Monroe City presents sweeping 2025 zoning-code overhaul to increase housing options, streamline districts

City officials on Monday outlined a broad set of proposed changes to Monroe City’s zoning ordinance intended to expand housing types, reduce parking minimums and consolidate zoning districts.

At a council work session, Director Mark Cochran and Deputy Director Matt Vanesacker of the Department of Economic and Community Development and Ann Marie Kirby of Suncar Consulting Group presented the “Summer 2025” zoning-code update, which staff said stems from the city’s 2024 residential housing strategy and a Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) grant that funded consultant work.

The most immediate proposals would add accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and allow duplexes, triplexes and quadplexes in more residential districts; reduce parking requirements to one space per unit for many multiunit uses; permit cottage courts and certain live-work arrangements; and consolidate several commercial and small residential districts into two mixed‑use districts, MU‑1 and MU‑2. The proposal also adds definitions and permitting paths for state‑licensed residential facilities, group homes, emergency shelters and overnight shelters, with separation buffers and supervisory requirements described by staff.

The plan, Vanesacker said, is an overview presentation; the formal review schedule calls for a public hearing before the Citizens Planning Commission on Monday, June 9, followed by a first reading at the June 16 City Council meeting and a public hearing and second reading for adoption at the July 7 council meeting. If adopted, staff said ordinances…