New zoning ordinance proposes to streamline development for Flint property owners 

FLINT, Mich. – A new resolution under consideration by the Flint City Council proposes changes to the city’s zoning regulations aimed at making development more accessible.

Resolution 260135 would provide more options for property owners and developers in residential-zoned areas. Several of the proposed ordinance amendments focus on districts of the city zoned GN-1 and GN-2 or “green neighborhoods” designed around sustainability, walkability and energy efficiency. The proposal also affects TN-1 and TN-2 “traditional neighborhood” districts.

The amendments would allow two-family dwellings to undergo administrative review rather than a public hearing in these zoning districts. Flint’s zoning ordinance already allows two-family dwellings in all residential zones where single-family homes are permitted. The proposed change would affect only the review process.

City officials say the amendments are intended to support goals outlined in the Imagine Flint Comprehensive Plan, the city’s long-term development blueprint.

“The proposed zoning ordinance amendments are primarily intended to implement the goals of the Imagine Flint Comprehensive Plan by reducing barriers to and providing more options for housing development,” said Phillip Hendrix, the City of Flint’s communications coordinator, in an email to Flint Beat. “These amendments are not designed for any one specific area of the city, but instead allow more options for property owners and developers in residential-zoned areas.”

Hendrix said the updated zoning follows an objective of the Comprehensive Plan to diversify Flint’s housing stock, which is overwhelmingly composed of single-family homes.

“In order to be competitive with other markets and to meet the needs of existing residents such as students, the elderly and young professionals, Flint must expand quality rental and multi-family housing opportunities at a variety of price points,” reads an excerpt from Chapter 5 of the Comprehensive Plan.

During a May 6, 2026 Flint City Council Legislative Committee meeting, 8th Ward Councilman Dennis Pfeiffer opted not to approve the ordinance in its current state, voicing skepticism about the idea of allowing two-family properties such as duplexes into new areas of the city.

“We have to protect the housing that we have along with building new housing,” Pfeiffer said. “By allowing duplexes in TN-1 and TN-2 without any additional scrutiny is a horrible proposition, because it potentially devalues our current housing stock.”  

The resolution was left at the committee level for further review and discussion. Council members could vote to advance the proposal during the committee’s next meeting on May 20.

Hendrix said Flint would be following the example of municipalities such as Kalamazoo, Muskegon, Grand Rapids, Ferndale and Fennville, which regulate two-family dwellings similarly to single-family homes.

A draft of the resolution is available on the city’s website.