Dzanc House is set to keep its doors open after the Ypsilanti Planning Commission voted in favor of amending zoning language and laws that previously prohibited arts and crafts studios within Core Neighborhood Mid Zoning Districts at its Feb. 18, 2026 meeting.
The amendment, if passed by the Ypsilanti City Council, would permit arts and crafts studios within this specific zoning designation by reclassifying them as Special Use, a permit for which Dzanc House has applied.
The amendment would also add the words "theater" and "literature" to the definition of an arts and crafts studio, with the intention of making the zoning ordinance laws less rigid on creatives.
In the meeting, Planning Commission Vice-Chairperson Matt Dunwoodie defined CN-Mid as a walkable mix of housing types and neighborhood businesses.
"A small-scale arts and crafts studio feels to me personally like it fits pretty well in the definition of that," Dunwoodie said. "I do think we have to address some of the questions about the scale, and what limits exist."
A Special Use permit allows property owners to use land in ways that are not typically permitted by zoning laws. According to Dunwoodie, classifying arts and crafts studios as permittable under Special Use allows for the city to monitor the scale of operation, as those limits are not clearly defined.
The amendment was supported by the Planning Commission without opposition.
On Nov. 5, 2025, Dzanc House received notice that its function as an arts and crafts studio was in violation of zoning district laws under Section 122-441 in the Ypsilanti Code of Ordinances, and that all activity was to be ceased by Nov. 19, 2025. Notice was sent to Dzanc House by Joshua Burns, Ypsilanti's city planner, by email.
Steve Gillis, the founding executive director of Dzanc House, as well as several staff and supporters of the arts studio, responded to the shutdown notice, expressing the impact that it has had on the Ypsilanti community since its establishment in April 2024.
"What we do for the community is unparalleled in the neighborhood and in point of fact, the community has embraced us and the neighbors and neighborhood love us," Gillis said to the city planner in an email obtained by The Eastern Echo.
At the Ypsilanti City Council's Nov. 18, 2025 meeting, councilors spoke in favor of Dzanc House's operation, as long as the proper steps were taken for the studio to be brought into compliance with the city, including obtaining a Certificate of Occupancy and making the location itself more accessible.
The amendment will be reviewed by the Ypsilanti City Council and councilors will choose whether or not the change in language and zoning laws is ideal for the city. As of this writing, it has not been clarified which meeting agenda the amendment vote will appear in.
Sarah Nisbett, a supporter of Dzanc House who spoke in favor of the amendment's passing at the Feb. 18, 2026 meeting, emphasized the importance of getting involved at the local level, noting how all levels of government can have an impact on a resident's daily life.
Amanda May Moore, who serves as creative director and occupancy coordinator at Dzanc House, spoke about the vote and Dzanc House's future as a studio.
"In general, I was expecting a good result tonight. Even with the Special Land Use permit," Moore said.
According to Moore, the cost of applying for a Special Use permit was $1,000, which was covered by Gillis.
As of now, Dzanc House will continue operation. On March 21, 2026, the studio is set to host a Cake Carnival and Cake Walk, featuring a cake decorating competition and a cash prize for the winner. The event will run from 5-9 p.m. and will be hosted at the in-person location at 402 S. Huron St., Ypsilanti.
For more information on how to enter and the competition's requirements, visit the Cake Carnival form on Dzanc House's website.
