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Baker Furniture

December 21, 2004

The Holland Sentinel printed an exciting article today about the possible future of the Baker Furniture building. Hopefully tomorrow’s Sentinel has more information about the project, since this article was a preview for tonight’s Brownfield Redevelopment Board meeting. But, here’s a taste of what the project involves:


A Holland city board will hear a plan today for converting the former Baker Furniture building into a residential and commercial development that would include loft-style condominiums, a restaurant, health club and a salon.

This possible project really makes me happy. Holland is definately heading in the right direction when it comes to planning. Adaptive reuse, mixed uses, near transit. Yay!

I’m slightly confused by the “condo” designation, but then the mention of $800 rent for a two-bedroom unit. Condos are by definition owner-occupied, so paying rent on one would seem contradictory.

If I do look for a job back in Holland, and get hired by someone, I will definately look at a condo in this development. Loft-style living seems pretty dang cool, and I can’t think of a better place to live. Oh, and I just thought of something: I might be able to get a room with a view of the train tracks. Hehe.

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Would you like some fiber?

December 16, 2004

It seems as though the Holland BPW is getting itself into some trouble lately; it’s about time. Having worked there for quite a few summers, I ‘ve heard most of the rumors about mismanagement and power struggles, but the public has never been aware of the problems. Until now.

The Holland Sentinel has TWO articles today about BPW’s Fiber Optic system thought both sound quite fishy. The first article mentions that the BPW Board has been given fiber optic service, free of cost, while the cost to BPW itself was $25,000. Also, the Sentinel actually did some research and found that, contrary to what the Board members claim, there was now public Board Meeting vote to approve the service extension, which there legally should have been.

The second article says that the BPW may have been conducing fiber optic service extensions agains state law. They are required to have a public hearing before extending service, but have never done so since the law passed two years ago. Further, a former BPW fiber employee says that the BPW knew about the law but was blatantly ignoring it. Damn!

I would like to see the public get more involved in these issues, because the fiber department is the least of their worries, in my estimation.

Posted by paul at 08:59 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Ada - Michigan’s Green Stronghold?

December 15, 2004

Speaking of green building, Woodtv.com recently posted a story about a new development coming to Ada. Developed by Legacy Homes of Grand Rapids, the Brookside Development will contain 14 environmentally sensitive homes.

Supposedly, this is the most “green” neighborhood yet to be built in Michigan. I am entirely curious how green these homes will actually be.

Posted by paul at 10:02 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

New Urbanism in Holland

December 13, 2004

Well, looks like I need to read all of the Holland Sentinel in order to find the good articles. My good buddy Pete has a buddy who writes for the Sentinel, and this buddy happened to write an interesting story about New Urbanism in Holland for the Sunday Sentinel. However, since it was in the Business section, I didn’t find it myself. Good catch Pete.

The article mentions Knollwood, linked in a previous post of mine, as well as two other developments that I cannot find websites for. The Kensington Place development is ambitious, and really the only New Urbanist development in the Holland area. The driving force behind the design of the development? Terry Sanford of Nederveld Associates Inc.

Terry is not only a member of the Congress of the New Urbanism, but will be the President of the Michigan Chapter (when it comes to be - it’s being formed right now). When you have engineers/planners who are willing to guide their clients in new directions, good things will come.

After a little searching of the CNU website, here’s a list of Hollanders who are members of CNU:


There are also another handful of members in Grand Rapids and the West Michigan area.

Hurray for progressive planning!

Posted by paul at 09:41 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Holland Municipal Marina

Why doesn’t Holland have municipal marina? It’s not for the lack of trying by certain Hollanders. William Sikkel, retiring from the Allegan County Commission this month, served as Holland’s Mayor twice in the 80s. In an article in the Holland Sentinel today, he lists his greatest disappointment as a politian as:

“My greatest disappointment was, even though I was being strongly supported by the state, I wasn’t successful in putting in a municipal marina,” he said.

Now, I don’t know what the city residents were like back in the early 80s, so I can’t say muchg about why his efforts to creat a municipal marina failed. But I do appreciate his efforts.

Only now is Holland realizing that it needs its waterfront to economically compete with other cities in the summer. Is it too late? I hope not, but we definately are not done creating an accessible waterfront.

Posted by paul at 09:04 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Green Homes?

December 10, 2004

In response to what Ben has mentioned, why not devote a little space to a further discussion of current housing and general development green building trends?

