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Lincoln Park council adopts resolution opposing state zoning preemption bills
Summary
The Lincoln Park City Council unanimously adopted a resolution opposing a package of Michigan House bills that would limit local zoning authority, cap minimum lot sizes, mandate accessory-unit rules and require expedited site-plan decisions, and directed the clerk to send the resolution to state lawmakers and the governor.
The Lincoln Park City Council voted unanimously March 9 to adopt a resolution opposing a set of Michigan House bills that council leaders said would strip local control over zoning and land-use decisions.
Mayor Maureen Tobin read the resolution aloud, saying the measures — identified in the text as House bills including versions numbered in the 500s and 5581–5585 — would, if enacted, “abolish decision making authority from local and elected officials,” change protest-petition thresholds, impose minimum parcel sizes and alter rules for duplexes and accessory dwelling units. The resolution directs the city clerk to transmit the council's position to state representatives, state senators and the governor.
The resolution lists specific provisions the council opposed: setting a statewide capped minimum lot size (as low as 1,500 square feet in some provisions), a 60-day deadline for local site-plan decisions with a limited definition of what counts as a formal approval, expanded rights for mobile homes and mandated parking and setback changes, and requirements that would make accessory dwelling units a by-right use in residential districts. Council members said the bills would override years of master-plan work and local public input.
A council member noted the Southgate Planning Commission had passed an identical resolution earlier that evening, underscoring regional concern. No council member spoke in favor of the state bills during the discussion; the vote was recorded as unanimous.
The resolution states the city remains committed to housing diversity and affordability but called for collaboration with the state rather than preemptive, one-size-fits-all mandates. The clerk was instructed to transmit the resolution to the named legislators and the governor for their consideration.
