A2Council Meeting Summaries

Tag: Short Term Rentals

Ann Arbor City Council: September 5, 2023

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

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Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

APPROVED: Ten parcels with addresses on South State Street (1601, 1605, 1607, 1609, 1611), Henry Street (714), and White Street (1606, 1608, 1610, 1612) will be rezoned from R4C (Multiple Family Residential) to C1A/R (Campus Business Residential) in order to permit the construction of a development (“SouthTown by 4M”) that includes 216 dwelling units with a 54 space parking garage. (Legistar)

APPROVED: A 20,861 square foot property at 3021-3023 Miller Road will be purchased for $2.9 million in order to house new facilities for CTN as well as an Election Center. CTN facilities are currently located at 2805 South Industrial Highway in a property that is leased from an LLC affiliated with Jeff Hauptman of Oxford Companies. Regarding the new property at 3021-3023 Miller Rd, a memo explains that months ago, Oxford Companies met with City staff to “determine design needs, mock-up a preliminary design sketch of the floor plan and render an estimated cost of construction.” Oxford Companies have been asked to provide “up-to-date service and life-span information” for all mechanical systems. (Legistar)

  • On the Consent Agenda this week, Council approved allocations of $6.2 million that were transferred to the City’s general fund when the Ann Arbor Housing Commission “purchased” the City-owned property at 350 S. Fifth. Those allocations include explanation that some of the funds would be used to purchase this property. (Legistar)
  • Funding for this purchase comes from $996,750 in ARPA allocations, $1,075,000 from general fund balance, and $828,250 in Affordable Housing Funds received from the Housing Commission (proceeds from the sale of 350 S. Fifth to the Housing Commission).
  • https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2023/09/525m-ann-arbor-project-to-create-new-secure-election-center-tv-studio.html

APPROVED: A new ordinance will require sellers of certain residential housing units to disclose a “Home Energy Audit” prior to sale. Requirements do not apply to multi-story/multi-family housing, accessory dwelling units, mobile homes, or commercial buildings. Sellers will provide a Home Energy Score Report completed by a Home Energy Assessor (certified by the US Department of Energy). Included in an audit will be estimates of annual and monthly energy use and cost by fuel type, as well as comparative Home energy scores for similar dwellings. These seller disclosure requirements may be waived at the “sole discretion” of the Director of the Sustainability and Innovations department (Dr. Missy Stults). (Legistar)

APPROVED: Amendments to the TC-1 zoning category address two potential uses: (Legistar)

  • Automobiles, Motorcycles, Recreational Vehicles, Equipment (Sales and Rental)
  • Automobile, Truck, Construction Equipment Repair

These amendments were in response to a City Council resolution (12/5/22 – Legistar) requesting that the Planning Commission “evaluate and recommend amendments to the TC1 Zoning District or Unified Development Code (UDC) that:

  • Incorporate limited automobile-related uses into the TC1 District, excluding drive throughs and gas stations
  • Address constraints of existing narrow rights of way”

  • In a memo (4/18/23 – Legistar), City Staff explained that these amendments do not offer “an evaluation or recommendation to address the constraints of existing narrow rights-of-way, or propose an amendment to the maximum building height limits. These issues will require more time and resources than consideration of permitted uses.”
  • In that memo, City staff recommended that these uses be permitted as a primary use: “Staff recommend approval of the proposed amendment to allow automobile, motorcycle, recreation vehicle, equipment (sales and rental) in the TC1 district.”
  • They explained further: “Given the existing form-based development standards of the TC1 district, incorporating vehicle sales and rental and vehicle repair uses will have minimal long-term impacts. Newly established vehicle sales, rental and repair uses are required to be in buildings of at least two stories, with an active street-level use, and easy for transit and nonmotorized-transportation users to access. As with any business in TC1, auto-related businesses would only be allowed limited areas on site for outdoor storage of vehicle inventory, or vehicles waiting for repair or pick-up.”
  • City Council did not consider this recommendation from City staff. Instead, Council approved the recommendation of five Mayoral appointees on the Planning Commission, who proposed that these categories be allowed only as “special exception use.” By City ordinance, all applications for a “special exception use” are ultimately accepted or rejected by the Mayoral appointees on the Planning Commission.
  • The approval process for Special Exception Use is explained in the “Procedures Summary Table” in section 5.27 on page 170 of the “Unified Development Code Eighth Edition (February 26, 2023)” at this link: https://www.a2gov.org/departments/planning/Pages/Unified%20Development%20Code.aspx
  • It is worth noting: six votes are required for the Planning Commission to act on plans, policy statements, granting of special exception uses, recommendations to City Council, and petitions. Due to three absences and one recusal, the 5-0 recommendation to approve these ordinance amendments was not actually approved by the Planning Commission. Minutes from the 4/18/23 Planning Commission meeting explain that “the motion as amended failed.” http://a2gov.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=12187547&GUID=C4CDE3BC-4F07-41D9-9DDC-F1ADBA46CD8A
  • https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2023/09/ann-arbor-changing-transit-corridor-zoning-to-allow-car-oriented-businesses.html

