Northville’s Planned Advisory Vote on Seasonal Street Closures Abandoned Due to Legal Constraints

Northville’s Seasonal Street Closures Not on November Ballot

In the charming city of Northville, the topic of seasonal street closures has sparked lively discussions among residents. Plans to bring an advisory question regarding these closures to the ballot in November have hit a snag. The city council initially intended to ask voters whether to continue closing the blocks of Main and Center Streets from May through October for pedestrian-only access. However, it turns out this question won’t be appearing on the Wayne or Oakland County ballots.

Background on the Proposed Advisory Question

The Northville City Council, during a special meeting in late July, brought forth this question for consideration. With a vote of four to one in favor, the council was hoping to gauge public opinion on whether the pedestrian area should remain, with Mayor Pro-Tem Barbara Moroski-Browne being the lone dissenting voice. She expressed concerns that the proposal didn’t adequately reflect the views of all stakeholders involved, pointing out that there wasn’t much precedent for such an action in the first place.

The streets in question are Main Street from Center to Hutton and Center Street from Main to Dunlap. “Should the City of Northville continue the seasonal closure of these streets for a pedestrian-only area?” was the proposed question. Nevertheless, it won’t be on the ballot, ultimately due to legal constraints.

Legal Complications

According to a letter from Jonathan Brater, Director of Elections for the State Department, Northville’s city charter prohibits the city council from placing an advisory question on the ballot. The letter further states that the Attorney General has expressed that without specific legal authority, a local government cannot present advisory questions for voter consideration.

This ruling came as a surprise but fell under the guidelines that counties need to finalize ballot language 60 days prior to the election, which in this case was September 6. The Michigan Bureau of Elections typically does not evaluate the content of local ballot questions but tries to catch any potential errors. They alerted the county clerk about the legality issues surrounding Northville’s planned ballot measure.

The Community Response

Northville has experienced a divide over the issue of street closures for several years now. Originally, the streets were closed during the COVID-19 pandemic as a means to support local businesses while ensuring social distancing. The closures were made permanent in 2022, and updates to the policy in 2023 allow for openings in the winter months.

A nonprofit organization called Let’s Open Northville stepped into the fray with a mission to return vehicular access to the streets year-round. This group has raised concerns that keeping these streets closed diverts traffic into nearby residential areas, increases safety risks, and could even hurt property values.

They filed a lawsuit last year to challenge the closures, arguing that it adversely affects local businesses among other issues. Joe Corriveau, an attorney and board member of Let’s Open Northville, expressed disappointment in the council’s decision to seek an advisory question for the upcoming ballot. In a recent news release, he described the attempt as “rushed, ill-conceived, and poorly researched,” highlighting what he feels is a lack of understanding of both the law and effective leadership by city officials.

A Time of Choice

As Northville continues to grapple with the implications of these street closures, it remains evident that the community stands divided. Some residents appreciate the pedestrian-friendly environment, while others yearn for the return of vehicle access. With the advisory question now off the table, it looks like the conversation about these seasonal closures will be ongoing. Residents will undoubtedly keep a close eye on how their city officials navigate this complex issue in the months to come, showing that civic engagement is alive and well in this spirited community.

As autumn approaches, one thing is certain: the future of Main and Center Streets will continue to be a hot topic in Northville, reflecting a community that deeply cares about its local dynamics and identity.