Inside 208

The Michigan House of Representatives has introduced a legislative package over the last two weeks that would strip local governments of their decision-making authority, dismiss years of community planning work, and amount to a clear override from Lansing on local voices and voter-backed decisions.

House Bills 5529, 5530, 5531, 5532, 5581, 5582, 5583, 5584, and 5585 include legislation defeated in lame duck of 2024 that dealt with parking and duplex mandates while also expanding to add lot, dwelling size, set backs and accessory dwelling unit one-size-fits-all statute.

Click here to read our letter of opposition and add your signature if you haven’t already done so.

We are not opposed to smaller lot and dwelling sizes, reduced set backs, parking, different dwelling types, multi-family, duplexes, or accessory dwelling units. Sweeping state mandates oversimplify the housing problem and have complete disregard for the unique needs and context of individual communities, their viable density opportunities, and the great reform work currently going on with many utilizing state funded tools and resources to complete.

Contact your legislators and explain the local consequences of these bills if enacted in to law. Thank you for taking the time to advocate for your community!

Jennifer Rigterink is the League’s assistant state and federal affairs director, handling economic development, land use, and municipal services issues. She can be reached at [email protected]