APPROVED: An ordinance amendment will create a new class of “micro-business” under city regulation of Marijuana facilities. Currently, one category of micro-business is defined as a facility cultivating up to 150 plants and processing/packaging/selling them to individuals over the age of 21. The amendment will establish a second category of micro-business (“Class A”) that allows a facility to cultivate up to 300 plants, package marijuana, purchase marijuana concentrate or infused products from a processor, and sell them to individuals over the age of 21. The new Class A micro business will not be permitted to process marijuana. (Legistar)

  • The amendment also includes an expansion of allowable hours of operation. Currently, marijuana facilities may not operate after 9 p.m. or before 7 a.m. The amendment will permit operation until to 12 a.m. (midnight).
  • City staff response to agenda questions explains that “there has been interest among marijuana business owners to allow extended hours of operation.” Additional staff explanation refers to “discussions among Council Members.”
  • “Factors that were considered include discussions among Council Members regarding the disparity between the closing hours of establishments in which liquor can be purchased or consumed (2:00 am) and marijuana dispensaries and consumption establishments (9:00 pm).”
  • Staff explained further: “AAPD had concerns about a potential 2:00 am closing time because of the amount of cash kept at dispensaries. AAPD recommended allowing marijuana establishments to remain open until 12:00 am for a trial period to see if there might be an uptick in crime during the extended hours, and to allow a later closing time if there are no issues with the 12:00 am closing time.”
  • Link to Council Agenda Response Memo (8/17/23): https://a2gov.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=12232317&GUID=DA3A6F00-BC22-48A1-A3A9-159A0C12B15F
  • https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2023/09/late-night-marijuana-ann-arbor-oks-new-midnight-curfew-for-pot-shops.html

APPROVED: By resolution, Council eliminates the requirement that traffic calming projects be approved by elected representatives. Moving forward, decisions will be delegated to the City Administrator and he is directed to develop a school traffic calming toolkit by December 31, 2024. A subset of mayoral appointees on the Transportation Commission (“Neighborhood Traffic Calming Committee”) will work with staff on updating and defining programs. (Legistar)

  • This resolution was recommended by mayoral appointees on the Transportation Commission. At their 8/16/2023 meeting (Legistar), the Transportation Commission specifically discussed removing the requirement that over 50% of residents on a street agree to traffic calming strategies before it can move forward. Commissioners, including Council Liaison Dharma Akmon referred to this as a change “to a collaborative model of public engagement, instead of the current empowerment model.” This distinction and shift from past policy was not included in the resolution considered by Council and it was not mentioned in discussion. The resolution on the Council agenda mentioned only that the City Administrator would pursue a “collaborative” model for public engagement.
  • https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2023/09/aiming-to-slow-cars-ann-arbor-taking-steps-to-improve-traffic-calming-program.html

APPROVED: The City will vacate the street/public right of way that was never constructed at E. Moseley from the railroad tracks to S. Fifth Avenue. This location will be used by the University of Michigan for a future development. (Legistar)

APPROVED: The City Administrator is directed to pursue a State of Michigan historical marker ahead of plans to erect a statue at City Hall to honor Kathy Kozachenko, the first openly gay or lesbian candidate to be elected to public office in the U.S. Kathy Kozachenko was elected to Ann Arbor City Council in 1974 from the then active Human Rights Party. (Legistar)

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for September 5, 2023 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for September 5, 2023 Part 2
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for September 5, 2023 Part 3

Ann Arbor City Council: May 3, 2021

This was the twenty seventh regular Ann Arbor City Council meeting since Governor Whitmer declared a state of emergency and stay-at-home order due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This meeting was held online via the Zoom application. Michigan Open Meetings Act changes effective April 1, 2021 require all Council Members to state their location.

