[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6098658,"mediaKeyId","2823115-b3d6c29e5b606ca3eb03935cfac0566a","parentId",2823115,"title","Residents press council over high BZA transcript fees and access to records","audioSeconds",1360,"startMs",228000,"endMs",1588000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2823115-b3d6c29e5b606ca3eb03935cfac0566a&start=228&end=1588","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2823115-b3d6c29e5b606ca3eb03935cfac0566a/thumbnail_228000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6098658/Detroit/Wayne-County/Michigan/Residents-press-council-over-high-BZA-transcript-fees-and-access-to-records","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6098658-3fd0bb7f368754405aeea33262df4c65/orig.mp4?Expires=1771214847&Signature=Zq1JZlncqp3mBxvxqtYNlxJhozkUBRavyYX2LmYnQZuD3~4C60U4EIY~8RJR~686nd0ogH66dGlVXIDKMFxbf~rem9C2C9YAXfOhWc7yPFVWI93nTg5y0qeo7izAnFcTLzPT5qPmCDCYD-Ys5j~b6~IYZK2OatyeIYvLIDh1rEYsy9h~hzGhDwI0rPdzz7FP2I-VSnt39vNoivml6-aAnoIO1q9xtmb3Tf6A-ZbyUH~M-QCbcGkvi871hF-LYaa-QU6PMdAwTNnsxr6UzydwEyDvgNBv2jRti7uMf9hEPKYKL2mWz2br4pyXJUaAKPC-mSPtqzdkwiCZkezBLnLBPw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Detroit, MI ","date","2025-03-27T00:00:00Z","article","Multiple callers during the Committee of the Whole’s public comment period raised concerns about costs and access to transcripts for Board of Zoning Appeals proceedings and other records.

A caller identified as Ronald Foster opened the public-comment queue with general praise for community engagement and then urged the council to use investigatory powers in the city charter. Later, a caller who identified themselves on the record as thanking Foster asked why BZA transcripts appeared to carry a per-page charge and whether that cost was punitive for people who appeal decisions. That speaker referenced Detroit City Code 50-2-66, saying the code “requires the BZA to already have transcripts.”

Another caller using the name Samsung s m said they were charged $6.35 per page for a BZA transcript and that the city clerk, Janice Winfrey, had not filed the record in that caller’s case. The committee chair suggested the caller contact the council office at (313) 224-1027 and noted litigation may limit what staff can say publicly.

Other speakers during public comment raised related civic concerns — including questions about opioid settlement spending, large tax abatements and tax overcharges, and neighborhood resources — but the BZA transcript cost and access issue received repeated direct public comment and an on-record request for follow-up from the council office.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Detroit City Council Planning Economics 03-27-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Several callers during public comment urged the council to address access to Board of Zoning Appeals transcripts and inconsistent or high per-page fees; one caller cited Detroit City Code 50-2-66 and said the city clerk had not filed records in a timely way.","taxTitle","Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan","taxId",48464,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6098662,"Council pauses sale of two West Warren lots; purchaser agrees to façade upgrades and signage compliance",268,1848000,2116000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2823115-b3d6c29e5b606ca3eb03935cfac0566a&start=1848&end=2116","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2823115-b3d6c29e5b606ca3eb03935cfac0566a/thumbnail_1848000.jpg","/articles/6098662/Detroit/Wayne-County/Michigan/Council-pauses-sale-of-two-West-Warren-lots-purchaser-agrees-to-façade-upgrades-and-signage-compliance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6098662-0d4799f790ce24d0d8f9af897177f70d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771214847&Signature=HgTwTrWE1jG404-NVMfkv8ts4GLQEuoG0H9rb5AFl-W70zREMq9aAl5XiFeugZ5RIvlAAtQpe546cSQOpUrso64LNEcaOTUPJgZTHvgnn6nbXASojL4mcXpulE9PD4XvoDm88vqIDlf-PAQ1A3emhQ-kshpsD9xct2ZTPRbjecQboz55BuNMIqonmjlXhTn7DEfM7TohyXJp6yXhz0TdFzNRKMch2c8rfKaAloRBoSSlaN4Wlqb70QqYLbJ0i~biHefcCMT0A7Z5Th6IhWUsH1~RDUftiHvTAYgurClwb2pK5BP1dGL~mqNsQVtozBvQB8JPVJDZ-fZE0QSuAlTd2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Committee of the Whole discussed a proposed sale of two city-owned parcels at 19427 and 19435 West Warren and directed staff to draft a purchase agreement that could include façade-improvement and signage-compliance obligations.

