[{"_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",6521069,"mediaKeyId","5114306-5a606f4aa2a624bd5cc48d2110260dc8","parentId",5114306,"title","At a glance: key votes from the Southfield City Council meeting, June 30","audioSeconds",195,"startMs",2176000,"endMs",2371000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5114306-5a606f4aa2a624bd5cc48d2110260dc8&start=2176&end=2371","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5114306-5a606f4aa2a624bd5cc48d2110260dc8/thumbnail_2176000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6521069/Southfield/Oakland-County/Michigan/At-a-glance-key-votes-from-the-Southfield-City-Council-meeting-June-30","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6521069-4ec37fc166f67898aabc9948c2670ac0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771203179&Signature=ok3IH5rv~PH5SR4UqoU1qq0GTEvBGynEaFWQqqTfIiXkozcUnXac7fYfLu-~SkwaonTxzYM4Ui36cYm~t-VQSMORjHGwDWHv27hhs74hfmvO04v5bTqxzfulG1yN8Evzs6pp2WaLU7pa5G7TFJ~RgyNJargpVSxuPEzGUOoWuW-XYKkSXGjs9PM8E-piHqhNVt9y8sgg94d3AUYwG8oB7zOhr~fb6iJ7x62DVXho8rFYOzGCFAQ6E8E8c1r-2V~DyFQbO54WnLnr1AqKdRM59Ra7yfFOvxwlqew~DLwDcsY~KNUWfdSr072~uBlzqTzsRMk0Mmhmh81NJU~kNTWWvQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Southfield","date","2025-07-01T13:00:45Z","article","The Southfield City Council on June 30 approved a series of routine and consent items as part of its meeting. The following list summarizes each formal action recorded on the transcript and the immediate outcome.

Votes at a glance

- Minutes approvals: Council approved multiple sets of minutes (Committee of the Whole 03/18/2024; regular meeting minutes for March/April 2024; and other listed minutes). Motion moved by Councilman Hogue and supported by Councilman Haines; outcome: approved by voice vote.

- Consent agenda (items A–E): Approved as a block. Items included: A) National Garage Sale Day proclamation/registration (citywide garage sale, Aug. 4–10); B) receipt of proposals for document management services; C) authorization to initiate phase 2 of enterprise management software; D) Detroit Police Department Gang Intelligence Task Force (receipt/participation); and E) appointment of a representative and alternate to the Southeastern Oakland County Water Authority (SACWA). Motion moved by Councilwoman Hoag, supported by Councilwoman Banks; outcome: approved by voice vote.

- LTU all‑turf softball/baseball field collaboration: See separate article. Motion moved by Councilman Hoag, supported by Councilwoman Banks; outcome: approved by voice vote (motion recorded projected cost estimates at $2,500,000 with LTU committing $450,000).

- Lot split at 24600 West 11 Mile Road (BASF): Approved the lot split and 25‑foot access easement; motion moved by Councilwoman Hoag; outcome: approved by voice vote.

- Zoning text amendment PZTA 25‑0002: Approved to add executive, administrative and professional offices to B1, B2 and B3 districts with a 2,000‑square‑foot by‑right cap; motion moved by Councilwoman Banks, supported by Councilwoman Haynes; outcome: approved by voice vote.

- Ordinance introduction: Council introduced ordinance number 1814 (motion to introduce approved); outcome: ordinance introduced.

- Travel expense approvals: Approved travel expense report for Councilwoman Haines to attend the Mackinac Policy Conference (May 2025). Motion moved by Councilman Haines, supported by Councilwoman Banks; outcome: approved by voice vote. Later in the meeting the council also approved travel expense for Treasurer Lowenberg to attend the Michigan Municipal Treasurers Fall Conference (Sept. 22–25, 2024); motion moved by Councilman Banks and supported by Councilman Hogue; outcome: approved by voice vote.

