Planning and Economic Development Standing Committee Meeting - July 24, 2025

The Planning and Economic Development Standing Committee of the Detroit City Council met on Thursday, July 24, 2025, at 17:44 UTC (local time morning). Council President James Tate chaired the meeting, with members Fred Duro III (arrived later) and Letitia Johnson present. The committee addressed multiple public hearings, general public comment, unfinished business, and new business items. Key actions included approvals for affordable housing rezoning, a life sciences building PD modification, home repair contracts, and brownfield plan terminations, as well as postponements due to developer no-shows.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval: The minutes from the previous meeting were approved by unanimous consent.
• Motion to Suspend Memorial Reports: Approved.
• Adjournment: Approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

General Public Comment (unscheduled speakers)

• Reuben James Crowley Jr.: Accused Council President Tate of being a fraud and threatened his political career. Claims of past threats were referenced.
• William Davis: Criticized the city for not conducting exit interviews with closing businesses (e.g., Pepsi) and for poor negotiation during bankruptcy, which he said harmed retirees.
• Not that Karen (caller): Complained about pension reductions and lack of cost-of-living increases since bankruptcy, and criticized DTE energy rates.
• Galaxy S10 (caller): Expressed frustration with flood recovery from 2016, alleging discrimination and demanding to be made whole.
• Betty A. Varner (Soda Elsewhere Block Association): Announced a free community event (Arise Detroit) on August 2nd with resources, food, and activities.
• Caller ending 124: Criticized eminent domain for solar farms, demanded pollinator patches be allowed, and raised concerns about Mary Sheffield's office not ticketing properly.
• Miko Williams (Hydrate Detroit): Supported earlier caller Ruby Riley, stating she was justified in rejecting a settlement from the city for flood damages. Criticized water department handling of cases.
• Brother Cunningham: Reported distributing bus tickets and ice water, praised a bus ride-along with Councilman Benson, and encouraged donations for community support.
• Ronald Foster: Quoted Ecclesiastes, urged preparation for back-to-school season, and criticized the city for prioritizing unions and fraternities over the people.
• Marguerite Maddox: Comments were garbled but appeared to express concerns about representation.

Public Hearing 1015 (NEZ for 3700 Third Avenue) – Public Comments

• Melanie Markowitz (Midtown Detroit Inc.): Expressed full support for the redevelopment, citing benefits for walkability, small business, affordable housing, and historic preservation.
• Tim Tharp (Grand Trunk Pub/Checker Bar): Gave a testimonial for developer John Hartzell, highlighting his community-focused approach.
• Not that Karen: Questioned the developer's phrase "turning lights on" and noted the rendering lacked people of color; also argued that multiple abatements for one project may be illegal per city code.
• Julie Faelis: Spoke in support of John Hartzell, noting his commitment to community engagement and arts.
• Rebecca Cutber: Supported the project, stating it would bring residents and walkability to the Cass Corridor and that the developer prioritizes diversity.
• Jaron Jones: Supported the project, saying it would add retail, housing, and street lighting.
• Marguerite Maddox: Comments were unclear.

Public Hearing 1025 (Commercial Rehab for same project) – Public Comments

• Cindy Dara: Warned against listening only to developers; urged attention to existing residents' concerns.
• Caller ending 989: Shared concerns about the mayor's closed-door planning.
• Marguerite Maddox: Brief, unclear comment.

Public Hearing 1035 (Rezoning for Bellevue Village) – Public Comments (in-person and online)

• Pastor Barry Randolph (Church of the Messiah): Expressed strong support for the affordable housing development.
• Chaplain Sherry Scott: Supported the project.
• James Marbury (Church of the Messiah housing board): Supported the project.
• Not that Karen: Commended the presentation for providing truly affordable housing (60% AMI and below), not just trendy studios, and asked about HOA fees.
• Toya Watts (Charlotte World Village Association): Opposed the project, citing insufficient community meetings (only two) and parking concerns in an already congested area.
• Josh Pelsa (Housing Revitalization Department): Supported the project, stating it combats gentrification and provides deep affordability.
• Michaela Lucas (Genesis Hope): Supported.
• Maria (resident on Field Street): Supported the project, appreciated wraparound services, but criticized land bank processing of parcels.
• Gabby Rodriguez: Supported the project, emphasizing need for affordable housing.
• Charity Whitaker (Democracy for All Michigan): Supported, praising the developer's community work.
• Marguerite Maddox: Brief, unclear.
• Caller (line item seven): Suggested the project provide a free unit for someone illegally foreclosed.

Public Hearing 1050 (Grasshead Life Sciences Building) – Public Comments

• Caller ending 124: Expressed skepticism, calling it "decorative planning" and questioning secretive planning and the fate of Frank Murphy Hall of Justice.
• Not that Karen: Noted need for development to return to neighborhoods.
• Marguerite Maddox: Comments unclear but appeared to ask about accessibility and emergency exits.