Vice Chair Durhall said he had spoken with the petitioner and the city’s housing revitalization staff and asked that an agreement include specific façade upgrades to preserve neighborhood integrity. Housing and Revitalization Department staffer John Truong said the department could draft or amend the purchase agreement to include such terms. The prospective purchaser, who identified himself as Yousef Ahmad (appearing on screen and speaking for the petitioner’s family), agreed on the record to “fix up the facade and then follow any code violations, anything like that.”

Durhall also noted the existing painted signage on the side of the building likely violates the city’s signage ordinances and asked that signage and façade work be included in the agreement. The committee moved to bring line item 5.5 back in one week to allow the department and petitioner to draft the purchase agreement; the motion passed by voice consent with no recorded objections.","The committee heard from the potential purchaser for properties at 19427 and 19435 West Warren, discussed façade and signage concerns, and voted to bring the sale back in one week so staff can draft a purchase agreement with façade-improvement terms.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6098668,"Council member Johnson says draft Community Land Trust ordinance under review; multiple housing items set to return",120,1730000,1850000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2823115-b3d6c29e5b606ca3eb03935cfac0566a&start=1730&end=1850","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2823115-b3d6c29e5b606ca3eb03935cfac0566a/thumbnail_1730000.jpg","/articles/6098668/Detroit/Wayne-County/Michigan/Council-member-Johnson-says-draft-Community-Land-Trust-ordinance-under-review-multiple-housing-items-set-to-return","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6098668-ed89b10f3ed5f9dd12e8378a10cee8ea/orig.mp4?Expires=1771214847&Signature=bor-8mWMcYy6L5gmSQbQkQFUFtzn7j7Kjy45vQxu2ivMFZ1Gtly49XmL0SkvVV6BIhJZDimi164Ynng3rDHR7ph6AZB-fmeg8cSaX~7GykhJzz00TDbIFpjA9E02qrZMiw3HrOFxjm5zIA3eEH3va72Wcjmr1eELbqKHUcE-Nxc1CZtWgE3AyQ428onckbNE5a4HK1r5EK2dJkHNlxOzgXQnhFORajYjEduPDgxrtLq39X9qBnS6INNgvcbEFhWfytw7BFBX15CWT0YbXw64mqb8U9fi3-CVN4jKcLE3WVSHypSDImewngjhzdTl5XCTaCsoUt~EmK8p3-CFPZ-4xw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council Member Leticia Johnson told the Committee of the Whole that the Law/LPD office has provided a draft Community Land Trust ordinance and the council is reviewing it before moving forward.

“Just to let everyone know, we have received the draft ordinance from LPD. We are reviewing it and making sure that everything that we would like to see in the ordinance prior to us moving forward,” Johnson said during the committee’s review of unfinished business. She moved to bring line item 5.2 back in two weeks; the motion passed by voice consent with no objections.

Council members also delayed a memorandum about past funding and staffing of the Planning Department (line item 5.3) until the same two-week date so the committee could continue that separate but related conversation. A memorandum on HOME funds (line item 5.4) was received and filed by motion. In addition, the committee removed a Bridging Neighborhoods 02/2017 resolution amendment from today’s docket to allow two required evening hearings (one north of and one south of 7 05) to be held before the committee votes on that resolution.

The actions were procedural and intended to give staff time to prepare additional materials and ensure required public hearings take place. No new ordinance was adopted at this meeting, and Johnson indicated only that the draft exists and is under review.","Council Member Leticia Johnson told the Committee of the Whole the city received a draft Community Land Trust ordinance from the Law/LPD office and is reviewing it; the committee scheduled related planning and housing items to return in two weeks.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6098673,"Committee of the Whole moves several housing and recovery items, schedules multiple bring-backs",22,2334000,2356000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2823115-b3d6c29e5b606ca3eb03935cfac0566a&start=2334&end=2356","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2823115-b3d6c29e5b606ca3eb03935cfac0566a/thumbnail_2334000.jpg","/articles/6098673/Detroit/Wayne-County/Michigan/Committee-of-the-Whole-moves-several-housing-and-recovery-items-schedules-multiple-bring-backs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6098673-047945f56fab977176dedf78ad001391/orig.mp4?Expires=1771214847&Signature=YqyrpDi3Yc2voyISjRM9wjpNIDY6xHXISkqahxI1LCP0sUJ-n1e6VBReBBtiGfcXd-lRXI-oZkE-N4FxBm04iIMJGoOHOyXVavCtz04Ph3HZbd3U2vKvEuOm80JEUj67fJlSOkLfqxR~6ri2j7RhKSviqf~zo8TE48or34EY~rxlAQh9r92FR30hPTB1SrMd862CuyV7qIkNW387eGpxL-z4TZwDKR70B8AwUgnvhE0IdBfZHJzjOvwKQUXISxBQGXgJGw5gGbogXV5ky1Ezb4HRHwODaEBlxvVyEHSTNHg~L3AL4Rbb6sXrQWg1t3jB8gpiOAIVs0dQ2EKlJSsG0g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Detroit City Council Committee of the Whole took a series of procedural and referral actions during a truncated, hour-long meeting conducted by the committee chair on Zoom.

