Ypsilanti council advances zoning changes, certifies ballot petitions and rules on FOIA appeals

YPSILANTI, Mich. — The Ypsilanti City Council on March 17 moved multiple items forward after a meeting that combined ceremonial proclamations, a lengthy public‑comment period and substantive land‑use, records‑access and budget‑process decisions.

Councilors approved first readings of two zoning text amendments aimed at making space for small arts activities and permitting electronic message boards for nonresidential uses under new operational limits. Planning staff said the arts-and-crafts amendment (ordinance 1458) will allow performing and visual arts studios as a special‑land‑use in the CN‑Mid district to ensure compatibility with nearby homes; the measure advances to a second reading. The council also approved first reading of an electronic message‑board amendment (ordinance 1459) that would permit monochrome EMBs for nonresidential uses in more zoning districts but restrict illumination (not lit between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.; measured limits at lot lines) and require anti‑glare measures.

"We wanted to be able to account for any types of arts and crafts," planning staff Joshua ("Josh") said in presenting the arts amendment, describing a planning commission approach that allows flexibility while using a special‑use review to protect neighbors. Questions from nonprofit and maker‑space speakers focused on permit costs; one community member noted that a $750 special‑use permit could be a barrier for very small nonprofits.

The council also adopted an amended first reading of a levels‑of‑review zoning text amendment (ordinance 1460) designed to reduce regulatory barriers for certain change‑of‑use cases by distinguishing administrative, staff‑level reviews from changes that substantially alter a site's physical character and thus require planning‑commission review.

Votes at a glance: - Ordinance 1458 (Arts & Crafts zoning text amendment): first reading approved unanimously; advances to second reading. - Ordinance 1459 (Electronic message boards): first reading approved unanimously; advances to second reading. Staff said signs must be programmed to go dark during malfunctions. - Ordinance 1460 (Levels of review ZTA): council approved an amendment to separate 'substantial alteration' as its own category and passed the amended first reading. - Resolution 2026‑078 (Frog Island North End accessibility): contract awarded to KAB for $312,166.50; approved. - Brownfield grant/loan authorization: council authorized the city manager to sign DABC grant/loan documents, with loan repayment limited to available TIF capture (up to the amount of the capture as amended in the motion).

FOIA appeals and police records Council heard a group of FOIA appeals tied to requests for police reports and body/dash‑camera footage. City attorneys explained that three appeals were mooted after additional production; remaining appeals centered on records the city said were exempt under FOIA's litigation or privacy exemptions or simply did not exist in the form requested.

Attorney Barker told council that some requested items are "tied to matters at issue in litigation," and that "the litigation exemption would still apply" to those records. On other requests the city reported it had produced all nonexempt responsive materials and that no additional footage or files were available. Council denied appeals where the record custodian confirmed no additional responsive material existed and upheld redactions where privacy or litigation exemptions applied. One pending appeal (26‑88) was acknowledged and scheduled for committee consideration at the next meeting so that it could be included with the city packet.

Public comment and petitions Public comment included calls to preserve the Edison Power Plant building and to oppose a putative police‑budget ballot initiative; one commenter, who identified himself during remarks, said he had experienced what he called racial discrimination by the Ypsilanti Police Department and urged additional review and follow‑up.

Council certified two citizen petitions as sufficient and directed the clerk to forward both petitions — a nonpartisan‑election amendment and a police‑funding charter amendment — to the county clerk and governor for review. Several councilors urged clarity about the police‑funding petition's effects on the city budget and suggested the council or clerk consider a clearer short caption before forwarding.

Other business - The council authorized preliminary acceptance of DABC brownfield grant/loan paperwork and clarified that loan amounts would be limited to the city's TIF capture and repaid consistent with the Brownfield authority plan. - A security‑camera and access‑control upgrade proposal for City Hall and the Freight House prompted questions about cloud vs. local (closed‑loop) hosting, ongoing maintenance and whether interior Freight House cameras should be used while the building serves as a warming center. Council tabled that item to April 7 for staff to provide additional technical and policy detail.

What’s next The zoning amendments will return for second readings on future council agendas after staff and counsel finalize any edits. Council scheduled follow‑up on the remaining FOIA appeal (26‑88) and asked staff to return more detailed analyses on surveillance hosting options and vacancy‑tax/registration alternatives that would comply with Michigan law.

Quotes - Public commenter Alex Nuri: "I've been disrespected and I believe racially discriminated against by Ypsilanti Police Department." (public comment) - City attorney Barker, on records tied to litigation: "the litigation exemption would still apply." - Planner Josh, on special‑use approach for arts: "We wanted to be able to account for any types of arts and crafts... and ensure compatibility with surrounding neighbors."

The council adjourned after handling the agenda and scheduling follow‑ups on several items for the April 7 meeting.