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Caller says Detroit solar plan risks eminent domain and uneven treatment of residents
Summary
A public commenter told the Budget, Finance and Audit committee that the city’s solar plan relied on eminent domain, favored institutional land swaps, and overlooked neighborhood alternatives; the committee took no action due to lack of quorum.
A public commenter expressed concerns that Detroit’s proposed solar plan relied on eminent domain, disproportionately affected neighborhood residents, and favored institutional arrangements over protecting families who live on affected parcels.
The comment came during the Budget, Finance and Audit standing committee meeting; the committee lacked a quorum and made no formal decisions.
“I haven't seen any evidence the city did its due diligence to find a way to do solar without using eminent domain,” the commenter who identified themself as You Matter said. The commenter also cited the Detroit Land Bank as holding “over 66,000 properties” and criticized what they described as unequal results from land swaps, saying some institutions received more parcels than they relinquished.
You Matter said the charter’s fair‑treatment provision, cited as section 9‑501, required equitable treatment of affected residents and questioned why “bridging neighborhood treatment” was not offered to families displaced by solar projects.
These remarks were allegations and requests for more transparent decision making; the committee recorded the comments but took no action at the meeting. The chair noted the session lacked a quorum and that agenda items will be carried forward to next week’s meeting for further consideration.
