The fight over a big mixed-use project in East Grand Rapids' Gaslight Village is down to the developer and the neighbors.
East Grand Rapids city commissioners voted unanimously Monday night, Oct. 19, not to appeal a Kent County judge's ruling that overturned the city's approval of the project, WZZM 13 reported.
The developer, Gaslight Investors, has until Oct. 28 to file its own appeal. According to WGVU News, City Manager Shea Charles told commissioners the developer had decided to appeal.
What was planned
The development, announced in June 2024, would bring 150 new residential units plus commercial buildings, WZZM reported. FOX 17 reported the project is planned for properties near the D&W grocery store.
The plan has split the community. WZZM noted that many residents do want new development in the area, even as others fought this project.
How the approval fell apart
Before the city commission's October 2025 vote, residents filed a zoning protest petition. WGVU reported that about 1,500 residents signed it.
Under the petition, approving the project's concept plan would have required five votes instead of four, FOX 17 reported. The city rejected the petition and approved the plan 4-3.
Residents sued in November 2025. In August, Kent County Circuit Court Judge George Quist found the petition was valid, which voided the commission's approval, according to WGVU.
Residents asked the city to stop
Nearly a dozen residents asked commissioners not to appeal, WGVU reported, arguing no more taxpayer money should go to the case.
"You're supposed to represent us," one resident said during public comment, according to WZZM. "Represent us and stop appealing what we already did. We took you to court. The judge told you that what we did was correct."
Commissioner Laura Schwartz said dropping the appeal was best for the city. "I would very much like to move forward and have some closure on this chapter so that we can all come back together," she said.
FOX 17 reported that commissioners defended their earlier work, with several saying they acted based on their understanding of the law at the time.
New rules for protest petitions
As part of Monday's decision, commissioners also called for work on a policy or ordinance setting clearer standards for deciding whether protest petitions are valid, FOX 17 reported. The goal is to give city officials more guidance when similar petitions come up.
WGVU said it reached out to Gaslight Investors co-founder Scott Wierda but didn't hear back before publication.
Protest petitions and the supermajority
Michigan's zoning law lets nearby property owners file a protest petition against certain zoning changes. When a valid petition is filed, the local board needs a larger majority to approve the change. This case shows what happens when a city gets that call wrong. A project that seemed approved more than a year ago is now back in court, and its future depends on an appeal by the developer.
Why it matters for contractors
A 150-unit mixed-use project in an established, walkable district like Gaslight Village would be a solid multi-year job for West Michigan builders and trades. Right now, it's on hold indefinitely. Even if Gaslight Investors appeals, a court case could take months or longer, and the outcome isn't certain.
The lesson for contractors is that a local approval isn't the finish line. Approvals can be overturned when procedural rules, like protest petitions, aren't handled correctly. Before committing crews, equipment or pre-construction work, it's worth checking whether a project's approval is facing a legal challenge.
The city's plan to write clearer petition rules could help future projects, both by reducing the chance of another reversal and by giving developers and neighbors a clearer process.
Watch for whether Gaslight Investors files its appeal by Oct. 28.