While no action was taken on the housing preemption bills in the House Government Operations Committee, MTA wishes to thank all the township leaders who came to Lansing, and all our members who have reached out to their lawmakers to ask them to stand with local voices, with Michigan communities and oppose these bills. The fight is not over, and we need to continue the efforts to stop these preemption efforts. Please continue to talk with your state representative and reach out to committee members, and encourage residents and community members to do the same.
The legislation, House Bills 5529-5531 and 5581-5585, would significantly restrict local authority by preempting local decision-making on key zoning issues, including duplexes, accessory dwelling units, minimum setbacks, lot sizes, and dwelling unit sizes. While MTA and township leaders in attendance were prepared to testify, we were unable to do so. However, written testimony was submitted, along with more than 2,400 signatures gathered in our joint letter of opposition—please sign on today if you have not already done so. Following the hearing, township leaders joined fellow municipal officials in voicing their opposition to the legislation at a press conference held with the Michigan Municipal League and Southeast Michigan Council of Governments. (You can watch a recording of the press conference on MTA’s Facebook page.)
Flanked by a chorus of local officials, as well as Reps. Samantha Steckloff and Jaime Green and Sen. Sue Shink, township officials shared their front-line perspectives on the harmful impact the legislation will have on local communities, while doing nothing to guarantee more affordable housing. Muskegon Charter Township (Muskegon Co.) Supervisor Jennifer Hodges shared her unique insights as both a township official and in her role as housing coordinator for Muskegon County, saying, “Michigan is not a one-size-fits-all state. We have urban, suburban and rural communities, all with different infrastructure capacity, housing markets and growth patterns. Many factors driving housing shortages and affordability challenges are far bigger than local zoning. Overriding local zoning does not build new homes or improve affordability—it undermines local governance without a guarantee of success.”
Clinton Charter Township (Macomb Co.) Supervisor Paul Gieleghem emphasized the role of local zoning and planning, guided by resident input and local insights and expertise about how communities want to grow and evolve. “Local leaders balance housing needs, economic development, environmental protection, infrastructure capacity and neighborhood character,” he said. “Removing local flexibility risks undermining years of thoughtful work and community consensus. Local voices matter. Local accountability matters. And community-led decision-making must remain at the center of Michigan’s future.”
Several other township leaders (including Canton Charter Township (Wayne Co.) Supervisor Anne Marie Hudak-Graham, Macomb Township (Macomb Co.) Supervisor Frank Vivanio, Chesterfield Charter Township (Macomb Co.) Supervisor Brad Kersten and Allendale Charter Township (Ottawa Co.) Supervisor Adam Elenbaas) were also in attendance, spoke at the press conference, were prepared to testify and/or met with legislators during House session on the negative impact these bills will have on all communities in the state. Thank you to all our township officials for your efforts.