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Planning commission forwards zoning amendment on private roads to township board after brief hearing
Summary
On Jan. 12, 2026, the Delhi Charter Township Planning Commission voted to forward Zoning Ordinance No. 39.167 — a proposed text amendment to more broadly permit the development and use of private roads — to the Township Board after a brief public hearing that produced a written comment raising concern about reduced governmental oversight.
The Delhi Charter Township Planning Commission on Jan. 12, 2026 voted to forward Zoning Ordinance No. 39.167 — a proposed amendment that would revise multiple sections of the township zoning ordinance to more broadly permit the development and use of private roads — to the Township Board for consideration.
Township Manager Tracy Miller presented the draft amendment and its intent to modify standards and allowances for private roads within the township. Commission members discussed the proposal in general terms before the commission opened a public hearing at 6:47 p.m.
A written comment from Larry and Pamela Bailey of 2143 College Road was entered into the record; the Baileys expressed concern that the changes would reduce government oversight of the building and maintenance of private roads. The public hearing record shows no oral public commenters and the hearing was closed the same minute it opened.
Commissioner Kimberly Berry-Smokoski moved and Commissioner Orlando Todd seconded a motion to forward Zoning Ordinance No. 39.167 to the Township Board. The minutes record the motion as carried and list the ayes as: Berry-Smokoski, Brown, Craig, Ford, Goodall, Kring, Netzel, Todd and Zietlow; nays: none. Separately, the attendance list at the start of the minutes records Patrick Brown as absent. The minutes therefore contain an internal inconsistency about Brown’s attendance and the roll-call vote as recorded.
The commission’s action, as recorded in the meeting minutes, sends the proposed ordinance to the Township Board for its review and any final action. The minutes do not record the Township Board’s response or indicate a date when the board will consider the item.
Next steps: the commission’s motion was forwarded to the Township Board; staff did not record additional deadlines or requirements in the minutes. The change, if adopted by the Township Board, would alter how private roads are permitted and constructed in the township; concerned residents raised the oversight question in a written comment at the commission meeting.
