HOLLAND, MI (WHTC-AM/FM, July 18, 2024) – LG Energy Solutions has cleared a governmental hurdle in its efforts to expand its battery manufacturing operations in Holland.
During Wednesday night’s biweekly business meeting, the Holland City Council unanimously approved a recommendation from the city’s Planning Commission to rezone six properties off of 147th Street from low density residential to industrial. This would accommodate a planned renovation of the 240,000-square foot facility in order to provide lithium-ion batteries for Toyota’s electric vehicle fleet, with a projected completion of next June.
One of those parcels is the “Old Wing Mission,” considered the oldest house in the Holland area. Designated as a Michigan Historic Site at 5298 147th Street, the structure was built around 1840 by a Protestant missionary, about six years before the arrival of Alburtus Van Raalte and other Dutch immigrants. The site was privately owned until LG Energy purchased the land, and it was annexed from Fillmore Township by the City of Holland about three years ago.
LG Energy officials and city leaders heard community members last December passionately call for the preservation of the Old Wing Mission during a public hearing for a tax abatement. City Senior Planner Steve Peterson touched upon this when discussing this rezoning issue during the Wednesday night meeting.
On its website, LG Energy officials say that a study committee is planned to determine the most effective way to preserve the building.
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