Lawsuit says Oakland Township zoning biased against the elderly

OAKLAND TOWNSHIP (AP) — A developer and a former Oakland Township official are suing the township after plans to build a 282-unit development accommodating the elderly and disabled were denied.

The Detroit News reports the lawsuit alleges Oakland Township’s zoning practices discriminate against the elderly, the disabled and people with low to moderate incomes. The lawsuit was filed by Moceri/DM Investments and former Township Supervisor Joan Buser.

The development was voted down in a 2013 referendum. Dominic Moceri says officials had granted site approval for the project that year.

Moceri said Wednesday that the lawsuit should be impacted by a June U.S. Supreme Court ruling in another case that says housing practices harmful to minority groups don’t have to be intentional to be illegal.

Township Manager Warren Brown and Township Supervisor Terry Gonser declined to comment.