Unfortunately, we need to clarify several misleading public statements made by the City of Southfield administration in response to this petition so that residents and petition signers have accurate information.

Following the City Council’s vote, the Mayor publicly stated that because the proposed MetroBloks data center is a “permitted use,” denial of the project could have resulted in a lawsuit that the City “would have lost.”

This framing is not accurate and requires clarification.

Under Michigan zoning law, the fact that a use is “permitted” does not mean approval is automatic, nor does it mean that denial exposes a city to inevitable legal loss. Municipalities routinely deny or condition development proposals — including permitted uses — based on site plan standards, infrastructure capacity, health and safety concerns, environmental impacts, and consistency with adopted planning goals.

There is no legal principle that states a city faces automatic or unavoidable liability simply because a developer petitions to build or develop property. While any applicant may file a lawsuit, denial alone does not establish a valid property-rights claim, nor does it predetermine the outcome of litigation. Cities retain discretion, and courts regularly uphold denials when they are supported by a documented record.

Public statements suggesting that approval was legally unavoidable are misleading and undermine meaningful public participation. Residents are encouraged to engage in hearings, submit comments, and raise concerns — and that engagement matters only if decision-makers retain and exercise their authority.

This petition exists to ensure transparency, accountability, and clarity. When public officials use public platforms to communicate with residents, accuracy matters. We will continue to correct the record professionally when statements misrepresent the law or the City’s authority.

Southfield residents deserve clear, factual information — not narratives that suggest the City has no choice but to approve developments regardless of community impact.

Thank you to everyone who continues to engage thoughtfully and demand honest public discourse.

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Southfield Community for Growth Coalition