Sparta Township is located in northern Kent County, Michigan, about 17 minutes north of Grand Rapids and 30 minutes from the Lake Michigan shoreline.
The west half of Sparta Township is on the "Ridge", a prime fruit-growing area, with many acres of beautiful orchards.
At the center is the Village of Sparta, a thriving small town. The Rogue River runs through the east side of the township.
Sparta has a library, museum, airport, diverse industry, fire department, and an excellent school system. Established in 1846, Sparta Township's current population, including the Village, is 9,110 (per the 2010 census).
Our website offers important Sparta resources, downloads and links. Please call our offices at 616-887-8863 if you have questions. Thank you for your interest in Sparta Township.
The Village of Sparta exists within the boundaries of Sparta Township. View the Township precinct map on our "Maps" page to see the Village boundaries.
Look to the Township to provide help with:
The Sparta Civic Center is now managed by the Village of Sparta and has a new page on the Village of Sparta website. You can see photos, check the Civic Center calendar, and request rental reservations.
If you have questions about the Sparta Civic Center, please phone Village of Sparta offices at (616) 887-8251.
On the ballot for the August 3, 2021 Sparta Township election, there will be a referendum ballot proposal regarding the proposed Hidden Prairie development. A “yes” vote would allow the development to proceed as approved by the Township Board, while a “no” vote would overturn the rezoning authorizing the Hidden Prairie development.
South Sparta, LLC (the developer) owns a parcel within Sparta Township known as 9029 Alpine Avenue NW and as Permanent Parcel No. 41-05-35-201-002 (the “Parcel”). The Parcel is approximately 68.98 acres in size. Previously, the Parcel was zoned as R-1 Low Density Single Family Residential and AG-2 Agricultural pursuant to the Sparta Township Zoning Ordinance (the “Zoning Ordinance”). The Sparta Township Planning Commission recommended approval of the development to the Sparta Township Board. On October 8, 2020, the Sparta Township Board approved the rezoning of the Parcel to the Open Space Planned Unit Development (“OS-PUD”) zoning district designation as well as approving other aspects of the proposed development. The proposed development would have 70 single-family home sites on approximately 44 acres, with the remainder to be open space and improved common areas.
A summary of the rezoning change was published in the local newspaper pursuant to Michigan law. After that publication, a Township resident filed a referendum petition (as provided by Michigan law pursuant to MCL 125.3402) to let the voters approve or disapprove the rezoning decision by the Township Board.
The wording for the Hidden Prairie referendum ballot proposal is as follows:
SUBMISSION TO ELECTORS OF SPARTA TOWNSHIP
ORDINANCE NO. 28-03 ADOPTED ON OCTOBER 8, 2020
The Sparta Township Board adopted Ordinance No. 20-03 on October 8, 2020.
The ordinance rezoned a 68.98-acre portion of the property located in the Township at 9029 Alpine Avenue NW, Permanent Parcel No. 41-05-35-201-002 (“Property”) from the R-1 Low Density Single Family and A-2 Agricultural Zoning Districts to the Open Space Planned Unit Development Zoning District under the Township’s Zoning Ordinance, in order to allow for a future housing development called Hidden Prairie.
Shall Ordinance No. 20-03, as adopted by the Township be approved?
Yes _____
No _____
* * *
Only the electors within Sparta Township outside the Village of Sparta (i.e. Precinct Numbers 2 and 3) will be able to vote on the zoning referendum on August 3 as it involves a rezoning under the Sparta Township Zoning Ordinance. The Sparta Township Zoning Ordinance does not apply within the Village of Sparta and the Village of Sparta has its own zoning ordinance.
The Township has an extensive file regarding the Hidden Prairie development proposal (including a detailed approval resolution) at the Township offices located at 160 East Division, Sparta, Michigan 49345 and the documents in that file can be reviewed or purchased by any member of the public during normal business hours (Monday – Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and until 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday – (616) 887-8863).
Have a question about Township ordinances? Want to read or download a specific ordinance? Check our Township Ordinances page. The complete catalog of Sparta Township ordinances is now available online. Let us know if you need assistance.
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160 E. Division Street
Sparta, Michigan 49345
Phone: (616) 887-8863
Fax: (616) 887-3823
Emergency: Phone 911
Office Hours:
Mon, Tue, Thu 8am-5pm
Wed 8am-6pm
(Closed most Fridays,
Weekends, Holidays)
