Farmington City Council unanimously adopted a Resolution opposing Michigan House Bills 5529 through 5532 at its April 6, 2026, meeting.  Farmington supports the State of Michigan’s efforts to improve housing availability and affordability, but the proposed legislation does far more than that.  As written, the purpose of the bills is to preempt local governments from exercising their traditional authority to plan and zone for residential land uses within their communities.  Among other things, the proposed changes impose on every community in the state the same maximum lot size in a single-family residential district of 1,500 sq. ft. where houses are served by public water and sewer, which would fundamentally alter Farmington’s existing zoning regulations as to residential lot size and widths, yard setbacks, and residential densities. 

The Resolution adopted by City Council states that “while the sentiment and intention of some of the proposed statewide changes reflected in the bills are appropriate considerations for housing policy at both the State and local level, as essentially a statewide abolition of longstanding place-based planning and zoning rules the bills would upend in many communities the many decades of planning that shaped current residential neighborhoods—and in fact whole cities, townships, and villages—and that have been relied on by residents in making their own housing choices.” 

If enacted into law, the bills would also drastically change the process under which local communities review plans for new development and buildings—without substantial justification for doing so.

Farmington believes that it is local communities, working through local governments, who are best situated to assess their infrastructure capabilities for things like drinking water and sanitary sewer disposal, and their ability to provide adequate police and fire protection and similar public services, and that the legislature’s proposed “one size fits all” zoning rules and processes do not work for local communities.

At the same April 6, 2026, Council meeting, the City Council unanimously adopted a Resolution supporting passage of Michigan House Bills 5660 through 5661, legislation aimed at encouraging communities to adopt housing best practices through incentives rather than mandates.

These bills align with the goals of the MI Home Program by awarding and incentivizing communities that implement certain housing programs and planning strategies.  The City of Farmington supports this collaborative approach which encourages thoughtful housing development while preserving local decision-making authority.  City Council emphasized the importance of maintaining the rights of community members to voice support, concerns, and feedback regarding development and land use decisions that directly impact their neighborhoods and business. 

Farmington officials believe housing solutions are most effective when developed in partnership with local communities and tailored to the unique needs of each municipality.  For example, Farmington recently worked with developer Robertson Brothers Homes to bring forth a redeveloped property downtown that was woven seamlessly into the community and neighboring parks.  This townhome development, known as Hillside Townes, is over 50% developed with several occupants.