The Harper Woods City Council moved to place the Harper Woods Zoning Ordinance (Ordinance No. 2025-02) on its second reading and adopted a version of the ordinance with directions to incorporate revisions discussed at the meeting, including finalizing the zoning map.

Mario Ortega, senior principal planner with McKenna, briefed council and residents about substantive items and clarifications that remained after committee review. Ortega explained that some existing uses, such as a hotel on Harper, would be "legally nonconforming" under the new zoning map — meaning the uses may continue in their existing footprint but generally cannot expand. He described a 12-month vacancy rule that can cause loss of nonconforming status if certain uses remain vacant beyond the specified period.

Ortega and council members discussed specific drafting issues raised by residents and the planning subcommittee: adding missing definitions (for example, "live/work," "single-family cluster," "personal service establishment" and "public and semi-public institutional buildings and uses"); listing murals in additional mixed-use districts; explicit language to exempt solar panels from mechanical-equipment screening requirements; and cross-references to the city's existing short-term rental licensing rules (Article 6). Ortega said the ordinance would be made more user-friendly with online hyperlinks and a hard-copy version available in the clerk’s office.

Council members and the consultant also discussed the mixed-use districts (MU1 on Harper, MU2 on Kelly), the regional commercial (CR) district, and planned-unit development provisions. Some council members asked that the zoning map’s coloring be checked for specific parcels and requested a finalized map be provided before publication. Several council members expressed support for adopting the ordinance with the edits and final map; the motion to proceed with the second reading and adoption with revisions carried on roll call.

Ortega said adopting the ordinance will help the city's redevelopment-ready status and open additional grant opportunities through the Michigan Economic Development Council. The council instructed staff and consultants to produce a final version that incorporates the tonight’s clarifications and to publish the ordinance in accordance with charter requirements.