[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6124255,"mediaKeyId","2685887-69c5e327999705ca97dbc18e872b15ef","parentId",2685887,"title","Commission recommends rezoning 2325 Crystal Way to Public Land to expand Hickory Nature Area","audioSeconds",309,"startMs",4593000,"endMs",4902000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2685887-69c5e327999705ca97dbc18e872b15ef&start=4593&end=4902","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2685887-69c5e327999705ca97dbc18e872b15ef/thumbnail_4593000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6124255/Ann-Arbor-City/Washtenaw-County/Michigan/Commission-recommends-rezoning-2325-Crystal-Way-to-Public-Land-to-expand-Hickory-Nature-Area","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6124255-c9f6b2dcae58e1870a262a8363b21c38/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176745&Signature=WtWUkGtI0wJs65KkNYlUDBmeVeCtE9sqe6H9AnkbicpPxWb5AmTgPsulE8nDv-1ZrF9QplJ4a4JEn0fZPqySmcnBH2pOXrs~Db8VqFFek2o-v4CpGd0q8E144Vek-HUg5k-8n23PiQnmyEhgQdGS5tYBBBBXgLhXeu-~eUkFLoa6HGZ6sfIFPH2aY1DJR2XhWbKDu3gm~UaU0Gy5NwGehBeu7VXxwuJomBwbviploJ8PR~-Qzxnv275LaX~A8ckC3FowPIS~45fJxgFx9VUyQorFzamUof6sRnJW67C6J2u7vvhGWHWXGTPCYUOwQnR-o1CITqfCLu9zlDJ5WBHlwA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","CTN Ann Arbor","date","2025-03-04T00:00:00Z","article","The Ann Arbor Planning Commission on March 4 recommended that city council rezone 2325 Crystal Way from R4A to Public Land (PL) after the parcel was donated to the city for expansion of the Hickory Nature Area.

Staff told commissioners the 9.859-acre parcel was conveyed to the city as part of a 2019 townhouse development approval and reviewed by the Land Acquisition Committee of the Parks Advisory Commission in November 2020. The parcel abuts the existing Hickory Nature Area — a narrow, city-owned park donated earlier — and staff said PL zoning is the appropriate designation now that the city owns the land.

No development was proposed; staff characterized the rezoning as an administrative cleanup to match zoning to ownership and recommended approval. Tom Stalberg, a caller during remote public comment, noted recent private development sales in the region and flagged the broader real-estate market context but raised no objection to the rezoning itself.

The commission moved to recommend approval; the motion passed by roll call and will be forwarded to mayor and city council for final action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Ann Arbor City Planning Commission 3/4/25","oneSentenceSummary","The Planning Commission recommended rezoning 2325 Crystal Way from R4A to Public Land after the parcel was donated to the city for expansion of the Hickory Nature Area; staff said the rezoning aligns the zoning map with current ownership and park use.","taxTitle","Ann Arbor City, Washtenaw County, Michigan","taxId",5773,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6124261,"Planning Commission recommends rezoning of 343 S. Fifth to D1 to enable mixed-use redevelopment with library",735,6138000,6873000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2685887-69c5e327999705ca97dbc18e872b15ef&start=6138&end=6873","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2685887-69c5e327999705ca97dbc18e872b15ef/thumbnail_6138000.jpg","/articles/6124261/Ann-Arbor-City/Washtenaw-County/Michigan/Planning-Commission-recommends-rezoning-of-343-S-Fifth-to-D1-to-enable-mixed-use-redevelopment-with-library","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6124261-61f6cb39bbee7633e9a60bde3d944a5b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176745&Signature=Dh-Bd7P-RY4o17m0-XGBbUGj68Y~7ui67G0~NXQk-Qyx-huqjDRjlWkrmCpqROC051vNIOCO49NGDAb-mCfGMlENSgYzEh0iyJub41dMeBVstUWjcG5raPPRycsNMCsFh-XvgKTOpKSJmLnJiZueNkuDJE8BOTOENPYNsg39rFfEfsqBVQHneuUHtyFztyEzHfVT7uC1n7vIdF3C~GKhvRE1atQXpS26-D2VDLmMDEB-0wjAT2QWw32AIUY5DKfsLWRw9wf0qv~XvTdFaGzOGnONJg9-Af3W7V1JPT1jOiTlK1Vr~FAZJEjcJYkJFveEw~jPceVqXvazNzVRq5~ANg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ann Arbor Planning Commission on March 4 recommended that city council rezone 343 South Fifth Avenue, the downtown Ann Arbor District Library (AADL) site, from Public Land (PL) to D1, the Downtown Core District, to enable potential mixed-use redevelopment including a new library and housing.

Elan Aberger, director of the Ann Arbor District Library, told commissioners the library’s board seeks flexibility to pursue a public–private partnership that could fund a new downtown library without a new millage. Aberger said rezoning would allow the library to occupy several floors while selling air rights or partnering with a developer to build housing and other amenities above.

