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Planning Commission recommends removing Design Review Board and shifting design review to staff; approves proposed changes to downtown materials rules
Summary
The Ann Arbor City Planning Commission voted 7–2 on Feb. 19 to recommend that city council eliminate the Design Review Board, move its advisory review into planning staff’s administrative process, and revise downtown material standards to permit additional energy‑efficiency materials including EIFS under proposed rules.
The Ann Arbor City Planning Commission on Feb. 19 recommended that city council eliminate the separately appointed Design Review Board (DRB), make DRB review an administrative function of planning staff, and revise downtown building material regulations to allow additional materials including exterior insulation and finish systems (EIFS) under proposed standards.
The proposed amendments originated from an April 2024 city council resolution and a city administration report, “A New Approach to Economic Development,” which recommended process changes to speed project review and reduce time and uncertainty for development. Manager Leonard told commissioners the proposal preserves the downtown design guidelines but shifts the advisory DRB conversation into staff…
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