Ann Arbor City Council: October 20, 2025

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 Eyer was absent

A2Council Update Video

Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

APPROVED: As part of the district geothermal system in the Bryant neighborhood, the City will use $560,000 of federal grant funds from the US Department of Energy to enter into a Subrecipient Grant Agreement with local union UA 190 for geothermal workforce development. (Legistar)

• This agreement rescinds and replaces a previous agreement, approved on October 6, 2025 that directed these funds to “UA 190 – IBEW 252, LLC” https://a2council.com/ann-arbor-city-council-october-6-2025/
• Council Member Eyer’s business – “Eyer Consulting” – has been paid over $65,000 by IBEW 252, as reported to the federal Office of Labor-Management Standards. See search for “Eyer Consulting”: https://olmsapps.dol.gov/olpdr/#Union%20Reports/Payer/Payee%20Search/
• In the 2025 OLMS report filed on September 26, 2025 (link) IBEW 252 lists UA 190-IBEW 252 LLC as an “ASSET” that it owns 50% interest in (see schedule 7). The same report also includes over $19,000 that IBEW 252 paid to Eyer Consulting between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025.
• In discussion on 10/6/25, Council Member Eyer offered the only comment in support of directing funds to the UA 190 – IBEW 252, LLC. She advocated for this award and did not ask to be recused.
• The City’s A2Zero plan has a dedicated page on the website for IBEW 252. https://www.ibewneca252.org/a2zero
• Council Member Eyer has stated that there is no conflict of interest and the city attorney confirmed that there was none. Council Members Erica Briggs and Dharma Akmon have publicly supported this assessment.
• A2ELNEL: Eyer Consulting & the $560,000 “Mistake”
• https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2025/10/ann-arbor-council-members-union-ties-raise-conflict-of-interest-questions-after-560k-vote.html
• https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2025/10/union-mistakenly-included-in-560k-grant-that-raised-questions-ann-arbor-officials-say.html
• https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2025/10/560k-grant-agreement-that-caused-stir-rescinded-in-10-0-ann-arbor-council-vote.html

APPROVED: City Council received a proposed Comprehensive Land Use Plan from the City Planning Commission and approved its distribution for the purpose of collecting public comments. (Legistar)

• The final draft of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan was discussed at the Planning Commission meeting on October 7, 2025 https://a2council.com/ann-arbor-city-planning-commission-october-7-2025/
• Public comments will be collected during a 63-day review period (through January 5, 2026). Staff will collect public comment through a form on the project page: https://engage.a2gov.org/comprehensive-land-use-plan
• At meetings of the Planning Commission on November 18th and December 16th 2025, staff will provide comments received to date so this feedback can inform potential amendments. Planning Commissioners may propose amendments and City Council may request amendments by resolution.
• Staff anticipate a Public Hearing and consideration for final approval in February 2026.
• https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2025/10/over-3600-ann-arbor-residents-have-signed-petition-to-pause-density-plan-group-says.html
• https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2025/10/mayor-pushes-back-on-fear-mongering-as-ann-arbor-puts-growth-plan-out-for-review.html
• https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2025/10/heres-how-to-submit-your-feedback-on-ann-arbors-plan-for-denser-neighborhoods.html

APPROVED: A vacant parcel at 2525 Ann Arbor-Saline Road is rezoned from O (office) to R4E (Multiple-Family Dwelling District). A development called “The Crescent” will occupy 4.16 acres and include 262 residential units in a five story building. (Legistar)

APPROVED: A detailed site plan for “The Crescent” at 2525 Ann Arbor-Saline Road will permit 262 residential units in a five story building, with 268 enclosed parking spaces and 29 surface parking spaces. (Legistar)