Aberger presented historic photos and a 2019 feasibility study and said the current building has structural and waterproofing issues that constrain daily service. “We found that it was not built according to the drawings. There was waterproofing missing… Those original supports were corroding and swelling and pushing off the pieces of the building,” Aberger said.

Staff recommended rezoning to D1 and noted that the site is already surrounded by D1 zoning on nearly all sides; the adopted master plan also recommends Downtown Core for the location. If rezoned, the Downtown Character Overlay (Midtown Character Overlay) would apply to regulate street wall height, massing and other form-based standards.

Commissioners debated timing and safeguards; several asked why the library sought rezoning before a final development concept was presented. Aberger said the library wanted the zoning question resolved before entering negotiations with potential development partners so rezoning would not derail discussions.

The commission’s motion to waive an area plan requirement and recommend rezoning to D1 was moved by Commissioner Weiss and seconded by Commissioner Wetherbee. Commissioners voted unanimously to recommend approval; the matter now proceeds to the mayor and city council for final action.","The commission voted to recommend rezoning the Ann Arbor District Library site at 343 South Fifth from Public Land (PL) to Downtown Core (D1) to allow potential mixed-use redevelopment including a new downtown library with housing above; the recommendation goes to city council.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6124264,"Planning Commission approves 19-story mixed-use building at 1209 South University, recommends development agreement",1877,4370000,6247000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2685887-69c5e327999705ca97dbc18e872b15ef&start=4370&end=6247","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2685887-69c5e327999705ca97dbc18e872b15ef/thumbnail_4370000.jpg","/articles/6124264/Ann-Arbor-City/Washtenaw-County/Michigan/Planning-Commission-approves-19-story-mixed-use-building-at-1209-South-University-recommends-development-agreement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6124264-845d15c452e75bd5758ef401e0241c2c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176745&Signature=EhLGzHJKYa7X9PJSSxRDT-7vL9HTUCfaUjpG31WYzGl0VlgGuVeSGo1YnEKW1HZ978V2qTldQ6YiXkd8dlkapeg542nMX9fy3eCzobs2whDdPJIhYlJAhbGvzJfgriQcVCvM4kY-1WldMYAFCpbXZxi4QcRofJ9nziy4LorOc82leoSaGC5X0Bt18SjUvSuOdbztTcnLnHu1-4m07An2btFWLQNu58hgKdg-BJSV8KFE4Sv2LNsjoopASmGHqXhQvJXblChtPrmAcaacGujjVFWgk2UqKR7vXlWBfu77TYCDGG75fMgaF0ueIOKDTBxG1mAF0EpJAtS~0WkgxdZSJw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ann Arbor Planning Commission on March 4 approved a site plan for 1209 South University Avenue, a proposed 19-story, mixed-use residential building on a 0.39-acre site, and recommended approval of the developer’s proposed development agreement to city council.

The developer, CRG, presented plans for approximately 183 residential units in a 19-story building with about 4,332 square feet of ground-floor commercial space, 79 Class A bicycle parking spaces and no vehicular parking. The project intends to use a rooftop photovoltaic array and full electrification to qualify for a 30% height bonus under the Unified Development Code.

Lisonbee Mills, vice president at CRG, and Ishawn Walker, principal at Lamar Johnson Collaborative, described the project as a pedestrian-oriented building with a ground-floor lobby and retail, a covered pedestrian corridor through the site, amenity space on upper floors and photovoltaics on the roof. Walker said the rooftop system would produce an estimated 235 megawatt-hours per year.

The site plan approval motion directed that the applicant combine all lots prior to permit applications (except demolition permits) and recommended approval of the development agreement. Commissioner White moved the site-plan approval; Council Member Disch seconded the motion.

Planning staff told commissioners the development meets applicable code and that the project will be permitted under the 2021 energy code referenced by staff. Staff noted the project provides 79 Class A and two Class C bicycle spaces, and that two-thirds of Class A spaces are low-lift vertical racks. Staff’s recommendation to approve included typical conditions listed in the staff report.

During public comment Ken Garber, a climate activist, asked technical questions about the electrification system and asked the applicant to include day‑one electrification in the development agreement so the building’s sustainability commitments would be enforceable. The applicant said the building will use a centralized water-source heat pump system with cooling towers and a centralized hot-water plant; a gas generator will provide backup power. The applicant also reported they have capacity confirmation from DTE to serve the all‑electric load.

