Ferndale City Council Meeting - October 26, 2026

The Ferndale City Council met Monday, October 26, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall, 300 E 9 Mile, Ferndale, MI. After a moment of silence for a missing child found deceased, the council approved the agenda as amended. The meeting included the Bootification Awards, public comment from 7:16 to 7:28 p.m., public hearings on a self-storage special land use and obsolete property rehabilitation for 141 W Hazelhurst, a consent calendar, department updates, and council announcements. The meeting adjourned at 10:26 p.m.

Presentation: Bootification Awards

• Four Halloween decorating winners were recognized: 3104 Minerva (northeast), 425 E Hazelhurst (southeast), 245 W Lewiston (northwest), and 850 Farmdale (southwest).
• Homeowners described their displays, including handmade decorations, animatronics, themed skeleton scenes, and a spaceship crash; one family said they drew 300 kids last year and are prepared for 320-350 this year.

Consent Calendar

• The consent calendar was approved unanimously as presented, including:
  • Approval of the October 13, 2026 meeting minutes
  • Approval of City Council alternate appointments for committees and commissions
  • Adoption of a resolution honoring veterans and the Ferndale Memorial Association
  • Adoption of a resolution recognizing November as Family Court Awareness Month
  • Adoption of a proclamation recognizing November as Native American Indian Heritage Month
  • Adoption of a proclamation honoring Ferndale resident Julie Fuller
  • Adoption of a proclamation declaring October 29, 2026 as Turkish Republic Day
  • Approval of the revised interlocal agreement for mental health co-responder services
  • Approval for the Ferndale Police Department to auction and dispose of lost and abandoned property
  • Approval of the FYE27 first quarter budget amendment
  • Approval of bills and payrolls as submitted by the Finance Director and subject to Finance Committee review
• Chelsea Doctor of the Ezra Parker Chapter of the DAR accepted the Native American Heritage Month proclamation and thanked the city. Julie Fuller was present and accepted her proclamation. The Turkish Republic Day proclamation will be presented at a ceremony in early November.
• The Family Court Awareness Month resolution cited that an estimated 58,000 children in the U.S. are ordered into unsupervised contact with an abusive parent each year, and 39 children have been murdered by a parent in Michigan since 2008 during divorce or custody disputes.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Stephen Lemlin (1457 W Marshall) expressed concern about speeding and recent incidents, including bomb threats, a child hit on Pinecrest, and the child death. He asked the city to consider closing or concreting the end of Central before the high school to stop cut-through traffic, saying he would rather have inconvenience than dead children.
• Brian Cooley (685 Spencer), on behalf of neighbors, asked the city to clean up 642 Spencer, a neglected bank-owned property where the grass had been cut only twice; he said a city subcontractor made a mess and the yard needs attention before winter.
• Sebadar Rimla (578 Meadowdale) asked about the status of the investigation into a fatal Woodward bike crash and raised bike-lane safety issues; he also offered to volunteer technology help to the city and small businesses.
• Chris Gilmer Hill (Detroit, Democratic nominee for House District 8) encouraged voter participation, directed residents to Michigan.gov/vote, promoted Proposal 2 to limit corporate money in elections, and reminded voters to review nonpartisan judicial races.
• Sharon Chess (1119 Earl Boulevard) said Ferndale bike lanes are a hazard and asked council to re-examine them, citing two bike deaths this year.

Public Hearings

Special Land Use and Site Plan: Indoor Self-Storage, 1640 and 1700 E 9 Mile Road

• The public hearing opened at 7:30 p.m. and closed at 7:38 p.m. Staff said the applicant seeks a special land use to redevelop an existing industrial site at the southwest corner of Wanda and E 9 Mile into an indoor self-storage facility, including expansion to three stories and 1,000 leasable units. Staff found compliance with special land use standards, and the Planning Commission unanimously approved the request on September 16, 2026.
• Public comment: Sharon Chess called the site a missed opportunity for a new police/fire department and urged council to think creatively about repurposing buildings.
• Gary Garrett of MySpace Help Storage said the facility would provide storage space Ferndale needs because of new construction.
• Council discussion confirmed revised plans addressed drive aisle width and curb code concerns; lighting is shielded and downward, additional screening is proposed on Wanda, vehicles enter from 9 Mile and exit onto Wanda; the special land use runs with the land; existing moratoriums on data centers and detention centers remain in effect; and future industrial district uses are under review.
• Council approved the special land use and site plan for the two parcels by unanimous vote.

