Lapeer City Commission pauses special assessments, approves downtown housing grant and multiple infrastructure purchases

The Lapeer City Commission on Sept. 15 voted to pause use of the city's special assessment district policy while staff develops a 10-year road plan and revised funding approach, approved a Community Development Block Grant application to convert the Old Opera House to seven apartments, and took a string of other actions on infrastructure, housing and public-safety grants.

Mayor Debbie Montfort opened the meeting. County Commissioner Greg Hagedahl told the commission that Lapeer County adopted its 2026-27 budget, and said the county will review its budget line-by-line every four months. Several residents used public comment to report a late-night altercation downtown; Austin Franzel and Jacob Leroy urged stricter local response to what they described as intoxicated people on city streets, while resident Stephanie Hamilton praised police response and a candlelight vigil.

In one of the meeting's most consequential votes, City Manager Michael Womack told commissioners he had reviewed the city's special assessment district policy (in place since about 1989) and found it inconsistent with long-standing practice and not sufficiently transparent. Womack recommended four steps: suspend imposition of new special assessments through Jan. 1, 2027; direct staff to engage an engineering firm to develop a 10-year road infrastructure plan (funded in this year's budget); develop a sustainable road-funding plan; and restructure funding for current road and bridge projects without using special assessments. Commissioner Brady moved to direct the manager to follow those four points and the motion carried after discussion about fiscal impacts and public notice.

The commission approved a resolution to authorize submission of a Community Development Block Grant application to create seven apartments in the Old Opera House at 350 N. Court St.; the public hearing on that item had no speakers and the motion carried. Commissioners also adopted an amendment to Chapter 7 of the zoning ordinance to reclassify a nearby building to neighborhood business (B1), a move proponents said should make first-floor tenancy easier and require property improvements tied to new uses.

On public-safety technology, the commission postponed action on the city's proposed automated license-plate reader/camera system and the associated policy until the next meeting so…