Planning and Economic Development Committee Meeting Summary – April 30, 2026

The Planning and Economic Development Standing Committee of the Detroit City Council met on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at approximately 10:00 AM. Chair Letitia Johnson presided. The meeting did not initially have a quorum (Members Santiago Romero and Pro Tem Young were arriving), but the chair proceeded with public comment. Later, a quorum was achieved. The committee considered several rezoning proposals, contract approvals, property transfers, and reports.

General Public Comments

• Nahel Kisap (Parish Council, Fraternite Notre Dame Church) and Sister Mary of the Cross (Fraternites Notre Dame, Van Dyke & Six Mile) expressed hope that land purchases for their church would proceed.
• William M. Davis called for a greater effort to keep Detroit tax dollars in the city, rescind emergency management orders from Kevin Orr, renegotiate the Great Lakes Water Authority contract, and obtain compensation for the city’s use of Huntington Place and Bel Air.
• Betty A. Verner (President, Soda Ellsworth Black Association) provided information on free eye exams, eye screenings, and dental services available at 10301 Woodward Avenue (appointments required: 313-894-2240).
• Omar Papa argued that the city is conducting a “fire sale” of properties (citing six lots sold for $14,000 to a foreign entity), that planning is one-sided, and that the public is not being informed of plans.
• Caller identifying as “please listen to member waters” commended Member Santiago Romero’s staff but warned that the city’s nuisance abatement program is illegal, citing a class-action lawsuit in the Eastern District of Michigan and the Land Bank Act’s prohibition on condemnation.
• Theo Pride (Detroit People’s Platform) supported the United Block Club Council and Miss Ethel and Carroll in their community benefits negotiations for the McGraw Junction Industrial Project. He emphasized the need for an MOU addressing donated property and a guarantee the facility will not be used as an ICE detention center.
• Bill Downing (Community Builders) supported 1728 Michigan Avenue development, noting the developer’s collaboration and alignment with the Choice Neighborhood Initiative in Corktown.
• Cindy Dara shared a story about a handicapped person living on the fourth floor without an elevator and promoted May Day events at Roosevelt Park.
• Devin Caldwell (District 6 resident) supported 1728 Michigan Avenue for its density, design, and potential to attract patrons to local businesses.
• Marguerite Maddox raised safety concerns about “ladders” (likely referring to alley maintenance) and mini-bikes/scooters.

10:25 Public Hearing – Rezoning of 4814, 4830, 4838 Trumbull & 4827 Lincoln

• Presenters: Dolores Peralis (CPC Staff), Mark Jones (Land Bank), Kelsey Stewart (Detroit Land Bank Authority).
• Proposal: Rezone four parcels from PD (Planned Development) to R5 (medium density residential) for two parcels, and to SD1 (small-scale mixed-use) for two parcels, to allow future affordable housing and permit Citadel of Faith to continue church parking (currently not allowed under PD).
• Background: Parcels were part of the University City Urban Renewal Area; vacant for over 50 years. The rezoning is a prelude to a formal RFP for affordable housing. Citadel of Faith has maintained the lots for 15 years but cannot claim adverse possession against a government entity.
• Engagement: DLBA engaged Woodbridge Neighborhood Development Corp. and Woodbridge Citizens Council. At CPC, seven people spoke in opposition (citadel parishioners wanting church to acquire all lots), nine letters of support, one concern about parking.
• Citadel of Faith: Pastor Kerry (Faith Citadel Church) thanked the committee, acknowledged the need for rezoning, but raised concerns about traffic, mobility, and the narrowness of Trumbull Street. He noted the church has tried for years to acquire parcels.
• Public Comment: One caller criticized the land bank’s secretive practices (citing North End Landing); another urged that neighbors closest to the site be listened to.
• Outcome: Motion to send to formal session with a recommendation to approve. Passed without objection.