• Residents within 100 feet of this parcel presented a petition of protest against the rezoning. State law directs that a protest petition triggers a requirement that more than a bare majority of votes must approve the rezoning. City Council easily overcame the eight (8) vote requirement for approval of the rezoning.
• Since the election of a unanimous Council in November 2022, every developer-requested rezoning (13) has been approved unanimously. One rezoning was approved with only eight votes, because three Council Members were absent.
• The developer will install a crosswalk on Ann Arbor-Saline Road and on Oakbrook Drive to connect to Cranbrook Park but has “elected to not contribute a voluntary donation to Parks and Recreation Services.” 
• Similarly, the developer was asked to include additional trees or sustainability elements but “has not committed to any additional trees or sustainability measures.” 
• Developers hosted a public engagement meeting on April 4, 2024, when the project was called “Cranbrook Village”.  https://a2council.com/cranbrook-village-resident-participation-meeting-april-4-2024/
• The rezoning and site plan was approved by the City Planning Commission on August 5, 2025. https://a2council.com/ann-arbor-city-planning-commission-august-5-2025/
• In July 2025, the project was granted an 18-foot variance at the Zoning Board of Appeals to reduce a side setback and locate closer to the Whole Foods parking lot. (Legistar)
• https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2025/11/hundreds-of-apartments-approved-for-development-next-to-ann-arbor-whole-foods.html

APPROVED: A parcel at 1007 Woodlawn is rezoned from P (Parking) to C1 (Commercial) to permit current uses by its owner, Argus Farm Stop.  The parcel on Woodlawn is currently used for small scale storage, which is not a permitted use in the zoning district for “Parking.” No construction or development is planned. (Legistar)

• The owners of Argus Farm Stop hosted a public engagement meeting on March 24, 2025 to explain the purpose of the rezoning, consistent with adjacent parcels occupied by Argus. https://a2council.com/argus-farm-stop-1007-woodlawn-resident-participation-meeting-march-24-2025/
• The Planning Commission approved the rezoning of 1007 Woodlawn on August 5, 2025. https://a2council.com/ann-arbor-city-planning-commission-august-5-2025/

APPROVED: A phrase is added to the Bylaws of the Transportation commission, stating that the commission will advise on safety related programs “including consideration of vehicle and pedestrian crash information and recommendations for crash prevention provided by City staff.” (Legistar)

APPROVED (First Reading): Amendments to the marijuana ordinance will reduce location restrictions relative to schools. Marijuana businesses were previously restricted from locations within 1,000 feet of schools. That distance is reduced to 100 feet. Additional concerns will be considered on a case-by-case basis via the Special Exception Use permitting process for marijuana businesses. Marijuana growers will no longer be required to annually report energy used, water used, and sanitary sewer discharge; that information will now only be provided to the City Clerk “upon request.” (Legistar)

• Not included in these changes: the Planning Commission recommends that the cap on provisioning centers/retailers – 28 – be wholly removed. There are currently 21 marijuana provisioning centers/retailers in Ann Arbor. From the staff report: “Removing the cap may result in new businesses locating in the city, or others relocating, perhaps adding to the potential for a greater number of businesses to thrive.”
• The Planning Commission approved these changes to the marijuana ordinance at their meeting on September 16, 2025. https://a2council.com/ann-arbor-city-planning-commission-september-16-2025/

APPROVED (First Reading): Ordinance amendments will address guidelines for how trees and vegetation can be cultivated on private property adjacent to streets and sidewalks. Trees, shrubs and vegetation must allow 8 feet of clearance over sidewalks and 14 feet of clearance over streets. Amendments specifically address corners, where growth in a “sight triangle” can obstruct the view of pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists. (Legistar)

APPROVED (First Reading): A 1-acre parcel at 1155 Arlington will be rezoned from TWP (Township) to R1A (Single-Family Dwelling). This parcel was recently annexed into the City and the zoning designation was consistent with the adjacent zoning, surrounding land uses, and the Comprehensive Plan. (Legistar)

• The annexation and rezoning of this parcel were approved by the Planning Commission in March 2025: https://a2council.com/ann-arbor-city-planning-commission-march-18-2025/
• City Council approved the annexation of this parcel in May 2025: https://a2council.com/ann-arbor-city-council-may-19-2025/

APPROVED (First Reading): A 5.7 acre parcel at 2600 Pontiac Trail will be rezoned from TWP (Township) to R4A (Multiple-Family Dwelling District). This parcel was annexed in 2022 and is anticipated as a component of “The Village of Ann Arbor” development. (Legistar)

• The developers held a resident participation meeting in March 2023: https://a2council.com/village-of-ann-arbor-resident-participation-meeting-march-27-2023/

A2ELNEL Voting Chart