DEARBORN — The Arab American News published an error in the last issue, stating that the City of Dearborn had finally passed its much debated garage ordinance. 

However, the ordinance is still up for one more reading at the next city council meeting on Tuesday, March 4. Per city rules, an ordinance must be read twice in the same form in front of city council before its passage. 

During the last meeting, an amendment to the language in the ordinance had been passed by the council in a 6-0 vote during its first reading. 

The city is aiming to change the language in the ordinance to reflect modern day use of residential garages. Restricting residents from using the garage as “habitual space or for commercial purposes” was added to the zoning ordinance in the section titled “Accessory Buildings and Structures.”

The ordinance drew national media attention in 2013, with some media outlets reporting that there was a cultural clash between Arab Americans and city officials. However, the city says it is updating the ordinance to reflect contemporary use as well as to limit safety hazards when residents use their garage for social purposes. 

In the meantime, Mayor Jack O’Reilly is preparing for his annual State of the City address, set to take place on Wednesday, February 26, at City Hall.

O’Reilly will review the city’s challenges and accomplishments in 2013, as well as present initiatives for 2014 and beyond. The event will also include a tribute to retired councilwoman Nancy Hubbard, who was unable to attend her scheduled tribute at January’s city inauguration ceremony, where retired councilman Suzanne Sareini was honored.