The committee removed an item on the status of the Housing and Revitalization Department’s Bridging Neighborhoods (02/2017) resolution amendment from today’s agenda so required public meetings north and south of 7 05 and in the evening can be scheduled; the item will return after those hearings are held. Council members also set deadlines to return several other items for fuller discussion: a draft Community Land Trust ordinance (brought back in two weeks), a memorandum on past funding and staffing of the Planning Department (two weeks), a sale by the Detroit Land Bank Authority to Resurrection Community Development Corporation (two weeks), and a planning-and-development sign waiver report for the 2004 calendar year (returned Sept. 4). A separate planning item on HOME funds was received and filed.

On new business, the committee moved two contract items funded 100% by opioid settlement proceeds (contract nos. 6006938 and 6006944) — both described as providing assistance for operations and expansion of recovery housing for individuals receiving substance-use-disorder services — to the formal session with a recommendation to approve. It also moved a separate resolution reprogramming Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) annual action plans to return in one week for follow-up questions. The committee sent a separate resolution authorizing acquisition of nine properties for prospective solar project sites to formal with recommendation to approve.

Most actions were handled by voice and consensus: where a council member made a motion and there were “no objections,” the chair stated the action would be taken. No roll-call tallies were recorded in the transcript for these items.

Votes at a glance (actions taken during this meeting session):
- Line 5.1 (Bridging Neighborhoods 02/2017 resolution amendment): Removed from agenda to permit required public hearings (action: removed).
- Line 5.2 (Community Land Trust ordinance draft from LPD): Motion to bring back in two weeks for further review (action: scheduled to return).
- Line 5.3 (Memorandum on past funding and staffing of Planning Department): Motion to bring back in two weeks for discussion (action: scheduled to return).
- Line 5.4 (HOME funds memorandum): Motion to receive and file (action: received and filed).
- Line 5.5 (Property sale: 19427 & 19435 West Warren): Motion to bring back in one week to allow drafting of a purchase agreement (action: scheduled to return).
- Line 5.6 (Sale by Detroit Land Bank Authority to Resurrection CDC): Brought back in two weeks (action: scheduled to return).
- Line 5.7 (Planning and Development annual sign waiver report for 2004): Brought back Sept. 4 (action: scheduled to return).
- Line 6.1 (Contract 6006938 — 100% opioid settlement funding, recovery housing operations/expansion): Sent to formal with recommendation to approve.
- Line 6.2 (Contract 6006944 — 100% opioid settlement funding, recovery housing operations/expansion): Sent to formal with recommendation to approve.
- Line 6.3 (CDBG reprogramming amendment across multiple fiscal years): Brought back in one week for additional questions and responses.
- Line 6.4 (Resolution to acquire nine properties within prospective solar project sites): Sent to formal with recommendation to approve.

No final ordinance adoptions or grant awards were completed at this meeting; multiple items were postponed so staff can prepare additional materials and required public hearings can be scheduled.","The Detroit City Council Committee of the Whole removed one housing item from today’s agenda, scheduled multiple housing and planning items to return for further review, and sent opioid-settlement recovery housing contracts and a solar-property acquisition item to formal consideration with recommendations to approve.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents press council over high BZA transcript fees and access to records

Council pauses sale of two West Warren lots; purchaser agrees to façade upgrades and signage compliance

Council member Johnson says draft Community Land Trust ordinance under review; multiple housing items set to return

Committee of the Whole moves several housing and recovery items, schedules multiple bring-backs