The Saginaw Planning Commission spent a substantial portion of the meeting discussing proposed zoning standards for tiny houses — referred to by several commissioners as "micro‑dwelling units" (MDUs). Commissioners debated allowable sizes, whether units should be clustered or permitted individually on single lots, foundation and building‑code requirements, financing and marketability, and how new MDUs would fit with the city’s redevelopment objectives.

Commissioner Faust opened in favor of allowing smaller units broadly, saying he had never had a complaint that a dwelling was “too small” and suggesting increases to the proposed minimum from 200 sq ft to 250–300 sq ft to better meet building standards. Commissioner Moore and others said they were open to the concept but proposed renaming the concept “micro dwelling unit” and discussed whether tiny units should be limited to clusters built by developers or permitted for individuals on their own lots.

Staff and commissioners reviewed building‑code implications. Planning staff said units built to Michigan Residential Code standards and permanently affixed to a foundation are distinct from HUD‑regulated manufactured homes; staff recommended avoiding HUD standards for individual lots because HUD units retain an undercarriage that can make them easier to remove from a site. Commissioners and community speakers raised accessibility and affordability arguments: one speaker noted prefab modular micro units can be manufactured to be accessible and placed on foundations, making them more affordable and safer than some of the city’s older housing stock.

Commissioner Clark and others argued for preserving an avenue for individuals to build or finance their own micro units so the ordinance would not limit MDUs only to developer‑built clusters. Concerns were raised about the pedestrian character of streets, lot sizes, and the redevelopment principles that encourage a consistent street wall; proponents answered those concerns by noting clustering remains an option and that careful standards could preserve neighborhood character while adding affordable housing options.

After debate and multiple unsuccessful motions, the commission voted to direct staff to draft ordinance language allowing individual MDUs in R‑1 and R‑2 districts (and to retain cluster options for developers in mixed‑use districts). The direction specified a minimum size of 400 square feet for individual MDUs; commissioners also asked staff to consider site design, lot‑size limits, engineering approval for parking/driveways, and compliance with Michigan building code/foundation requirements in the draft language. The commission asked staff to return with specific zoning text for further consideration at a future meeting.