Residents urge faster buyouts, tree protections, water-bill fixes and zoning changes at Dearborn Heights council meeting

Dearborn Heights — Dozens of residents and several high-school students addressed the City Council Dec. 9 during the public-comment period, pressing the new administration on property buyouts, tree policies, water-billing grievances and zoning changes.

Several speakers asked the city to expedite completed buyouts after flooding. James Blazanus said he completed paperwork after a June inspection and was told payouts would occur within 30 to 90 days; by December he reported still waiting and asked the mayor’s office for direct contact. The mayor and staff promised follow-up contact by the next day.

Water-billing concerns also drew speakers. One resident said monthly bills had jumped from typical tops under $250 to $400–$700 in recent cycles, and that meter replacements had not resolved the discrepancy; the mayor said a new water-billing department would be created to address such issues and staff would contact individual complainants.

Several residents urged stronger protections for the city’s tree canopy and changes to the tree ordinance. Lisa Hagopian cited I-Tree Tools data showing the city canopy at about 16.25% (the recommended level is 40%) and said a 10% canopy increase would yield roughly $53,000 in annual benefits to the city. Speakers asked that replacement trees be required in the same neighborhood and that neighbor-tree encroachment and damage be addressed in the ordinance.

Students from Crestwood High School urged the council to pursue zoning updates to allow “gentle density” — duplexes, triplexes and townhomes — and to reduce minimum lot sizes to expand attainable housing locally.

City officials acknowledged the concerns. The mayor and staff committed to follow-up contacts for buyout and billing issues; several councilmembers and the administration said the newly created water-billing department and upcoming communications and grants capacity will help respond and pursue funding.

What happens next: Staff promised direct outreach to residents who raised specific complaints; council action earlier in the meeting created a water-billing department to centralize responses and a grants function to seek funding.