Detroit City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting - June 4, 2026

The Committee of the Whole convened on June 4, 2026, at 10:00 AM. The meeting included general public comment (with multiple speakers raising concerns about contaminated soil from construction in the Fruit/Connor area and other issues), a public hearing on a rezoning proposal for properties in the Core City neighborhood, and the opening of a discussion on the City Planning Commission's annual report. The meeting was presided over by Council President Pro Tempore Coleman Young II and Councilmember Mary Waters (acting as chair).

Consent Calendar

• The minutes from the previous meeting were approved by unanimous consent.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Terry Mellon (resident) commented that construction near her home is stirring contaminated dirt, which has caused arsenic in her system. She asked for the work to be slowed or stopped, stating the community is not being considered.
• Loretta Rogers asked the council to investigate toxic air from digging at Fruit/Connor, referencing the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) project.
• Gail Beasley (representing the 400 block of Lakewood and nearby areas) reported that people and animals are getting sick, with symptoms like foaming at the mouth and red eyes. She stated the project lacks proper licensing and community engagement, and warned that the council could face political consequences if they do not intervene.
• Vanessa Cartwright stated she tested her child for arsenic and that test results show the community is being harmed. She noted that a doctor told her levels are dropping since construction stopped, and she expressed fear of repeating the Southwest Detroit contamination crisis.
• Lawan Council (founder/director, Detroit Area Disaster Recovery Group) reported that Terry Mellon tested positive for arsenic. He stated that toxicologists and the EPA have been engaged, and he asked the council not to advance any requests related to this project until the community is informed and testing is available.
• Mr. Foster (a combat veteran) urged sending the project back to the community, argued that environmental harms may not manifest for generations, and criticized some council members' demeanor. He called for a comprehensive mitigation plan.
• Eric DeWicke (36-year Morningside resident) spoke in support of item 8.13 (rezoning for a pump station on Fruit), citing severe basement backups in 2021 that affected over 1,000 residents. He said the solution will bring positive outcomes for the east side, despite poor GLWA communication.
• Betty A. Varner (president, Soda Elsewhere Black Association) promoted a community health haircut program with free services for youth, seniors, and veterans.
• Michelle Jackson (Chandler Park resident, grew up in Jefferson-Chalmers) urged halting the rezoning until the community has enough information, stating that GLWA's community engagement was insufficient.
• Cecily McClellan (We, the People of Detroit) opposed the pump station rezoning, saying GLWA has not provided substantial community benefits. She also called for renegotiation of the GLWA lease agreement, citing the Haas Institute survey, and demanded more funding for water affordability programs.
• Owner Papa argued that pilot programs (agenda items 8.2/8.3) have not shown increased low-income housing and should not be advanced without clarity. He warned of apartheid-like conditions and criticized tax abatements for developers.
• Gwendolyn Howard supported Cecily McClellan's points on water affordability and asked that the GLWA-related item not move out of committee without more information on community engagement.
• Call-in user one (Shay) asked about policy when complaints to Building and Safety lead to retaliation, and requested evening public meetings.
• Sahira Ahmad gave personal testimony about being poisoned as a child near a paint factory and suffering MS. She asked for environmental studies before contracts are approved, and urged rent restrictions that keep rents stable for 10 years on affordable housing projects.
• Cindy Dora expressed concern about the Scott Fountain renovation, alleging that workers are removing brass piping and replacing it with PVC, which she said is not durable.
• DOT Mobility Access Ambassador Cunningham requested better notification for evening meetings, premium pay for drivers working night/weekend shifts, and assistance with his outreach vehicle. Councilmember Johnson agreed to follow up.

Discussion Items

• Public Hearing: Rezoning of Properties in Core City (10:15 AM hearing):

  • The hearing addressed a request by the Detroit Land Bank Authority and City Planning Commission to rezone properties at 3604 Rosa Parks Blvd, 3601–3639 Cochrane St, and 3761 West Grand River Ave from Planned Development (PD) to R3 (low-density residential) and SD2 (special development district mixed-use). The parcels are remnants of the 1960s–70s Selden Court urban renewal project.
  • Dolores Tralis Lara (CPC staff) presented: the rezoning would allow the Land Bank to market the vacant parcels for small-scale, transit-oriented development compatible with the neighborhood. One parcel is owner-occupied and the owners support the rezoning. Community outreach included engagement with the Grand River Block Club (which provided a letter of support) and Woodbridge CDC (neutral). No one spoke for or against at the January 15 CPC hearing.
  • Kelsey Massimary and Britney McGee (Detroit Land Bank) added that Phase II environmental assessments are underway for the Grand River parcel, and that lots will be marketed through the Land Bank's Marketed Property Program, which requires competitive proposals, proof of funds, and community benefit evaluation.
  • Councilmember Pro Tem Young asked about property value impacts, environmental precautions (contaminated soil, lead), and mobility/first-mile-last-mile considerations. He expressed support but stressed the need for thorough analysis and preparation for future transit options.
  • Councilmember Mary Waters asked how the Land Bank markets properties and whether any proposals have been received for these lots (none yet).
  • Public Comment on the hearing (1 minute 30 seconds each):
    • Mr. Foster urged the council to establish a clear threshold for community support, citing past “buyer’s remorse” and the example of the Bel-Aire development.
    • AJ King attempted to speak but was reminded to limit comments to the rezoning; he ceded his time.
    • Marguerite Maddox (audio unclear) appeared to request more study before proceeding.
    • Owner Papa (Carolyn Hughes) opposed the rezoning, arguing that the city has already caused enough environmental harm, that the Land Bank has not proven success, and that the label “urban renewal” historically meant Negro removal. She also questioned pricing and feasibility.
    • Toheeb Ahmad echoed opposition, questioned whether the properties came from illegal foreclosures, called the Land Bank “evil,” and demanded more credible community engagement than just a block club letter.
  • Responses: Councilmember Waters clarified that the parcels were not from illegal foreclosures but were leftover urban renewal sites. Representatives stated that without rezoning, the lots will remain vacant; the Land Bank requires community engagement during proposal review; and pricing will be determined by appraisals.

• Discussion: City Planning Commission Annual Report for FY 2024-2025 (10:20 AM):

  • The chair called the discussion to order but immediately paused it; no substantive discussion occurred before the transcript ended.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar: Minutes approved.
• Public Hearing Outcome – Rezoning (Line Item 5): Councilmember Waters moved to send the rezoning recommendation to the formal session with a recommendation to approve. The motion passed without objection. The rezoning will now proceed to the full City Council for a vote.
• Next Steps for Contaminated Dirt Concerns: Councilmember Waters noted that GLWA will be asked for more information on testing, and encouraged residents to share contrary evidence. No formal action was taken, but the issue remains under council observation.