CADILLAC— A Cadillac zoning advisory committee member is warning the community about recommendations a private consulting firm is suggesting to the city.
The city of Cadillac is currently looking at modifying their ordinances to make them more user friendly, and strengthening regulations that support more housing choices but a zoning advisory committee member says the suggestions she’s seen are alarming.
Michelle Carder, a Cadillac zoning advisory committee member said she has a lot of concerns about the proposed changes that would open the door to more multi-unit housing.
“There’s a plethora of concerns. Also, where’s the transparency? This came absolutely out of nowhere.
Every single home on every single corner in the city to be turned into a 3 to 4 unit dwelling every single home all the way down the street on every single major thoroughfare, to be turned into a 3 to 4 unit dwelling,” said Carder.
The consulting firm, Progressive Companies, based out of Grand Rapids, are also recommending allowing every other house not in these categories to be turned into a 2 unit duplex.
She said the city doesn’t have the infrastructure to support the changes and worries about outside investors scooping up properties to make a profit.
“The city already does not have control of rentals in the community. They have a lot of blighted properties. The city is unable to do anything about it and they’re basically turning every single, single family dwelling in the city into an opportunity to be a 2 to 4 unit dwelling unit. It’s not going to solve the affordability issue that a lot of people have, because rentals will become even more expensive,” said Carder.
She said the proposal seems to lay the groundwork to turn Cadillac into something most people aren’t even aware of.
Nobody’s talked. I get the feeling that there have been decisions, maybe back channel decisions made about the direction of the city. It very clearly is going in the direction of a 15 minute city. But they haven’t told anyone in the city this is happening. This is a drastic change in the composition of Cadillac’s housing. You’re talking about thousands upon thousands of rental units, that’s not supported by the current demographics. It just doesn’t make any sense at all,” said Carder.
A 15 minute city is where everything you need from work, education, school, food, healthcare, etc.are within a 15 minute walk or bike ride. She said Progressive has a section highlighting 15 minute cites on their website.
Carder hopes people living in the area will go to the second informational session Wednesday night at the Wellfield training room.
9 and 10 News knocked on doors in the neighborhood and most homeowners said they were not aware of Cadillac’s changing the zoning ordinances.
City manager Marcus Peccia was unavailable for an on camera interview but says all of the zoning concepts will need planning commission and city council approval.
He also said there’s a federal bill proposal called the National Housing Emergency Act of 2026 that’s consistent with some of the standards and concepts Progressive is providing for discussion.