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Transitional housing operator and residents seek council help as zoning dispute heads to court
Summary
Residents and the operator of a transitional housing facility told the council on March 11 they face displacement after a zoning error halted operations. Council members said they are constrained by law but offered to meet with the operator and pressed for a lawful path forward.
Operators and residents of a transitional housing site in District 7 appealed to the council at the March 11 meeting after city action halted operations amid a zoning dispute.
Robert Petrus, who identified himself with Power of Detroit and the transitional program, said the facility sheltered elderly residents and families and that residents were being forced to move because of a zoning-related issue. He asked the council to “step up to the plate” and help the people who rely on the program, and said he had asked Council member Durhall to visit the site.
Council member Fred Derhall acknowledged the program’s role in sheltering families and said he had discussed the matter with the facility’s owner (identified as Mr. Clark). Derhall said the issue “runs a lot deeper” than what could be discussed publicly and noted the situation is in court. He emphasized the city must follow zoning law and cannot allow multi-family operations without proper zoning, but said he had advised the owner on how to move forward and offered to meet privately to find lawful ways for the facility to provide services.
Derhall told the meeting he had driven past the site, acknowledged the operator’s community service, and said city offices have been providing resources, but reiterated that legal compliance is required for long-term operation.
No immediate relief was announced at the meeting. Council members urged continued dialogue among the operator, residents, district staff and neighboring institutions to identify lawful options while the court process proceeds.
