Politics & Government

City Council Delays Vote on Garage Ordinance in Dearborn

Council members need more time to review the ordinance before approving a final version.

The Dearborn City Council needs more time to refine a proposed ordinance amendment governing garage use in the city.

The council tabled a vote on the final reading of the ordinance at its meeting on Tuesday night.

In announcing the decision, Council President Thomas Tafelski said there were some changes between what city administrators originally recommended and what the Planning Commission recommended in August.

Tafelski said the council may have a study session to consider both versions of the ordinance and would likely discuss it at the Oct. 1 monthly mayor’s briefing and the Committee of the Whole meeting at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 3. Both meetings take place at city hall.

"There are still a couple of things we need to look at before taking action on this item," Tafelski said.

Any action on the ordinance will take place at a full council meeting, likely in October.

During the public comment portion of the council meeting, resident Lee Jacobson said there should be no restrictions that would prevent someone from starting up a business in his or her garage.

Jacobson said as long as as the garage door is closed and the homeowner is not bothering his or her neighbors, certain activities in garages should be allowed.

"What goes on behind the garage door is not the city's business," he said. "If you have a sliding glass door, just put a regular door in front of it and no one should be upset."

Jacobson reminded the council that Henry Ford built his first quadricycle in a garage in Detroit, and Apple Computers and other innovators launched companies in a garage as well.

Mayor John B. O'Reilly, Jr. said the ordinance does not prohibit people working in their garages. In fact, the ordinance reads "faucets and utility sinks that meet the city code are permitted, as is basic electrical service for 'minor repairs or hobbies.'"

O’Reilly said the main reason for the ordinance amendment has been lost due to misinformation.

He said the ordinance is to ensure that residents can have two off-street parking spots on their property as required by city law, and that garages are used safely and not for habitable living space.

"We can't have everyone parking their cars on the street when we have 30-foot lots in several of our neighborhoods; it would be chaos," O'Reilly said.

Councilman David Bazzy cautioned Jacobson not to be extreme, and that the city would not "bring a SWAT team of Gestapos" to check on every home that has a garage.

Following the meeting, O'Reilly said the council will review a section of the ordinance that outlines acceptable garage doors.

The ordinance currently requires nontransparent overhead retractable doors that allows vehicles to enter and exit a garage freely. Other types of garage doors that are consistent with the home’s architecture can be used if the city approves. Sliding glass doors are permitted on the side or back of the garage.

"I think we got too caught up on the door issue, which is not why this ordinance was originally brought before the city," O'Reilly said.

The council's next action meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 8 at city hall. The Committee of the Whole will meet on Oct. 3 at 7:30 p.m.


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