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Frequently Asked Questions
Community Development
Police Department
Probation Department
There are several sections of FAQ's pertinent to Community
Development. Please make a choice below.
Planning
Zoning Board of Appeals
Planning
What is the zoning classification for my property?
To determine your current zoning classification you can
follow the directions on the REGIS IMS page. REGIS IMS provides a great
deal of information for all of Kent County.
How do I make an application to the Planning Commission for site
plan approval, special land use approval or rezoning?
Application forms for site plan, special land use and rezoning
requests are all found under the form section of this department. Fees
can be found under the Schedule and Fee section.
How do I make a zoning complaint?
You can call (616) 530-4983 or send an email.
Your complaint needs to include the specific issue, the address or
location that needs to be investigated, and your name and phone number.
What is the difference between a Permitted Use and a Special Land
Use?
A Permitted Use is a use that is allowed by right in specific zoning
districts. Special Land Uses are allowed if they meet certain standards,
as determined by the Planning Commission. Both types of uses must meet
all respective requirements of the Zoning Ordinance and receive approval
by the Planning Commission.
What is a Zoning Ordinance?
A Zoning Ordinance regulates and restricts the use of land and
structures for appropriate matters such as residential, commercial and
industrial uses. Zoning Ordinances are created and modified through
actions of the City Council.
What is a Master Plan?
Master Plans are documents developed by the community and the Planning
Commission for long term land use and facilities planning. This plan
serves as the guiding document for zoning of property and the language in
a Zoning Ordinance.
How do I apply for a Sign Permit?
Sign permit forms can be found under the form section for this
department. Sign requirements can be found in the Zoning Ordinance. Fees
are based on the size of the sign and are currently $1 per square foot.
Zoning
Board of Appeals
Why do I have to pay a fee for this request?
The filing fee pays for staff time to review an application, prepare
a notice and mail the notice all to all properties within 300 feet of the
applicant address.
What are my chances for a successful ZBA application?
The ZBA reviews each application based on its own merits. However,
the standards that have to be met in order to receive a variance are
high. Most applications are not successful.
If my neighbors support my application will it be approved?
The ZBA receives comments from the public during the public hearing,
however, decisions are based on whether the standards are met.
How long is a variance good for?
Variances are good in perpetuity. Also, variances apply to the
property and are not lost or moved if the person who received the
variance moves.
Where is the Grandville Police
Department located?
The Grandville Police Department is located at 3181 Wilson Avenue SW,
Grandville, MI 49418. The phone number is (616) 538-6110.
I received a traffic violation in the City of Grandville, where do
I go to pay the ticket?
The instructions for responding to a traffic ticket are on the
ticket. The 59th District Court address is 3161 Wilson Avenue SW,
Grandville, MI 49418.
Any checks must be made out to the 59th District Court, not the
Grandville Police Department. The tickets become the property of the
District Court once the violation has been issued.
What are the hours of the police department?
The Grandville Police Department provides service 24 hours a day, 7
days a week.
How do I arrange a tour of the Grandville Police Department?
Tours of the building can best be arranged by contacting the
Community Policing Officers at (616) 538-6110 during normal business
hours.
Where do I get an application for a concealed pistol permit and how
do I get my handgun registered?
Grandville Residents may get applications for CCW permits and gun
registrations at the reception window of the Grandville Police Department
Monday – Friday 8:00am – 5:00pm.
I have a Grandville mailing address. Does that mean I live in the
City of Grandville?
Many people assume because they have a Grandville mailing address
that they live in the City of Grandville. The United States Postal
Service establishes mailing areas based upon their local post offices.
Many people that have a Grandville mailing address actually live outside
the City of Grandville. Another cause for confusion is that the
Grandville Public School District boundaries are not the same as the
Grandville city limits. Many people that live in the Grandville Public
School District also live outside the City of Grandville. It is important
that you understand what governmental agency serves the area in which you
live. For example, you are required to go to your local police department
for a weapons permit. If you do not live in the City of Grandville, our
department can not help you.
The job I have applied for requires that I have a background check
completed and that I be fingerprinted. How do I go about getting this
done?
Fingerprints mush now be submitted electronically. The State of Michigan charges a $30.00
processing fee. The FBI charges a
$24.00 processing fee for a federal clearance. Fingerprinting fees are $10.00 for
residents and $15.00 for non-residents. These fees are nonrefundable and can be
paid by cash or check payable to City of Grandville.
You will need to bring your Michigan Driver’s License or Personal
Identification Card with you along with a letter or form listing the
identification number for the agency requesting the fingerprint
clearance.
It is recommended you contact the Support Services Officer at 538-6110
ext 738 to schedule an appointment for the fingerprinting.
How do I get a copy of an accident report and is there any fee?
