Tim Schmitt, a community development analyst for East Lansing, talks about the rezoning of the Delta Triangle area of Louis Street, Michigan Avenue, Elm Place and Delta Street. He describes the benefits of upgrading the student housing located in the area and also discusses what future development could look like.
Its ideal location on Michigan Avenue between Grand River and Harrison avenues makes it a popular spot for students, but the quiet, old-style neighborhood of Louis Street and Michigan Avenue will have a new look in coming years.
The East Lansing City Council last week passed an ordinance to rezone most of the 3.8 acres of land along Louis Street, Michigan Avenue, Delta Street and Elm Place to accommodate future multiple-family and multiple-student houses.
The rezoning and potential future redevelopment eventually could force the removal of some of the nine buildings included in the area, referred to as the Delta Triangle. But it will not force current residents to relocate, said Tim Schmitt, a community development analyst for East Lansing.
“A piece of the comprehensive plan is to try and get better housing in place for students,” Schmitt said. “There’s a strong demand for housing near campus, but no one currently there is going to have to move out.”
Students said because they don’t have to move out, the rezoning suits them nicely.
“The new zoning is beneficial to us because this area is always going to be occupied by students,” said Greg Ormsby, president of Alpha Kappa Psi, 123 Louis St.
The importance of keeping student housing near campus remains a priority for the city, East Lansing Mayor Vic Loomis said.
“Traditionally, our city has had a lot of student-oriented housing very near campus,” Loomis said. “In this case, we really have upgraded the property and raised the standard for students.”
Another ordinance to rezone two more parcels of land along Louis Street is on the agenda for this week’s work session, to be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Courtroom 2 of 54-B District Court, 101 Linden St.
Much of the City Council’s discussion involved the ordinance to rezone the Delta Triangle at last week’s council meeting, especially concerning which addresses would be left in or out of the measure.
Four addresses, including apartment housing, were left out of the rezoning after it was deemed too much acreage was included in the plan.
“There’s already been some redevelopment in the area, especially along Louis Street,” Councilmember Kevin Beard said. “So when the applicant came forward and asked for rezoning, my caution to council, staff and community was that it doesn’t meet the needs for the future.”
Recent redevelopment just north of the Delta Triangle area includes two multiple-student houses. Schmitt said there’s likely to be similar type buildings along the triangle stretch in the future.
Limitations to future building requirements will be based on the square footage of the property, he said.
Properties in the Delta Triangle include fraternities, sororities and student housing. The age of the houses and potential for building violations helped spur rezoning plans, Schmitt said. Some have stood since the 1950s.
In other matters Tuesday, the council will discuss building regulations and hear a final report of the Fraternity-Sorority Historic District Study Committee.
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