Save East Lansing’s Neighborhoods

Post-Election Statement (11/7/24): We are disappointed with the results of Tuesday’s election and by the passage of Proposal 1. But we are encouraged that Proposal 1 was defeated in many of East Lansing’s residential neighborhoods. In off-campus precincts, Proposal 1 failed (48.4% yes, 51.6% no). Long-term residents understood the implications of Proposal 1 and rejected it. Proposal 1 passed because on-campus precincts supported it overwhelmingly (82.6% yes, 17.4% no). Student voters decided this important issue on behalf of the City's long-term residents.


The Proposal 1 side promised that their Proposal 1 will preserve the City's rental regulations, including overlay districts and housing/safety inspection requirements. We agree these are critical, and we found broad consensus on all sides and across the City to preserve these important regulations. 


UPDATE (10/2/24): East Lansing City Attorney confirms that homeowners can have guests stay for unlimited periods. More here. 


UPDATE (9/26/24): The Bailey Community Association opposes Proposal 1 and supports the Save Our Neighborhoods EL campaign! More here.


This November, East Lansing residents will be asked to vote on a proposal that would potentially do away with the regulation of rental properties and affect every neighborhood in the City. The proposal, which will appear on the ballot as East Lansing Proposal 1, was initiated by a citizen petition drive. If passed, it will amend the City Charterthe equivalent of our Citys Constitution


We urge you to vote NO. Why? Because our current zoning is flexible and does not require a rental license for:



In short, our current zoning allows homeowners to use their property as they wish, while also preserving the charming East Lansing neighborhoods that we all treasure. 


At worst, EL Proposal 1 would overturn all the City’s rental regulations, including the rental restriction overlay that protects your neighborhood against more rental proliferation, as well as the Citys authority to regulate short-term rentals. Theres big money in tailgate rentals and corporate-owned housing in a Big 10 college town, and if this ballot proposal passes, no East Lansing neighborhood will be safe.


At best, EL Proposal 1 would create a loophole where tenants don’t pay money (“rent”) but instead pay utilities or other costs of owning a home in return for living in unregulated and possibly unsafe spaces. These de facto rentals exist now, and under EL Proposal 1 the number will grow. The City won’t be able to place safety-based limits on occupancy, make sure tenants are sleeping in rooms with proper egress, or even require code inspections and updates. These rentals will be unsafe for tenants and will destabilize neighborhoods, just like we have seen in the past.


Either way, EL Proposal 1 will take us back to a time when families fled East Lansing because landlords converted entire blocks of neighborhood homes into income-generating assets, and when the schools suffered because the children moved with the families. According to the latest census data, East Lansings owner-occupied housing rate is under 40%. It is imperative that we preserve our neighborhoods for long-term residents.


Town-gown problems. We love MSU students and their contributions to our community, but long-term residents are in very different phases of life than their student neighbors. As MSU's enrollment grows and more students move off campus, we will continue to ask the City to explore positive solutions so that we have housing options for residents of ALL ages and backgrounds.


Want to know more? Explore our website!

Supporters include:

Adam Alessio, Abbott Parkside

Diane Alexanian, Glencairn 

Michael Alexanian, Glencairn 

Erik Altmann, Bailey

Sally Angelacos, Pinecrest

Jann Angell, Old Whitehills 

Steven Angelotti, Downtown

Alan Arbogast, Glencairn

Jennifer Arbogast, Glencairn

Joan Arbogast, Glencairn

Kumar Arun, Hawk Nest

Amanda Austin, Bailey

Henry Austin, Bailey

Abby Baerman, Glencairn

Allen Baerman, Glencairn

Fred Baker, Glencairn

Irene Baker, Glencairn

Andrew Bassila, Flower Pot

Fairlight Beasley, SE Marble

Patrick Beatty, Bailey

Frederic Becker, Pinecrest

Jamuna Becker, Pinecrest

Anthony Benedict, Brookfield

Judy Benedict, Brookfield

Michael Benedict, Brookfield

David Betts, Brookfield

Rita Bhatnagar, Hawk Nest

James Bibbs, Red Cedar

Jane Bitsicas, Walnut Hts

Carolyn Boger, Glens of W'hills

Jennifer Bondi, Glencairn

Beverly Bonning, Glencairn

Bridget Booth, Bailey

Justin Booth, Bailey

Kathy Bouchard-Wyant, Bailey

Michael Boyce, Red Cedar

Kerry Boyd, Southeast Marble

Judith Bridger, Bailey

Barbara Bruce, Oakwood

Linda Brundage, Brookfield

Carol Bryson, Old Whitehills

Sandy Bryson, Old Whitehills

Gary Buckberry, Glencairn

Julie Buckberry, Glencairn

Carrielle Budd, Bailey

Dr. Susan Burke, Glencairn

Mary Burns, Glencairn

Sally Burroughs, Glencairn

Susan Cady, Chartwell

Irene Cahill, Avondale

Jack Cahill, Avondale

Kellee Christensen, C'field Hlls

Michael Christensen, C'field Hlls 

Kim Chung, Glencairn 

Lauren Ciesa, Bailey

Lynsey Little Clayton, Whitehills

Joseph Clementz, Walnut Hts

Molly Clementz, Walnut Hts

And many more!