More than 3,500 residents signed a petition that asked that Livonia home day care centers be limited to six unrelated children, even though state law allows up to 12. Harold Dunne of Livonia spearheaded the drive to force the Livonia City Council to put the restrictive proposal on the November ballot. The council refused, despite the fact that Dunne and others had gathered more than 3,500 signatures supporting his proposal. The council said the proposal would require changes in zoning laws that cannot be changed by an immediate public vote.
State law says that any change in a zoning ordinance requires public hearings and council approval.
The residents' attorney unsuccessfully argued that his proposal does not fall under the same rules for zoning ordinances because it would have affected every home in Livonia. Judge Sapala disagreed. He said the residents can't petition for a new zoning law. Dunne said he will appeal Sapala's ruling to the Michigan Court of Appeals. He believes a change in law started by petition should be valid on any zoning issue that affects every property in a community.