Two Tuesday votes carry the week. The Ottawa County Board of Commissioners will consider three actions on the Silver Maple Solar project in Zeeland and Jamestown townships, including whether to petition to intervene in the state's review. The Grand Rapids City Commission is scheduled to consider an amendment to the city's noise ordinance exemptions, the item at the center of the dispute over the Acrisure Amphitheater. Kent County and Holland have lighter schedules. Early voting runs through Sunday, November 1, and Election Day is Tuesday, November 3.
Ottawa County Board of Commissioners
Tuesday, October 27, 9 a.m., Administration Building Board Room, 12220 Fillmore St., West Olive. Watch on the miOttawa YouTube channel or take part by Zoom. (Meeting notice; agenda)
Silver Maple Solar. The agenda lists three actions on the roughly $330 million, 1,900-acre project that RWE proposes in Zeeland and Jamestown townships:
- Item 8D (roll call): authorize the county administrator to file a petition to intervene with the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) by the November 23 deadline named in the agenda. (Earlier news reports gave November 12.)
- Item 8E (roll call): authorize the administrator to develop the county's position and testimony, and to identify and engage legal counsel for the intervention.
- Item 8F (voice vote): authorize use of $50,000 supplied by RWE Americas to cover the county's costs of participating in the contested case.
County attorneys told commissioners that intervening would give the county a seat in the proceedings, with the right to present evidence and arguments, and would not immediately require it to support or oppose the project (FOX 17). Board Chair Josh Brugger said the county can offer "the 20,000-foot view," and that once it is an intervenor, "what exactly our position is... could get a little bit more tricky among differing viewpoints among commissioners." In August he said Zeeland and Jamestown townships oppose the project and that he expected the county would likely support their position. Zeeland Township Supervisor Kerri Bosma said the township appreciates the county's discussion and that "the larger voice our community has the better." RWE says it has "not barred the Smallegans from their homes or livestock operations." At a county work session, some residents backed the project as clean energy that lets farming continue, while others opposed it over farmland and rural character.
The project is also in court. On October 14, Ottawa County Circuit Judge Jon Hulsing ruled for RWE in its dispute with the Smallegan family over about 562 acres, about 30 percent of the project footprint, finding RWE properly exercised a 2020 option agreement. Michigan Advance reports the family has until October 29 to decide on an appeal. The ruling does not authorize construction; the project still needs MPSC approval.
Other items. The consent agenda includes four farmland development-rights purchase agreements (about 25 acres in Jamestown Township, about 90 and about 36 acres in Chester Township, and 77.04 acres in Polkton Township), a $100,000 contract with Resource Recycling Systems for an Environmental Sustainability Center needs assessment, a five-year survey platform contract with SurveyMonkey at up to $265,000, a medical examiner cremation permit fee increase from $50 to $70 effective November 1, and Idema Explorers Trail agreements, including $248,126 in added state-grant revenue and matching expense for the Bass River segment, bringing that project to $1,283,126. Under action requests, the board takes up a revised Facilities Use Policy (first reading) and a revised Reemployment of Retirees policy (second reading), and discusses Housing Advisory Board membership. The board also presents sheriff's office awards. General claims for September total $35,087,413.42.
Grand Rapids City Commission
Tuesday, October 27, 7 p.m., City Hall, 300 Monroe Ave. NW. The city's meeting listing includes an ordinance amending Section 9.66 of the city code, which concerns exemptions from noise limitations. The full ordinance text is in the city's agenda packet.
Acrisure Amphitheater. FOX 17 and WOOD TV reported that on October 6 commissioners took a first step toward the amendment and set the matter for the October 27 meeting. As reported, the proposal would exempt the venue from the city's noise limits between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. under its special land use approval, with the city manager able to approve extensions if an event runs late. The existing ordinance restricts amplified sound after 10 p.m. A judge ruled in August that the venue must comply with the current ordinance.
Kara Wood, a Plaza Towers resident and executive director of Grand Action 2.0, told commissioners she values "the economic activity, the jobs, the visitor spending." The Convention/Arena Authority reports 49 shows and about 400,000 visitors in the first season, about 100,000 above projections. Plaza Towers resident Peter Steensma told commissioners they have "a chance to make Grand Rapids the noisiest city in the country," and opponents say residents' sound measurements at Plaza Towers ran up to 40 decibels over the limit. City Manager Mark Washington said staff will keep comparing practices with other cities.
Other Grand Rapids bodies. The Brownfield Redevelopment Authority and the Economic Development Corporation each meet Wednesday, October 28 at 8:30 a.m. in the City Commission Chambers, 9th floor, City Hall (BRA, EDC).
Kent County
- Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, Monday, October 26, noon, Room 311, 300 Monroe Ave. NW. The agenda's main item is discussion and possible action on updates to the authority's policy for housing projects. Public comment is limited to three minutes. (Agenda)
- Policy and Operations Committee, Tuesday, October 27, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., Board Chambers, Room 310, 300 Monroe Ave. NW. Livestream on the committee page.
- Community Corrections Advisory Board, Wednesday, October 28, 8 to 9 a.m., Kent County Courthouse.
- Court-staff building. WGVU reported October 24 that commissioners approved buying 300 Ottawa Ave. NW for $18.5 million, with about $15 million in expected renovation, to house about 250 court-related employees now at 82 Ionia Ave. NW. Funding comes from the county's Strategic Capital Fund. (WGVU)
- On the November 3 ballot. The proposal would renew and increase funding for adult and juvenile corrections, including operations, maintenance and medical and mental health services, as a 20-year measure for 2026 through 2045. The rate would go from 0.7332 mill to 0.98 mill, an increase of $24.68 a year per $100,000 of taxable value. The county says approval would not decide bed configuration or rated capacity, would not establish dedicated ICE or federal beds, and would not authorize a federal housing contract. (County millage page)
Holland City Council
Study session, Wednesday, October 28, 6 p.m., City Hall, 270 S. River Ave. Agendas are posted at cityofholland.com. Background: on October 7 the council approved a consent agenda that included a $9,500 three-year Meijer sponsorship for the Holland Ice Park and a $10,000 Tulyp Hotel pavilion signage agreement (WHTC).
Around the region
- Together West Michigan organized an October 10 candidate forum at Calvin Church, with more than 20 candidates for Grand Rapids, Walker and Wyoming city commissions and state House and Senate seats expected (WGVU). The group's calendar lists no events this week.
- Early voting runs through Sunday, November 1. See Mosaic's guide to voting in Ottawa and Allegan counties.
How to weigh in
- Ottawa County: Public comment is offered at the start and end of the meeting, three minutes each, in person (sign up with the County Clerk on arrival) or online through the meeting's Zoom link using the "raise hand" feature. See the county's public comment protocol.
- Grand Rapids: Speak at the Commission meeting. Sign-up and virtual options are listed on the city's agenda.
- Kent County: The Brownfield Authority takes three minutes of public comment Monday; the Policy and Operations Committee streams online. Contact commissioners through kentcountymi.gov/129.
- Holland: Contact the city clerk's office for study session participation.
Agendas change; the links above go to the posting body. Corrections: mosaicwestmichigan@gmail.com.
