City Council approves Brownfield plan, housing PILOTs and several land-use items; Cherry Hill rezoning fails

Westland City Council took a string of votes at its May 4 meeting, approving redevelopment and housing financing measures while rejecting a proposed commercial rezoning that residents said would worsen traffic at a clogged intersection.

The council approved a Brownfield redevelopment planning and reimbursement package for the former Marshall Middle School site, a plan city staff said will support demolition, asbestos abatement and preparation of a 19-acre parcel for housing or other development. Council also approved the formal reimbursement agreement that ties payments to future tax increment revenue after developer certification and project completion.

Council authorized two payment-in-lieu-of-tax (PILOT) pilot resolutions for Presbyterian Villages of Michigan projects. City officials and project representatives said the two tax-credit-financed initiatives will renovate a combined 113 apartments and later add 35 ranch homes; the council approved both PILOT resolutions after staff explained the state low-income housing tax-credit financing structure and that the municipality is not investing direct cash in the projects.

The council awarded a bid for professional water-main replacement services to D’Angelo Brothers and approved renewal or procurement items on the consent calendar including technology and HR systems and the sale of a city-owned property at 31905 Sagenol Court.

On land-use matters, the council approved a rezoning at 6013 Newberg Road to allow garden-apartment development after planning staff and the petitioner described buffering and perimeter landscaping to address neighbors’ concerns. By contrast, council denied a request to rezone a 5.5-acre parcel at Cherry Hill and John Hicks from single-family to low-intensity commercial (CB1). Planning staff and the planning commission heard numerous resident comments about traffic congestion at the nearby railroad crossing and the presence of underused commercial property nearby; Council members noting those concerns voted against the rezoning.

The council also approved a special land use permit for a smoke-and-vape shop with a clothing/shoe retail component at 8047 North Wayne Road after the owner said the store will be owner-operated, require ID for restricted sales and prohibit on-site smoking. Some council members opposed that item, citing proximity to residential areas and youth.

Votes at a glance: - Brownfield plan & reimbursement agreement (former Marshall Middle School): approved - PILOT resolutions for Presbyterian Villages (4% and 9% projects): both approved - Water-main replacement contract (D’Angelo Brothers): approved - Rezoning 6013 Newberg Road (R1 → General Apartment): approved - Rezoning at Cherry Hill & John Hicks (R2 → CB1): denied - Special land use approval for smoke & vape shop at 8047 N. Wayne Road: approved

The council also held a public hearing on the FY 2026–27 budget, received an update on the city’s Community Development Block Grant and HOME allocations, and handled routine consent items. Several items approved tonight include conditions or subsequent reviews by planning staff and legal counsel. The council did not adopt final budget appropriations at this session; the public hearing is part of the budget adoption process and staff outlined grant revenues, capital investments and staffing reallocations planned for 2026–27.

What’s next: approved Brownfield reimbursements will be certified only after the developer submits supporting invoices and the Brownfield Authority performs a cost reconciliation; PILOT terms and housing project timelines will proceed under state tax-credit rules and developer schedules.