Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Rezoning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Planning commission recommends rezoning of two South Wagner lots to allow duplexes
Summary
The Ann Arbor Planning Commission voted unanimously March 3 to recommend that city council rezone 359 and 371 South Wagner from single-family (R1D) to R2A to allow duplexes; staff said the change aligns with the draft comprehensive plan and will permit one duplex per parcel provided lot-area and attachment requirements are met.
The Ann Arbor Planning Commission voted unanimously on March 3 to recommend that the mayor and city council approve rezoning for 359 and 371 South Wagner from R1D (single-family) to R2A (allows two-family buildings).
Candace Scribe of Midwestern Consulting, representing applicant Martin Skora, told the commission the two adjoining parcels total about 12,197 square feet and that the requested rezoning would allow construction of one duplex on each lot. Scribe said the request aligns with both the current future land-use map and the draft comprehensive plan, which favor a wider range of housing types. "The preferred building forms include duplexes and triplexes as primary uses under the new comprehensive plan," she said. She also reported a community participation meeting after 69 postcards were mailed; roughly eight people attended.
Planner Bennett summarized staff findings and recommended approval, saying there were "no other concerns from staff that reviewed this" and that the rezoning aligns with the future land-use designation.
During public comment, remote caller Tom Stahlberg asked whether two units on a 5,000-square-foot lot must be attached. Planner DeLeo replied that the R2A district allows both single-family and two-family buildings and that, if a duplex is built, the units must be attached to meet the definition of a two-family building and to satisfy building-code requirements. She added that lot-area calculations apply per dwelling unit and must be met for whichever configuration is built.
Commissioners expressed support. Commissioner Lee said the request "looks pretty straightforward" and aligned with the comprehensive plan; Commissioner Hammerschmidt noted that, once the comprehensive plan and corresponding zoning changes are in place, similar projects should become by-right. Manager Kelly called the roll for the motion; Commissioners Weiss, Hammerschmidt, Lee, Mills, Wetherbee and Adams recorded yes votes and the motion carried.
The commission’s recommendation now goes to city council; Planner Bennett noted the comprehensive plan is scheduled for a council vote on March 16, which could influence whether similar projects become by-right under updated land-use rules.
