Each week leading up to the 2023 Lowell City Council election, we are featuring a different question posed to candidates. These questions were selected to allow candidates the opportunity to speak directly to voters as well as address issues on the minds of many residents. Candidate answers have not been edited in any way and are published exactly as provided. This week’s question is:
There have been two multi-family residential developments proposed in the past year — one on Riverside and one on E. Main Street — that have raised concerns from local residents about traffic and parking. What role, if any, should Lowell City Council play in balancing the need for housing in the city with the concerns of existing residents?
Eric Bartkus
I am all for creating new housing opportunities in Lowell (see Promise 15) as this is a great city to call home. With new developments, the neighbors should always be brought in early to be successful. I am the closest neighbor to the previously proposed apartment tower on Riverside Drive and am pleased that a smaller more appropriate 3 story condo was ultimately approved. However, there was a lot of stress as the neighbors were not included in early discussions. A similar situation is now occurring with the Rollaway development. These experiences taught me that an improved Master Plan should guide new housing and developments. The plan should require that neighbor comments and concerns are considered before major changes are approved. If elected I will work with the Planning Commission to create this improved Master Plan.
Jake Davenport
This not an either or question to me. We can walk and chew gum. Affordability is a huge issue when it comes to the housing issue. I think the City should negotiate affordability when these sort of projects are proposed. We should also utilize some of the funds made available through the “missing middle” grant program the state of Michigan has been offering to help fill in the gap between section 8 housing and market rate housing. City council has the most important role in all of these related housing issues. They are the top governing authority here in the City. They are accountable for how these decisions are made. The Rollaway project or the Riverside project don’t have to to be at odds with their neighbors. Open communication, transparent community input, and making sure that everyone has a chance to have their concerns addressed can overcome these issues, whether it be parking, or building appearance, or whatever issues may arise. The City can be the catalyst for making these productive conversations happen.
Mike DeVore
A lot of the choices and standards that need to be met for these developments to proceed are decided by the Planning Commission and they are held to very strict rules and guidelines. That whole board is very knowledgeable and fill their roles extremely well. That being said, the residents are all of our bosses and it is our responsibility to listen to them and answer to them. I believe this council does that well. I personally spoke out at both council and planning meetings about issues that I had issues or questions about, or ones that I had heard from our residents. I voted against the initial Copper Rock proposal for the Line Shack building after listening to public comment from our residents. I had not thought about a few of the concerns raised, but they had value to people close to the development, so they had value to me. I voted in favor of the Schaal project for the same building because I thought it addressed every need of the community while providing homes for new residents and creating it’s own solutions to parking and trash needs that come from any new development. Some issues are council issues, however. At the Council level, I voted against vacating Horatio St. for the Roll-A-Way project because I heard from so many residents that live around it and they all had extremely valid concerns and questions. I also felt the residents were blindsided by the developer lawsuit and because I believe that a solution exists to both develop the blighted property and protect the quality of life of the existing residents and neighbors. The Planning Commission and the City Council interact together very well and we need to continue doing so as long as we represent all residents.
Jim Salzwedel
I am not opposed to multi family housing as long as they meet all zoning requirements and local ordinance. The two project you mention while both multi-family have two different back ground one involving a private investor owning the property the other involving city owned property. In regards to the citizens all concerns should be listed too and weighed as to how they could be affected.
Sharon Shah
I’m also deeply concerned about the potential traffic and parking challenges associated with these new multi-family residential developments. With the anticipated growth, it’s possible that a traffic light may be necessary at the intersection of Main Street and S. Jackson, and there may be a need to reevaluate speed limits in the area. It’s disheartening to think that some of what makes our city special might be impacted, but I have faith that our community will adapt and persevere, no matter the outcome.
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