Legistar
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Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

APPROVED: Amendments to an ordinance regulating Short term rentals, removing language that restricts location by zoning district. Short term rental is a newly defined use, added to the City zoning code. This change creates a new class of “legal non-conforming use,” permitting all current investment properties – non-owner occupied short term rentals established prior to March 1, 2021 – to continue operating indefinitely in residential areas. New investment properties would be prohibited in residential areas moving forward. (Legistar) (Legistar)

APPROVED: $646,595.50 for renovation of the Border-to-Border Pathway at the Gallup Park Vehicle bridge and Mitchell Field bridge. (Legistar)

APPROVED: City Council asks the Michigan Department of Transportation to take deliberate measures to either reduce speeds, re-engineer the road to increase traction and prevent hydroplaning, or take other steps to reduce the frequency of truck crashes on Eastbound M14. This resolution will be sent to state legislators.and Governor Whitmer. (Legistar)

DEFEATED: Budget amendment to appropriate $320,830.00 from the Major Street Fund Balance and $33,143.00 from the Local Street Fund Balance to fund 2021 Healthy Streets Deployment: 34 residential “Slow Streets”, temporary reconfiguration at South Main, and permanent re-design of Packard. (Legistar)

APPROVED: City Council expresses support for State Senate Bill 352, which restores local control over gun regulations on public property. Cities, townships, and counties would be able to adopt rules like those governing courthouses or schools. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Amendments to Council Rules restricting the addition of items to the agenda after 5 PM on the Thursday before a meeting. New rules require three cosponsors to add a late agenda item, create a “Proposed Agenda Items” section to the agenda, require a vote in order to add late items and reduce the vote required (from three-quarters to simple majority) to add those items. Problematic language added three months ago (and challenged by the ACLU) is removed. New Rules add a new Ethics violation for “conduct that is unbecoming of a Councilmember.” (Legistar)

REFERRED TO ADMIN COMMITTEE: In consultation with the director of Human Resources, the City Administrator would be asked to spend up to $20,000 to retain a professional mediator to teach effective meeting management and discourse methodology for Councilmembers. (Legistar)

TABLED: The City of Ann Arbor would hold a forum about the Palestinian people and Palestinian-Americans with the goal of having a community conversation. (Legistar)

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for May 3, 2021 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for May 3, 2021 Part 2
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for May 3, 2021 Part 3

Ann Arbor City Council: April 5, 2021

This was the twenty fifth regular Ann Arbor City Council meeting since Governor Whitmer declared a state of emergency and stay-at-home order due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This meeting was held online via the Zoom application. Michigan Open Meetings Act changes effective April 1, 2021 require all Council Members to state their location.

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APPROVED: Repairs to concrete pavement at S. Industrial (Eisenhower to Stadium). The $1,071,197.58 project will include re-striping to add north and south bound bike lanes throughout the corridor. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Sidewalk gaps will be filled at Newport/Sunset. The $120,000 project will be paid for with the Street, Bridge, and Sidewalk Millage. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Fair Chance Access to Housing – Criminal history will not be permitted as a determining factor in access to rental housing. An application for rental housing shall not require an applicant to disclose criminal history or authorize release of criminal history. (Legistar)

APPROVED: The City of Ann Arbor condemns hate crimes, hateful rhetoric, hateful acts against Asians and Asian Americans, white terrorism and white supremacism in all forms. The City encourages Asians and Asian Americans to report harassment, hate crimes, and discrimination to the Ann Arbor Police Department, the City’s Human Rights Commission, and/or the Michigan Department of Civil Rights. (Legistar)

APPROVED: This resolution expresses support for recommendations from the University of Michigan President’s Commission on Carbon Neutrality (PCCN). Recommendations include reductions in emissions and goals for carbon neutrality (exclusive of offsets) by 2040. (Legistar)

APPROVED: For the first citation of a season, the penalty for failure to comply with our snow removal ordinance is reduced from $100 to $60. (The snow removal ordinance requires making sidewalks, walks, and ramps free of snow and ice for their entire constructed width and length within 24 hours of a snowfall greater than one inch.) (Legistar)

APPROVED: The City Administrator will either establish a program of Subject Matter Expert response for public safety (in collaboration with Washtenaw County, Washtenaw County Sheriff’s office, “Subject Matter Agencies” and in consultation with the Independent Community Police Oversight Commission) or report on obstacles and ideas for overcoming them by December 31, 2021. The City Administrator may hire a consultant to help in this process and he is directed to include this endeavor in the Fiscal Year 2022 budget, while identifying sources of funding. (Legistar)

