Ann Arbor City Council met at Larcom City Hall Monday evening to discuss amendments and additions to the Ann Arbor Code of Ordinances that will facilitate rezoning initiatives and incorporate regulations and standards for the development of the sustainable energy unit approved in November 2024. Further discussion centered around planned construction of new affordable housing units in Ann Arbor and modifications to the Ann Arbor fire station.
Councilmembers discussed Resolution CA-10, which supports the revision of a development plan for 51 single-family detached homes on Packard Street. City Council approved the original contract in 2019 with Peters Building Co., but construction has not started yet. This past meeting, City Council approved to renegotiate the original contract with Robertson Brothers Homes, who redesigned the site plan to include 35 single-family homes with the same requested precautions as the original proposal to protect surrounding trees.
Councilmember Lisa Disch, D-Ward 1, spoke about the status of the original development plan and next steps in negotiations between the city administration and project contractors.
“The important thing to know is that more than five years later, the property is still undeveloped,” Disch said. ”This consent agenda item asks council to authorize (Milton) Dahoney, our city administrator, to seek an alternative development proposal, and that alternative would be sought in view of a concept plan from a developer that is attached to the agenda. That concept proposes to develop the site with fewer than 51 homes, all single-family detached. This is an incremental change to the agreement imposed by the consent judgment, and it works within the constraints of that consent judgment. It is mindful of green space. It is protective of trees, and it would offer a housing typology that the city desires.”
City Council approved PH-1 to amend Chapter 55 of the Ann Arbor Code of Ordinances to rezone 1.15 acres on South Maple Road from township to planned unit development. Councilmembers then moved to discuss an upcoming project for the development of new affordable housing units on South Maple Road, which will add 39 new one-bedroom residential units.
Councilmember Disch said there is a greater need for affordable housing in Ann Arbor as the rates of the unhoused population in Washtenaw County increase. According to Disch, the project fulfills all eight criteria needed to legally justify the construction of the units, including adequate number of parking spaces, no disturbance of natural features and no effect to surrounding public services or property. Additionally, Disch said the project will satisfy the National Green Building Standard, in particular the Green +NET ZERO ENERGY certification.
“This project more than meets the first criteria for a planned unit development, which is that it must have a beneficial effect for the city on present and potential surrounding land uses,” Disch said. “Not only is this a 100% affordable housing project, but at least 35% of the units will be accompanied by supportive services. In addition, it will meet National Green Building standard, which is Green +NET ZERO or equivalent, it will be an all electric and energy efficient building envelope with high performance windows and energy efficient fixtures and equipment.”
On Nov. 6, 2024, Ann Arbor citizens passed Proposal A with 79% of the vote, approving the development of a sustainable energy utility. An alternative to the DTE Energy service, the city-owned utility will transmit and distribute electricity generated from renewable sources. Councilmembers discussed Resolution C-2 Monday evening, which would add Chapter 35 to the city of Ann Arbor code. Titled Sustainable Energy Utility Ordinance, the chapter would establish standards and regulations for the implementation of the sustainable energy utility, collection of rates and charges to fund the utility and record of all expenses and revenue.
Councilmember Dharma Akmon, D-Ward 4, said she supports the sustainable energy utility service and the council’s eagerness for the progress of the initiative.
“I wanted to point to the fact that this is getting national attention at this point,” Akmon said. “I believe this would be the first of its kind in the country, and I think that’s something for us to be proud about. The voters (are) approving, and I think that’s why you’re seeing so much excitement expressed at this table.”
Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor said the initiative addresses a key need that Ann Arbor residents should have access to and is grateful for the work that has been placed in achieving further progress.
“Members of the Ann Arbor community deserve to have 100% renewable, reliable, low-cost energy,” Taylor said. “I am incredibly excited that the community has gotten behind the SEU … the staff has done the great and good work to get us to this place.”
The council unanimously approved this resolution.
City Council also discussed Resolution CA-16, which would authorize the issuance of 2025 Capital Improvement Bonds for the renovation of Ann Arbor Fire Station 4. Taylor spoke about how modifications address infrastructure issues currently present within the fire station and will provide greater support for Ann Arbor’s firefighters.
“We so value the work that our first responders do generally, and our firefighters with specificity,” Taylor said. “The fire stations are where they spend a good deal of their time. They have 24-hour shifts. They are homes away from homes, and this home is not adequate for the purpose. It has electric problems. It was not designed for a mixed gender workforce — one that we value — and so it’s doubly exciting, in addition to the sustainability elements of the work that we’re going to be able to do at this fire station to support those who support us.”
This resolution was approved unanimously.
Daily Staff Reporter Claudia Minetti can be reached at cminetti@umich.edu.
