A2Council Meeting Summaries

Tag: UDC Updates

Ann Arbor City Planning Commission Ordinance Revisions Committee: February 28, 2023

This meeting was held remotely using the Zoom application. A recording of this session was not made available by the City. I uploaded my recording of the Zoom meeting to YouTube.

This was a meeting of the Ann Arbor City Planning Commission Ordinance Revisions Committee held on February 28, 2023. A potential City ordinance amendment was discussed which “seeks to add the specification of ‘Event Space’ to the list of specified uses under the UDC and designate it as a permitted use under the Mixed-Use Zoning District – Office District.” This ordinance amendment was requested by Winston Chester, Commercial Real Estate Analyst at Oxford Companies, who called into public comment at the end of the meeting (timestamp 1h 23m). No votes were held at this meeting.

This is the Legistar link for this meeting: https://a2gov.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1069448&GUID=0E8D236F-9D11-486D-95D9-98E3AC8241ED

Ann Arbor City Council: February 6, 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 Ghazi-Edwin was absent
CM Watson was absent

Legistar
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Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

Attached to this agenda was a communication from City Administrator Dohoney: a report on a survey conducted in 2022, regarding compliance with the City’s Prevailing Wage Ordinance. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Amendments to the UDC eliminate current exceptions and revise standards for alternative stormwater detention to allow more staff flexibility when site constraints make it infeasible to meet the full detention volume requirement. An exception for developments that do not increase total impervious surface has been eliminated; all site plans for developments over one acre in size must address the “First Flush” (first inch of runoff). Impervious areas related to ADA improvements, public sidewalk improvements, and existing areas on Historic structures are no longer exempted from stormwater management requirements. Requirements will not apply to sites less than one acre in size where there is no increase in impervious area. Amendments reorganize standards and requirements for stormwater management. (Legistar)

APPROVED: A property at 530 N. Division is rezoned from R4C (Multiple Family Dwelling District) to Planned Unit Development (PUD). As zoned R4C, the 0.19 acre parcel is permitted to have three units but it is currently nonconforming and contains four units. The rezoning to PUD will permit a three story addition on the rear of the quad-plex, each containing a six bedroom unit plus a below grade unit. (Legistar)

APPROVED: A site plan for 530 N. Division permits a three story addition on the rear of the quad-plex, each containing a six bedroom unit plus a below grade unit. (Legistar)

APPROVED: The Robert and Erma Hayden House at 1201 Gardner Avenue will be established as a historic district. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Street closure for the University of Michigan Presidential Inauguration Public Reception from 6:00 AM on Monday, March 6 until 8:00 PM on Wednesday, March 8, 2023. Washington Street between Fletcher and Thayer. (Legistar)

APPROVED: (first reading): Multiple parcels adding up to 67.6 acres at 1680 Dhu Varren Road, 1710 Dhu Varren Road, 2670 Pontiac Trail, 2672 Pontiac Trail, 2678 Pontiac Trail, and 2682 Pontiac Trail will be rezoned from Township (TWP) and R1C (Single-Family Dwelling District) to R4A (Multiple-Family Dwelling District) as part of The Village of Ann Arbor development site plan. Planned use is consistent with the adjacent zoning, land uses, and comprehensive land use plan. (Legistar)

POSTPONED: A resolution directing a new beginning of collaboration with the University of Michigan for reconstruction of the East Medical Center Drive bridge at an added cost of $2,050,000. The City’s contribution will be $500,000. Construction will be delayed to 2024. Resolution is postponed to February 21, 2023. (Legistar)

A2Council Update Video

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for February 6, 2023 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for February 6, 2023 Part 2

Ann Arbor City Council: August 15, 2022

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.

