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Resident objects to caregiver ordinance ahead of planned second reading, urges city response
Summary
Patrick Abuda told the commission he objects to a proposed caregiver ordinance amendment, saying it inappropriately reclassifies caregiver operations as businesses and conflicts with the 2008 Michigan law; he asked for the city to respond before the ordinance’s next reading and noted he had sent objections by email.
Patrick Abuda, a Mount Clemens resident who identified his address to the commission, used public comment time on April 19 to object to a caregiver ordinance amendment that he said was slated for a second reading. Abuda said the amendment "doesn't fit" the community and argued it treats caregiver operations as business activities rather than community‑based services.
"It sort of like crams this down the community's throat," Abuda told the commission, saying the amendment forces business fees and permits onto what he described as residential caregiver arrangements. He said portions of the proposal contradict the intent of a 2008 Michigan law referenced in his remarks.
Abuda said he had emailed the commissioners and the city manager with his objections and asked for a formal response before the second reading or vote. City staff and other officials responded that the submission was framed as objections rather than specific questions; Mr. Murray noted that because litigation often touches matters involving marijuana and related regulations, the manager's written response could be used in future litigation and urged caution.
The commission did not take action on the ordinance during public comment. City staff indicated they would consider how to respond and that litigation risk can affect whether staff prepare a substantive written reply.
The meeting transcript records Abuda’s objections and the manager/staff comments about potential litigation risk; no ordinance text or final vote outcome appears in the record of this meeting’s public comment segment.
