Planning commission recommends rezoning of 2080 South State Street to Office

The Ann Arbor Planning Commission on April 21 recommended that the mayor and city council rezone 2080 South State Street from TWP (township) to O (Office). The motion, moved by Commissioner Hammerschmidt and seconded by Commissioner Lee, passed unanimously.

Dan Whistler, president of Daniels & Zermak Associates, said the parcel — a 1.199‑acre township island on South State — has historically been used for offices and that the owners extended a sanitary connection to the city after a sewer repair. "We are a township island, as you know," Whistler said, asking the commission to align zoning with the parcel’s existing use.

Planner Melene Cochran told the commission the annexation recently received city council approval and will proceed to the state; she said no new construction is proposed and staff’s recommendation was for approval because the Office designation aligns with surrounding zoning and the Ann Arbor 2050 comprehensive plan’s transition category.

During discussion commissioners asked whether past state rejections of annexation batches remained a concern and whether petitioners pay annexation fees. Staff said prior rejections addressed technical batching issues, not fundamental site problems, and confirmed that owner‑initiated annexations carry nominal processing fees primarily tied to public notice requirements.

Manager Kelly called the roll for the final recommendation vote; the motion carried with all commissioners voting in favor. The commission’s recommendation goes to the mayor and city council for final action.