Council refers form-based zoning updates after public hearing as residents urge ‘gentle densification’

Councilman Julio Garza introduced a public hearing on proposed amendments to Part 12, Title 6 of Lansing’s zoning code at the City Council meeting on April 21, saying the changes would clarify building frontage, height transitions and site design and would “adjust certain use regulations to better align with the city’s master plan and development goals.”

The council referred the zoning amendments to the Committee of the Whole for further review; no final vote on the amendment was taken at Tuesday’s meeting.

Why it matters: supporters told the council the proposed changes are intended to expand “shared use” housing — accessory dwelling units, rooming and boarding houses, cottage developments, cooperatives and other smaller-scale housing options — as a modest, neighborhood-level response to Lansing’s housing shortage.

During public comment, Joan Nelson said the change would empower “ordinary people” to add housing incrementally rather than rely only on large developers. “Incremental, community driven, bottom up change begins with more inclusive zoning,” Nelson said.

Julie Vandenboom said, “Yes in my backyard,” and called for the council to embrace “gentle densification” that lets homeowners add units to house family members. Christopher Green Smijinski said legalizing accessory units and cottage developments would allow residents to use local tradespeople and ease pressure on renters and owners. Ross Fisher, introduced himself as co-chair of Rent is Too **** High and urged passage to expand cooperative housing.

Several speakers listed neighborhood and civic supporters of the proposals; Joan Nelson said the effort had received backing from local groups including the Ingham County Land Bank, Ingham County Housing Trust Fund, Aspire, Spartan Housing Cooperative, Rivendell CoAP, Allen Neighborhood Center and AARP.

Council context and next steps: Councilman Garza framed the amendment as a tool to promote walkability, preserve neighborhood character, and provide clearer guidance for developers and residents. The council’s referral sends the zoning amendment to the Committee of the Whole for additional review and possible revision before any ordinance introduction or vote. The public hearing record will remain open to the Committee and the council as they consider next steps.

Public comment also included concerns about derelict properties and “red tag” houses elsewhere on the agenda; those items were handled separately later in the meeting.