Legistar
YouTube
Newsletter
Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

APPROVED: Three amendments to the Uniform Development Code (UDC): (Legistar)

  • A limitation on the number of State marijuana licenses per lot is removed, so that several licenses can be ‘stacked’ on the same parcel. Other restrictions – zoning district permitted use regulations, physical separation distances, and the maximum cap for provisioning center/retailers and designated consumption facilities – remain in effect. Added at the 7/18/22 Council meeting: an amendment to the requirement that all activities occur indoors will allow curbside service at marijuana provisioning centers, retailers, and microbusinesses.
  • New site plans include requirements and procedures for installing street trees in the right-of-way. Changes to linear frontage calculation will prevent overcrowding of trees. Escrow deposit and refund related to these tree plantings are eliminated.
  • For site plans, modification to landscape requirements is permitted under certain conditions. This amendment adds an eligibility requirement and re-organizes modification conditions, standards of approval, and approval procedures.
  • The Planning Commission approved these changes at the March 15, 2022 meeting: https://a2council.com/ann-arbor-city-planning-commission-march-15-2022

APPROVED: Amendments to the UDC changing parking requirements. Parking requirements are eliminated for residential dwellings, adult day care centers, child care centers, and outdoor residential recreation facilities. Eliminated: requirements for off-street parking spaces for residential units located more than 300 feet from a bus stop and in areas with limited street parking. Also eliminated: any requirements for a “Parking Plan” of proposed off-street parking and an analysis of public parking and transit facilities in the vicinity. Parking maximums are established for the Transit Corridor (TC-1) zoning district. Requirements for Electric Vehicle (EV) ready and installed parking are amended to only apply to newly constructed parking. (Legistar)

APPROVED: $4,577,354.95 contract for application of cape sealing pavement preservation treatment on 10 major streets and 38 minor/local streets. citywide crack sealing of approximately 10 miles of major streets and 25 miles of minor/local streets. (Legistar)

APPROVED: $639,726 construction contract (with $64,000 contingency) for filling sidewalk gaps on Ellsworth Road between State and Stone School. (Legistar)

APPROVED: A total of $2,045,700 in construction contracts for the resurfacing Scio Church Road between South Maple Road and South Seventh Street, filling sidewalk gaps on the north side of the road, installing three (3) new crosswalks, converting on-street parking into bike lanes, and adding stormwater infiltration. (Legistar)

APPROVED: $698,808.92 construction contract for pavement marking maintenance and A2 Vision Zero Quick Build Projects. (Legistar)

APPROVED: $121,978 contract for redesign of the City’s website. (Legistar)

APPROVED: $853,211 contract with the Ecology Center to provide Resource Recovery Education, Outreach, Engagement, and Marketing for five years. (Legistar)

APPROVED: For the purpose of running a gas line, the City will grant two easements to DTE Gas Company: 1) across the north end of Siller Terrace (south of Virginia Park) and 2) on the south side of Dexter Avenue near the intersection at N. Maple (northwest corner of Veterans Park). (Legistar)

APPROVED: The City Administrator is authorized to execute a letter to the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) in support of noise abatement and an environmental impact study of noise on M-14 from Maple Road to Main Street. (Legistar)

APPROVED: The annual meeting between the City Council and members of the Downtown Development Authority will be cancelled for 2022. Cancellation of this meeting is a deviation from the parking agreement that requires these annual meetings. (Legistar)

APPROVED: The City will pay $24,500 to Deborah Gordon-Gurfinkel and Elihau Gurfinkel. This payment will settle a claim related to injuries caused by a trip and fall on a pothole on Sunset Road. The injury occurred in August 2020 when Sunset Road was designated as a “Healthy Street.” (Legistar)

TABLED: A resolution from the Renters Commission urges City Council to adopt an ordinance creating a Right to Renew for renters in Ann Arbor. This resolution was tabled at the request of the City Attorney’s office. A draft ordinance (attached to the resolution) 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. (Legistar)

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for August 15, 2022 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for August 15, 2022 Part 2
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for August 15, 2022 Part 3
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for August 15, 2022 Part 4

Ann Arbor City Council: August 4, 2022

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 Hayner was absent

Legistar
YouTube
Newsletter
Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

