Council rezones Ann Arbor Trail parcel but requires final site plan return for approval

The Dearborn Heights City Council voted to rezone a parcel on Ann Arbor Trail from R‑1 (single-family) to R‑M (multi‑family) but attached a condition that the final site plan — when drafted — must return to the council for approval.

The planning commission had produced a tied recommendation on the rezoning, which required council action. Councilman Hassan Saab moved approval of the rezoning; Councilman Hassan Ahmad seconded. During discussion, building director Rick Waddell and planning staff told the council the rezoning is the first step; the actual building footprint, setbacks and traffic and utility plans are subject to the subsequent site-plan review process.

Several council members and local residents urged that the council retain final say over the ultimate site plan. Council members noted past examples where a use approved by one body produced a development outcome different from what council members expected. To accommodate those concerns the motion was amended: rezoning approved but no site-plan approvals or stamped plans may be accepted by the building department without first returning to the council for final sign-off.

Outcome: the rezoning from R‑1 to R‑M was approved as amended. The motion’s amendment passed; the building department was asked to present any future site plan recommendations to the council rather than allowing final administrative approval without council review.

Ending: The rezoning clears the way for the project to proceed to the planning‑commission site‑plan stage, but council members preserved their oversight role by requiring any final plan to come back to the council.