Obsolete Property Rehabilitation District: 141 W Hazelhurst

• The public hearing opened at 7:49 p.m. and closed at 7:52 p.m. Staff explained this first step establishes a district making the property eligible for an exemption certificate under the Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Act. The property, formerly the Eden nightclub site, has been vacant for more than 10 years; a restaurant is proposed.
• Sharon Chess asked about back taxes; staff responded the property taxes are up to date.
• Council discussion clarified the project is a commercial restaurant, not a housing development, and that the district could remain even if the certificate were not approved.
• Council adopted the resolution establishing the district by unanimous vote.

Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Exemption Certificate: 141 W Hazelhurst

• The public hearing opened at 7:56 p.m. Staff recommended approval of a 9-year exemption certificate for a proposed family-owned wood-fired pizza restaurant. The applicant projects a $1.8 million qualifying rehab of the 7,000-square-foot building, 35 permanent jobs, and 97 temporary construction jobs. The 9-year waiver would total roughly $343,800, about $38,200 annually, representing a 5-to-1 private-to-public investment ratio. Once the exemption expires, estimated annual property tax revenue is $54,000. The applicant initially requested 12 years, but the Incentives Committee recommended 9.
• Sharon Chess raised questions about outdoor dining, parking, liquor license, noise, and the neighborhood history with the former Eden club, and urged that residents have a voice.
• Sam Abdulfata of Dobal LLC, the new owner, said he has 35 years in the restaurant business and founded Brooklyn Pizza Birmingham. He described a family-friendly restaurant with a full bar, hours until 10 p.m. weekdays and 11 p.m. weekends, and said he is willing to meet residents.
• Council discussion covered the pro forma review by the Incentives Committee, annual compliance monitoring by the assessor and CED, and the rationale for the 9-year term: the larger abatement would have fallen below the 5-to-1 minimum investment ratio, and the pro forma showed operating losses through year 9.
• Council approved the certificate with conditions: 9-year term with possible 3-year extension, revocation if the property is vacated or commercial operations cease, and revocation if the applicant fails to meet stated private investment and job creation targets. The vote was unanimous.

Department Updates & Council Announcements

• The city manager reported 45% of absentee ballots have been returned; absentee ballots should be dropped off by 8 p.m. on election day. Early voting continues through November 1 at the Hazel Park Community Center, with Election Day on November 3.
• Parks and Recreation announced youth basketball registration opens November 2 with a free Pistons ticket; water aerobics Saturdays through November 21; a senior group meeting October 28; a late-night Terror on Tilson Street tour October 29; a Halloween-themed walking group October 27; and a storytelling group October 29.
• DPW reminded residents about pumpkin plop dumpsters for pumpkins, corn stalks, and hay bales at Martin Road Park and the Kulik Center parking lot, and gave leaf-season safety reminders.
• Police and fire updates included Halloween safety reminders, police officer interviews next week, the swearing-in of Firefighter/Paramedic Ali Gatez, and Fire Ops 101 participation by Councilmembers Sabatini and LaSalle, who received fire helmets.
• Council announcements congratulated Andy Bowman on winning the Detroit Marathon for the third straight year, wished the Ferndale Eagles luck in their Friday home playoff game, thanked the DDA for downtown trick-or-treat, offered condolences for the student death and noted school counseling availability, and shared information about a Royal Oak Township coat/hat/whistle giveaway on October 31.

Key Outcomes

• The agenda was approved as amended.
• Bootification Awards were presented to four households.
• The special land use and site plan for the indoor self-storage facility at 1640 and 1700 E 9 Mile Road was approved unanimously.
• The obsolete property rehabilitation district at 141 W Hazelhurst was established unanimously.
• The obsolete property rehabilitation exemption certificate for 141 W Hazelhurst was approved unanimously for 9 years, with a possible 3-year extension and revocation conditions.
• The consent calendar was approved unanimously.
• The meeting adjourned at 10:26 p.m.