This meeting was held in person at City Hall.
Commissioner Lee was absent.
APPROVED: Rezoning nine parcels at 554, 558 South Fifth Avenue; 201, 211 and 215 East Madison Street; 543, 547, 551, 553 South Fourth Avenue (one acre, total) from R4C (Multiple-Family Dwelling) and M1 (Limited Industrial) to D1 (Downtown Core). The rezoning was requested by the developers of “The Dean”, a proposed 14-story residential building. (Legistar)
- The developers offered these conditions for the rezoning:
- Limit height to 161 feet
- Meet design requirements of the Downtown Development Authority (DDA)
- Provide 10-foot setback adjacent to residential zoning
- By amendment, the Planning Commission voted to remove the first two conditions.
- The developers held a public engagement meeting for this project on June 26, 2025: https://a2council.com/558-s-fifth-ave-resident-participation-meeting-june-26-2025/
- https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2025/12/your-neighborhood-is-changing-rezoning-for-another-ann-arbor-high-rise-gets-initial-ok.html
- City Council adopted this rezoning at second reading on March 2, 2026. https://a2council.com/ann-arbor-city-council-march-2-2026/
POSTPONED: Rezoning of 700 N. Main from R4C (Multiple-Family Dwelling) to R4E (Multiple-Family Dwelling), adding up to 1.2 acres. The rezoning anticipates a 6 story residential building. (Legistar)
- The developer held a public engagement meeting for this project on February 27, 2025. Mailers were initially sent to local residents proposing a 42 unit 3 story building. An amended mailer was later sent proposing a 64 unit 5 story building: https://a2council.com/700-n-main-st-resident-participation-meeting-february-27-2025/
- According to MLive: “Auburn Hills-based Trowbridge Companies previously had plans for 22 townhouse-style condos on the site, but the developer indicated earlier this year it instead was proposing 64 apartments.”
- Also from MLive: “The project is still being developed, some details are unknown and the zoning application is incomplete, City Planner Alexis DiLeo said, before the commission postponed action.”
- https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2025/12/vacant-site-north-of-downtown-ann-arbor-could-see-6-story-development-rise.html
- The Planning Commission approved this rezoning on May 5, 2026. https://a2council.com/ann-arbor-city-planning-commission-may-5-2026/
APPROVED: Changes to the UDC will add a requirement that all-weather signs be posted on-site where certain development activity is planned. (Legistar)
- For activities that require a community participation meeting, signage must be posted 15 days before that meeting. The sign will include the file number, address, current zoning information, name and other details about the proposed project (if any), petitioner’s name and contact information, plus meeting information. Currently, the only activities requiring community participation are applications for Special Exception Use, Rezoning (with exceptions, e.g. annexations less than 2 acres to single-family residential use), Planned Unit Development, and Land Division appeal.
- For activities that will be approved by the Planning Commission without a public hearing, signage must be posted within 15 days after the application has been accepted for review. The sign will include the file number, address, current zoning information, name and other details about the proposed project (if any), petitioner’s name and contact information. Activities in this category are site plans.
- City Council adopted these amendments at second reading on February 19, 2026. https://a2council.com/ann-arbor-city-council-february-19-2026/
Legistar and Video Links
Legistar: https://a2gov.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1252554&GUID=8D5509CD-9CCE-4AB6-AD5B-AA01E3629DF1
YouTube: https://youtu.be/8HPmu4znVvM
CTN Video: https://ctnvideo.a2gov.org/CablecastPublicSite/show/11042
Meeting Length: 3h 52m