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Ann Arbor residents and council clash over draft comprehensive plan; critics cite density, trees and engagement
Summary
Public commenters and several council members debated the draft comprehensive plan at the meeting. Speakers raised concerns about eliminating single‑family zoning, building heights, tree loss and the quality of community engagement; council members outlined next steps including open houses and zoning to follow the plan.
Multiple residents used public‑comment time to urge changes to the draft comprehensive plan, and council members responded during the meeting’s communications and discussion period.
Chuck Ream, who said he is running for the Third Ward seat, called the draft plan “gross absurdity” and argued it would allow four‑story buildings in neighborhoods that are currently single‑family, eliminate single‑ and two‑family zoning, and lead to tree loss. “This tree was dropped in my neighborhood while I was on my morning walk,” Ream said, using the example to warn of widespread canopy loss if setbacks and lot assembly rules change.
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