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Dearborn council approves zoning changes, 2024 fire code and contracts; LEO grant awards $6 million to city projects
Summary
At the meeting the City Council passed final readings of two zoning ordinances and a fire‑code update and approved several resolutions including a demolition contract, an emergency ladder‑truck repair and acceptance of a $6 million state LEO grant. Roll calls were unanimous where shown.
The Dearborn City Council approved multiple ordinances, contracts and grant acceptances during Monday—s session.
Key actions at a glance
- Zoning ordinance amendment (Ordinance No. 24‑18‑32): Council voted to amend the zoning ordinance to increase flexibility for nonconforming single‑family homes (final reading approved). Roll call showed seven yeas and the ordinance passed.
- Rezoning (Ordinance No. 24‑18‑33): Council rezoned three parcels on Lundy Parkway from TR (Technology & Research) to BC (General Business) to allow multifamily residential development; planning recommended approval. Final reading passed (seven yeas).
- Fire code update (Ordinance No. 24‑18‑34): Council adopted updates to chapter 10 of the city code to adopt the 2024 International Fire Code for fire prevention and related provisions. The city—s deputy fire chief said the change addresses topics that were not covered in the 2015 code (for example, lithium‑ion battery risks) and that the fire code is primarily a maintenance code for businesses and new construction; the ordinance passed on final reading (roll call: seven yeas).
- Emergency ladder‑truck repair (Resolution): The council approved an emergency sole‑source contract to Seppen Corporation for ladder truck repairs, not to exceed $75,084, with immediate effect.
- Demolition and abatement contract (Resolution): The council approved a competitive contract with Adamo Demolition for demolition and abatement of the Oakman Apartments properties at 5104‑5112 and 5120 Oakland Boulevard, not to exceed $248,525. The city said prior hearings and unsafe‑building findings led to the abatement plan; the resolution requests immediate effect.
- Multi‑jurisdiction auto theft agreement (Resolution): Council approved an interlocal agreement to participate in the Southeast Michigan Auto Crimes Consortium (SMACC), a multi‑agency auto‑theft task force funded in part by the Auto Theft Prevention Authority (ATPA). The city—s police chief and council members said the task force has helped reduce auto theft regionally.
- LEO grant acceptance (Resolution): The council accepted a Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) grant in the amount of $6,000,000 for targeted investments including law enforcement locker‑room renovations, body cameras, fleet vehicles, building improvements and a STEM hub at the library; the resolution requests immediate effect and requires no local match.
Why it matters: The zoning actions can reduce procedural barriers to home repairs and open specific parcels to new housing. The fire‑code update brings Dearborn into line with more recent national standards addressing modern hazards; the demolition and repair contracts address long‑standing blight and emergency equipment readiness. The LEO grant provides a multimillion‑dollar infusion for public‑safety and facility improvements.
Votes and roll calls: Where the clerk recorded roll calls, the transcript shows unanimous or near‑unanimous approval; ordinances on final reading recorded seven yays. For several routine resolutions the council attached the unanimous roll. The meeting record includes motion sponsors and roll‑call lists in the official minutes.
Ending: Council members and the mayor emphasized follow‑through on demolition, grant projects and capital upgrades; several items on tonight—s consent agenda were approved by unanimous roll.
