Flat Rock council adopts resolution opposing state bills that would preempt local zoning

The Flat Rock City Council on Wednesday approved a resolution opposing Michigan House Bills 5531, 5581 and 5584, which council members said would transfer key zoning decisions from municipalities to the state.

Council member Jim moved to approve the resolution and the motion carried by voice vote. The resolution objects to provisions the council said would narrow municipal control over land use, including changes to the parcel division act and new limits on local authority to regulate accessory dwelling units, minimum lot sizes and mobile units.

Councilors described scenarios they said the bills would allow: converting single-family lots into multiple dwelling units, placing mobile homes or trailers on small vacant lots and permitting accessory dwelling units without local square‑footage coverage rules. A council member noted the bills could allow minimum lot sizes as small as 1,500 square feet if the lot has water, sewer and one parking space, a change the council said would increase density and could alter infrastructure plans for roads, sewers and utilities.

Council members contrasted the proposed bills with municipal zoning practices, saying local governments are better placed to set rules based on neighborhood context. The council also referenced regional coordination efforts and said the Michigan Municipal League has proposed alternative bills as part of the My MI Home program.

The council voted to forward the approved resolution to Senator Camelary and Representative Thompson and to share the position with neighboring Down River communities.

Next steps: the council clerk will prepare and transmit the resolution to the named lawmakers and partner jurisdictions, per the meeting record.