Detroit City Council Committee Meetings Summary - June 11, 2026
Detroit City Council Committee Meetings Summary - June 11, 2026
The Detroit City Council held Planning and Economic Development and Neighborhood Community Service standing committee meetings on Thursday, June 11, 2026, beginning at approximately 10:00 AM. The meeting featured three public hearings: a zoning modification for the Garden View Estates affordable housing project, a commercial redevelopment district request for the Fort Shelby Hotel, and a proposed ordinance to cap rental application fees and ban pre-tenancy fees. Council also heard general public comment on a variety of topics including property conditions, public transit, and city policy.
Public Comments & Testimony
- General Public Comment: Over a dozen residents spoke on issues ranging from property conditions (1443 Spring Garden, Cronos Concrete facility flooding) to public transit (DDOT bus frequency on the Conner and Davison routes) and city policy. Several callers criticized the City Club Apartments project as subsidizing high-income newcomers while ignoring resident needs. Councilmember Letitia Johnson and Council President Pro Tem Coleman A. Young II responded to a personal verbal attack on Councilmember Johnson, with Pro Tem Young condemning the remarks as "below the pale" and "disgusting."
- Support for City Club Apartments: Two recent Detroit Mercy Law graduates (Sydney Jackson, Denise Tate) spoke in enthusiastic support, citing need for affordable downtown housing options to retain young professionals.
- Fort Shelby Hotel: Comments included questions about return on investment, job wages, ADA accessibility, and a suggestion to develop hostels.
- Rental Fee Ordinance: Commenters supported capping application fees, with one noting fees should be considered a cost of doing business. A resident suggested requiring disclosure of disqualifying criteria and allowing a single credit check to be shared among landlords.
Discussion Items
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Garden View Estates PD Modification (1015 Public Hearing): City Planning Commission staff and MHT Housing presented a proposal to modify an existing Planned Development zoning on two vacant blocks (8045 Rutland Avenue, 8255 Redlin Avenue) within the Garden View Estates. The project will construct 101 affordable housing units (47 one-bedroom, 6 two-bedroom apartments; plus 48 townhome units across four buildings – each with 8 two-bedroom and 4 three-bedroom units) at 30% to 80% Area Median Income (AMI), with 49 units supported by a HAP contract. The plan was revised from a four-story to a three-story apartment building to match surrounding heights while maintaining unit count. Conditions from the City Planning Commission included submission of a separate landscape plan, designation of a multi-purpose room, use of compatible exterior materials, and staff approval of final plans. MHT reported 75–85% Detroit-based contractors and 20% minority/female-owned subcontractors, with 94.4% current occupancy across 23 developments totaling 1,987 units. Environmental remediation (Phase I/II) and vapor mitigation are planned. Public comment raised concerns about soil contamination, stormwater drainage, ADA accessibility (automatic doors, side-by-side washers/dryers, intercom lights), and the need for universal design. Councilmembers requested and received clarification on spot zoning definitions and the project's consistency with the existing PD. A motion to revise the ordinance for the updated site plan and send to formal session with a recommendation to approve as amended passed without objection.
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Fort Shelby Hotel Commercial Redevelopment District (1020 Public Hearing): The Housing and Revitalization Department and developer (6 PM Hospitality) requested establishment of a PA 255 commercial redevelopment district for the 525 West Lafayette hotel (currently a DoubleTree, to be upgraded to an Embassy Suites). The $41.1 million project includes refurbished guest rooms, a new F&B outlet, and a Starbucks storefront. The 12-year tax abatement freezes taxable value at pre-rehab levels; the developer stated the project cannot proceed without the incentive, as the internal rate of return improves from 5.14% to 13.7% with the abatement. The hotel currently employs 80–84 FTEs and will add at least 10 new positions. Existing annual property taxes of $173,268 would increase to an estimated $205,111 after improvements. Developer noted that without the abatement, the bank would not loan money for the renovation due to high property tax burden on cash flow. Public comment questioned who benefits from IRR (developer), total tax revenue loss, and wages for workers (one caller suggested a $42,000 minimum for downtown hospitality jobs). Councilmember Pro Tem Young expressed support but asked for net present value analysis and spin-off economic data. Councilmember Johnson requested a one-week deferral to discuss financing structure with the housing department. A motion to continue the public hearing as a line item in one week passed.
