City Planning Commission

Applications

Planning a project? Use the links below for instructions and forms for all your project needs.

You can now apply for our Planning Commission applications online! For a list of online Planning Commission applications, click here.

Otherwise, you may download and complete an application from the list below. Please note, for many Planning Commission applications, you will need to complete the Owner Authorization form, which may be downloaded here.

• Apply for a Special Land Use (SLU)
• Apply for a Site Plan Review (SPR)
• Apply for an Optional Plan Review (OPR)(PDF, 1MB)
• Apply for a Planned Sign Program
• Apply for a Planned Redevelopment District (PRD)
• Apply for a Planned Redevelopment District (PRD) Amendment
• Apply for a Zone Change
• Apply for a Text Amendment
• Submit Additional Project Parcels to the Planning Commission

Fees (as of July 1, 2023)

• Planning Commission Fee Schedule
• Other Planning Department Reviews and Fees

Bylaws

• Planning Commission Bylaws, amended April 2018(PDF, 211KB)

Meeting Schedule

We meet the second (and fourth, as necessary) Thursday of each month, with public hearings beginning at 1:00 PM. 

Space on Planning Commission agendas is on a first-come, first-served basis. Agendas often fill before the posted deadline.

•   Download Annual Meeting Schedule 

Meeting Agendas

We use a third party application called Legislative Management to manage board meetings and agendas. You'll leave our site to see the calendar or review past meeting details. See more details below or learn How to Use Legislative Management.

Meetings and Agendas

Planning Commission Meeting Live Streams Page

You'll see a quick description of the commission and a list of its members at the top of the page. You can also find meeting minutes, agendas, and other important documents on this page.

Note: scroll near the bottom of the page. The meeting schedule, minutes, and agendas are below the listing of board members.

Location

City Hall
300 Monroe Ave. NW
City Commission Chambers, 9th Floor

Board Member Composition

• 9 members, with a makeup representative of the community
• Members may hold no other municipal office except that one member may also serve on the Board of Zoning Appeals

Kristine Bersche

Mayoral Appointment
Ward 2 Resident
Term Ends: 1/4/2027

Arlen-Dean Gaddy

Mayoral Appointment
Ward 3 Resident
Term Ends: 1/5/2026

Aaron Jonker

Mayoral Appointment
Ward 3 Resident
Term Ends: 1/5/2026

Laurel Joseph

Mayoral Appointment
Ward 3 Resident
Term Ends: 1/5/2026

Paul Rozeboom, Commission Chairperson

Mayoral Appointment
Ward 3 Resident
Term Ends: 1/6/2025

Susan Shannon

Mayoral Appointment
Ward 1 Resident
Term Ends: 1/5/2026

Brian Swem

Mayoral Appointment
Ward 3 Resident
Term Ends: 1/6/2025

Kyle Van Strien

Mayoral Appointment
Ward 1 Resident
Term Ends: 1/1/2024

Lawrence Williams

Mayoral Appointment
Ward 2 Resident
Term Ends: 1/4/2027

Residency Requirement

Most members on this board must live within in Grand Rapids city limits. However, the Mayor may appoint one non-resident to the Commission.

Term Limits

Each member’s term, other than ex officio members, are appointed for 3 year terms that expire on the first Monday in January on the third year succeeding his or her appointment, or until his or her successor is appointed, whichever is later. Members, other than ex officio members, first appointed, are appointed to 1 year or 2 year terms so that, as nearly as possible, the terms of one-third of all members will expire each year.

Compensation

There is no compensation for members of this board.