PLANNING COMMISSION

WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI - Local officials’ decision to deny plans for a 159-acre solar farm in rural western Washtenaw County was “fatally flawed” and should be overturned by the courts, an affiliate of a global energy company is arguing in a legal appeal. Reached by phone, both AES Development Manager Frank Krawczel and Manchester Township Supervisor Ron Milkey declined to comment on the litigation. Still, criticism of the project has prompted Manchester Township officials to issue a one-year freeze on accepting or approving new solar farm applications to update local rules, though when instituted the moratorium didn’t apply to the Thorn Lake Solar project. The appeal is pending in Washtenaw County Circuit Court before Judge Patrick Conlin Jr.As of Friday, Aug. 5, the township had not filed any response to the appeal. Some residents say they’re missing out on millionsCould Washtenaw County eliminate justice system fines and fees?

ANN ARBOR, MI — A major housing development on Ann Arbor’s north side is working its way through the city’s approval process, but officials aren’t ready to OK it just yet. The Planning Commission got the latest look Tuesday night, July 19, at the so-called Village of Ann Arbor proposal, a mix of several hundred for-sale homes and rental apartments planned off the east side of Pontiac Trail south of Dhu Varren Road.

WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI - Developers set to bring more than 180,000 square feet of office space to a property just outside Ann Arbor have taken U-turn. They’re now instead proposing a dense, 212-unit residential community at the corner of Wagner and Liberty roads in Scio Township. The developer emphasized its proximity to central Ann Arbor and biking options along Liberty Street headed into the city. They are concentrating a lot of units in one location that’s pretty close to Ann Arbor,” Lewan said. More from The Ann Arbor News:‘He worked behind the scenes’: Longtime Ann Arbor-area public servant dies at 953 Democrats running for seat on Scio Township board in Aug. 2 primaryFire rips through Pittsfield Township apartment complexLatest look at Ann Arbor developments taking shape in 2022

TOWN SQUARE | Construction on the new section of the Boro is expected to begin later this year and to be substantially completed in 2025.

YPSILANTI, MI - The Eastern Michigan University golf teams could see new facilities that would support practice ranges and simulators, according to an Ypsilanti Township site plan. The plan, submitted by EMU facility director Scott Storrar in June 2021, includes a 12,000-square-foot player performance center and an addition to the Eagle Crest Golf Course clubhouse, the site plan shows. “We strongly support the significant investment and recommended preliminary site plan approval,” Carlisle said. Most of these authorities provided positive feedback on the preliminary plan, indicating future permit approval. Township Planning Director Jason Iacoangeli recommend the Planning Commission approve the plan on a preliminary basis, contingent on EMU chiseling a final plan with the local authorities.

SAGINAW, MI — Saginaw City Council members next month will weigh re-zoning eight blocks of a northside neighborhood, opening up a sparsely-occupied district to potential business investment. Of the 133 parcels, 103 parcels are vacant, with more than half those parcels owned by the Saginaw County Land Bank. “I see all the light industrial uses happening near there with warehousing, and I’m thinking to myself, this might be a good place for that to occur as well. City records define “light industrial” zoning as allowing “light manufacturing, warehousing and wholesale uses.” Examples provided include building supply shops, tool and die shops, sheet metal shops, auto repair businesses, barbershops, motels and restaurants. To discuss the proposal and its potential impact, four members of the City Council accepted an invitation to a town hall-style meeting in the neighborhood.

“We have so much gun violence in Ypsilanti that bringing a gun range to Ypsilanti isn’t going to solve that problem,” township resident Laresha Thornton told officials. “It’s going to add more fuel to the fire.”“The connection between gun availability and gun violence is obvious and proven,” added the Rev. The township didn’t actively pursue the development or give any special consideration to the developers, Ohio-based ComptonAddy, township Planning Director Jason Iacoangeli said. Others said they had first-hand experience with the personal toll of gun violence and worried the new development could feed the problem. Township planning officials said it meets requirements and is unchanged from the first set of plans that received approval.

