GRAND RAPIDS CHARTER TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Locals in one West Michigan community are raising concerns about a possible development that could bring more than 40 condo units to their neighborhood.
The location of the proposed development is in close proximity to wetlands and open creeks that drain into the Grand River.
Some fear the development’s impact could lead to issues in the future.
The Reserve at Knapp Bluff would comprise a series of zero-step single family homes in Grand Rapids Township which would help address the need for senior housing in the area.
The site is located at 4700 Knapp Street NE.
Covenant Eight, the Reserve’s developer, noted in an email to 13 ON YOUR SIDE that, following the public information meeting that detailed the project, it had already heard from a number of prospective buyers for one of the homes and had subsequently started a wait list.
Not everyone, however, was on board with the development.
Covenant referred to several of the claims in question—which had been circulating on social media, largely concerning the project’s impact on area wetlands and storm water runoff—as misleading.
A neighbor addressed their concerns in an interview with 13 ON YOUR SIDE last week:
“One of the primary concerns is with the size of the development that they want to put there is how are they going to handle all that water runoff that is generated,” Sara Bakkila explained. “Different rainstorms, snowmelt and that type of thing.”
In response, developers touted their 15-year track record of “developing high-quality communities and following best practices for its projects across the region. To date we have built nearly 500 homes in multiple communities, all of which have been located on sites adjacent to lakes or containing wetlands or ponds.”
Covenant also indicated “no buildings will be located in wetlands and the site will feature a professionally engineered stormwater system, which will be reviewed and approved by applicable governmental authorities so as to ensure that there is no adverse impact to adjacent residents. Covenant aways desires to be a good neighbor and has reached out to adjacent residents and made a point of being available to answer questions and respond to concerns where neighbors are open to those discussions.”
Further action on the project has been tabled until March’s meeting of the planning commission.
This story will be updated with any additional details gathered prior to the meeting next month.
►Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. Download the 13 ON YOUR SIDE app now.
Have a news tip? Email news@13onyourside.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter. Subscribe to our YouTube channel.