Planning Commission Approves Revised Garage Use Ordinance

After more than a year of discussion and revisions, Dearborn residents may soon have a much clearer idea of acceptable uses for their garages.

The Dearborn Planning Commission voted 8-0 to approve a proposed zoning amendment that would allow homeowners to use their garage for parties, hobbies and socializing, among other temporary uses.

Commissioner Tawfiq Hassan was absent for the vote.

"I think this sets a very good standard for the community," commissioner Matthew Zalewski said. "We've worked painstakingly hard to incorporate the feedback from the public, as well as from the members of this elected body."

City attorney William DeBiasi explained that current city rules only allow for storage of cars and some household items.

The ordinance amendment specifically addresses regulations restricting garage conversion to a habitable space, defined as "space within a structure for living, sleeping, eating and cooking." Factors determining conversion include unauthorized renovations which require permits or permanent enclosure of the garage by installation of a framed wall, and/or enclosure by brick, siding or other materials.

Garages can only have a faucet or utility sink as permitted by code, and basic electrical service incidental to the use of the garage for minor repairs. No bathroom or cooking facilities are permitted.

In addition, garages can only be enclosed by a non-transparent overhead retractable door, which allows vehicles to enter and exit the building freely without obstruction. The use of screen doors or glass doors is not permitted. Carriage doors consistent with the architectural design of the home are permitted. Garages can also have service doors (solid/hinged, sliding glass, or French doors) not exceeding 8 feet in width for entry into the structure.

Dearborn resident Muheeb Nabulsy, a resident of Orchard Street, said he currently uses a sliding glass door in addition to his retractable door.

"I will take it down if you guys come and visit me and tell me where is the corruption? Where is the illegal stuff in the garage," he said.

Nabulsy said he uses his sliding glass door to look out into his neighborhood on the weekends when he uses the garage as a social gathering space.

"Why is this a problem?" he asked.

Commissioner Nancy Siwik said one reason for the restriction is purely a safety factor.

"You are really setting yourself up for theft," she said. "As a sense of practicality, I would want to obscure, just as I would my home, the possessions in my garage. You may not have anything to hide, but your neighbors may not want to see into your garage all of the time."

In addition, Commissioner Nasser AlRayashi explained that driving a car over the glass door's sliding track repeatedly could cause it to break and cause a safety hazard.

All houses in the city are required to have off-street parking for at least two vehicles, and all houses built after 1993 must have a garage that can store at least two cars side by side. The requirements make it easier for emergency vehicles to navigate city streets, and also accommodate street sweepers during Public Service Days.

Prior to the commission's vote, Marium Wilke, president of the Eastborn Neighborhood Association, said she would like to see the ordinance address restrictions for homeowners who leave their lawn mowers and other possessions in their backyard in favor of installing sofas, flat screen TVs, and chandeliers in garages.

Resident Lynda Baine said she was concerned that the ordinance does not specifically outline the different types of hobbies permissible in a garage.

"Uses for frequent all-night drinking or smoking spaces will be unsafe. Uses for 'man caves' promote sexist discriminatory bad behavior. The changes would also encourage nonproductive behavior when there are many more ways to spend time in Dearborn," she said.

DiBiasi said there is no laws preventing homeowners from storing his or her lawn equipment in their backyard, however if lawns become cluttered, owners can be cited for a nuisance violation.

"There are already ordinances in place that address all these issues — from sound to light to what is appropriate and what is not as far as illicit activities," Chairman Gary Errigo said.

The ordinance amendment will go before the city council for approval most likely at the council's Sept. 10 meeting, however no date has been set.