You may request a copy of your accident report either in person Monday
– Friday 8:00am – 5:00pm or by mail by including a self addressed,
stamped envelope. You will need to provide the report number or if
unavailable, the name of the person involved, the location of the
accident, and the date. There is a $5.00 fee for basic accident reports
($.10 per page for any additional pages) - this fee
should be included with your request.
How do I get a bicycle license?
Bicycle licenses are available at the Grandville Police Department Monday
– Friday 8:00am – 5:00pm. You must have the make, size, color, and serial
number. There is no charge for Grandville residents to register their
bicycles.
How do I make arrangements to have my automobile child seat safety
inspected?
Personnel at both the Grandville Police Department and the Grandville
Fire Department have been specially trained to provide this service.
Frequently, child seat safety inspections are offered around the
community. The inspections are part of a number of projects provided by
the Greater Grand Rapids Safe Kids Coalition. The Grandville Fire Station
is one of two permanent inspection sites in Kent County. You may call
either the Community Policing Officers or the Fire Department to schedule
an appointment. The inspections are offered on every other Thursday.
There is no cost for the inspection.
I need a copy of a police report. How do I go about getting one and
is there any fee?
The release of police reports is covered under both federal and state
Freedom of Information Acts. Those acts describe the procedures for the
release. Generally, you must fill out a form for the request of a public
record. The Police Department has five business days in which to respond
to your request. The Department may notify you of its need for an
extension for additional time. There are some situations where information
may not be immediately available, and in some cases, some information,
such as names of people or addresses, may be removed before the copies
are provided to you. There are charges for the copies starting with $5.00
for the basic police report.
What are the curfew times for young people?
The City of Grandville has curfew hours of: 10:00 PM until 6:00 AM
for children under 12, 11:00 PM until 6:00 AM for children under 15, and
midnight until 6:00 AM for children under 17.
When should I call 9-1-1?
9-1-1 should be used for any emergency at any location in the area.
This would include reporting a fire, an injury, a crime in progress, or
any concern that demands immediate attention. Minor incidents or
inquiries should still use the non-emergency number, (616) 538-6110. When
in doubt, dial 9-1-1.
What color lights are legal on a motor vehicle?
Many people are adding optional lighting systems to their cars.
Michigan Law allows only white or amber lights to emit from the front of
a vehicle. Red and amber lights are the only colors allowed from the rear
of a vehicle except for back-up lights and license plate lights which
must be white.
Can a police officer issue traffic tickets in the parking lot at
the Rivertown Crossings Mall (or other business)?
A police officer may issue several types of parking violations in a
privately owned parking lot that is open to the public such as the mall
parking lot. Examples include the enforcement of handicapped
parking and fire lanes. Officers can also enforce a number of misdemeanor
traffic laws such as reckless driving or driving under the influence.
If I have a specific problem in my neighborhood, such as speeding
vehicles or loud parties, what can I do?
If this is a persistent problem, you may want to call the Community
Policing Officers. They may help to ensure that your concerns are
addressed if there are things that the department can do for you. If the
problem is currently happening, such as a disturbance at a problem
address, call the police while the problem is occurring. By calling while
the problem is occurring, officers may be able to take enforcement action
when they respond.
Can I make a left-hand turn on a red light at one of those
"Michigan turns" on Rivertown Parkway?
You may make a left turn after stopping for the red light and
yielding to traffic on Rivertown Parkway.
Do Grandville Police Officers have a ticket quota?
Having a ticket quota would be inappropriate. Officers have a
tremendous amount of discretion when stopping motorists for traffic
violations. Some officers place a higher priority on traffic enforcement
and writing tickets than others. Officers are sometimes assigned to
traffic complaints where accidents have been occurring or where neighbors
have complained about traffic problems. At those times, officers may be
less tolerant of violations and more inclined to write the ticket.
What happens to all the money that is collected from traffic
tickets?
Traffic fines have gotten to be very expensive, for example, the fine
for a speeding ticket for 10 miles over the limit is over $100.00. Of that
amount, the
City of Grandville gets only about $20.00 with the rest
dedicated to a number of other funds.
Where should I send any mail?
All mail should be sent to the Grandville address:
59th District Court
Probation Department
3161 Wilson Ave. SW
Grandville, MI 49418
*If you know your case number, please include it on the
letter/form/payment etc.
Are all probation appointments held in Grandville?
YES - unless you have been specifically instructed by your Probation
Officer to report in Walker.
Where do I make payment for fines and costs?
All fines and costs are to be paid in the city which the offense
occurred. If Grandville then in Grandville, if Walker then in Walker. See
the web page "Fines and Costs" for more specific information.
Where do I pay the probation oversight fees?
All probation oversight fees are paid in the City of Grandville
regardless if your offense occurred in Walker. The reason for this is
that the main Probation Office is in Grandville and all accounting for
Probation is run through the Grandville court clerk’s office.
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An online community since 2000.
City of Grandville
3195 Wilson Avenue SW
Grandville, MI 49418
(616) 531-3030
This page last modified
07/01/11 .
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