APPROVED: An amendment to the Uniform Development Code (UDC) adds “religious assembly” as a primary use in the M1 (Limited Industrial) district. This amendment was requested by Oxford Properties. A second amendment to the UDC reduces minimum lot sizes, areas, and setbacks in the R2A zoning district. The minimum lot size in the R2A zoning district was previously 8,500 square feet and is now 5,000 square feet. The previous minimum lot area per dwelling was 4,250 square feet and is now 2,500 square feet. The rear setback requirement is reduced from 30 to 20 feet. These amendments to R2A were initiated by the Planning Commission. (Legistar)

APPROVED: The 1.15 acre City-owned property at 1146 South Maple sold to Avalon Housing for $260,000. In 2019, the City exercised a right of first refusal in order to buy this property for $260,000. Avalon plans to develop 14 units of affordable housing on this site. (Legistar)

APPROVED: $285,524.06 contract for engineering and design services related to the repair/replacement of the vehicle and pedestrian bridge at Gallup Park. (Legistar)

APPROVED: $59,000 in allocations from the FY23 Community Event Fund budget. The Ann Arbor Community Events Committee recommends funding to sixteen different community organizations and events in amounts ranging between $125 (Veterans Day Memorial) and $32,000 (Ann Arbor Summer Festival). (Legistar)

APPROVED: A resolution authorizes the City Attorney to investigate all legal courses of action to protect health, welfare, and safety concerns relative to the Hexavalent chromium spill. (Legistar)

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for August 4, 2022 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for August 4, 2022 Part 2
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for August 4, 2022 Part 3

Ann Arbor City Planning Commission: May 17, 2022

This meeting was held in person at City Hall.

Commissioner Mills was absent.
Commissioner Sauve was absent.

APPROVED: Site plan for a five story building with 14 residential units at 330 Detroit Street. Two existing buildings will be removed and parcels at 303, 312, and 314 Detroit Street will be combined to make a 0.23 acre lot. The site plan includes 23 on-site parking places and 1,850 square feet of ground floor retail.
Amended to add direction for developer and City Staff to “work to minimize the negative impacts to the Kerrytown business district during construction.”

APPROVED: Recommendation that City Council approve amendments to the UDC code to eliminate parking requirements for Residential Occupancy, Adult Daycare Centers, Outdoor Recreation, Transit Corridor (TC-1) Development, and Nonprofit Corporations. The code would be amended to replace a whole section and address three types of parking – vehicles, bicycles, and EV’s (electric vehicles) – establishing maximums or vehicle parking and minimums for bicycle parking. Transit Corridor district will have a maximum of three parking spaces per 1000 square feet of floor area.

Legistar and Video Links

Legistar: https://a2gov.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=884163&GUID=9D4A76AD-6410-486D-A4F2-29361C3E9FDE

YouTube: https://youtu.be/6E7EJsAO5uU

CTN Video: https://ctnvideo.a2gov.org/CablecastPublicSite/show/6873

Meeting Length: 3h 10m

Ann Arbor City Planning Commission: April 5, 2022

This meeting was held in person at City Hall.

APPROVED: Site plan for the construction of 70 unit apartment complex on 2.56 acres at 1577, 1605, 1633 North Maple Road and 2510 Miller Road (“Maple Cove”). The development will be 79,482 square feet in three buildings, with 86 vehicle parking spaces and 38 bicycle parking spaces. The site plan combines four parcels and includes a Wetland Use Permit.

APPROVED: Recommendation that City Council approve amendments to the UDC to eliminate minimum parking requirements for any land use in any zoning district. Site plan requirements for EV infrastructure would be amended to apply only to newly constructed parking spaces. Amendments would also adjust EV requirements by type/classification of infrastructure.

