Planning Commission

About the Board

The Planning Commission:

  • Guides public and private development efforts
  • Works alongside the City Commission and appointed boards to carry out the City's Master Plan
  • Members seek to administer the Zoning Ordinance fairly and equitably
  • Members aim to understand citizens' interests and concerns with the development of the city

Apply for Boards and Commissions

The Planning Commission meets on the second and fourth Thursday of every month at 1:00 pm.

November and December only meet the second Thursday of the month due to the Holidays.

Sign up for the email distribution list to keep up to date on meetings, meeting cancellations, and agendas.

Meeting Location

City Hall
300 Monroe Ave. NW
City Commission Chambers 9th floor

Download Annual Meeting Schedule(PDF, 222KB)

View Meeting Agendas and Minutes

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.

Fees

As of July 1, 2025

Bylaws

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

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

Requirements for Commission Membership

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.

Current Members

Rick Treur

Mayoral Appointment
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, Commission Chairperson

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

Paul Helm

Mayoral Appointment
Ward 2 Resident
Term Ends: 1/3/2028

Susan Shannon

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

Brian Swem

Mayoral Appointment
Ward 3 Resident
Term Ends: 1/3/2028

Jen Schottke

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

Kyle Van Strien

Mayoral Appointment
Ward 1 Resident
Term Ends: 1/1/2029

Matthew Franko

Mayoral Appointment
Ward 2 Resident
Term Ends: 1/3/2028

Andrea Hendrick

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