Several items were discussed in public communications (residents raised concerns about condominium services and taxes, swimming pool plans, short‑term rentals/Airbnbs, tenant protections, a long‑standing street performer at 10 Mile and Southfield, and neighborhood code enforcement). Those public comments were recorded but did not change the consent or action items before the council that evening.

All motions recorded on the meeting transcript were adopted by voice vote; the transcript does not include roll‑call vote tallies for the recorded motions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","JUNE 30, 2025 CITY COUNCIL MEETING","oneSentenceSummary","A roundup of routine and consent motions approved by the Southfield City Council on June 30, including minutes, consent agenda items, a garage‑sale proclamation, travel expense approvals and an ordinance introduction.","taxTitle","Southfield, Oakland County, Michigan","taxId",76298,"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},6521072,"Southfield council amends B1/B2/B3 zoning to allow small executive, administrative and professional offices",764,4037000,4801000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5114306-5a606f4aa2a624bd5cc48d2110260dc8&start=4037&end=4801","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5114306-5a606f4aa2a624bd5cc48d2110260dc8/thumbnail_4037000.jpg","/articles/6521072/Southfield/Oakland-County/Michigan/Southfield-council-amends-B1B2B3-zoning-to-allow-small-executive-administrative-and-professional-offices","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6521072-bc5ed7921069974465933f49a8496e33/orig.mp4?Expires=1771203179&Signature=FKwaCFPPjc-fGhQSbcvfA1vcmVMLw27ZKo6P0HTn2w4j7gw25L0nIz-PcWfb5j5lw0Gker9VlnZ7dmI7v8IaEpRD0Wvm2EfEfa1pz0Bsb8vpVPyBj5jOLltfSzpFp1BoJ8GdK9JspaDS1Nui0qold9-EzpIitIblBpAl8RujSTbZIPDq5wI-Ryar5HC~~K6ZOCEgJrsu99gmHnvgRiCJ03HkFWS0eT8kl~MugptydhwBjes9fJjSkW7EnjDOu32LaQ17pgr~ikRKrvE2sN5LCe2rC5Zj8eyd1IuWBSgkjOTeJa5phLDhuJ3yqPqDWxgn9FY6B1Y6O9olfKrSNbDE-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Southfield City Council on June 30 approved a text amendment to the city zoning ordinance to add executive, administrative and professional offices as permitted uses in the B1 (neighborhood business), B2 (planned business) and B3 (general business) districts, with limits to ensure small‑scale conversion of retail space.

The amendment, PZTA 25‑0002, allows such office uses by right in the three business districts provided the use does not exceed 2,000 square feet (typically limiting the change to one or two storefronts). Uses larger than 2,000 square feet in the B3 district would be subject to special land‑use review and would return to council for approval. The council’s motion to approve the amendment was offered by Councilwoman Banks and supported by Councilwoman Haynes; the council voted in favor.

City planners said the change is intended to promote adaptive reuse of older or vacant retail space, provide greater flexibility for potential tenants and support small, locally owned professional businesses. Planner Crowe said allowing small executive and professional offices could enable businesses such as tax preparers, attorneys, insurance agents and human resources or recruiting services to lease storefront spaces that would otherwise remain vacant.

A member of the public, Pamela Giro, spoke during the public hearing in favor of the update but urged clearer wording to specify prohibited businesses and to prevent spot zoning concerns. Planner Crowe and city staff described procedural safeguards: rezones to higher density require minimum lot sizes to avoid spot zoning; conditional zoning and special land use processes exist to prohibit incompatible uses; and interpretation disputes can be referred to the building official or to the zoning board of appeals.