BIRCH RUN TOWNSHIP, MI — A Birch Run Township trustee gave members of the public the middle finger at a Monday, March 21, meeting of the community’s Planning Commission, video of the interaction shows. The owner of the finger — Fred Sheridan, a Republican who joined the Birch Run Township board in 2011 — did not respond to a message from The Saginaw News/MLive. But the township supervisor and members of the audience discussed Sheridan’s gesture and the medical marijuana ordinance that served as the hot-button item at the meeting. “He did apologize to the (Planning Commission) after the meeting, but I think the (audience members) were gone at that point.”Smells like a disputeMembers of the audience attended the meeting to oppose a township ordinance relating to medical marijuana growers in the community. “To me, it was basically like saying one big ‘f-you’ to patients and caregivers in Birch Run,” Lindemann said.

ANN ARBOR, MI – An Ann Arbor developer has submitted updated site renderings after a recent change in the approval process kicked a previously authorized project back to the city’s Planning Commission. The new plans show updated renderings of what the proposed site, a flex-tech development at 3874 Research Park Drive in Ann Arbor, may look like. Owner Sartorius Bioanalytical Instruments, a supplier for pharmaceutical and laboratory equipment, plans to create a combination office and research space at the site. This is the second time this project has been to Planning Commission, which unanimously approved the project on Tuesday evening. Read more from The Ann Arbor News:Wind advisory issued for southern Lower Michigan, 45 mph gusts expectedDNA leads to suspects in attempted vending machine robberySee how Ann Arborites rank spending options for $24M federal stimulus

A contentious night in Royal Oak as the Planning Commission got an earful from the public over two proposed retail marijuana shops. One proposed site is located on Meijer Drive in the north end of town, while the other is in a residential area on Harrison in the south end of town.

ANN ARBOR, MI — A proposal to rezone 226 acres by Briarwood Mall to allow downtown-style development on Ann Arbor’s south side is headed to City Council. The city’s Planning Commission voted unanimously this week to recommend council approve the staff-initiated rezoning of 68 properties along State Street and Eisenhower Parkway into a new high-density development zone.

The version of that development that appears poised to move ahead is now just one, four-story complex that leaves some 84% of the site untouched. Cutting down on sprawl to save trees and minimize wetland disruption was exactly what the township Planning Commission asked of Schafer Development, officials said at a Jan. 27 meeting as the plans for the complex, now called The Walden, came up for review. We really want to take advantage of these natural features,” promised Spencer Schafer, with the development team. In exchange, developers will have to include all the sustainable elements they discussed, the commission decided. A vote on recommending approval for the project will likely happen at the commission’s Feb. 17 meeting, Carlisle said.

ANN ARBOR, MI — A 20-story development next to the Blake Transit Center is headed to City Council for approval. The plans call for two towers rising 14 and 20 stories, with 370 housing units, including 145 dedicated as affordable housing for people earning up to 60% of the area median income. The Housing Commission is expected to team up with a yet-to-be-chosen private developer to make the project a reality, while tapping into the city’s new affordable housing millage funds. The site, known as the Y Lot, was home to the Ann Arbor YMCA from 1960 until 2005 when it relocated to Washington Street. MORE FROM THE ANN ARBOR NEWS:Ann Arbor considering proposal for ‘radical transparency’ in local policing5 highlights from Ann Arbor’s latest equity and inclusion reportZoning board grants relief for Ann Arbor council member’s incomplete second-floor home additionAnn Arbor debating whether to ask University of Michigan to build workforce housingDrawings show plan for redesign of Ann Arbor’s State Street downtown

WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI - Plans to replace a longtime Ann Arbor area bowling alley with what developers are calling “one of the Midwest’s largest Tesla dealerships” have moved swiftly past a first hurdle. Less than a week after the announcement from the owners of Bel-Mark Lanes, 3530 Jackson Road in Scio Township, that the 45-year-old building could be sold, the township Planning Commission OK’d site plans for the electric vehicle hub slated to take its place.

ANN ARBOR, MI — Plans for a major transformation of a blighted city-owned site across from the YMCA in downtown Ann Arbor are taking shape. Many of those operations moved to the city’s new Wheeler Service Center on Stone School Road in 2007, and 415 W. Washington has been vacant since. The image at left shows what the 415 W. Washington St. development could look like as viewed from Third Street. The image at right shows an existing view.SmithGroupThe image at left shows what the 415 W. Washington St. development could look like as viewed from Liberty Street. The image at right shows an existing view.SmithGroupThe image at left shows what the 415 W. Washington St. development could look like as viewed looking down Washington Street.