Legistar and Video Links

Legistar: https://a2gov.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=931698&GUID=8A263A19-4FE5-4A06-BD44-6E10F99ABCEF

YouTube: https://youtu.be/-ogl4wO_B3o

CTN Video: https://ctnvideo.a2gov.org/CablecastPublicSite/show/6669

Meeting Length: 3h 34m

Ann Arbor City Planning Commission: March 15, 2022

This meeting was held in person at City Hall.

APPROVED: Recommendations that City Council approve amendments to the UDC

  • Religious assembly added as a permitted use in the M1 (Limited Industrial) zoning district.
  • Reducing minimums for lot size, lot width, and lot area per dwelling unit in R2A district
    • 8500 square feet reduced to 5000 square feet minimum lot size
    • 60 feet to 40 feet minimum lot width
    • 4,250 square feet to 2500 square feet minimum lot area per dwelling unit

APPROVED: Recommendations that City Council approve amendments to the UDC

  • Amendment to reduce minimum rear setback in R2A – 30 feet reduced to 20 feet.
  • Commissioner Lee recused himself from discussion and action on this amendment.

APPROVED: Recommendations that City Council approve amendments to the UDC

  • Permitting any number of marijuana facilities on a single lot, allowing multiple of the same kinds of marijuana license types on a single lot.
  • Street tree requirements exclude curb cuts from street tree planting frontage calculations. Street tree planting fee replaces reference to street tree escrow.
  • Flexibility in street tree requirements for modification of a proposed site plan.

All of the above UDC amendments were approved by City Council at the August 15, 2022 meeting: https://a2council.com/ann-arbor-city-council-august-15-2022

APPROVED: Expansion (9,200 square feet) of Ann Arbor Chinese Church at 1750 Dhu Varren Road. Landscape modifications will permit existing landscape islands to remain, without bio-retention capacity and parking lot will continue with more that 15 spaces per row, without a landscape island.

Legistar and Video Links

Legistar: https://a2gov.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=931697&GUID=F0798D5B-6DB0-438F-92CD-3EACAF58477E

YouTube: not available

CTN Video: https://ctnvideo.a2gov.org/CablecastPublicSite/show/6591

Meeting Length: 3h 8m

Ann Arbor City Planning Commission: March 1, 2022

This meeting was held in person at City Hall.

POSTPONED: Recommendation that City Council approve amendments to the UDC:

  • Religious assembly added as a permitted use in the M1 (Limited Industrial) zoning district.
  • Permitting any number of marijuana facilities on a single lot, allowing multiple of the same kinds of marijuana license types on a single lot.
  • Reducing minimums for lot size, lot width, and lot area per dwelling unit in R2A district
    • 8500 square feet reduced to 5000 square feet minimum lot size
    • 60 feet to 40 feet minimum lot width
    • 4,250 square feet to 2500 square feet minimum lot area per dwelling unit
  • Street tree requirements exclude curb cuts from street tree planting frontage calculations. Street tree planting fee replaces reference to street tree escrow
  • Flexibility in street tree requirements for modification of a proposed site plan

These UDC amendments items were discussed and approved at the March 15, 2022 meeting: https://a2council.com/ann-arbor-city-planning-commission-march-15-2022

Legistar and Video Links

Legistar: https://a2gov.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=931696&GUID=C949A199-C809-4AAF-8946-1E7E0676BE1D

YouTube: https://youtu.be/dIA1gs2JD7s

CTN Video: https://ctnvideo.a2gov.org/CablecastPublicSite/show/6528

Meeting Length: 1h 34m

Ann Arbor City Council: January 3, 2022

This was the first Ann Arbor City Council meeting held in person at City Hall since March 2020. Members of the public can participate in public hearings and public comment either in person or via phone.

