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)

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, 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

Lawrence Williams

Mayoral Appointment
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.