Planning Commission approves 307‑unit University in Ann Arbor project at 2424 East Stadium Boulevard

The Ann Arbor Planning Commission voted July 21 to approve the site plan for the University in Ann Arbor project at 2424 East Stadium Boulevard, a six‑story multifamily building with 295 units and three townhouse buildings totaling 12 units (307 dwelling units total).

Zach Weiss, development officer for Bezac, said the project provides 417 parking spaces, 156 bicycle spaces and includes EV infrastructure (about 30 EV chargers within the parking structure and one EV charger per townhouse). Architect John Mayski described the design as a courtyard building with parking stacked in the rear and noted units will range from studios to three‑bedroom townhomes. The petitioner said the project will pursue the National Green Building Standard (NGBS) and use Energy Star appliances; the team described the likely certification level as bronze in staff materials.

Planner Deo summarized staff review and recommended approval, noting required citizen participation was completed and that the site abuts Manchester Park. Deo said the project proposes removal of 10 net landmark trees (combined DBH ~221 inches) with 50% mitigation; the developer proposes planting 19 trees on-site and 20 trees in adjacent Manchester Park (a city‑maintained, county‑owned park) and offered to pay the parks contribution less the monetary value of those 20 trees. Deo also said the developer will prepare a development agreement addressing off-site mitigation, transportation improvements and tree planting.

Public commenter Ken Garber raised concerns about the quantity of parking in TC1 developments, calculated roughly 1.36 parking spaces per unit for this project, and questioned whether the project’s pursuit of a brownfield TIF capture for contaminated groundwater (from a closed gas station) should be accompanied by stronger sustainability measures. The applicant confirmed discussions about TIF capture are underway and said the subsidy is an important component of project feasibility.

Commission questions focused on whether the building would be all‑electric, backup power strategy, pedestrian connections to adjacent retail (Trader Joe’s), and the parks/tree mitigation approach. The applicant and architect said all dwelling units and dryers are electric and that a diesel backup generator may be used if needed; they also said they are pursuing a cross‑property pedestrian or vehicular connection to the neighboring commercial parcel but do not yet have an agreement.

The commission adopted the site plan (moved by Commissioner Adams, seconded by Council Member Dish) and voted in favor on a roll call (Bessi, Norton, Weatherbe, Dish, Adams, Hammershmid/Hammersmith voting yes). Staff will prepare a development agreement for council that addresses tree mitigation, parks contributions, transportation improvements and the other conditions discussed.

Next steps: development agreement drafted and forwarded to city council for final approval; applicant continues TIFF discussions with relevant authorities.