Livonia council authorizes distribution of 'Book Five' housing amendments for public review, amid calls for more outreach

The Livonia City Council on May 4 voted unanimously (6-0) to authorize the Planning Commission to distribute proposed amendments to the city's Vision 21 Master Plan — including the addition of Book Five, a Housing Sustainability chapter — for public review and to set a public hearing under the Michigan Planning Enabling Act (Public Act 33 of 2008).

Several residents and commission members urged wider public engagement and deeper technical work before pushing the plan forward. Jim Bega told council that the document "is something nobody has seen" and asked for more public meetings and outreach that mirror larger outreach processes in comparable cities. Jim Bering House, chairing the city's environmental commission, asked for stronger integration of energy efficiency, water conservation, site planning for transit proximity, long-term affordability and durability in the housing chapter.

Council members framed the council action as the procedural first step to open public review. Council member McCullough said the vote starts the formal communication process and that both the Planning Commission and Law and Education Committee will hold follow-ups for public input. Council member McDonald asked that the planning public hearing proceed and that the Law and Education Committee be positioned to gather council feedback after the planning hearing.

Council also voted 6-0 to place the matter into the Law and Education Committee to allow additional public engagement and review. The Planning Commission's distribution and subsequent public hearing are the immediate next steps; council members asked staff to ensure Book Five and related materials remain available in the council packet for public review before the hearing.