Development and Planning

Chesterfield Hills resident Michael Halbisen has taken a careful look at which trees will be lost as part of the big Michigan Avenue sewer project. Now he shares what he's found with ELi's readers.

With little discussion, and questions about the process left unanswered, East Lansing’s City Council voted unanimously last night to approve a million-dollar purchase agreement for a piece of public land. ELi's Dan Totzkay reports.

City staff say the million-dollar deal brokered by a marijuana industry player represents "the winning bid." But who knew and didn't know that the public land on Merritt Road was even up for auction? ELi's Dan Totzkay and Alice Dreger report.

All the parts are finally starting to fall into place for a much-anticipated trail in Meridian Township that will connect the Lansing River Trail and MSU campus to Meridian’s existing Interurban Trail. ELi's Jessy Gregg reports.

A reader wrote in to ask if the City of East Lansing encourages the use of native species and pesticide-free plantings in new developments. ELi's Paige Filice brings the answer.

The Oakwood Historic District boundary will not change until at least April, as citizens, Council Members, and the State Historic Preservation Office have lots of questions about the process and the recommendations. ELi's Dan Totzkay reports.

Mayor Mark Meadows says the Royal Vlahakis project is "going real slow." What does the developer say, and what's up with the big projects already under construction in downtown East Lansing? We bring you updates on them all. 

An extension of Coleman Road, which runs along East Lansing's north side, could help relieve traffic on Lake Lansing Road near Eastwood Towne Center. ELi's Brad Minor explains the project, tells you who is paying for it, and reviews what's left to be decided.

Even taller buildings in even more of East Lansing? Elected and appointed officials are looking at the issue and, in Council's case, making some split decisions. ELi's Chris Root and Alice Dreger bring you up to speed.

After being denied his request in a 2-2 vote, this week a lot split application for the Glencairn neighborhood saw a 4-1 approval, along with a recommendation for a rental overlay district. ELi's Brad Minnor reports.

Tonight, East Lansing’s Planning Commission will take up a draft zoning ordinance that, if passed, will favor the City over some private property owners in marijuana provisioning center real estate deals. Jessy Gregg reports for ELi.

Machines parking cars in East Lansing? The idea has elicited both excitement and skepticism. ELi's Brad Minor speaks with a representative of U-Tron, maker of automated parking systems, and the parking manager for West Hollywood, California, to help explain what we're looking at with the Royal Vlahakis proposal.

ELi readers have been asking, “Did the City of East Lansing ever arrest that guy over that driveway? Or did they offer him more money?” We bring you an update.

Is East Lansing's Fire Department ready for all these tall buildings? And who will pay for the cost of public services for these structures? ELi's Jessy Gregg and Alice Dreger answer our readers' questions.

A divided East Lansing City Council responded to a divided neighborhood last week, as four members of Council decided on a request to split the residential lot at 846 Touraine Avenue. ELi's Brad Minor reports.