Developer appeals after judge tosses lawsuit over denied Walker townhome project

Jade Pig Ventures–River Ridge LLC has appealed a Kent County judge's decision to dismiss its lawsuit against the city of Walker after officials rejected a proposed 162-unit townhome development on the former Greenridge Country Club site. Judge Scott Noto ruled that the company had not fully pursued the city's process for revising and resubmitting the proposal before turning to the courts. The dispute centers on a 35-acre project on three parcels east of 4 Mile Road NW and Alpine Avenue NW. In February 2024, the Walker Planning Commission voted 5–4 against the project's preliminary site plan, citing inconsistencies with the city's master plan and the developer's failure to address previously identified concerns. The developer alleged the city 'intentionally and arbitrarily' discriminated against it by imposing excessive requirements such as traffic studies, endangered species reports, and private well analysis. Noto noted that Walker's zoning ordinance allows applicants to revise and resubmit site plans after a 120-day waiting period, and that Jade Pig acknowledged it could have resubmitted its application but chose not to do so. The developer filed its appeal to the Michigan Court of Appeals on May 7, and Walker City Manager Shay Gallagher stated the city will respond through the appropriate legal process.

(Source：Mlive)