Councilmembers and the mayor praised the planning department’s effort to adapt to changing market demand in retail and commercial real estate and said the change should help maintain occupied, well‑maintained commercial corridors by making small office tenants an allowed, compatible use.","Council approved PZTA 25‑0002 to permit executive, administrative and professional office uses in B1, B2 and B3 districts by right up to 2,000 square feet; larger uses in B3 would require special land use approval.",{"_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},6521077,"Southfield council approves three‑parcel lot split at BASF campus on West 11 Mile Road",704,3411000,4115000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5114306-5a606f4aa2a624bd5cc48d2110260dc8&start=3411&end=4115","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5114306-5a606f4aa2a624bd5cc48d2110260dc8/thumbnail_3411000.jpg","/articles/6521077/Southfield/Oakland-County/Michigan/Southfield-council-approves-threeparcel-lot-split-at-BASF-campus-on-West-11-Mile-Road","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6521077-2fe72c1465dd9e6ac4a00bbb78b634eb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771203179&Signature=VsIzhNhu8bzI2F2xOHVUtmAk1Gh-1nOs-23KKq7~LOWyXGBlxOXZEHgInueqAcr-DOyQd-2G7ZBOLqUCy1RzXjYqiJR7CGk0asTbCZbEggXSQUcAQkAzGKeum8ZzRS9BklyQveRE6ZN9SfOtrsIh2qEye3PBJvJnjttX7oLDWmDdeWlKtg0HTeDR6DWnU3sPIvbCF3AZ1hALEX29yyidge0CGTiYUOZ5V8QbL511znVEkHHYJqTBpb3yl~rJo0ULOaK3WoJ-lytLxibBZH1Dk3diIjnhezceUppRGKah94ZJ-fAefOMgCdMd0onyAVoEopBMBnRMNSdDJn8HayG8TA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Southfield City Council on June 30 approved a lot split and related easement documents for 24600 West 11 Mile Road, a multi‑building site owned by BASF. The approved split will divide the existing parcel into three lots and record reciprocal easements for utilities, access and parking, including a 25‑foot access easement that required council approval because it is narrower than the typical 60‑foot right‑of‑way standard.

The request was presented by engineering representatives for the petitioners and by BASF’s local representative. Brett Buholz of Noack and Frausz Engineers described the proposed parcel lines and the need for a 25‑foot easement to allow access from 11 Mile Road to the two northern parcels. Renee Rashid Maram, representing BASF, told council the campus contains multiple buildings serving different operational functions and that BASF is working to build capacity into the buildings. She said one of the smaller buildings had been sold and that BASF had recently invested in a new roof for another building.

Planner Crowe said the city’s fire department and engineering staff reviewed the easement and signed off on the 25‑foot width. Crowe summarized the lot‑split review tests: access to a public road (or easement), conformance with zoning and dimensional standards, and depth‑to‑width ratios. Because the proposed easement is under 60 feet, council approval was required; city staff and the assessor had no objections.

Council approved the motion to split parcel number 2417451.01 and to record the easement documents. The motion was moved and seconded on the floor, and the council voted in favor.

City staff also noted that BASF and the city had previously partnered on infrastructure grant projects: in 2013 the city and BASF obtained a $300,000 grant for an 11 Mile bridge project, and in 2015 they received $700,000 for 11 Mile Road rehabilitation work, both cited during the discussion as prior cooperative public‑private investments.

Council members asked whether adjacent M‑10 right‑of‑way and properties responsible for vegetation and maintenance had clear ownership; staff said the M‑10 area is MDOT right‑of‑way and that records are held in the city’s GIS and planning department. The council approved the lot split and easement recording subject to execution of the required documents.","Council approved a 25‑foot access easement and parcel split at 24600 West 11 Mile Road to divide an existing BASF campus parcel into three lots and allow reciprocal easements for utilities, access and parking.",{"_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},6521082,"Southfield approves expanded partnership with Lawrence Technological University to build all‑turf softball/baseball field",1266,2312000,3578000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5114306-5a606f4aa2a624bd5cc48d2110260dc8&start=2312&end=3578","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5114306-5a606f4aa2a624bd5cc48d2110260dc8/thumbnail_2312000.jpg","/articles/6521082/Southfield/Oakland-County/Michigan/Southfield-approves-expanded-partnership-with-Lawrence-Technological-University-to-build-allturf-softballbaseball-field","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6521082-0efb78076a38cf4a584a2c83ae27ff3e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771203179&Signature=XSHwOsdL5xWpidTFihlfhkFF3~J5~7qE2~psbaFPR0MojarwyVkffQPK0cum0SsQsNC4RmdK-wpZaIw-J21UUhEmEuDLZytqC7O45~l1Mw6-QhC68XpRYGiYbQ4btZgCFgIait41C~vmOhEM3nL2ex13viEW3xGGaz3LN2pWVYRt6wRaNIiZ9WAhxHVk2bsX~VZTeM~kcsUhIcuEe9fzV2MjPc7RPWzvSVDBNLDfCkd-k92bmWZBNNilU363XZcaT3PaiXkse-5wJfAV~BXA9kxZEHFgeksD84hNmEfFTmyJAmcv2JZdZ0MXS8pO7dqhLOsLaU6JjQj7WUKOJeUkZw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Southfield City Council on June 30 approved a collaboration with Lawrence Technological University (LTU) to convert the ball field east of the ice arena into an all‑turf softball and baseball facility, authorizing city officials to sign an agreement after the university committed private funding.

