Residents urge action on short‑term rentals, roads and parks; mayor, staff outline steps and resources

Residents who spoke during the communications portion of the July 21 Southfield City Council meeting raised concerns about short‑term rental parties, senior safety, road conditions, and park maintenance, and asked for more city services and information.

Stacy Jackson, president of the Beachwood Acres Homeowners Association, described repeated loud-party complaints at Airbnb rentals in her neighborhood and said some seniors feel unsafe; she urged the city to follow Dearborn and other municipalities in restricting where short‑term rentals can operate. Keith Harris and other speakers said seniors in Southfield are fearful and urged enforcement and better neighborhood communications.

Mayor and staff responses: the mayor and staff directed residents with Airbnb or short‑term rental complaints to contact the Building Department and Building Director Charles Woodward at (248) 796-4117; staff said the city shut down two homes this month for party‑related violations. Officials reminded the public that the city has an ordinance governing short‑term rentals and that the Building Department investigates complaints.

Roads and potholes: Garland McWilliams presented photographs documenting potholes and requested inspection and repair on Mount Vernon and nearby streets; staff said the city has a proactive road program and that the city is projected to spend just under $38,000,000 on road and water‑main projects this year. The segment of Mount Vernon between Greenfield and Southfield was noted as scheduled for construction in 2028; public‑works staff offered to send crews to patch severe potholes in the interim.

Parks and pools: Betty Robinson and other speakers urged construction of an indoor swimming pool and improved maintenance at Inglenook Park (broken bathroom facilities) and Beechwood (sandbox/trash). City staff said the FY budget adopted last month earmarked $22,500,000 for an indoor, year‑round pool and that the Parks & Recreation director will follow up on bathroom and maintenance issues and report at the next meeting. Staff also said a previously proposed splash pad was withdrawn after neighborhood concerns.

Other items raised: a resident asked the city to allow accessory storage buildings or accessory dwelling units (ADUs); staff confirmed ADUs and related storage options are under review by the planning commission. The SMART specialized transit program was discussed during the consent‑agenda item; staff provided the SMART phone number for residents: (866) 962-5515 and the city senior services number (248) 796-4654.

Code enforcement and parking-lot repairs were also addressed; staff said code enforcement follows up on complaints submitted via the Southfield Solutions app and that the Imperial Market parking-lot striping and cracking concern had been resolved.

Speakers who commented on these topics included Stacy Jackson (Beachwood Acres HOA), Keith Harris, Garland McWilliams, Betty Robinson, Dan Lammers and Pamela Gerald. The council and staff responded to most items during the meeting or pledged follow-up.