Detroit zoning changes would cater to more housing 

Detroit City Council is considering zoning changes designed to stimulate housing development by small local builders, primarily targeting R2 residential districts that cover two-thirds of the city's land area. The proposal would allow higher-density housing like fourplexes and townhouses to be built without special approval, reduce parking requirements, and make it easier to develop vacant lots in response to the city falling short of needed housing production by 1,100 units annually. However, four council members want to delay the decision until next year, expressing concerns that the complex changes are being rushed despite 27 public input meetings already held.