A classic urbanism debate is currently underway in Ferndale. Two business owners sued the city recently over a proposed development that will take away parking spaces and add no new parking options.
The development - Vester Flats - would add 72 units to a lot that is currently a surface parking lot - the one next to Valentine Distilling on Vester. The new development would only have 50 parking spots for its residents, in addition to taking away spots used by patrons of local businesses.
The owners of Valentine and Howe's Bayou filed the lawsuit. A petition was started last week by the owner of Valentine, with over 2,000 signatures to date.
While there are many parking options on the west side of Woodward (around 9 Mile), there aren't as many on the east side.
An ordinance in Ferndale states that if a new development is taking away parking, there needs to be a plan to add more in. That hasn't happened yet, even though the development has been in the works for years.
The developer, Sturgeon Bay Partners, is currently seeking NEZ designation for the development. With the tax incentive, a portion of the new units would have to be designated "affordable."
We talk about the lawsuit, the walkability of Ferndale, the lack of transit in the area, and "Don't Royal Oak my Ferndale" on today's episode of Daily Detroit.