10:30 Public Hearing – Rezoning on 15th Street for Northwest Goldberg Cares

• Presenters: Dolores Peralis (CPC), Danny Washington (Exec. Director, Northwest Goldberg Cares), Jordan Jagella (Program Director, NWGC), Isabel (architect).
• Proposal: Rezone four parcels from R2 to R3 to allow construction of a 1,764 sq. ft. “schoolhouse style” community center serving children ages 4-8 and seniors. The building will be ADA accessible, include two ADA bathrooms, and feature a classroom, restrooms, kitchenette, and conference space.
• Background: NWGC is a 501c3 founded in 2017; the program currently operates outdoors. The rezoning is needed to meet minimum lot size requirements (7,000 sq. ft. under R3 vs. 10,000 under R2) and to make parking compliance feasible (variance will be sought for street parking).
• Engagement: Three public comments in support at CPC; two letters of support; no opposition. Door-to-door engagement conducted. Owner of adjacent lot supports the rezoning.
• Public Comment: All commenters (including Victoria Washington, a lifelong resident and homeschool parent, and Ross Shaw) voiced strong support, citing the program’s positive impact on youth, seniors, and the community.
• Speaker Positions: NWGC expressed full support for the rezoning and emphasized inclusivity (free programs, serving 43 zip codes). A caller (Omar Papa) praised the project and asked if it is open to the public (yes).
• Outcome: Motion to send line item 6 to formal with recommendation to approve. Passed without objection.

Unfinished Business

• Line Item 7.1 (Member Santiago Romero’s memo on property sale price consistency): Received and filed.
• Line Items 7.2 & 7.3 (NEZ and Brownfield for 1728 Michigan Ave): After discussion, sent to formal session without recommendation. The developer (via Nevin Shankar) reported that 20% of trades are union-based, half Detroit-based, and that union contractors were not competitive or interested in smaller projects. Chair Johnson requested data on Detroiters working on the project.
• Line Items 7.4–7.7 (Various memos): Received and filed. 7.8 (Memo on community outreach ordinance) brought back in three weeks.

New Business – Contract Approvals

• Line Item 8.1 (Housing accessibility assessments – KMA LLC, $200,780): Approved. HRD’s Keegan Mahoney explained the contract will fund pre-development accessibility assessments for multifamily rehab projects. Chair Johnson requested that new-builds and universal design be included.
• Line Items 8.2 & 8.3 (Emergency shelter bed expansion – CAS Community Social Services, $750,000 and $500,000): Approved with corrected end dates.
• Line Item 8.4 (Leland House electrical/elevator restoration – Detroit Building Authority & Bayview Electric, $225,000 + $75,000): Approved. LPD noted they did not receive normal notification to review. City plans to file an administrative claim for $900,000 in bankruptcy court; the building sold for $3 million at auction (bidder not yet disclosed). Tenant asset retrieval begins May 4–24, 2026.
• Line Item 8.5 (Zone Detroit coordination – Progressive Companies, $290,537): Approved. Director Marcel Todd described a phased approach to updating the zoning ordinance, aligning with the Plan Detroit master plan update. Pro Tem Young raised questions about zoning for AI data centers and innovative housing; Todd confirmed a task force is addressing this.
• Line Item 8.6 (Inspire inspections for HUD-funded projects – All American Housing Inspections, $150,000): Approved. HRD explained the contractor will inspect a sample of units in properties with HOME funding to ensure HUD compliance.
• Line Items 8.7–8.19 (Various property transfers, reports, ordinance introductions): All approved or received and filed as noted, except 8.20–8.22 (property sales in District 1) held for one week at Council President’s request, and 8.23 (Member Waters’ memo on housing issues) referred to LPD and brought back in three weeks.
• Line Item 8.15 (DLBA third-quarter FY2026 report): brought back for a date to be determined for discussion.

Member Reports

• Member Santiago Romero announced District 6 office hours (May 4 at Equity Alliance, May 18 at Kemini Rec Center), a monthly meeting on May 9 at Goodwill of Greater Detroit (master plan, summer youth programming), and the Cinco de Mayo parade on May 5 at Patton Park.
• Pro Tem Young promoted a housing resource fair on Saturday, May 2, 11am–3pm at MASH location (14711 Mack Ave.), in partnership with Eastside Community Network, MSHDA, and Authority Health.

Key Outcomes

• Approved rezoning for 4814, 4830, 4838 Trumbull and 4827 Lincoln (sent to formal).
• Approved rezoning for four parcels on 15th Street for Northwest Goldberg Cares (sent to formal).
• Approved contracts for housing accessibility assessments, shelter bed expansion, Leland House utility restoration, Zone Detroit coordination, and HUD-required inspections.
• Sent without recommendation the NEZ and Brownfield for 1728 Michigan Ave (developer to provide data on Detroit labor).
• Scheduled discussion for the DLBA quarterly report.
• Held one week three property sales in District 1.
• Referred Member Waters’ memo on Leland, Real Token, and MLK Park issues to LPD (three-week return).