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.

Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

APPROVED: An ordinance grants tenants a Right to Renew a lease, subject to specific exceptions (“just cause” for eviction). Landlords would adhere to a timeline for communicating terms of renewal (or explanation of non-renewal) consistent with the Early Leasing Ordinance: tenants will receive a good faith offer to renew (or notice of non-renewal with explanation) no later than 180 days before the end of the current lease period. A tenant will have thirty days (up to 150 days before the end of the current lease) to accept/reject terms of renewal. A landlord’s failure to comply will result in payment of relocation assistance to the tenant equal to two months rent, based on the current lease. (Legistar)

• A2ELNEL: Additional Thoughts (October 1, 2022) – Right to Renew, TC-1, Non Partisan Elections
• https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2022/10/ann-arbor-set-for-final-vote-on-right-to-renew-law-to-protect-renters.html
• https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2022/10/ann-arbor-renters-get-expanded-rights-with-10-1-final-ok-of-new-law.html
• https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2022/10/ann-arbor-renters-applaud-new-law-but-landlords-arent-celebrating.html

APPROVED (first reading): One hundred ninety parcels along West Stadium Boulevard/Maple Road and additional parcels along Pauline Boulevard and Dexter Avenue will be rezoned TC-1. This zoning district (Transit Corridor district) will permit unlimited density, create height minimums except in close proximity to pre-existing residential areas, establish maximum (rather than minimum) parking requirements, require mixed use, eliminate any open space requirements, and eliminate side and rear setback requirements except where adjacent to pre-existing residential areas. (Legistar)

• A2ELNEL: Additional Thoughts (October 1, 2022) – Right to Renew, TC-1, Non Partisan Elections
• https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2022/10/210-acre-high-density-rezoning-on-ann-arbors-west-side-gets-initial-ok.html

APPROVED: An affordable housing agreement for The Standard (South Main Street and East William Street) includes two affordable housing units (one bedroom each) to be administered by the County’s Office of Community and Economic Development (OCED) and offered at a rent level affordable to households earning up to 80% of AMI which will be available for 99 years. The site plan for The Standard includes 218 dwelling units and 421 bedrooms. (Legistar)

• The site plan for The Standard was approved by Council on March 2, 2020. (Legistar)

APPROVED: The local state of emergency is terminated, effective immediately to be consistent with the lifting of state of emergency at the state and county level. City vaccination and electronic meeting policies would continue. (Legistar)

• https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2022/10/in-6-5-vote-ann-arbor-lifts-covid-19-state-of-emergency-declaration.html

APPROVED: The City Administrator will prohibit right turns on red on streets under City control, in the downtown and near-downtown area as bordered by Kingsley St., State St., Hoover Ave., and First St. and coordinate with the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority to provide an exemption from these turn restrictions for AAATA buses at intersections that serve multiple or frequent bus routes. (Legistar)

• https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2022/10/ann-arbor-bans-red-light-turns-at-50-intersections-in-downtown-area.html
• On March 13, 2023 the City posted on social media: “Ann Arbor is expanding No Turn on Red in the downtown area to reduce conflict points at intersections. New signs are going up so be aware.” https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2023/03/new-no-turn-on-red-signs-going-up-in-downtown-ann-arbor.html

APPROVED: City Council urges the DDA (Downtown Development Authority) to pursue installation of improved safety barriers at City parking decks, where people have been known to fall or jump intentionally or unintentionally. (Legistar)

• A similar resolution was approved in 2017 and resulted in the installation of temporary (but less than effective) fencing at City parking decks. (Legistar)
• https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2022/10/after-latest-fatal-jump-ann-arbor-mulls-better-barriers-on-parking-decks.html

DEFEATED: A charter amendment would be placed on the ballot 11/7/23 for voter approval, establishing non-partisan nomination and elections to the city offices for Mayor and members of Council. This removes party affiliation from the ballot and also ensures a contested election in November if more than one candidate files to run for the offices of Mayor or City Council. If there are two or fewer candidates, there is no primary election in August and the candidates appear on the ballot in November, without party affiliation. If more than two candidates petition to run for Mayor or City Council, all candidates would appear on a primary ballot in August, without party affiliation. The two primary candidates receiving the highest number of votes in August would then appear on the November ballot, again without party affiliation. (Legistar)

• A2ELNEL: Additional Thoughts (October 1, 2022) – Right to Renew, TC-1, Non Partisan Elections
• https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2022/10/sparks-fly-as-ann-arbor-council-factions-debate-importance-of-party-labels.html

A2ELNEL Voting Chart