West Side Residents Appeal Grand Rapids Planning Commission Decision
(Grand Rapids, MI - August 17, 2026) Residents of the Shawmut Hills community on Grand Rapids’ West Side have appealed a Planning Commission vote to approve a high-density development in the heart of their neighborhood.
The proposed 32-unit development at 2450 7th Street NW, backed by Walmart-funded lobbyist and East Grand Rapids-based developer Adam Rogalski, was approved by the City Planning Commission during a contentious July 9 hearing. Commissioners voted to green light the project despite heavy neighborhood opposition.
Residents argue the development will worsen existing flooding and pedestrian safety issues, as well as open the door to even more intensive development in the future. Shawmut Hills is classified as a low-density neighborhood, consisting almost entirely of single-family homes.
“We’re not opposed to the developer building on this site,” says Ben Irwin, one of the residents appealing the Planning Commission vote. “We’re opposed to him working against the neighborhood, rather than with us—and forcing a plan on us that will damage the environment, worsen flooding and erosion, and put pedestrians in harm’s way.”
The proposed development site contains four confirmed wetlands, which are regulated under state law. Residents say there’s more the developer missed in his site assessment.
“We submitted concrete evidence of regulated water features the developer ignored,” Irwin alleged. “He wants to pretend they’re not there so he doesn’t have to go back to the drawing board.”
An intermittent stream, overlooked by the developer, flows through the site of the proposed project.
The proposed development is located near two schools, one of which serves as a transportation hub for GRPS buses. Residents pointed out to Commissioners that children have to walk to and from school each day on streets lacking sidewalks or other pedestrian safety measures. Adding 283 daily vehicle trips to these streets, the developer’s official estimate, will put children at even greater risk.
“Planning Commissioners repeatedly acknowledged our neighborhood doesn’t have the pedestrian infrastructure it needs to ensure safety at the current level of development,” Irwin said. “Then they voted to make the problem even worse. Their decision will put lives at risk.”
RELATED: Why We Oppose the Seventh Street Development
More than 500 Shawmut Hills residents signed a petition opposing the development in its current form. A professional wetland scientist with over 37 years of experience provided expert testimony, highlighting several problems with the developer’s site assessment and, in particular, his request to reduce the legally required buffer meant to protect wetlands from contamination.
That request was granted by the Planning Commission—a move residents say goes against city law.
“Local ordinance lays out very specific conditions for approving a reduction to the protective wetland buffer,” Irwin notes. “Adam Rogalski didn’t meet any of them.”
Residents’ filed their appeal with Kent County’s 17th Circuit Court. They say they’re asking the court to overturn the Planning Commission’s decision or send it back with clear instructions to abide by the law when considering the proposed development.
“The Planning Commission doesn’t have the right to ignore city code, which they did. They don’t have the right to approve a development based on what our zoning laws might be in the future, which they did. They don’t have the right to just take the developer’s word for it that the environment won’t be harmed, when there is credible, expert evidence contradicting his claims—which they did,” Irwin said.
For more information, contact:
Ben Irwin, ben.d.irwin@gmail.com