Detroit City Council Standing Committee Meeting - April 2, 2026
Detroit City Council Standing Committee Meeting - April 2, 2026
The Detroit City Council Standing Committee, chaired by Councilmember Letitia Johnson, met on April 2, 2026, to handle routine approvals, public comment, and several zoning and land-related agenda items. Councilmembers Gabriel Santiago Romero and Council President Pro Tem Young were present. The meeting began with approval of minutes and public comments, followed by consideration of unfinished and new business items.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Betty A. Varner (President, DeSoda Elsewhere Black Association) promoted free caregiver respite services through Deborah A. Royal at Community Solutions (313-484-3808), noting programs do not require Medicaid.
- Owner Papa criticized distribution of federal dollars (CDBG, ARPA funds) and the budget hearing process, alleging dishonesty. He opposed a $6 fee for copies and accused the city of gentrifying the Aviation Subdivision via CDBG funds that should have been used for neighborhood stabilization (porches, roofs, etc.).
- William M. Davis (Precinct Delegate, District 410) raised concerns about polling place relocation (from McKenzie to Samson Webber School, over 3 miles away) and low voter turnout in Detroit, urging the council to encourage voting and support city retirees.
- Caller ending in 039 (93rd Precinct Republican Delegate, Michigan Executive Committee) alleged election fraud in Detroit, demanded testimony from election officials (Zina Avery Walker, Daniel Baxter), and accused the council of inaction, threatening legal action. He also complained about unresolved personal financial issues.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of minutes from previous meeting (motion, no objections).
- Line item 5.1: Status of Planning and Development Department property sale at 125, 1235, and 1241 Springwells Street – sent to formal with recommendation to approve.
- Line item 5.3: Councilmember Johnson’s memorandum re: Hans Farms LLC purchase agreement – received and filed.
- Line item 5.4: Councilmember Benson’s memorandum re: M4 Green Buffer Text Amendment – brought back in two weeks.
- Line item 5.2: Councilmember Mary Waters’ memorandum re: NAP suit request (Leland House Apartments) – brought back in one week.
- Line item 6.1: City Planning Commission annual report (FY 2024-2025) – brought back for discussion at a date to be determined.
- Line item 6.5: Resolution authorizing annual HOME, HOME ARP, CDBG, and CDBG-CV awards – sent to formal with recommendation to approve.
- Line item 6.6: Councilmember Santiago Romero’s memorandum re: Board of Zoning Appeals notices and meeting minutes – referred to BZA and brought back in two weeks.
- Line item 6.8: Councilmember Waters’ memorandum re: formal hearing on Michigan Land Bank Authority – received and filed.
Discussion Items
- Line items 6.2 – 6.4 (Zoning Amendments): City Planning Commission staff presented three rezoning requests, all involving Planned Development (PD) districts no longer appropriate.
- 6.2 (Selden Court Urban Renewal Area): Dolores Paris Laura (CPC) explained a request by Detroit Land Bank Authority to downzone parcels from PD to R3 and SD2 in Core City (District 6) to allow small-scale mixed-use development. Council President Pro Tem Young asked about community ownership and environmental concerns; staff noted no environmental issues and that R3 parcels could be sold to developers or community members. Councilmember Santiago Romero asked the Land Bank to share previous public requests for those lots.
- 6.3 (Garden View Estates – 8045 and 8255 Rutland Avenue): Chris Gulach (CPC) described a downzoning to allow affordable housing and a senior building by MHT Housing, with no public opposition at the planning commission public hearing (April 2025).
- 6.4 (Northwest Detroit – various addresses including 2040 Telegraph, Seven Mile, etc.): Dr. Boldri (CPC) detailed 11 former PD sites, some from the 1950s-60s (originally RMA zoning) that never developed as planned (e.g., a Home Depot on 81 lots, a hotel at Bonnie Brook Golf Course). The proposed rezonings (to R2 or R1) aim to align zoning with current uses. Public hearing held April 3, 2025, with no strong opposition. Legal descriptions delayed the ordinance.
- Outcome: All three items (6.2-6.4) sent to formal for introduction and setting of public hearings.
- Line item 6.7: Councilmember Santiago Romero’s memorandum re: property sales and price consistency by Detroit Land Bank Authority (DLBA) and Detroit Building Authority (DBA). Council President Pro Tem Young clarified it focuses on pricing process consistency, not sales efficiency. Santiago Romero confirmed. Referred to DLBA and DBA, brought back in two weeks.
Key Outcomes
- All public hearing requests for zoning amendments (6.2-6.4) advanced to formal session.
- Routine items (5.1, 5.3, 5.4, 6.1, 6.5, 6.6, 6.8) handled by consent or motion with no objections.
- Councilmember Santiago Romero’s memorandum on price consistency (6.7) referred for further study.
- Council President Pro Tem Young noted the 36th District Court amnesty program deadline (April 2, 2026) for waiving late fees on tickets/warrants.
Meeting Transcript
Chair, Councilmember Letitia Johnson. Present. Councilmember Gabriel Santiago Romero. Present. Council President Pro Tem coming on the second. Madam Chair, there's a corn. Thank you. Having a quorum present, we are now in session. And we are going to move to an approval of the minutes. Is there a motion? Motion to approve. Hearing no objections, that action shall be taken. We are going to move into public comment. If there's anyone joining us who'd like to make a public comment, please raise your hand. Please raise your hand. Public comment will be cut off shortly. If you'd like to make a public comment, please raise your hand, whether you're joining us virtually or in the committee of the whole. The collection of public comments have now concluded. Seeing no hands in the committee of the whole, how many hands do we have raised? Ms. Graydon, good morning. Good morning, madam chair. We have four hands raised for virtual public comment. All right, thank you. We'll give everyone two minutes. Okay. We the clock has started, but I'm not sure who our first caller is. Who's our first caller? Madam Chair, our first caller is Betty A. Varner. Betty A. Verner, you have two minutes for general public comment. Uh good morning to all within the sound of my voice. I'm Betty A. Varner, president of DeSoda Elsewhere Black Association. Uh if you are a caregiver and you are in need of help, you need uh a break from your responsibilities that you have taking care of your loved ones. Uh being a caregiver is not an easy job. If you need help, and also the person that you are providing the services from will receive the help that is needed so that they can stay in their home and be safe and at peace. Contact a Mrs. Deborah A. Royal, R-O-Y-A-L. She is the executive director of the community solutions. Uh caregivers, you can get this help. You call her. Uh you uh will receive a break. She has different activities for caregivers. She comes in the home and assists you with the services that you are providing to your loved one. These services are free. You don't need to be don't need to have Medicaid. She has different programs within her organization, but this particular program, you don't need Medicaid.
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