GROSSE POINTE WOODS, Mich. – Residents gathered ahead of a city council meeting to voice opposition to a proposed zoning change that would allow a medical office building on Mack Avenue to be replaced by commercial businesses.
Christina Pitts, who has lived in Grosse Pointe Woods for 30 years, said the community moved here for peace, quiet, and beautiful neighborhoods.
She and many others worry that the change will disrupt that.
“It’s being advertised as a strip shopping center, maybe three parcels,” said Pitts. She added that a petition against the proposal has gathered more than 600 signatures.
Lynne Aldrich shares similar concerns.
“The traffic’s going to change, the safety’s going to change,” said Aldrich.
The developer, Justin Buccellato, proposes constructing a new three-unit commercial parcel on the site.
He described the current building as distressed, outdated, and unsalvageable.
Buccellato, who owns many businesses in the area, believes new businesses at this location would be a positive addition to Mack Avenue.
However, some residents fear that this is just the beginning.
They worry that if the zoning change passes, more parts of Mack Avenue will become commercialized, losing the local character they cherish.
The planning commission has already recommended that the city council approve the rezoning.
The council is set to discuss the proposal at a meeting on Monday (Aug. 18) at 7 p.m.
Residents opposing the measure said they feel they haven’t been listened to thus far.
“People are very concerned that the planning commission and city council are breaking their trust; no one’s concerned about the residents – in fact, all the actions have been in favor of the developer,” said Pitts.
Aldrich said, “Regardless of what happens in this vote, we are not going away.”
Efforts to get a comment from city officials earlier today were unsuccessful.
A camera crew will be inside the meeting to provide updates.