# Muskegon County Officials Slam State Zoning Preemption Bills
MUSKEGON — Muskegon Township supervisor Jennifer Hodges and other local officials across Muskegon County are pushing back against a package of state bills that would preempt local zoning authority and reduce residents influence over development decisions in their communities.
The Michigan Municipal League, Michigan Township Association and Southeast Michigan Council of Governments reiterated their opposition Thursday to the legislation. The organizations argue the bills would undermine home rule and shift decision-making authority away from local governments and residents.
More than 2,200 local officials and 400 Michigan residents have submitted letters opposing the zoning preemption package. The legislation includes House Bills 5529-5532 and 5581-5585.
Communities throughout Muskegon County are already approving housing, reforming zoning, and planning for attainable housing without state mandates, said Hodges. Overriding local zoning does not build new homes. Preemption risks slowing or undermining the progress that is already happening.
Hodges serves as housing coordinator for Muskegon County and has been vocal about her opposition to the bills. She argues that local communities are better positioned to address housing needs through their own zoning processes.
Scott Benson, a Detroit city councilmember, joined the opposition. He said local officials rely on residents to guide development decisions in their communities. He does not take a top-down approach and does not want that type of overreach from the state.
This is an egregious overreach of the state government, said Gary Carey, mayor of Walker. Carey called the bills a fundamental shift in Michigans principle of home rule.
Jennifer Antel, mayor of Wayland, added that the bills would take zoning decisions away from local residents and elected officials. When you take the zoning decisions away from us at the local level, she said, you are also taking them away from our citizens. When decisions move further away from our local communities, they do not stop caring about the outcomes. They simply lose the ability to shape them.
The Michigan Municipal League, Michigan Township Association and Southeast Michigan Council of Governments said they remain willing to work with the governor, Legislature and other stakeholders on housing policies and affordability issues.
The opposition comes as Michigan lawmakers consider the preemption package. Local officials argue the legislation would eliminate their ability to tailor zoning rules to their specific community needs.
The flowery language that you heard in the Government Operations Committee today does not match what is in the bills that are before the Legislature right now, said Dan Gilmartin, CEO and executive director of the Michigan Municipal League. They are mandates period, plain and simple. Local officials have not been allowed the opportunity to give testimony today. We will not be silenced.
The debate over local zoning authority has intensified in recent months as communities across Michigan face housing shortages and development challenges. Local officials argue that state mandates would prevent them from responding flexibly to local housing needs.
The Michigan Municipal League and other organizations plan to continue advocating against the legislation as it moves through the Legislature.