Planning commission recommends removing public hearings for many site‑plan reviews, drawing public concern

The Ann Arbor Planning Commission voted 7–1 on April 1 to recommend that mayor and city council approve amendments to the city's Unified Development Code to remove formal public‑hearing requirements for certain site‑plan and related reviews.

Planning staff said the change is intended to speed up administrative approvals that now require extra notice and scheduling steps. Planning staff member Mr. Leonard said the current process often forces an applicant to wait about "3 and a half weeks a month" before a decision can be scheduled and that removing the extra public‑hearing step for by‑right site plans would reduce time, cost and uncertainty for development projects.

Supporters and staff: efficiency and predictability

Mr. Leonard, identified in the meeting as planning staff, told commissioners the code changes follow a council directive to look for ways to "improve efficiency and alleviate burdens in the land development process." He said site plans that comply with code are an administrative function and that the amendments would not remove public…