Discussion Items

Neighborhood Enterprise Zone (NEZ) for Detroit 5 & Dime LLC – 3700 Third Avenue (1015 Public Hearing)

• Staff Presentation: Casey Jackson (DEGC) and Justice Cook (HRD) presented the request for a PA 147 NEZ for residential portion. The building has been vacant 10 years; $3.4 million renovation into 10 residential units (one-bedroom, 80% AMI and below) and first-floor retail (4 food tenants, bar, outdoor patio). Developer would receive 100% abatement on tax increase for 12 years, then phase in full taxes by year 16. Net benefit to city: $156,761. Developer present deferred 80% of fees.
• Developer Presentation: Jonathan Hartzell (Detroit Rise and Development) detailed plans for mixed-use with focus on micro-retail, affordable housing, and walkability. Units will have in-unit laundry and zero-threshold accessibility. No elevator due to building age. Parking via street only; plans to negotiate for additional land. Recycling will be provided.
• Council Questions: Member Johnson asked about parking and recycling. Developer confirmed street parking and receptacles. Chair highlighted that no elevator is required due to grandfather clause. Developer committed to automatic doors at main entrance and lobby.

Commercial Rehabilitation District (PA 255) for same project (1025 Public Hearing)

• Staff Presentation: Casey Jackson explained the separate commercial incentive. Developer currently pays $3,090/year; post-improvement taxes projected ~$35,000/year. PA 255 would abate the increase for 12 years, then phase in full taxes by year 16. Both incentives deemed necessary for financing.

Rezoning for Bellevue Village – 1035 Public Hearing

• Presentation: Rezoning from R2 to R5 for seven parcels at Field Street to allow 29-unit affordable housing building (part of 40-unit total including two other sites). Developer: Church of the Messiah Housing Corp. 15 units will be permanent supportive housing. Rents at 60% AMI or below. Community engagement included multiple meetings; 11 letters of support, no opposition.
• Council Discussion: Member Johnson praised deep affordability and universal design. Developer noted pre-development risk and $17.3M investment. Parking exceeds city requirements (1.25 spaces/unit vs 0.75 required). Council approved.

Planned Development Modification – Grasshead Life Sciences Building – 1050 Public Hearing

• Presentation: Request to modify PD ordinance 42-95 at 1326 St. Antoine (former juvenile detention site) to allow a six-story life sciences building with cancer research, outpatient treatment, and lab incubator space. Remaining 1.4 acres to be developed later. City Planning Commission approved in May 2025.
• Council Discussion: Questions about accessibility (all entrances at grade, automatic doors, elevators), parking (valet for patients, within 5-min walk for employees), and bird-friendly glazing. Developer confirmed no demolition of Frank Murphy Hall of Justice; adaptive reuse being studied. Approved.

Unfinished Business – 9.1 and 9.2: Brownfield Plan and Property Sale at 301/321 Edmund Place

• Discussion: Item brought back from prior week due to concerns about automatic doors and recycling. Developer committed to push-button automatic doors at lobby and elevator core, and separate recycling bins in trash room (chutes not feasible due to unit loss). Approved.

Stellantis Home Repair Program – Line Items 10.1, 10.2, 10.5

• Summary: $3.3 million total (original CBA funds plus $2.7M) for critical home repairs in impacted area. Phase 3 will address at least 130 houses with roof, HVAC, windows, etc. Outdoor air quality monitors and an August wellness event providing air purifiers were noted. Approved.

Brownfield Plan Terminations – Line Items 10.6-10.16

• Explanation: These terminate outdated Michigan Business Tax Credit plans for projects that never used the credits (deadline passed 15+ years ago). This cleans up city records. Approved.

Key Outcomes

Votes & Approvals

• General Public Comments: Concluded without action.
• Line Item 7 (Rezoning for Bellevue Village): Motion to send to formal with recommendation to approve. Adopted by unanimous voice vote. (No roll call required as no objections).
• Line Item 8 (Grasshead Life Sciences Building PD): Motion to send to formal with recommendation to approve. Adopted.
• Line Items 9.1 & 9.2: Sent to formal with recommendation to approve.
• Line Items 9.3, 10.20, 10.21, 10.22: Approved together.
• Line Items 10.1, 10.2, 10.5: Approved.
• Line Items 10.3, 10.4: Approved.
• Line Items 10.6-10.16: Approved.
• Line Items 10.17, 10.18, 10.19: Each approved individually.
• Line Item 10.23: Approved (acquisition of 10 tax foreclosed parcels for strategic purposes).
• Line Item 10.25: Approved (Make it Home program property sales).
• Line Item 10.24: Approved (sale for stormwater project in District 4).
• Line Item 5 (NEZ for 3700 Third): Sent to formal with recommendation to approve, with a 60-day gestation period before final action (brought back in 60 days).
• Line Item 6 (Commercial Rehab for 3700 Third): Sent to formal with recommendation to approve.

Referrals & Future Dates

• Line Items 9.4 & 9.5 (Real Token properties): Brought back to September 4, 2025, for update on tenant support and court ruling.
• Line Item 9.6 (Land Bank oversight): Brought back to September 4, 2025.
• Line Item 9.7 (Community Benefits Agreement): Received and filed.
• Line Item 9.8 (Recovery Park update): Brought back to September 11, 2025.
• Line Item 10.26: Referred to City Planning Commission, brought back September 4.
• Line Item 10.27: Referred to LPD, brought back September 11.
• Line Item 10.28 (MOU amendment): Referred to law and LPD, brought back September 11.
• Line Item 10.29 (Motor City Mitten Mission contract): Referred to HRD, brought back September 4.

Other Actions

• Meeting Adjourned: Last meeting before recess; next scheduled September 4, 2025.