Detroit City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting - June 25, 2026
Detroit City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting - June 25, 2026
The Detroit City Council Committee of the Whole met on June 25, 2026, to conduct three public hearings and address multiple items of unfinished and new business. The meeting began with general public comment, followed by hearings on an obsolete property rehabilitation district for a restaurant, a mixed-use development, and a downzoning request. Discussions included workforce development, environmental concerns, and property transfers. Several items were approved, sent to formal session, or deferred for further review.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Pamela Brown expressed full support for the rezoning of the Greenfield/Grand River area, citing years of trouble from Dynamite Concrete Company, and stated she is "100%" for the rezoning.
- Mr. Cunningham thanked council for donations to his Free Fare Fridays program and highlighted the dangers of distributing bus tickets.
- George Purdue, president of the Schoolcraft Improvement Association (SIA), thanked council for the downzone approval but raised concerns that Dynamite Concrete's fugitive dust emissions are not being addressed due to a consent agreement that prevents the issuance of violations.
- Daniel Pittman requested that Dynamite Concrete Crushing Company be shut down, citing silica dust harming residents and children, and highlighted a report from the Ecology Center stating that 100% of the crusher's emissions impact the SIA neighborhood.
- Owner Papa criticized a proposed solar project, calling it a $130 million investment for $31 million in credits, and argued it harms neighborhoods.
- Black Bag alleged voter fraud by election officials and criticized council members.
- Marguerite Maddox and Scarlet raised concerns about sidewalks and accessibility standards.
- Cindy Dara expressed frustration with government processes and election integrity.
- Please stop violating the city charter (Ms. Warwick) criticized the solar project as violating the city charter and alleged fraud by the law department regarding blight definitions.
- Carolyn Hughes (Owner Papa) questioned the “but for” analysis and the affordability of units in the Busy B project.
- Simone Sagovak supported downzoning but expressed concern about the consent agreement preventing enforcement against Dynamite Concrete.
10:20 Public Hearing – Cash Only Bistro Obsolete Property Rehabilitation District
- Project: Cash Only Bistro at 16215 East Warren Avenue, a former dry cleaners, seeks a PA 146 obsolete property rehabilitation district. The 3,000-square-foot commercial rehabilitation will create 15–20 construction jobs and 10 permanent jobs. Tax abatement for 12 years; annual property taxes estimated to increase from $6,500 to $11,200 unabated, reduced to $7,900 with abatement.
- Developer: Charlotta Hall, managing member of ADH Property 7 LLC, presented plans for a restaurant with a financial literacy theme. Parking: four off-street spaces at rear; environmental remediation includes a vapor intrusion system.
- Council questions: Councilmember Johnson asked about parking variances and environmental assessments. Developer confirmed Phase I and II completed and BEA filed with EGLE. Hours of operation: Tuesday–Thursday 11 a.m.–11 p.m., Friday–Saturday 11 a.m.–midnight, Sunday 11 a.m.–10 p.m.
- Public comment: One caller (Owner Papa) praised the project; no opposition.
- Motion: Approved and sent to formal session (unanimous).
10:25 Public Hearing – Busy D Development (1401 Gratiot Ave) Obsolete Property Rehabilitation District
- Project: 12.5 million mixed-use project at 1401 Gratiot Ave (former Busy B Hardware) in Eastern Market. 17 residential units (4 at 80% AMI for full abatement term, all units under 120% AMI), 5,190 square feet of retail. 60 construction jobs, 1 permanent job. Tax abatement for 12 years; taxes from $12,436 to $89,447 unabated, reduced to $34,957.
- Developer: Roger Basmajian (Bosco) presented. Three ground-floor units are ADA accessible (type A). Parking: 21 on-site spaces with overflow agreement with Eastern Market Corp. Historic rehabilitation meeting SHIPO standards. Sustainability efforts include recycling and energy-efficient appliances.
- Council questions: Questions about parking for retail tenants, stormwater management, unit sizes, and recycling. Developers committed to providing details at certificate stage.
- Public comment: Callers expressed concerns about affordability (80% AMI still too high for many Detroiters), unit sizes (mostly studios and one-bedrooms), tax burden on homeowners versus developers, and accessibility (no elevator to second floor). Developer responded that the abatement is necessary due to high Detroit millage and that the project is financially viable only with the incentive.
- Motion: Approved and sent to formal session (unanimous).
10:30 Public Hearing – SIA Area Downzoning (M3/M4 to M2)
- Proposal: Rezone 34 parcels in the Schoolcraft Improvement Association area (near Greenfield and Southfield, north of I-96) from M3 General Industrial and M4 Intensive Industrial to M2 Restricted Industrial. Initiated by Council President Tate’s April 2024 memo; CPC recommended approval in September 2024 after public hearings and community engagement.
- Community support: Strong support from SIA residents and the Rosedale Park Improvement Association. Speaker Pamela Brown (61-year resident) described years of dust and broken promises from Dynamite Concrete.
- Business opposition: Sal's Auto Parts (12700 Greenfield) opposed, arguing they are being penalized for Dynamite's bad behavior. They are a lawful business for 15 years.
