Planning Commission approves 215–217 S. Main site plan, adding eight two‑bedroom apartments

The Ann Arbor City Planning Commission on Feb. 19 approved a site plan revising 215–217 South Main Street to add a 3,524‑square‑foot rear addition that will create eight two‑bedroom residential units above two existing ground‑floor retail spaces.

The commission voted unanimously to approve “215–217 South Main Street site plan, revision number 4, dated 01/21/2025.” The motion was moved by Commissioner White and seconded by Councilmember Disch.

The project reuses an existing three‑story, roughly 17,020‑square‑foot downtown building in the D1 downtown core zoning and the Main Street Historic District (Ward 5). The addition will add about 8,623 square feet of residential floor area on the second and third floors while maintaining the two retail spaces at street level.

Petitioners and staff said the project already has a historic district review outcome for the front facade and that utilities were upgraded during a prior city water main project, limiting new excavation on Main Street. Joe Maynard of Washtenaw Engineering presented for the petitioner; architect Chris Biggers and general contractor Sam Kaffai were available online. City Manager Leonard led the staff presentation and recommended approval, noting the city planner who prepared the file was absent from the meeting due to illness.

Public commenter Ken Garber pressed the developer on sustainability, saying the project’s “solar ready” roof statement—conduits run to allow future panels—was insufficient and urging immediate installation. Councilmember Disch commended the applicant’s construction and demolition waste management plan, which the applicant described as recycling or diverting approximately 90% of demolition materials, and pressed again for solar installation. Architect Chris Biggers said the team calculated that the roof can accommodate roughly 30 kilowatts of solar generation but that the building’s estimated need is about 70 kilowatts, meaning panels alone would not fully power the building without additional measures from the utility; he said panels could be installed now and the roof is designed to accept them.

Commissioners asked about bicycle parking and vacancy: Commissioner Mills noted bicycle parking provided at the front, back and inside the ground floor as a strong amenity for the downtown site; Commissioner Hammerschmidt confirmed the second and third floors are currently vacant and welcomed the added housing.

The commission’s approval was a standard site‑plan action; staff said no development agreement is required for this proposal. Mr. Leonard told commissioners that the developer could show installed panels on building‑permit plans and staff could verify and report back to the commission. The petitioner and staff did not commit to an immediate installation date at the meeting.

The approved plan maintains the existing Main Street facade per the Historic District Commission’s conditions, fills vaults in front per DDA requirements, and adds on‑site first‑flush stormwater protection where none currently exists at this property.