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Rental Application Fee Ordinance (1025 Public Hearing): The Law Department presented an ordinance proposed by Councilmember Waters to: 1) cap rental application fees at $50, 2) require fee disclosure in advertisements, 3) require refund of the fee if the landlord does not secure accommodations within 60 days, and 4) ban pre-tenancy fees unless required by state/federal law. Enforcement would be handled by Buildings, Safety, Engineering & Environmental Department (BSEED) on a complaint basis. Discussion centered on impacts on landlords (particularly small mom-and-pop) who incur costs for credit/background checks. Councilmember Johnson raised concern about landlords needing to refund fees even after incurring expenses if the applicant does not meet qualifications. Councilmember Pro Tem Young questioned whether existing income discrimination ordinances or licensing compliance could address abuses, and requested an economic analysis. Councilmember Waters expressed openness to amendments, including centralized verification systems and disclosure of disqualifying criteria. The Law Department indicated substantive amendments would require a new public hearing. A motion to continue the public hearing to a date to be determined passed, with recognition that the item will likely return after the summer recess.
Key Outcomes
- Garden View Estates PD Modification: Motion passed to direct CPC to revise ordinance for updated site plan, and to send the item to formal session with recommendation to approve as amended. (No objections)
- Fort Shelby Hotel Redevelopment District: Public hearing continued as a line item for one week for further discussion on financing. (Motion passed without objection)
- Rental Fee Ordinance: Public hearing continued to a date to be determined. (Motion passed without objection)
- Minutes Approval: Motion to approve minutes passed without objection.
Meeting Transcript
On today, Thursday, June 11th, 2026. Madam Clerk, will you please call the roll? Councilmember Letitia Johnson. Present. Councilmember Gabriela Santiago Romero. Member Santiago Romero did indicate that she would not be present today. Clerk was so notes. Council President Pro Tempera Corman A. Young the second. Pro Tim has indicated that he is in route and should be here shortly. Clerk was on note. Madam Chair, you do not have a quorum present. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Although we do not have a quorum present, I would like to begin with public comment, noting that we have three public hearings on the agenda. Um so if there is anyone joining us who would like to make a public comment, please raise your hand, whether in person or virtually, please raise your hand. Clerk was so notes. Thank you. And now having a quorum present, we are in session formally. If there is anyone joining us in person or virtually who'd like to make a public comment, please raise your hand. Going once, going twice, going three times. The collection of public general public comment has now concluded. And good morning, Miss Great. How many hands do we have raised virtually, noting that we do not have anyone in the committee of the whole with their hand raised? Good morning, madam chair. We have 14 hands raised for virtual public comment. Thank you. We'll give everyone two minutes for general public comment. And who do we have first? Our first public commenter is D dot Mobility Ambassador Cunningham. Good morning, Mr. Cunningham. You have two minutes for general public comment. 313 444 9114. That number was made so you can remember it. Number one, you can use that for cash up. You can use that for my Patreon. You can use that uh to reach out for prayer or etc. You can use that to find my Facebook. There is a lot going on in the world, personally, financially, vehicle-wise. And I've been praying. Uh they scratch the head, that's fine. They laugh, that's fine. I'm asking you to pray in the Holy Spirit, call my name, our brother Cunningham and my mother, Sherwin Reliance. Disabled resident at the Rivers of Gross Point. The further and effectual prayers of the righteous of much. The Holy Spirit brings all things to our remembrance, and there's nothing left to all. And we pray that the angels go forth. Open doors need to be open, closed doors need to be closed. Present into the future. As I pray in the Holy Spirit, I'm asking you to pray as well.
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