CM Hayner was absent
CM Song was absent

Legistar
YouTube
Newsletter
Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

APPROVED: The Unified Development Code (UDC) is amended to change the City process for revision and approval of site plans. Site plans not associated to rezoning petitions will now be reviewed by the City Planning Commission, rather than City Council. Site plans will no longer be required for construction of up to four residential units (current threshold is two units). Up to six residential units may be approved by the Planning Manager, without the review of Planning Commission. (Legistar)

APPROVED: City ordinances are amended to reflect changes in the City’s procedures for contracting and purchases. Council approval is required only for contracts and purchases over $75,000; this is a change from the previous threshold of $25,000. A set of criteria aimed at achieving “best value” will be used to make purchases and enter into contracts over $75,000; this is a change from the previous standard of “lowest responsible bidder.” Additionally, City Council is empowered to sell “surplus” property by the same standard. From the amended ordinance: “City Council retains the right to dispose of City real and personal property in a manner that provides the best value to the City, with or without competitive bids, in City Council’s determination.” All of these changes are consistent with ballot proposals approved by voters in November 2021. (Legistar)

PUBLIC HEARING: City Council held a public hearing (without any vote) regarding the establishment of an industrial development district comprised of 16.9 acres of land at 3874, 3990, 3886, 3994, 3950, 3958 Research Park Drive, owned by Sartorius BioAnalytical Instruments, Inc. Establishment of this district would allow Sartorius to apply for industrial facilities exemption certificates, which have the effect of creating certain tax abatements. State law allows up to 50% property tax exemption for up to 12 years. (Legistar)

APPROVED: An employment contract for retiring City Attorney Stephen Postema will permit him to act as a legal advisor to the city through Nov 30, 2022, for up to ten hours per week. (Legistar)

  • At the Dec 20, 2021 meeting, Council approved an employment contract with Atleen Kaur, who will serve as the Ann Arbor City Attorney starting April 11, 2022. (Legistar)

APPROVED: City Council waived attorney-client privilege on a followup investigation report to another report dated June 29, 2021, regarding former City Administrator Tom Crawford, “for the sake of transparency.” (Legistar)

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for January 3, 2022 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for January 3, 2022 Part 2

Ann Arbor City Council: September 7, 2021

This was the thirty 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.

Legistar
YouTube
Newsletter
Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Meeting Summary

APPROVED: The Energy Commission will send a recommendation to Council by December 31, 2021 as to whether or not the Commission believes the City should undertake a feasibility study to understand options related to creating a municipal utility, including traditional and non-traditional models. (Legistar)

APPROVED: The City Administrator is directed to identify potential changes to City food purchases and submit a report to City Council before February 1, 2022 with recommendations, including an estimated cost. (Legistar)

DEFEATED: As part of a larger improvement project (installation of a larger pool pump house), the Racquet Club of Ann Arbor (3010 Hickory Lane) sought to waive the City requirement that they install sidewalks along Geddes Avenue and a portion of Hickory Lane south of their main entrance. City Staff recommended approval of this waiver; the Transportation Commission opposed it. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Amendments to the Unified Development Code will regulate Home Occupations to ensure that these uses do not have adverse impacts on neighboring properties, infrastructure, and safety. The occupation can consume no more than 25% of gross floor area of a dwelling unit and is limited to a maximum of 2000 square feet in an Accessory building. There can be no more than 24 client visits per day with hours of operation limited from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Heavy vehicles (more than 10,000 pounds) may not be regularly parked on-site. (Legistar)

APPROVED: Amendments to the City’s Outdoor Lighting ordinance will further regulate illumination after sunset and before sunrise. Amendments reference color spectrum management, glare, illuminance, and specific standards for “light trespass” on neighboring properties. Illustrations define and regulate appropriate “shielding” of luminaires. (Legistar)

APPROVED: $60,000 will pay for environmental services and remedial investigation of 2000 S. Industrial, where a 1,000-gallon underground heating oil tank leaked and contaminated the surrounding soils. The tank has been removed. This remedial investigation will inform an anticipated remedial action plan. (Legistar)

A2ELNEL Voting Chart

Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for September 7, 2021 Part 1
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for September 7, 2021 Part 2
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for September 7, 2021 Part 3
Ann Arbor City Council Voting Chart for September 7, 2021 Part 4

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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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