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ARTICLE 6. THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH: STAFF DEPARTMENTS

CHAPTER 5. BUILDINGS, SAFETY ENGINEERING and ENVIRONMENTAL DEPARTMENT

Annotations By: Jacqueline Bejma

Sec. 6-501. Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department

The Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department is headed by the Director of Building, Safety Engineering and Environmental.

Sec. 6-502. General Purpose

The purpose of the department of environment is:

1. To conserve and protect the natural resources of the city of Detroit in the interests of the health safety and welfare of the people
2. To promote improved social and economic conditions in the city
3. To protect limited environmental resources for the future benefit of city residents

The purpose of this chapter is to conserve and protect the natural resources of the City of Detroit in the interests of the health, safety and welfare of the people, to promote improved social and economic conditions in the city and to protect limited environmental resources for the future benefit of city inhabitants.

Sec. 6-503. Powers and Duties

The Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department will:

1. Develop and implement a comprehensive environmental policy for the city
2. Administer, enforce, manage and coordinate compliance with federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations
3. Coordinate environmental programs for protection and conservation of land, water and air resources
4. Develop and implement programs for response to emergency conditions
5. Advise, consult and cooperate with other agencies
6. Develop and coordinate policy, programs and procedures for remediation, redevelopment and reuse of contaminated sites
7. Develop and coordinate policy, programs and procedures to encourage and promote innovative and sustainable economic development consistent with protection of the environment
8. Provide technical support and assistance to other city departments in environmental matters
9. Develop plans and proposals for joint cooperative investigation and research with public and private agencies and organizations on methods for eliminating or reducing pollution
10. Collect and disseminate educational information on the necessity and methods for pollution prevention
11. Any other acts deemed necessary
12. consult with City departments regarding the implementation of any policies or programs concerning alternative and renewable energy
13. Administer and enforce all laws, ordinances and regulations relating to the use of land

The Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department shall:

1. Develop and implement a coordinated and comprehensive environmental policy for the City of Detroit;
2. Administer, enforce, manage and coordinate compliance by the City of Detroit with federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations;
3. Coordinate environmental programs for protection and conservation of land, water and air resources;
4. Develop and implement programs for response to emergency conditions which pose an immediate danger to health and safety to the people of Detroit or to the City’s environment;
5. Advise, consult and cooperate with agencies of the federal, state and local governments in furtherance of the purposes of this chapter;
6. Develop and coordinate policy, programs and procedures for remediation, redevelopment and reuse of contaminated land sites in the City of Detroit;
7. Develop and coordinate policy, programs and procedures to encourage and promote innovative and competitively viable sustainable economic development in the City of Detroit consistent with protection of the environment;
8. Provide technical support and assistance to other city departments in environmental matters, including response to federal, state and local governmental enforcement activities; qualification for eligible grant moneys, etc.;
9. Develop plans and proposals for joint cooperative investigation and research with the public and with private agencies and organizations on methods for eliminating or reducing land, air and water pollution;
10. Collect and disseminate appropriate educational literature and information, and otherwise promote educational programs for the purposes of advising the general public of the necessity and methods for pollution prevention, securing public cooperation in pollution prevention measures and increasing public awareness of the importance of environmental protection and conservation of natural resources;
11. Provide consultation with City departments regarding the implementation of any policies or programs concerning alternative and renewable energy;
12. Administer and enforce all laws, ordinances and regulations relating to the use of land (“zoning”); and
13. Except as otherwise provided by law or this Charter, grant, revoke, or approve transfers of all licenses and permits required by any law or ordinance for any business and collect fees for licenses and permits.
14. Do any and all other acts which may be necessary for the implementation of the powers and duties conferred on the department under this chapter.

Sec. 6-504. Conservation

The Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department shall develop programs for the protection and conservation of natural resources within the City of Detroit.

Sec. 6-505. Environmental Legislation

The Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department shall propose new ordinances, laws and regulations to the Mayor, City Council and other governmental entities as appropriate for improvement of the quality of the environment and promotion of the mission of the Department.

Sec. 6-506. Applications Filed Under Zoning Law

All applications for permits, grants, variances, waivers or exceptions of any kind under zoning laws, ordinances and regulations shall be made to the Department.

Sec. 6-507. Duty Under Other Regulatory Laws

To the extent practicable, the Department shall also administer and enforce all other laws and ordinances regulating the development, maintenance and use of real property in the city.

Sec. 6-508. One-Stop Service

To the extent practicable, the Department shall, in cooperation with other agencies whose permission is required prior to development, establish a procedure and application form under which an applicant for development permission may obtain, through the Department, all necessary permission.

Sec. 6-509. Green Initiatives and Technologies

The department shall study the matter and prepare and implement a long-term strategic plan (“Green Initiatives and Sustainable Technologies Plan” or “GIST Plan”) for the establishment, use and support of green initiatives, technologies and businesses within 3 months of the effective date of this charter, to be completed no more than 1 year later

Within six (6) months after completion of the SRGIST the Mayor shall prepare the GIST Plan and submit it to City Council for approval before it may be implemented

The GIST Plan shall be comprehensive and may include solar, wind, thermal and other forms of alternative and renewable energy production and uses; alternative fuels; or other sustainable technologies and endeavors; green public works, construction and building programs; and any other green initiative or technology considered feasible

The GIST plan must be reviewed yearly

The Mayor may create advisory commissions to help create and implement the Plan

1. The Department shall study the matter and prepare and implement a long-term strategic plan (“Green Initiatives and Sustainable Technologies Plan” or “GIST Plan”) for the establishment, use and support of green initiatives, technologies and businesses, utilizing public and private partners. The Mayor shall commission a public study (“Study and Report on Green Initiatives and Sustainable Technologies” or “SRGIST”) to determine the feasibility and requirements for engaging in and supporting this activity in the City of Detroit and areas outside the City of Detroit for the benefit of residents. The SRGIST shall be initiated within three (3) months of the effective date of this Charter, completed within one (1) year of its commencement and publicly disseminated upon its completion.
2. Within six (6) months after completion of the SRGIST the Mayor shall prepare the GIST Plan and submit it to City Council for approval before it may be implemented. City Council may hold public hearings prior to taking formal action on the GIST Plan, and if approved shall create any ordinances required to achieve the GIST Plan’s objectives.
3. The GIST Plan shall be comprehensive and may include solar, wind, thermal and other forms of alternative and renewable energy production and uses; alternative fuels; or other sustainable technologies and endeavors; green public works, construction and building programs; and any other green initiative or technology considered feasible. The GIST Plan shall incorporate green initiatives and technologies within the workplace and for use with City owned vehicles and property, real and personal. The GIST Plan may include methods and support for citizen initiated green initiatives and sustainable technology uses.
4. The GIST Plan shall be reviewed yearly by the department and revised as necessary. All revisions to the GIST Plan must be approved by City Council, who shall implement all ordinances necessary to achieve the objectives of the revised GIST Plan.
5. The Mayor may create advisory commissions under section 7-103 to assist with the development, monitoring, implementation and revision of the GIST Plan.