- Key points: Existing businesses will become legal non-conforming uses and can continue operations. The downzoning prevents future intensive industrial uses (e.g., junkyards, explosive storage). Concerns remain about enforcement of fugitive dust ordinances and the consent agreement with Dynamite.
- Council response: Councilmember Santiago Romero and Johnson pledged to investigate the consent agreement and enforcement. A copy of the consent agreement was requested.
- Motion: Approved and sent to formal session (unanimous).
Unfinished Business
- 8.1 (Nuisance abatement policy): Received and filed.
- 8.2 (Property sale of 16 homes): Brought back in two weeks.
- 8.3 (Detroit Housing issues): Brought back in two weeks.
- 8.4 & 8.5 (1728 Michigan Ave brownfield and NEZ): Discussed; developer committed to 51% Detroit worker hiring and deeper affordability (60% AMI for 12 affordable units). Concerns from Councilmember Young about union labor. Motion to send to formal without recommendation (approved).
- 8.6 (10800 W. Chicago property sale): Brought back in one week.
- 8.7 (Buttsill Family Recreation Center): Received and filed.
New Business
- 9.1 (DESC workforce development contract extension): Approved.
- 9.2 (Stormwater study for Joseph Campo area): Approved after discussion about future funding for the Far East Side.
- 9.3 (Eviction prevention with Detroit Housing Commission): Approved; $350,000 for rent collection and eviction prevention. Councilmember Santiago Romero requested inclusion of voucher-to-mortgage program.
- 9.4 (Motor City Match program contract): Approved for $2.5 million increase.
- 9.5 (PCP zoning alteration at Coleman A. Young Municipal Center): Approved.
- 9.6 & 9.7 (GG's historic district and board appointment): Approved.
- 9.8 (Nuisance abatement report): Received and filed.
- 9.9 (Property transfer for FCA agreement – 17288 Moran): Brought back in one week due to environmental questions.
- 9.10 (Property transfers District 1): Brought back in two weeks.
- 9.11 (Property transfers District 3): Approved.
- 9.12 (Property transfers District 4): Brought back in one week.
- 9.13 (Property transfers District 5): Approved.
- 9.14 (Property transfers District 6): Brought back in one week.
- 9.15 (Property transfers District 7): Approved.
- 9.16 (DWSD properties): Approved.
- 9.17 (Item removed): Removed.
- 9.18 (Item removed): Removed at administration request.
Key Outcomes
- All three public hearings (Cash Only Bistro, Busy D Development, and SIA Downzoning) were approved and sent to formal session.
- Items 8.4 and 8.5 (Michigan Ave brownfield/NEZ) were sent to formal without recommendation.
- Items 8.2, 8.3, 9.9, 9.10, 9.12, 9.14 were deferred for further information.
- Council requested copies of the consent agreement for Dynamite Concrete and investigation into enforcement issues.
- Council will continue to monitor eviction prevention outcomes and stormwater study follow-up funding.
Meeting Transcript
On today, Thursday, June 25th, 2026. Madam Clerk, will you please call the roll? Councilmember Letitia Johnson present. Councilmember Gabriela Santiago Romero. Present. Council President Pro Tempera Coleman A. Young the second. Pro Tim did indicate he would be running late. Clerk will so note. Madam Chair, you have a quorum present. Thank you. Having a quorum present. We are now in session. And good morning, Member Santiago Romero. Is there a motion on the minutes? Good morning. Motion to approve. Hearing no objections, that action shall be taken. We are going to move into public comment, general public comment. If you like to make a public comment, please raise your hand. Whether joining us in person or virtually, please raise your hand. Public comment will be cut off at 1006. If you are joining us virtually and would like to make a public comment, please be sure to raise your hand prior to 1007. Prior to 1007. Good morning, Miss Great. How many hands do we have raised virtually? Good morning, madam chair. We currently have six hands raised for virtual public comment. Thank you. And did I see two or three hands in the committee of the whole? Two. If we can please set the clock for two minutes, we'll get started with the individuals that are joining us in person first. Please join us at the table. And we'll get started with the young lady first. Once you are seated, please be sure your microphone is on. Yes. And you're free to start when you're ready. Yes, my name is Pamela Brown. I'm here re uh regarding uh the rezoning. Um and I'm just looking for the SIA. I'm part of the SIA association regarding the rezoning. Um Greenfield Grand River area. And um they have um I've been gone for a while because I had some surgery or whatever, but I'm just coming back, uh, getting back reinst uh, you know, about the rezoning. I support the rezoning due to the fact that that's a um uh it's not supposed to be a zone two, but over the years they uh the companies have came in our neighborhood, and we went up to the zone four dealing with dynamite um concrete company, which we've had many years of trouble and non-compliance from them. So um I was informed that they were gonna um make an attempt to have that area rezoned, and I do appro I I am voting for it to be rezoned because uh my family moved in that area in 1971. Uh just moved mom out seven years ago after 50 years of residency, and I I live in the same area, and uh we've been fighting very hard, the SIA and I trying to get some type of um cleanup or something, especially from Dynamite Sement Company. So the rezoning I totally in support of 100%. All right. Does that conclude your comment? Yes, ma'am.
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