ANN ARBOR, MI — Ann Arbor has a new $1.4 billion capital improvement plan with a long list of projects the city hopes to tackle in the coming years. The city’s Planning Commission voted unanimously Tuesday night, Dec. 6, to adopt the new plan for the next six fiscal years through June 2028.

ANN ARBOR, MI — A proposal to annex roughly 65 acres of property into the city of Ann Arbor for a 564-home development is headed to City Council for consideration. The city’s Planning Commission voted unanimously Tuesday night, Dec. 7, to forward the proposal to council with its recommendation of approval.

ANN ARBOR, MI — After over a year and a half of meeting virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic, Ann Arbor officials may be forced to return to in-person meetings soon. Some aren’t happy about it, while at least one City Council member said he welcomes it. Council Member Ali Ramlawi, D-5th Ward, was alone in saying he’s looking forward to in-person meetings. She asked if she’d be allowed to remotely attend a council meeting after Dec. 31 if she’s in quarantine again. The state law after Dec. 31 will not allow council members to participate virtually, Fournier said.

After almost a year of failed nominations, Bedford Township's Planning Commission finally has all seats filled.

ANN ARBOR, MI — Plans are in the works for a new 82-unit residential development in northwest Ann Arbor. “The A2 North Maple Project is a progressive development plan that addresses current housing needs in the city of Ann Arbor while anticipating an ‘all electric’ future that is less dependent on automobiles,” the proposal states. The project is being proposed by A2 Collaborative LLC, working with the Nederveld planning and design firm. It’s slated for 3.13 acres along the west side of North Maple Road, just south of M-14 and Skyline High School. MORE FROM THE ANN ARBOR NEWS:A bird’s-eye view of Ann Arbor’s north side housing boomMixed-use redevelopment proposed across from Ann Arbor’s Amtrak stationTwo-tower development on former Ann Arbor YMCA property awaits city’s OKNew condo development proposed in downtown Ann ArborBefore and after: See Ann Arbor neighborhood block’s total transformation

ANN ARBOR, MI — Plans for 102 new rental apartments in southeast Ann Arbor await City Council approval after winning support from the city’s Planning Commission. Commissioners still had concerns about some aspects of the development, though, and what they see as lacking, including a commitment to environmental sustainability. Out of a total of 670 parking spaces, First Martin has proposed installing EV chargers at 12 spaces, while making another 94 ready or capable to add EV chargers in the future, but many more than that are required by the city’s EV ordinance. Catholic church fights Ann Arbor’s new EV parking requirements and winsSuggesting an alternative for the developer and city to consider, Disch said electrifying buildings in lieu of providing the additional EV parking might be a more cost-effective way of having an immediate impact in terms of A2Zero goals. MORE FROM THE ANN ARBOR NEWS:Shroom festival planned in Ann Arbor to celebrate psychedelic awareness monthAnn Arbor may operate with a temporary city administrator for up to a yearMayor calls gay conversion therapy ‘an abomination’ as Ann Arbor OKs ban‘This is yesterday’s business.’ Fur sales ban gets Ann Arbor’s 10-0 final OKMixed-use redevelopment proposed across from Ann Arbor’s Amtrak station

The city of Royal Oak’s Planning Commission got an earful from residents who called in Tuesday night to show their dismay at two key zoning changes the commission is considering.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Unvaccinated attendees will be required to wear a mask when Grand Rapids leaders return to in-person meetings next week. The return to in-person meetings will begin Tuesday, July 13, with a host of city commission meetings. The meetings will once again take place in City Commission Chambers on the ninth floor of City Hall, 300 Monroe Ave. NW. Related: Grand Rapids City Commission scheduled to return to in-person meetings July 13When the meetings went virtual in March 2020 due to the pandemic, people were able to call in and address commissioners. Other bodies which will now meet in City Commission Chambers include the Planning Commission, Public Safety Committee and Civilian Appeals Board.