The Planning Commission voted by roll call to approve the site plan and recommend the development agreement: Commissioners Adams, Wetherbee, Mills, Abrams, Hammerschmidt, Weiss and Chair Lee, and Council Member Disch voted yes. The motion carried.","The Ann Arbor Planning Commission approved the 1209 South University site plan for a 19-story, all-electric mixed-use residential building with ground-floor retail and no vehicle parking, and recommended the development agreement to city council.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6124267,"Residents voice mixed support and concern over Ann Arbor comprehensive plan during commission public comment",3642,525000,4167000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2685887-69c5e327999705ca97dbc18e872b15ef&start=525&end=4167","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2685887-69c5e327999705ca97dbc18e872b15ef/thumbnail_525000.jpg","/articles/6124267/Ann-Arbor-City/Washtenaw-County/Michigan/Residents-voice-mixed-support-and-concern-over-Ann-Arbor-comprehensive-plan-during-commission-public-comment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6124267-f9f8afd0ebae0efb4c3268b0f2116351/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176745&Signature=LoWXUDBA7JnbMchD7gdPh0VimOjyTYfDRgmtR05a2PSyeO5YBw5Wb1swFwK9UsXZ1FPw8XHzNZDBzn-wRf7mIYCyS2tUYLrcTUDKhr3SvUj~Xf4neSPvlOWq1sD316obVuAcPVIJ-~j0eXS91Pdqy3TEVqg7qU6Sj53siJ7ydJ-~cBORvqKnaDhdMwADpRBhCTE4aLINT6KEhxPE0TSApbAPrQNVPKmsMy7IzC8uVropRukjSRWeWV4GWYOQYCoHU3koMPdOuUF9MuRnEkQRSTOLH3RWfGtzfEvNv5ssDFS78KLeBb37chnFzJIGzulrvGk-y~elGXwcLx~qHilkAA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Hundreds of residents attended the Ann Arbor Planning Commission meeting March 4 and filled the public-comment period with competing views on the city’s draft comprehensive plan and proposed residential rezoning, urging either a slower, more neighborhood-centered process or faster, citywide changes to increase housing supply.

Speakers told commissioners the draft plan could allow taller, denser buildings that would “eliminate the majority of single family homes” and change established neighborhood character, while other residents said more homes are needed to preserve affordability and reduce vehicle miles traveled.

The debate opened with neighborhood concerns about building heights and sunlight for rooftop solar. “New builds need to accommodate any building with existing rooftop solar and consider the overshadowing effects on lower rise buildings,” said Nancy Lehi of Montclair Place. Several speakers urged minimum and maximum lot-size limits for lot combinations and subdivisions and called for clearer infrastructure plans for increased waste, transit, parking and street wear from higher density.

Linda Dabrowski of Brooklyn Street described a neighbor who felt unsafe when a nearby house became a large rental property and said the plan lacks “guardrails” to prevent conversion of long-term homes into high-turnover rentals. “I am not a NIMBY,” Dabrowski said. “I am not against increased density in our neighborhoods. But I am against losing the personalities and characteristics of our long established neighborhoods.”

Others from neighborhoods close to campus reported substantial existing rental stock and said blanket upzoning would accelerate speculative purchases and tear down older homes. “New dwelling units are almost always more expensive than what they replace,” said Lisa Jeavons of Burns Park, citing assessor data and local observations of demolition and higher-priced replacement units.

At the same time, many speakers backed the plan’s goals of increasing housing diversity, affordability and sustainability. “I would support the rezoning attempt, and also I support the fact that it's citywide,” said Connor Reynolds of Brooklyn Avenue, adding that spreading zoning changes across the city avoids concentrating impacts in a single neighborhood. Adam Juskiewicz of Las Vegas Drive said he supported “housing abundance” and the commission’s direction on allowing a range of missing-middle housing types.

Climate and building-decabonization advocates told commissioners the plan must pair density with building electrification. Ken Garber, who identifies as a renter and climate activist, said the plan focuses on reducing vehicle miles but lacks measures to cut fossil fuel combustion in buildings. “The comp plan should include both. As of now, it seems to be all about reducing vehicle miles traveled. I’ve seen nothing about reducing fossil gas combustion,” Garber said.

Several speakers requested more neighborhood outreach and clearer visuals of how proposals would play out on specific blocks. Multiple commenters said they learned about major details only recently and urged the commission to slow the process and walk the neighborhoods where changes are proposed.

Commission leadership closed the first public-comment session by directing residents to the city’s planning web pages and an email address for presentations to neighborhood groups, and staff reiterated that a draft would be available for public comment in summer 2025. Deputy Manager Kelly clarified that a forthcoming memo will describe a potential comprehensive-plan adoption process and that staff will present more materials at the March 18 meeting.

The commission did not take a decision on the comprehensive plan at the March 4 meeting; the public-comment period aggregated multiple, sometimes contradictory, neighborhood experiences and policy preferences that commissioners said staff and the commission will address during forthcoming working sessions and ordinance drafting.","Dozens of residents and stakeholders spoke at the March 4 Planning Commission meeting about the draft comprehensive plan and proposed residential rezoning, with concerns focused on building heights, parking, tree loss, housing affordability and process transparency; other commenters urged more housing and building electrification.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission recommends rezoning 2325 Crystal Way to Public Land to expand Hickory Nature Area

Planning Commission recommends rezoning of 343 S. Fifth to D1 to enable mixed-use redevelopment with library

Planning Commission approves 19-story mixed-use building at 1209 South University, recommends development agreement

Residents voice mixed support and concern over Ann Arbor comprehensive plan during commission public comment