Livonia council votes to send draft resolution opposing state zoning preemption to city attorney

Council members in Livonia voted unanimously to send a draft resolution to the city attorney opposing a package of state house bills that proponents say would standardize zoning across Michigan.

Councilwoman Carrie Budzynski proposed the draft on behalf of members concerned that the legislation would “supersede local authority.” Budzynski said the intent of the resolution was to oppose the bills as written and to urge the city’s representatives in Lansing to vote against them. “I don’t think that a one size fits all approach is in the best interest of the city of Livonia,” Budzynski said.

Members clarified the procedural step being taken: the council was voting only to send the verbal suggestion and direction to the law department to draft a formal resolution, not to adopt the resolution that night. After that clarification, the clerk called the roll; six council members voted aye and the motion to send the draft to the city attorney passed 6–0.

The council and staff discussed the policy rationale in brief remarks: members acknowledged statewide housing affordability challenges but said local zoning decisions should remain local. Council members referenced SEMCOG encouragement for local action while stressing that Livonia’s varied neighborhoods require different approaches.

Next steps: the law department will prepare draft language for a formal resolution that the council may consider at a future meeting. The council did not adopt a final resolution that night and no legislative text was recorded in the meeting minutes.