ANN ARBOR, MI — Several months of planning and community discussion could culminate Tuesday night, July 6, as City Council considers establishing new zoning to allow more high-density development along major transit corridors. Before the final council vote, Ann Arbor community members have a chance to weigh in at a public hearing at the virtual meeting, which starts at 7 p.m. Council voted 10-0 last month to advance the proposal to a second reading and public hearing. City officials hope the changes lead to more affordably priced housing and more sustainable forms of development. MORE FROM THE ANN ARBOR NEWS:A bird’s-eye view of Ann Arbor’s north side housing boomAnn Arbor dry cleaner faces wrecking ball under pollution cleanup planAnn Arbor may seek $7M from state to help fund riverfront redevelopmentHow they voted: Ann Arbor City Council vote breakdown for June 2021Plans submitted for 561-unit housing development on Ann Arbor’s north side

A town hall meeting to discuss the plan will be held on July 7 at the Parklane Adult Activity Center.

ANN ARBOR, MI — Big zoning changes designed to facilitate more housing density along Ann Arbor’s major transit corridors are up for final approval next month. For residential developments, the proposed TC1 district also sets new limits of one space for every two housing units, he said. “As this goes forward, we’re going to need a much stronger program when it comes to ... residential parking permits, enforcements and so on,” he said. The city has created an interactive map to explore the potential configuration of TC1 zoning in the city. MORE FROM THE ANN ARBOR NEWS:Ann Arbor opens door to more accessory apartments in neighborhoodsNeighbor promises lawsuit against Ann Arbor for approving $100M housing complexAnn Arbor OKs $1.5M for new Avalon Housing apartment developmentsAnn Arbor council officially asks Jeff Hayner to resign over offensive language5-story hotel development in downtown Ann Arbor gets initial OK

ANN ARBOR, MI — A five-story hotel proposed on the west edge of downtown Ann Arbor awaits final approval after receiving Planning Commission’s support. The proposed hotel would have an entrance and vehicle access along First Street. The ground level would include a lobby, registration kiosk, fitness room, breakfast and laundry areas, prep kitchen, administrative room, offices and three hotel rooms. “Actually, one of our most-exciting and high-profile projects is here in downtown Ann Arbor,” he said. MORE FROM THE ANN ARBOR NEWS:How they voted: Ann Arbor City Council vote breakdown for May 2021Immigrant hiding in sanctuary for over two and a half years thankful for new freedomAnn Arbor taking next steps to redevelop blighted site across from YMCAOpposition campaign aims to halt $100M housing development in Ann ArborAnn Arbor sets sights on developing affordable housing at three more locations

ANN ARBOR, MI — A five-story hotel proposed on the west edge of downtown Ann Arbor is up for approval. Three properties are proposed to be combined to create a 0.35-acre development site at 300 W. Huron St. “The proposed hotel will provide additional accommodations for guests that want to stay in downtown Ann Arbor,” the proposal states, adding guests are likely to patronize nearby commercial and entertainment businesses, including bars, restaurants, theaters and University of Michigan-related facilities. The proposed site is next to the Delonis Center homeless shelter, about a block from the Residence Inn by Marriott. MORE FROM THE ANN ARBOR NEWS:Group floats idea for 14-mile Treeline trail loop around Ann ArborAnn Arbor to hire diversity officer with goal of more equitable, antiracist communityNew downtown Ann Arbor mural depicts what Black Lives Matter means to 8 artistsAnn Arbor police oversight group hosting forum on anniversary of George Floyd killingAnn Arbor’s historic West Park bandshell shut down due to crumbling foundation

DAVISON TOWNSHIP, MI -- The future of the controversial development of an apartment complex in Davison Township is unknown after developer Redwood Living withdrew their application to rezone the area. If approved by the planning commission, the application would have gone on to the township board for approval. Davison Township Supervisor Jim Slezak could not immediately be reached by MLive-The Flint Journal for comment. Davison Township residents Jade Mills and Beth Moffatt organized petitions and even received the support of the Davison Board of Education, Mills said. Residents were planning to present their petition at the next planning commission meeting on Wednesday, May 12.

