the City.

Moore clarified that there was contention during the discussion of ADUs as the idea passed through Planning Commission. “It’s something that’s not just coming out of thin air - there’s some need for it,” Moore said, “but it’s not something that was embraced, I guess, by everybody.”

On two separate occasions, Steve Doyle, of King Milling, railed against ADUs, painting a picture of drastic changes in neighborhood character and congestion, similar to what you might experience in an inner city. Moore had alleviated some of those concerns, suggesting that there were other checks and balances that would keep anything drastic from happening, and Commissioner John Barnett pushed the Commission to approve ADUs as “special use,” meaning that each ADU application would be reviewed by the Planning Commission, and it would be accompanied by a public hearing.

Council Member Eric Bartkus was familiar with Doyle’s objections and also those of resident Annette Ritzema, and he came to the meeting with ADU policies he had found from other municipalities. In Holland, for example, they only allow detached units, and they have the same lot-line setbacks as a principal house. Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids limit ADU size to 30% and 40% of the main house respectively, Beulah allows ADUs in commercial spaces, and Traverse City only permits 15 per year.

“I understand the need for affordable housing,” Bartkus said. “This opens up a whole new congestion that it could change the feel for Lowell.” Bartkus was joined by Mayor Mike DeVore and Council Members Jim Salzwedel and Mark Ritzema in voting no on ADUs, leaving Council Member Marty Chambers, who sits on the Planning Commission, as the only yes vote.

The third item of new business involved a consolidation of the City of Lowell’s two precincts for the upcoming election. Per the Michigan Voter Information Center, the ballot for the consolidated election on Tuesday, Nov. 4, includes a city council election to fill the seats currently occupied by Chambers, Ritzema, and Salzwedel - all three of whom are seeking reelection and joined by challenger Beryl Bartkus - and a Kent Intermediate School District millage to support Lowell Area Schools. The consolidation proposal was approved unanimously.

The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 6, 2025, at 7 p.m. Those interested in watching the Sept. 15 meeting can find it on the City of Lowell YouTube channel, @cityoflowell. The agenda can be found on the City of Lowell home page, lowellmi.gov.