Ypsilanti council approves dark‑sky zoning changes on first reading, sets 10‑business‑day review for deputy clerk appeal; passes warming‑center MOU and other 12

YPSILANTI, Mich. — The Ypsilanti City Council on Sept. 23 advanced a package of land‑use and community safety measures and addressed a personnel appeal in a public hearing that will return to the council within a clarified timeline.

Council members approved on first reading a dark‑sky zoning ordinance intended to reduce unnecessary outdoor lighting, a measure planning staff said aims to lower light pollution, improve human and ecological health, and save energy. Council also approved a memorandum of understanding allowing the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County to operate a daytime warming center at the Freight House this winter, created an ad‑hoc tenants’ rights committee and backed several capital and public‑works purchases. In a separate, public personnel review, the council voted to interpret a rule requiring a decision within 10 days as 10 business days, a change members said would allow more time for deliberation.

The zoning item drew the meeting’s longest presentation and public exchange. Planning staff described scientific and public‑safety literature linking unshielded, high‑color‑temperature lighting to negative impacts on wildlife and human health, and outlined the ordinance’s new definitions, maximum color temperatures and foot‑candle limits, full‑cutoff fixture requirements, and phased approach for nonconforming lights. After public questions about enforcement, outreach and costs to convert DTE‑owned streetlights, the council voted 6–1 on first reading to send the ordinance to second reading on Oct. 7. Council member Campbell cast the lone no vote.

Council voted unanimously to approve a memorandum of understanding with the Shelter Association to host a daytime warming center at the Freight House beginning November 2025, with an end date extended to March or April 2026 at the city manager’s discretion and subject to final legal review. The Shelter Association’s representatives told the council the walk/run fundraiser and other local fundraising support help underwrite the work; council members asked staff to monitor Freight House bookings and to report on potential weekend conflicts.

During an extended public hearing requested by former Deputy Clerk Laurie Thomas, Thomas described personnel and administrative problems she said warranted review. The city manager summarized the city’s disciplinary findings — citing repeated insubordination, task‑management and workplace‑conduct complaints — and said progressive discipline had been applied, including a prior suspension. Thomas and the city manager each spoke; councilors asked questions of both. After deliberation the council voted to treat the ordinance’s 10‑day decision deadline as 10 business days and to return the matter for council consideration in that timeline. The motion to interpret the deadline as business days passed unanimously.

Other council actions included forming an ad‑hoc tenants’ rights committee with nine members and three designated tenant seats; establishing the Freight House warming‑center MOU; adopting a “Leave the Leaves” environmental resolution encouraging residents to favor leaf‑mulching and composting; and passing a symbolic resolution urging the U.S. government to remove Cuba from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list. The council also approved several capital items and contract amendments for the public‑works department, including a $92,419 change order to a garage roof replacement project and an amended motor‑pool vehicle purchase authorization.

Councilors and speakers in public comment repeatedly urged continued city support for a daytime warming center, expanded tenant protections and greater transparency around personnel and public‑participation rules. Several community members and commission representatives testified in favor of the warming center and of a resolution on Cuba; others urged that the city uphold public‑comment access and reconsider recent limitations on speakers.

What’s next: The dark‑sky ordinance returns for second reading Oct. 7; the public personnel review will be revisited within the newly clarified 10 business‑day period; staff will bring follow‑up materials about Freight House bookings, DTE streetlight conversion costs, and the proposed tenants’ committee membership. The council directed staff to provide greater outreach and education materials on lighting compliance for property owners before second reading.

Votes at a glance - Dark‑sky zoning ordinance (first reading): Passed first reading 6–1; second reading scheduled Oct. 7 with 30‑day protest period if adopted. - Freight House warming‑center MOU with Shelter Association of Washtenaw County: Approved; end date amended to March/April 2026 at city manager’s discretion. - Deputy clerk request for review (Laurie Thomas): Council accepted the hearing and then voted unanimously to interpret the ordinance’s 10‑day decision deadline as 10 business days; council will deliver a written decision within that period. - Tenant rights committee (ad‑hoc): Council created a nine‑member committee, added three tenant seats and amended ex‑officio language; motion carried. - Leave the Leaves environmental resolution: Adopted unanimously; encourages on‑site leaf‑mulching and delayed removal. - Resolution asking federal removal of Cuba from State Sponsors of Terrorism list: Adopted unanimously. - Ballard and Freight House parking‑lot mill/overlay (DDA partnership): Approved; DDA to reimburse city for a majority of costs, city share minimal. - DPW garage roof change order: Approved ($92,419 change order to Summit Company) to address mold and other unforeseen demolition needs. - Motor‑pool vehicle purchases (amended total): Amended and approved; council amended the dollar total during the meeting.

Reporting note: This article summarizes actions taken and questions raised at the council’s Sept. 23 meeting. Quotations in the meeting transcript were attributed where speakers are named; public testimony included many community speakers advocating for the warming center, tenant representation on the new committee, and changes to public comment rules.

Ending: Staff and councilors said they will return with additional briefings before the Oct. 7 meeting, including cost estimates for streetlight conversions and an outreach plan for the dark‑sky ordinance.