Benton Harbor Commissioners Approve Zoning Map Amendment

Changes aim to attract developers and promote higher housing densities

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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The Benton Harbor City Commissioners have approved amendments to the city's zoning ordinance and zoning map at the request of the Planning Commission. The changes are intended to make it easier to attract developers by eliminating inaccurate information on the city's website, easing parking requirements for restaurants, and correcting information in the land use table.

Why it matters

The zoning changes are part of the city's broader efforts to revitalize Benton Harbor, particularly in the Fourth Ward, which has faced concerns about potential gentrification. The amendments aim to promote higher housing densities and more multi-unit properties, which city leaders believe will help attract new residents and build generational wealth for existing ones.

The details

The key changes include eliminating inaccurate information on the city's website, easing parking requirements for restaurants to allow for more flexible and shared parking, and correcting information in the land use table. Planning Commission Chair Lee Reed said the goal is to provide more opportunities for multi-unit properties, which can help residents build generational wealth. However, Commissioner Ethel Clark Griffin expressed concerns that the changes could lead to gentrification and displacement of Fourth Ward residents.

  • The Benton Harbor City Commissioners approved the zoning amendments at a meeting this week (February 18, 2026).

The players

Ethel Clark Griffin

Benton Harbor City Commissioner who expressed concerns about the zoning changes potentially leading to gentrification and displacement of Fourth Ward residents.

Lee Reed

Chair of the Benton Harbor Planning Commission, who said the goal of the zoning changes is to provide more opportunities for multi-unit properties to help residents build generational wealth.

Marcus Muhammad

Mayor of Benton Harbor, who said the city needs more residents and that multi-family dwellings can help attract them.

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What they’re saying

“I will not say yes to me and my residents being pushed out. That is it. Like I said — and I'm gonna say it again tonight — the master plan is Project 2025.”

— Ethel Clark Griffin, Benton Harbor City Commissioner (wsjm.com)

“We want to have as many opportunities as possible for the people who live in the community to have an opportunity to build generational wealth, and one of the ways they do that is investing in multi-unit apartment buildings.”

— Lee Reed, Benton Harbor Planning Commission Chair (wsjm.com)

“A lot of the restaurants close around 3. That means no cars on the streets. So why should you have to have all of this parking space if there's nobody down there?”

— Lee Reed, Benton Harbor Planning Commission Chair (wsjm.com)

What’s next

The city will continue to monitor the impact of the zoning changes and work to balance the needs of developers, residents, and the broader community.

The takeaway

Benton Harbor's zoning amendments highlight the delicate balance cities must strike between attracting new investment and development, and ensuring that existing residents, particularly in historically underserved communities, are not displaced or priced out. The city's efforts to promote more multi-unit housing and flexible parking requirements aim to spur growth, but will require ongoing community engagement to address concerns about gentrification.