APPROVED: The City Attorney will review criminal ordinances that are enforced by the Ann Arbor Police Department and identify ordinance amendments that would be consistent with goals of the 2021 State Criminal Justice Reform Legislation and the general “spirit of progressive criminal justice reform.” Recommended ordinance amendments will be presented to Council before November 15, 2021. (Legistar)

APPROVED (First Reading): Amendments to an ordinance regulating Short term rentals, removing language that restricts location by zoning district. Short term rental is a newly defined use, added to the City zoning code. This change creates a new class of “legal non-conforming use,” permitting all current investment properties – non-owner occupied short term rentals established prior to March 1, 2021 – to continue operating indefinitely in residential areas. New investment properties would be prohibited in residential areas moving forward. (Legistar) (Legistar)

POSTPONED: Amendments to our early leasing ordinance will change a standard from 70 days to 240 days. A landlord would not be permitted to enter a leased premises for the purpose of showing it to prospective tenants or enter into a contract for a subsequent lease sooner than 240 days into a current lease. This agenda item was postponed to consider improved strategies for enforcement. (Legistar)

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for April 5, 2021 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for April 5, 2021 Part 2
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for April 5, 2021 Part 3
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for April 5, 2021 Part 4

Ann Arbor City Council: December 21, 2020

This was the eighteenth regular Ann Arbor City Council meeting since Governor Whitmer declared a state of emergency and stay-at-home order due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This meeting was held online via the Zoom application.

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Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

APPROVED: Resolution asking Staff and Planning commission to consider amendments to an ordinance passed 9/4/20, regulating the location of short-term-rentals in the City. Amendments will be drafted to preserve businesses already located in residentially zoned districts. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Water rate increases: 7% (starting January 1, 2021) and increase again by 6.5% (starting July 1, 2021). These changes are projected to increase revenues to the Water Supply System by $1.47 million (more than FY2020). (Legistar)

APPROVED: Solar panel installation in Multi-family, Mixed Use, Non-residential and Special Purpose districts (up to 10,000 square feet) will be permitted under certain conditions without a Site Plan Review. (This amendment is prompted by a specific development proposal to expand a parking cover and create a larger surface for solar collection.) District height maximums will have (up to) a 12-foot exception for the purpose of mounting rooftop solar. (Legistar)

APPROVED: $72,000 to support Shelter Association of Washtenaw County (Winter Emergency Shelter & Warming Center). (Legistar)

APPROVED: $12,000 allocation of Special Assistance Fund to Barrier Busters. (Legistar)

APPROVED: $50,000 of direct assistance to Ann Arbor Residents through Barrier Busters. (Legistar)

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for December 21, 2020 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for December 21, 2020 Part 2
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for December 21, 2020 Part 3

Ann Arbor City Council: September 8, 2020

This was the eleventh regular Ann Arbor City Council meeting since Governor Whitmer declared a state of emergency and stay-at-home order due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This meeting was held online via the Zoom application.

Legistar
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APPROVED: Short term rentals will be licensed and regulated by the City, effective March 1, 2021. (Legistar)

  • Licensing will require payment of a fee and application that includes: address, type of property, number of bedrooms for rent, maximum permitted occupancy, and names, telephone numbers, and email addresses of two contact persons responsible for the Short-Term Rental Unit.
  • A principal residence may be licensed as a short term rental, either host-stays or whole house rental.
  • A non-principal residence short-term rental will only be permitted in Mixed Use Zoning districts.
  • https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2020/09/ann-arbor-bans-dedicated-airbnb-short-term-rental-properties.html

APPROVED: Site plan for four story hotel (115 rooms) at 361 W. Eisenhower, with access off of Signature Blvd. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Annexation of Valhalla property (9.8 acres on the east side of South Main Street near the intersection of Scio Church Road, north of Ann Arbor Saline Road and adjacent to University of Michigan’s golf course). (Legistar)

  • Six houses currently exist in this area. Staff recommended zoning of R1D – consistent with the Master Plan Future Land Use – would permit the development of 84 dwelling units, maximum. The City Planning Commission recommends future zoning of conditional R4E, which would permit the development of 454 dwelling units. Zoning changes have not yet been presented to Council for a vote.

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for September 8, 2020 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for September 8, 2020 Part 2

Ann Arbor City Council: August 6, 2020

This was the ninth regular Ann Arbor City Council meeting since Governor Whitmer declared a state of emergency and stay-at-home order due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This meeting was held online via the Zoom application.

