Three Rivers City Commission reaffirms veterans housing ordinance despite objections
When the item last appeared before the commission in September, Commissioner Chris Abel raised concerns about language in the ordinance that restricted residents of veterans group homes from participating in recreational activities anywhere other than the backyard. The amendment returned Tuesday for its public hearing and possible adoption.
The Three Rivers City Commission revisited a discussion about restrictions in a zoning ordinance amendment for veterans housing during its regular meeting Tuesday.
When the item last appeared before the commission in September, Commissioner Chris Abel raised concerns about language in the ordinance that restricted residents of veterans group homes from participating in recreational activities anywhere other than the backyard. The amendment returned Tuesday for its public hearing and possible adoption.
Both Abel and Commissioner Steven Haigh, who also served in the U.S. Navy, are military veterans, adding personal weight to the discussion.
No members of the public spoke during the hearing, but Abel reaffirmed his opposition. “I can’t vote for something that’s going to impose additional sanctions on veterans, so I will vote no again today,” he said.
City Attorney T.J. Reed explained the language mirrors existing standards for other group homes and helps maintain consistency across the city’s zoning ordinance. “It’s a group home setting, and generally that designates some type of benefit or services being provided,” Reed said. “By keeping the language, you’re keeping it uniform and not showing preference over any class of people. Once you start making special rules for certain groups, you could call your other ordinances into question, which can be a dangerous game.”
Mayor Tom Lowry asked what continued to hold Abel back from supporting the measure. Abel replied that he believed the ordinance imposed unnecessary restrictions on veterans who had earned more freedom, calling the rule “unfair.”
The ordinance defines Veterans Family Homes as housing for two to six residents and Veterans Group Housing as housing for seven to 20 residents. It allows these facilities in designated residential and business districts under the same conditions that apply to other group homes, such as adult foster care facilities. That includes spacing requirements from similar uses and restrictions on where outdoor recreation can occur.
Director of Community Development John Beebe noted those provisions are effectively identical to other group home language in the zoning code, a point meant to preserve equal treatment under housing regulations. Abel acknowledged the vote would likely pass but maintained his opposition.
“In my opinion, you’re imposing sanctions on vets that shouldn’t be there,” Abel said. “I know where this is going today, but I just have to speak my piece.”
The commission approved the ordinance 5–2, with Commissioners Lucas Allen, Pat Dane, Torrey Brown, Carolyn McNary, and Lowry voting in favor, and Commissioners Abel and Haigh opposed.
Other items
All other agenda items passed unanimously. Commissioners approved an agreement with the Michigan Department of Transportation to reconstruct the terminal apron at Dr. Haines Airport — a $609,864 project funded entirely through federal and state dollars under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021. The city also advanced engineering plans for the Pealer Street and Sixth Avenue improvement projects, approved a change order for the Memory Isle Park bathroom project, renewed a hangar lease with Conrad Aero LLC, and set a public hearing for an ordinance regulating PFOS discharges into the sewer system.
Maxwell Knauer is a staff writer for Watershed Voice.
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