Council formalizes rezoning of 6013 Newberg Road to garden‑apartment designation amid neighborhood objections

Westland's City Council introduced and then adopted an ordinance on June 1 formalizing the rezoning of a parcel at 6013 Newberg Road from R1 single‑family residential to Garden Apartment Residential.

Residents living adjacent to the property spoke during the public‑comment period and at the item, saying the change would place a 32‑unit apartment project next to long‑standing single‑family homes. One neighbor said, "to put apartments right beside all our houses... that's really a slap in the face," arguing the change alters neighborhood character.

Council members debated whether the agenda language could be read as a blanket change to all R1 zones. City staff and the city attorney clarified the action simply records the formal ordinance change for the specific parcel the council rezoned at its May 4 meeting; the ordinance language and packet include the legal description and parcel number. Councilwoman Andrea Rowski and others said residents deserved clearer packet language; council amended the agenda language to add parcel numbers to the item before the adoption vote.

After the amendment passed and council proceeded to a final vote, the ordinance was adopted (four yes, three no). The city attorney explained that the two‑step process (introduction and adoption) places the change into the city's codified ordinances and public records.

What happens next: The ordinance will be published in the city's official record and the parcel's zoning status will be reflected in the city code and maps. Residents and council members who opposed the change said they would continue to discuss neighborhood impacts and alternative housing proposals.