The council’s action authorized the mayor and city clerk to execute the LTU–City of Southfield all‑turf softball/baseball field collaboration agreement, based on the motion presented by Councilman Hoag and supported in the meeting. The motion recorded projected cost estimates at $2,500,000, with LTU committing $450,000 and the remainder to be funded by the city. The motion passed on a voice vote.

City officials and LTU representatives said the project aims to create a durable, multiuse field that will serve LTU’s women’s fast‑pitch softball program, local recreational leagues and potential tournament rentals that could bring weekend visitors to Southfield. “We’re committed to getting this done now, because it really does hurt our retention of the team,” said Kevin Finn, a presenter for LTU, explaining the university’s interest in an on‑campus, weather‑resilient playing surface.

Supporters told council that turf would improve drainage and extend the playable season — important for college softball, whose spring schedules begin in March. LTU’s presentation described upgrades including outfield turf, improved backstop and netting, upgraded dugouts, player warm‑up cages, seating repairs and branding to reflect both LTU and the city. LTU representatives said the new surface could also allow alternate uses in fall months, such as flag football, and create rental revenue opportunities for the city.

Council members probed the numbers and ongoing costs. Councilman Hogue asked for a specific breakdown of the additional funding request; LTU representatives said construction costs and materials have risen and that they could provide detailed price data to council. LTU and its donors also said a maintenance fund was anticipated to cover routine upkeep, and LTU agreed to assume normal day‑to‑day maintenance responsibilities for the facility. Adam, identified as the construction manager on the project, said pipeline routing and similar site issues had been reviewed and were not expected to prevent construction.

The presentation referenced prior project authorization: on July 10, 2023, council had previously authorized $1,550,000 toward capital improvements at the site. During the June 30 discussion the presenter said an additional half‑million had been requested earlier in the process; the final motion recorded a projected total of $2,500,000 with LTU’s $450,000 contribution. Council members requested supporting cost documentation before final contracting; presenters said they would supply more detailed cost data to the city in follow‑up.

The council approved the agreement and budget increase by voice vote. Councilmembers and the mayor framed the project as a joint investment in recreational amenities, athletics retention for the university and potential local economic activity from tournaments.

The council indicated it expects to review design and contract details in the coming months and that a ceremonial groundbreaking was tentatively planned for September. Construction timing discussed at the meeting aimed for work to begin in the fall with completion targeted for the following spring or earlier if schedule and bids allow.","The Southfield City Council voted June 30 to approve an agreement with Lawrence Technological University (LTU) to develop an all‑turf softball/baseball field on LTU property, increasing the city's projected funding commitment after LTU pledged private support.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

At a glance: key votes from the Southfield City Council meeting, June 30

Southfield council amends B1/B2/B3 zoning to allow small executive, administrative and professional offices

Southfield council approves three‑parcel lot split at BASF campus on West 11 Mile Road

Southfield approves expanded partnership with Lawrence Technological University to build all‑turf softball/baseball field