Michigan Real Estate News

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shipping container

Shipping Container Homes Coming to Ypsilanti Township

Darius Smith, a local developer and founder of ASJ Homes and the “What’s Up Detroit” show, has plans for at least two luxury homes built out of shipping containers, in Ypsilanti Township. He plans to have one of the homes built by this summer, which will start at $250,000. Incorporating the shipping containers, which he gets from California, keeps building costs down. The unit he’s building this year will use 6 containers to create a 1,600 square foot 3-bedroom, 2-bath home. Smith has also designed a container micro-hotel, along with a cryptocurrency utility token.

Single-Family Zoning Issue Divides Ann Arbor City Council

The Ann Arbor City Council is embroiled in a debate that has turned ugly. The city is poised to end single-family zoning, say several council members. Others disagree. The council voted to make it easier for more than 20,000 homeowners to put up a secondary home. These structures are sometimes known as carriage houses or granny flats. Removing additional single-family zoning restrictions could potentially increase affordable housing and reduce segregation and urban sprawl. However, the council disagrees on how to accomplish this goal, as well as how aggressively to pursue it.

Milford Postpones Rezoning Request

The MIlford Township Planning Commission voted to postpone a rezoning request for the Kensington Ridge housing development. The 851-unit housing development requires the rezoning of 335 acres of property. The property is located at the southwest corner of Maple and Milford roads. Residents expressed traffic flow concerns. The commission will hear the issue again in April following discussions between planners and the applicant concerning density at the north end of the development, changes to the road access to Maple Lakes, and a water supply plan.