DR AJAY'S PRESCRIPTION FOR THE FUTURE OF NOVI

For too long, Novi’s leadership has approved piecemeal developments that increase traffic, strain our infrastructure, and disregard the city council-adopted master plan. Consequently, Novi’s recent 2020 Citizen Survey shows that only 49% of residents view our city’s zoning and land use favorably. Less than half of residents believe Novi has vibrant commercial areas. As your next mayor, I will address these concerns and ensure the master plan aligns with residents’ wants and needs.

I WILL ADVOCATE FOR A MASTER PLAN THAT:

 

✓ REIGNS IN IRRESPONSIBLE OVERDEVELOPMENT by ensuring that the Novi City Council truly serves as the voice of the people in the planning process. The people elect council members to represent them on all matters facing our city, especially development, and their needs must take precedence over special interests, tax revenues, or other factors.
 

✓ HOLDS DEVELOPERS ACCOUNTABLE when their developments damage or destroy nearby homes, backyards, and roadways.

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✓ REQUIRES THAT PROPOSED DEVELOPMENTS PRESERVE THE SURROUNDING GREENSPACES AND WETLANDS we must prioritize environmental preservation over endless development.

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✓ MAKES NOVI APPEALING TO PEOPLE IN VARIOUS LIFE STAGES—from new graduates to young families or active senior citizens—by offering a wide range of housing types. 

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✓ IMMEDIATELY RESUMES REGULAR MEETINGS BETWEEN THE NOVI CITY COUNCIL AND OUR PLANNING COMMISSION to promote collaboration and partnership. These meetings have not occurred regularly in more than a decade. 

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✓ INCREASES NOVI'S TREE DESTRUCTION PENALTY FOR DEVELOPERS FROM $400 PER TREE TO $800. City residents would not be subject to this increase.

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✓ ADDRESSES PRESSING UTILITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE ISSUES–including upgrading stormwater sewers to manage increased runoff in neighborhoods, fortifying our electrical services, and exploring a city-funded municipal broadband option.  A recent SEMCOG report also identified many areas in Novi as having a “moderate to high” risk of flooding, which we must prepare to mitigate. 

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