Legistar
YouTube
Newsletter
Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

APPROVED: $127,140 to purchase a high speed absentee ballot vote tabulator in preparation for the November election. This equipment is partially paid for with a grant ($30,000) from the State of Michigan Bureau of Elections. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Site plan and development agreement for 2658 W. Liberty Street (north side of Liberty, immediately east of 94). Nine three-story buildings with 52 units will be built on a 4.6 acre parcel zoned R4B (Multi-family dwelling). (Legistar)

APPROVED: Extend downtown street closures for restaurant and retail use until Sept 21, 2020 (Legistar)

POSTPONED to Sept 8th: A proposed ordinance to regulate short term rentals (STRs) would include a system of application and paid licenses. Applications would include description of the space for rent (location, bedrooms, occupancy) and name/telephone/email information for two responsible contact persons. Whole house and host-stay STRs would be permitted for all principal residences. Non-principal residence STR’s would only be permitted in Mixed Use Zoning areas. (Legistar)

DEFEATED: A ballot question for a charter amendment would allow ranked choice voting in our local elections. As written, ranked choice voting would apply separately to both the August party primary and the November general election for the offices of Mayor and City Council. One candidate chosen from each party primary in August would be included in a November election.(Legistar)

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for August 6, 2020 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for August 6, 2020 Part 2

Ann Arbor City Council: January 6, 2020

This Ann Arbor City Council meeting was held in person at City Hall.

Legistar
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Newsletter
Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

APPROVED: City Administrator will develop Ordinance Amendments to regulate short-term rentals (Legistar)

APPROVED: $31,700 support for the Ann Arbor Housing Commission. One FTE (five months) for administration of additional housing vouchers (Legistar)

APPROVED: $75,000 for one FTE (partial year) -Lieutenant for Audit & Review, supporting Independent Community Police Oversight Commission (Legistar)

APPROVED: $117,465 agreement with Dawn Farms to provide drug abuse counselling and rehab services through the Fifteenth Judicial Court District (Legistar)

APPROVED: $102,538 through Washtenaw Community Mental Health for mental health services through the Fifteenth Judicial Court District (Legistar)

APPROVED: $29,322.59 additional funds for Confidential Victim Support Services through the Fifteenth Judicial Court District (Legistar)

APPROVED: $38,431 for drug abuse screening program by the Sheriff’s office, through the Fifteenth Judicial Court District (Legistar)

APPROVED: $39,772 Purchase of a Vehicle from LaFontaine Chrysler Dodge (Legistar)

  • $21,006 from the Sustainability & Innovations County Mental Health Millage Fund to subsidize the purchase of a plug-in hybrid electric minivan for use by City Administration Services and System Planning

APPROVED:  $114,492 Purchase of Vehicles from Berger Chevrolet (Legistar)

  • $28,026 from the Sustainability & Innovations County Mental Health Millage Fund to subsidize the purchase of two electric vehicles for use by Police Community Standards Unit

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for January 6, 2020 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for January 6, 2020 Part 2

Ann Arbor City Council: March 18, 2019

This Ann Arbor City Council meeting was held in person at City Hall.

Legistar
YouTube
Newsletter
Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

APPROVED: Resolution to pursue affordable housing options at city-owned properties:

APPROVED: Resolution asking for recommendations to increase the Downtown Affordable Housing Premium with the goal of increasing the development of affordable housing (Legistar)

APPROVED: Direction to City Administrator to study potential regulation of short-term rentals (Legistar)

APPROVED: $50,032.56 for design/engineering to repair park bridges (Barton Nature Area, Bandemer Park, Mitchell Field and Gallup Park) (Legistar)

APPROVED: Implementation of safety improvements at Fuller Road crosswalk, Huron High School (Legistar)​

APPROVED: Rezoning and PUD site plan for Malletts Wood project, 3300 Cardinal Avenue (Legistar)

DEFEATED: Rezoning from R1C single family zoning to PUD, Lockwood development at 3365 Jackson Road (Legistar)

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for March 18, 2019 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for March 18, 2019 Part 2

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My name is Elizabeth Nelson, and I believe that your local government should be accessible and transparent. Since 2018 , I have sent out a newsletter before every Council meeting with my summary of agenda items coming before City Council, plus news and events of interest to Ann Arbor residents.

After each Council meeting, I create and post voting charts so that you can easily see how Council voted, and update this website with meeting summaries that include links to the City’s Legistar website, CTN’s YouTube video, and articles published on MLive.

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