Neighbors and community advisory groups asked the Westland City Council to review recent planning code changes and to preserve public opportunities for input.

At the meeting, Willamette Neighborhood Association President Kathy Hillecki said the planning commission’s discussion (she cited a specific meeting minute time) raised serious concerns because several project types would move from the planning commission to the planning manager’s decision. Hillecki told councilors that reducing or eliminating verbal public testimony, relying instead on written comment, and making some determinations administrative rather than quasi-judicial would limit residents’ opportunities to be heard and risk missing community perspectives in land-use decisions.

Hillecki also raised concerns about a change she said had already weakened the Historic Review Board by shifting its role from quasi-judicial to advisory — she said that change reduced residents’ chances to correct or appeal decisions. She asked the council whether it wanted public input and urged the council to review the planning commission record and the staff process.

Council members responded that some changes come from state mandates and that the city must review what state law requires and what local discretion remains. Councilor Bridal, the council’s liaison to the planning commission, said many items under discussion reflect state law and that staff and council should explore whether any advocacy at the state level is possible to preserve local engagement options.

Council President Baumgartner and other councilors asked staff to review the cited planning commission meeting, ensure factual accuracy of public claims and report back. Staff indicated they had not briefed the full council on the planning commission discussion and would provide clarifying information. No ordinance or formal action was taken during the meeting; councilors instructed staff to review the record, confirm whether procedural changes had been made to the Historic Review Board and return with clarifications.

Speakers included Kathy Hillecki (Willamette Neighborhood Association president), members of the Committee for Community Outreach (CCI) who requested an approved work plan to accelerate neighborhood outreach, and Councilor Bridal as planning commission liaison. Councilors cited the importance of public input and noted that state law imposes some constraints; staff and council committed to further review and to correct any misunderstandings in public communications.

Council directed staff to review the planning commission record, confirm whether the Historic Review Board’s decision-making status had changed, and brief the council on required changes under state law and any steps the city could take to preserve opportunities for neighborhood input.