In a win for neighborhood residents, the Detroit City Council unanimously approved a request to downzone multiple parcels of land in Core City after residents fought against a nearby industrial site over dust and debris.
Parcels bounded by West Warren Avenue, Interstate 96, Buchanan Street and Grand River Avenue were modified from M4 intensive industrial zoning to special development district, which allows a mixture of “more intensive pedestrian and transit-oriented uses that may be compatible with a neighborhood center or with a location along major or secondary thoroughfares,” city records show.
The fight stemmed from a proposed concrete crushing facility on Lawton and Buchannan streets, which the city later denied. Nearby residents and business owners were concerned about the amount of dust and debris that may spread through the community, and urged city officials to zone the land more conducive to a residential community that would make room for more housing and neighborhood activities.
Councilmember Scott Benson thanked supporters of the ordinance, and said the downzoning would “protect the health and welfare of residents.” Councilmember Gabriela Santiago-Romero praised Core City residents, who convened into an advocacy group “Core City Strong,” for leading a community effort.
“They came together, they came to the city, they came to the administration,” Santiago-Romero said. “This is really hard work from the community and it’s possible. It’s possible to organize and to see these changes happen.”
‘A precedent for communities across Detroit’
The approval downzones about 33 acres, which includes 87 parcels from the M4 Intensive Industrial District to the SD2 Special Development District, Mixed-Use, city records show.
Vanessa Butterworth-Serna, who lives near the downzoned parcels and fought against the proposal for several years, called the latest development in the city a “new day for Detroit.”
“Not only will our specific community be safe from environmental racism, but this sets a precedent for communities across Detroit to be able to protect their neighborhoods from industrial development and continue to push against toxic industrial development. Our community has worked so hard for this victory. It’s a day of celebration for us,” Butterworth-Serna said in a statement.
Core City resident Chrystal Ridgeway said the move will provide “notice to any developer who views Detroit as a cheap land of opportunity without being accountable to the community they will directly impact.”
“To all other developers … come, but come with purpose and integrity. Develop but in keeping with the community, its history, and our need for a cohesive future. Our community is excited about good, productive change and attracting and exhibiting the best. To the rest of Detroit, take notice, take action, and have hope. The fight for a healthy, just Detroit continues,” Ridgeway said in a statement.
Dana Afana is the Detroit city hall reporter for the Free Press. Contact: dafana@freepress.com. Follow her: @DanaAfana.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit downzones parcels in Core City amid industrial use fight
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