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Council authorizes acquisition of nine properties for prospective solar project amid objections from members and residents
Summary
The council authorized the Planning and Development Department to acquire nine properties identified as prospective solar project sites. Several council members and speakers objected and asked for stronger relocation and engagement protections for residents.
The Detroit City Council approved a resolution on April 1 authorizing the acquisition of nine properties located within prospective solar project sites (agenda item 18.4). The motion passed after members voiced objections and asked that protections for residents be clarified.
What the council did: Council President Pro Tem James Tate moved for approval of the acquisition request; the clerk recorded objections and specifically noted that Councilmember Gabriela Santiago Romero and Councilmember Angela Whitfield Calloway raised objections and that Calloway asked to be recorded as a "no" on 18.4. Despite objections, the resolution was approved by the assembly.
Council and public concerns: Several council members and callers during public comment raised concerns about the process, asking for clearer relocation assistance, stronger communication with residents, and assurances that offers were not coercive. A virtual public commenter referred to residents being pressured about prices and asked that relocation assistance and fair valuations be required; another caller asked the city to ensure residents were not "lowballed and pressured into taking a deal." Some callers invoked health- and equity-related impacts in neighborhoods proposed for solar acquisition.
Why it matters: Acquiring privately owned parcels for large infrastructure projects can affect household displacement risk, relocation assistance and neighborhood trust. Councilmembers asked staff to ensure relocation protections and transparent community engagement before project implementation.
Next steps and follow-up: The clerk noted objections on the record; council asked Planning and Development staff to return details on relocation assistance and the acquisition process and to ensure communications with residents are strengthened prior to project actions.
