This Ann Arbor City Council meeting was held in person at City Hall. Members of the public can participate in public hearings and public comment either in person or via phone.
CM Briggs was absent
CM Watson was absent
A2Council Update Video
Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary
APPROVED: By resolution, City Council directs staff to enter into six months of exclusive negotiation with one developer – 4M – in order to sell the City-owned property at 415 W. Washington. A purchase agreement will be prepared and sent to Council for approval by December 31, 2024. Developer 4M is granted an additional “exclusive due diligence period of 12 months after execution of the purchase agreement” in order to conduct “necessary investigations, complete development entitlement, and other activities.” (Legistar)
- The text of the resolution acknowledges: “In most instances staff would issue an RFP or partner with a real estate agent to pursue a development team for the site. In this case, the recommended developer meets many of the local community’s desires and offered a unique opportunity to provide a carbon neutral building.”
- A proposal letter (link) from Dr. Margaret Poscher, co-owner of 4M, introduces a possible purchase price of less than half of the 2019 appraised value: “we propose to move forward into a due diligence period with a target transaction price of no less than $2.5M up to the 2019 appraised value of $5.5M.”
- A2ELNEL: 415 W Washington: A “Unique Opportunity” for a Campaign Donor
- https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2024/06/sale-of-blighted-property-could-lead-to-new-housing-in-ann-arbor.html
APPROVED: Twelve lots totaling 1.3 acres at 732 Packard will be combined and rezoned from C1AR (Campus Business Residential District) to PUD (Planned Unit Development) for the “5 Corners” development by Core Spaces. This area between Packard and State (north of Arch) is currently the site of eleven buildings built between 1901 and 1963. The PUD zoning will allow a high-rise, multiple-family building including sustainability features and required (16%) affordable housing. The planned building will have 14 stories, 376 apartments, 82 vehicle parking spaces, 329 bicycle parking spaces, and potential for ground floor retail and restaurant. (Legistar)
- This development would replace the existing Jacks Hardware and ten residential buildings.
- In January 2023, a previous developer proposed a 14 story apartment building on this site: https://a2council.com/5-corners-public-engagement-meeting-january-12-2023/
- The Planning Commission approved this rezoning in March 2024: https://a2council.com/ann-arbor-city-planning-commission-march-5-2024/
- https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2024/03/its-going-to-be-a-big-change-15-story-ann-arbor-high-rise-proposal-advances.html
- As part of the PUD zoning agreement, the developer proposed 16% of the floor area for affordable housing units, an increase of 1% over the 15% requirement for a PUD. Alternately, the developer can make a $6.6 million payment in lieu to the City’s affordable housing fund.
- During public comment at the May 6, 2024 City Council meeting – and during the Public Hearing at the June 3, 2024 City Council meeting – a lawyer spoke on behalf of a property owner on this block whose business will be fully enveloped by the project.
- At the June 3, 2024 Council meeting, Council approved an amendment with eight points added explanation to the supplemental regulations, declaring:
- The PUD zoning provides “beneficial effects for the city in terms of public health, safety, welfare, aesthetics or convenience”
- The beneficial effects cannot be achieved under any other zoning classification
- The PUD zoning is consistent with surrounding uses and does not have a detrimental effect on surrounding properties
- The PUD zoning is consistent with the city’s comprehensive plan and the overarching goals of more dense development
- The PUD zoning is subject to the standard that at least 15% of the total dwelling units are required to be affordable housing dwelling units or a payment in lieu shall be provided
- The PUD zoning satisfies the requirement for analysis and justification sufficient to determine a special benefit
- Safe, convenient, uncongested, and well-defined vehicular and pedestrian circulation within and to the district is provided
- Disturbance of natural features, historical features, and historically significant architectural features are limited to the minimum necessary to allow a reasonable use of the land.
- https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2024/05/dominos-pizza-property-owner-threatens-legal-action-if-ann-arbor-oks-high-rise.html
- https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2024/06/15-story-ann-arbor-high-rise-overlooking-dominos-pizza-approved-despite-legal-threats.html
APPROVED: Site plan and development agreement for 732 Packard. The 14 story building will have 20 townhouses and 3000 square feet of retail space on the first floor, and 256 apartments on the upper floors. A basement garage will have parking for 78 vehicles. (Legistar)
APPROVED: Amendments to the city ordinance that requires property owners to remove snow on sidewalks. Proposed amendments will adjust violation fine amounts and clarify different penalties depending on zoning district. Currently, the ordinance dictates fines of $60, $250, and $500 – $1,000 for first, second, and subsequent violations (respectively) in the same season, without regard to zoning district. (Legistar)
- This week’s amendment refers to lower density residential zoning districts – R1, R2, and R3 – where the penalties for multiple violations in a single season will be:
- First violation: $60 – $100
- Second violation: $100 – $250
- Subsequent violations: $200 – $400
- As amended, the ordinance will apply different penalties to multi-family properties (R4), other non-residential, and properties adjacent to public land. In those areas, penalties for multiple violations in a single season will be:
- First violation: $250 – $500
- Second violation: $400 – $800
- Subsequent violations: $500 – $1,000
- Language is added to all sections to make clear that the responsibilities assigned to property owners also apply to the “owner’s agent” as registered with the City under regular rental and short-term-rental (Airbnb) licensing procedures.
APPROVED: Authorization to disperse $4,250,000 through the Residential Rebate program, administered by Elevate Energy. (Legistar)
- $450,000 will be distributed in FY24 using funds from the Community Climate Action millage. $1,900,000 will be disbursed in FY25 and $1,900,000 in FY26, with funding to be approved by Council in future budgets.
- On December 18, 2024, Council approved a $600,000 3-year contract with Elevate Energy to administer the Residential Rebate program. https://a2council.com/ann-arbor-city-council-december-18-2023/
- The rebate program is expected to open in early June 2024, with rebates offered for residents who install solar panels, battery storage, air source heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, electric panel upgrades – and for the purchase of standard or cargo e-bikes. Larger rebates are offered to residents of “income qualified households” that earn up to 120% of the Area Median Income (AMI).
- The City has opened a webpage about the program: https://www.a2gov.org/departments/sustainability/Sustainability-Me/Families-Individuals/Pages/Home-Energy-Rebates.aspx
- https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2023/12/ann-arbor-setting-aside-188m-for-new-energy-rebate-program.html
- https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2024/06/425m-available-to-help-ann-arborites-buy-e-bikes-go-solar-make-energy-upgrades.html
Three resolutions related to traffic calming were approved
- APPROVED: Five speed bumps on Bird Road between Newport Road and Huron River Drive. (Legistar)
- APPROVED: Four speed bumps on Henry Street between Stadium Boulevard and Packard Street. (Legistar)
- APPROVED: Prohibit parking on east side of Page Avenue between Esch Avenue and Harpst Street. (Legistar)
- https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2024/06/we-just-need-people-to-slow-down-changes-coming-to-3-ann-arbor-streets.html
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