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 Watson was absent
This was the final meeting for CM Song
A2Council Update Video
Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary
In the November 7, 2024 general election, Ann Arbor voters approved two proposals placed on the ballot by City Council: Proposal A (Creation of a Sustainable Energy Utility) and Proposal B (Authorizing Tax for Park Maintenance and Capital Improvements). Voters rejected two proposals placed on the ballot by public signature collection: Proposal C (Non-Partisan Elections) and Proposal D (Fair Elections Fund).
- https://www.mlive.com/politics/2024/11/voters-ok-ann-arbor-sustainable-energy-proposal-to-supplement-dte-service.html
- https://www.mlive.com/politics/2024/11/ann-arbor-voters-reject-election-reform-proposals-by-over-2-to-1-margin.html
APPROVED: The employment agreement for City Administrator Milton Dohoney, Jr. was amended to reflect a raise and a lump sum payment. On the published agenda, both the amount of the raise and the amount of lump sum payment were left blank. He was previously receiving an annual salary of $250,000. Council met in closed session for forty minutes before approving a 12% increase in salary (+$30,000, for a total of $280,000/year), retroactive to May 2024. He was also awarded a lump sum payment of $8400, equivalent to 3% of his new annual salary. (Legistar)
APPROVED: Fire Prevention standards in Chapter 111 of the City Code will be amended to remove the requirement that buildings have an unobstructed width of access for aerial fire trucks. (Legistar)
- Amendments would delete this standard, derived from the International Fire Code:
D105.2 Width
Aerial fire apparatus access roads shall have a minimum unobstructed width of 26 feet (7925 mm), exclusive of shoulders, in the immediate vicinity of the building or portion thereof.
https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/IFC2021P2/appendix-d-fire-apparatus-access-roads
- In the Legistar Memorandum, City staff recommend removing the standard in deference to “policy direction” around protected bike lanes and new, taller development: “the International Fire Code is currently in conflict with policy direction regarding protected bike lanes. This conflict predominantly arises with new development where the vertical distance between the grade plane and the highest roof surface exceeds 30 feet.”
- This part of the City Code was most recently amended in 2017, when Council approved the adoption of then-current International Fire Code standards and clarified penalties for infractions.
- https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=3063737&GUID=94C88A5B-3594-45A5-BC9D-459883682F96&FullText=1
- The 2017 amendments refer to how an individual property owner/lessee/agent may request modification of these provisions:
9:105
The Chief of the Fire Department and/or the Fire Marshal shall have the power to modify any of the provisions of this Code upon application, in writing, by the owner or lessee, or his duly authorized agent, when there are practical difficulties in the way of carrying out the strict letter of the Code, provided that the spirit of the Code be observed, public safety secured, and substantial justice done. The particulars of such modification when granted or allowed and the decision of the Chief of the Fire Department and/or the Fire Marshal thereon shall be entered upon the records of the department and a signed copy shall be furnished to the applicant.”
https://library.municode.com/mi/ann_arbor/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TITIXPORE_CH111FIPR_9_105MO
- Applicants who are denied a modification may appeal the decision to the Building Board of Appeals:
9:108
Whenever the Chief or the Fire Marshal shall disapprove an application or refuse to grant a permit applied for, or when it is claimed that the provisions of this Code do not apply or that the true intent and meaning of this Code have been misconstrued or wrongly interpreted, the applicant may appeal from the Chief’s or Fire Marshal’s decision to the Building Board of Appeals within 30 days from the date of the decision appealed.
https://library.municode.com/mi/ann_arbor/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TITIXPORE_CH111FIPR_9_108AP
- This week’s staff summary of proposed amendments explains: “We are continually finding there is not enough road width, especially within the Downtown Development Authority (DDA), to allow for these 26 feet along with protected bike lanes.”
- Staff does not offer data on how many new developments have submitted written requests for modification of the standard or how many existing developments no longer meet the standard since the installation of protected bike lanes.
APPROVED: A recently annexed 1.66 acre parcel at 3474 Huron River Drive will be rezoned from TWP (township) to R1D (Single-family dwelling district). (Legistar)
- This rezoning was approved by the City Planning Commission on April 16, 2024. The petitioner requested R1A zoning, but the City Planning Commission approved R1D zoning. https://a2council.com/ann-arbor-city-planning-commission-april-16-2024/
APPROVED: A City-owned property at 1146 S. Maple Road, currently in Scio Township, will be annexed into the City. The 1.2 acre parcel is within the City’s water and sewer service area, and the current use is consistent with the adjacent zoning, land uses and comprehensive plan. This property will be sold to Avalon Housing for the development of Hickory Way III, an affordable housing project. At a future meeting, Council will approve Planned Unit Development (PUD) zoning and a site plan. (Legistar)
- The parcel is currently owned by the City of Ann Arbor. City Council approved the sale of this property to Avalon Housing in August 2022, with the resolution stating “the sale of 1146 South Maple Road shall be contingent on Avalon Housing, Inc. completing due diligence, acquiring necessary City zoning and site plan approvals, and securing financing for acquisition and construction of the affordable housing within a 33-month period”. https://a2council.com/ann-arbor-city-council-august-4-2022/
- On April 3, 2024, developers hosted a public engagement meeting for the proposed Hickory Way III development. https://a2council.com/hickory-way-1146-s-maple-rd-citizen-participation-meeting-april-3-2024/
- https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2024/05/4-story-affordable-apartment-building-proposed-on-ann-arbors-west-side.html
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