Detroit City Council Planning and Economic Development Committee Meeting - February 12, 2026

The Planning and Economic Development Committee convened on Thursday, February 12, 2026, with Councilmember Letitia Johnson presiding and Councilmember Gabriella Santiago Romero absent. The meeting opened with roll call, approval of the minutes (passed without objection), and public comment, followed by deliberation on unfinished and new business items and member reports.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Mr. Foster criticized the lack of accountability from vendors receiving city subsidies and called for a scrutinized inventory of vendors.
• Cunningham opened with a prayer.
• Betty A. Varner, President of the Soda Elsword Block Association, shared information about the World Medical Relief prescription program: prescriptions cost $8.30, with income limits of $44,800 (single) and $51,200 (married); eligible residents can call 313-866-5333 or visit worldmedicalrelief.org.
• A caller urged the committee to exercise oversight of the Board of Zoning Appeals, requesting that a vote on proposed rule changes be postponed due to due process violations highlighted by a Wayne State law professor, warning that failure to act could bring litigation upon the city.
• Jadante Smith praised Councilmember Johnson for communication but criticized Councilmember Scott Benson for not confronting issues. He raised concerns about contractors, specifically LGC Global (owned by Avanash Rachmale) having multi‑million dollar contracts, and alleged conflicts of interest with Conrad Mallet. He questioned why sewer repair grants are handled by the Housing and Revitalization Department (HRD) instead of the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD). During his comment, Councilmember Johnson briefly responded, and Dr. Powers reminded that public comment is for listening, with follow‑up to be conducted after the session.
• Tahira Ahmad celebrated Black History Month and former Mayor Coleman Young. She reminded residents to appeal their property tax assessments, citing a University of Chicago study that 84% of homeowners with lowest‑valued homes are improperly assessed. She provided contact information for the Coalition for Property Tax Justice (313‑438‑8698) and urged implementation of property tax reform.
• William M. Davis reported on senior citizens displaced from Palmer Park apartments due to no heat and doors padlocked. He noted many vacant apartment buildings across the city while many people are unhoused, and called for more equitable planning and economic development beyond downtown, midtown, and corktown.
• A caller (ending in 039) made threats and allegations against Councilmember Johnson and others, and called for intervention by President Trump.
• A final caller (ending in 124) repeated a previous request. Public comment was concluded with three additional speakers still waiting to address the committee.

Discussion Items

Unfinished Business

• Items 5.1 & 5.3: Grand River Corridor Update – A motion was made and accepted to bring these items back in two weeks. Councilmember Johnson expressed hope that the involved parties would reach a resolution.
• Item 5.2: Tax Abatements in District Six – A motion was accepted to bring this item back in one week.

New Business

• Item 6.1: Rezoning of Parcels on Trumbull and Lincoln – Detroit City Planning Commission and Detroit Land Bank Authority proposed rezoning four parcels from Planned Development (PD) to R5 Medium Density Residential (4830 and 4838 Trumbull) and SD1 Special Development District, Small Scale Mixed Use (4814 Trumbull and 4827 Lincoln). The rezoning is intended to facilitate affordable housing development and resolve parking issues for Citadel of Faith Church. CPC staff explained that the church’s adverse possession claim is not viable due to government ownership, and the Land Bank has agreed to transfer one parcel to the church. Councilmember Pro Tempore Tim Young questioned the consistency of the church’s position and sought confirmation. A motion to send the item to formal introduction of an ordinance and setting of a public hearing passed without objection.
• Item 6.2: Clarification on PA 255 and PA210 Abatements – A memo from Council President James Tate requesting written clarification on how the city is managing these abatements following state legislation was received and filed without objection. Councilmember Johnson commented on the need for greater transparency, suggesting a dashboard or online resource.
• Item 6.3: HOME and CDBG Revised Awards – Larry Katrinar of the Housing and Revitalization Department presented a resolution to revise funding for three new construction affordable housing projects: Brewster Wheeler 1 & 3 (additional $38,000 in HOME funds and loan modification adding CDBG funds) and Jefferson Avenue Apartments (increase of $195,000 in HOME funds and $19,361 in CDBG funds). The motion to send to formal with a recommendation to approve passed without objection.

Additional Discussion

• Sewer Repair Grant Funding – In response to a question from public comment, Chief Rico Razzo of HRD explained that all CDBG dollars, including disaster recovery funds for sewer repairs, are managed by HRD, which partners with DWSD for contractor management.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes approved.
• Unfinished business items 5.1 and 5.3 tabled for two weeks; item 5.2 tabled for one week.
• Item 6.1 (rezoning) sent to formal ordinance introduction and public hearing.
• Item 6.2 (clarification on abatements) received and filed.
• Item 6.3 (HOME/CDBG revised awards) sent to formal with recommendation to approve.
• Councilmember Pro Tempore Young requested colleagues submit amendments to the intergovernmental agreement with the State Land Bank Authority by February 13, and announced a community meeting on February 16.
• Director Marcel Todd reminded the committee of the upcoming annual CDBG/Neighborhood Opportunity Fund review and urged review of potential conflicts of interest.