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Detroit Farm & Cider and Jehovah Shalom Church seek zoning change for mixed‑use project; committee advances proposal
Summary
Detroit Farm & Cider and Jehovah Shalom Church asked to rezone a block near Woodrow Wilson and Lawrence to SD‑1 to permit cider production, retail sales, youth programming and limited lodging; the Planning & Economic Development Committee voted to send the proposal to formal session with a recommendation to approve after petitioners answered neighborhood questions about runoff, parking and jobs.
The Detroit Planning & Economic Development Committee advanced a rezoning request for seven parcels generally bounded by Rosa Parks Boulevard, Burlingame, Woodrow Wilson Street and Lawrence Street to a special development, small‑scale mixed‑use district (SD‑1).
City Planning Commission staff described the petition as two co‑petitions: Detroit Farm & Cider, led by Leandra King, is asking to permit farm‑based retail (cider pressing and farm‑to‑table dinners), residential lodging and a bed‑and‑breakfast to support a youth equestrian and agricultural education program. Jehovah Shalom Church of God is requesting a companion amendment for its facility at 1551 Burlingame to allow uses including child care, a preschool, a bookstore, a coffee shop, counseling offices and rental hall space.
Why it matters: the rezoning would permit a mixed‑use redevelopment on small parcels that are now zoned residential, allowing a neighborhood‑oriented farm enterprise and expanded community services at the church without separate variance requests.
Leandra King, who identified herself as owner of Detroit Farm & Cider, said the site supports youth programming and would be modest in scale. "We have a 4‑H chartered program that teaches children about agriculture, self‑sustainability and healing," King said, adding the farm maintains roughly "103 fruit trees" and aims to employ area residents and provide 12 youth program slots. King told the committee the farm is currently dormant but seeks zoning certainty to resume operations and, eventually, cider production under proper licensing.
Woodrow Hankins, speaking for Jehovah Shalom Church, said the church wanted to expand community uses and offer child care and small‑business space. CPC staff noted that both petitioners had submitted letters of neighborhood support and that the CPC had recommended approval in March.
Several residents asked about environmental and traffic impacts. A caller asked whether farm runoff or fertilizers could affect Detroit's storm system; King said the farm has used "no‑till" methods for about nine years and employs buffer strips and nutrient management plans, which she said substantially reduce runoff. On parking, petitioners and staff said the proposal includes off‑street parking, potential use of adjacent land bank lots in the future, and that any required parking must be provided before building permits for the proposed uses are issued.
Vice chair Durhall moved to send the rezoning to formal session with a recommendation to approve. The chair recorded no objections and the committee advanced the item for introduction and formal consideration by the full council.
Next steps: the matter will be placed on the council’s formal agenda for introduction and a public hearing; any required special land‑use approvals for animal keeping or other uses will follow the city's permitting path.