People can talk all they want about moving in green directions, but nothing good will come of it unless we take further steps to promote energy and water conservation.

Americans are building ever larger and larger homes (McMansions you might say), but family sizes are smaller than ever (I’d assume). These massive homes take more energy to heat and power. Their manicured grass lawns require excess amounts of water, which is often treated drinking water, another waste of energy. Their large impervious footprints create excess amounts of runoff, contributing to flooding and stormwater quality issues.

How do we rectify this? We have many options available to us already, but since few are required by law (in zoning codes or city ordinances), it is up to us as citizens to promote these new ideas. Here’s a short list of my more favorite ideas for “green” homes and buildings:


This is only a short list of what can and should be done to really support green homes and buildings. The future is exciting and limitless - what will you do?

Posted by paul at 10:01 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

Cluster Development

December 08, 2004

Yes Rob, I like the idea of cluster development - to a point

First of all, for the sake of all my readers, this is my definition of cluster development:

Cluster development requires that new development be built as close together as possible in order to preserve open space in the new development.

An example: A new development proposes 40 homes on 40 acres. Normal development regulations may require 1 acre per home. Cluster development, however, can require that the 40 homes be built on 20 acres, and the other 20 acres be set aside as protected open space.

The preservation of that open space is the most important part of cluster development. Open space serves multiple purposes in new development:

Often, cluster development is zoned into the PUD format. PUDs (Planned Unit Developments) encompass many zoning rules into one format. A PUD zone usually sits on top of multiple parcels to allow a landowner to develop all of his separate parcels into one, well-planned development.

The Holland area, especially the City of Holland, has taken a liking to the PUD, and cluster development, format, and particularly the traditional neighborhood design. The largest PUD in Holland is being built just west of M-40 and south of I-196. Another recent PUD/Cluster development that is near completion is Cobblestone. Finally, another development just starting at 104th and Ottagan, Knollwood, is taking this concept to Holland Charter Township.

While these traditional-looking neighborhoods use the PUD and cluster development structure, I still have concerns with their misunderstood use. The close neighborhood format is promoted as a walkable community, because the homes are closer together and sidewalks line the streets. However, the residents can really only walk between homes, because these developments are in the middle of (relatively) nowhere. What’s the point of being able to walk if you can’t walk to the corner store, church or the bus stop?

That said, I really don’t have much bad to say about the concept of cluster development. I’m all for development options that preserve open space and reduce the amount of stormwater runoff.

For another explanation of cluster development, including some graphics, check out this Rural Cluster Development website.

Posted by paul at 09:02 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack

The Township Mindset

December 03, 2004

The Holland Sentinel always provides me good fodder for planning talk.

The West Michigan Strategic Alliance is a regional, non-profit group that seeks to promote regional government cooperation across West Michigan. I specify NON-PROFIT. Why? Because of the township mindset, presented beautifully by Mr. Ed. Marsilje:

Marsilje, a long-time Park Township resident and former township board member, hasn’t been shy about looking at the alliance with a critical eye.

Marsilje said he’s still concerned that the alliance is merely another layer of government.

“I hope the townships never lose their sovereignty,” Marsilje said.

“There is a lot to be gained by doing joint, collaborative efforts but the bottom line is that Park Township really has to keep in mind what’s good for Park Township,” said Marsilje, saying that applies to all the smaller units of government.

Isn’t that just wonderful? However, I see a glimmer of hope in a man whom I happened to vote for this fall - John Van Iwaarden, a Park Township board member:

“It’s a much more far-reaching thing than it was in the beginning. They’re doing good work and want to continue to grow … we used to talk about the triplex, but now it’s expanded to seven counties,” he said.

When the alliance was formed, its focus was on the so -called “triplex” area of Holland, Grand Rapids and Muskegon, but the area of focus has now grown to include the counties of Barry, Ionia and Newaygo.

Van Iwaarden doesn’t believe the alliance is out to wrestle power from smaller governments.

“I don’t agree with that at all. I don’t think the alliance is trying to take power away from anybody. I think they’re trying to include us — to better the region.

“I feel strongly (the alliance) is attempting to make this whole seven-county region more unified, to give us a stronger voice,” Van Iwaarden said.

Thank You, Mr. Van Iwaarden, for making me feel like I voted for the right man, and for realizing that regional colaboration is a GOOD thing.

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