ANN ARBOR, MI — Ann Arbor OK’d plans for the city’s first marijuana consumption lounge this past week, and it could be the first of over two dozen like it in the city. “This is our first taker,” DiLeo said, noting marijuana consumption lounges don’t seem to be as popular a business proposal as dispensaries. Michigan’s first marijuana consumption lounge coming to Ann ArborIt’s tough to find a model that’s profitable, but the main reason why no one has opened a marijuana consumption lounge in the last year or so is strictly because of COVID-19, said Mark Passerini, co-founder of the Om of Medicine marijuana dispensary on Main Street. Once the pandemic is over, he fully expects to see more marijuana consumption lounges in Ann Arbor, but it’s not something Om is planning at this time, he said. “We’ll just have to monitor it as we go and see how it works,” she said of consumption lounges.

ANN ARBOR, MI — Working from home has become the norm for many people during the COVID-19 pandemic, and it’s prompting Ann Arbor officials to consider new regulations for operating home-based businesses. Rather than list specific types of home-based businesses to permit and prohibit, they’re now leaning toward just having standards for all home-based businesses to follow, said Sarah Mills, Planning Commission chair. Other proposed changes aim to address questions that have come up regarding enforcement of rules for home-based businesses. The city’s move to revisit the ordinance didn’t come about because of complaints or problems about specific types of home-based businesses, she said. And it explicitly prohibits only “vehicle repair or painting; office, medical or dental.”MORE FROM THE ANN ARBOR NEWS:Ann Arbor leads effort to secure $7.4M for land and water conservationAnn Arbor council member proposes community forum on Palestinian human rightsMillennials, seniors predicted to drive more housing demand in downtown Ann ArborEmpty lot by Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor listed for sale for close to $600,000Grades 4-12 returning to in-person learning May 3 at Ann Arbor Public Schools

LIBRARY TO BE MOVED: The Grosse Pointe Public Library is about to be uprooted from its longtime location in the building at Kercheval and Cadieux. Obituaries: Emily Harris197150 years ago this weekTENNIS BUFFS UNITE: After five months of group meetings in The Pointe, the birth of a Grosse Pointe Tennis Association is just around the corner. The newly formed Grosse Pointe Community Network, which has been loosely knit since 1993, officially formed a nonprofit corporation and appointed a board last fall. MEMORIAL, WAR MEMORIAL PLAY ‘CONNECT THE LOTS’: The Grosse Pointe War Memorial and Grosse Pointe Memorial Church are joining together, literally, by renovating and connecting their parking lots. DON’T BE ALARMED: A false alarm may soon cost real cash in Grosse Pointe Woods.

ANN ARBOR, MI — Ann Arbor planning officials are continuing to explore areas of the city to allow downtown-style development outside of downtown. City Planner Alexis DiLeo proposed four areas to rezone in a report to the Planning Commission Tuesday night, March 9. DiLeo gave an update Tuesday outlining how the proposed “TC1” zoning ordinance is evolving. “Just like downtown, the most comfortable streets downtown have where it’s fully developed from corner to corner,” DiLeo said. The TC1 zoning isn’t intended as a one-size-fits-all solution for every corridor, DiLeo said.

ANN ARBOR, MI — Dedicated short-term rental properties such as Airbnb houses that aren’t owner-occupied are now officially banned in Ann Arbor’s residential neighborhoods. In the meantime, short-term rental businesses that have been operating in some cases for years are temporarily in limbo, though a regulatory solution may be coming soon. The rules council crafted back in September ban dedicated short-term rentals in neighborhoods, but still allow homeowners to occasionally rent out their own owner-occupied homes as short-term rentals, and dedicated short-term rentals are still allowed in mixed-use zoning districts. “You need to take this very seriously,” she added, arguing against declaring existing short-term rentals legal. Joan Lowenstein, a former City Council member, pushed back against some of those concerns, calling it fear mongering.

ANN ARBOR, MI — Big zoning changes may be coming in Ann Arbor to allow higher-density development along transit corridors and more accessory apartments in neighborhoods. Both matters are pending before the Planning Commission, which is holding a virtual work session at 7 p.m Tuesday, Feb. 9, to talk through the issues. 24 Ann Arbor developments to watch in 2021The first issue on the agenda involves relaxing the standards for accessory dwelling units, also known as ADUs. The changes now being proposed would allow them in more zoning districts and allow homeowners to build new detached ADUs on their properties. MORE FROM THE ANN ARBOR NEWS:Developer aims to save Ann Arbor oak forest from becoming a subdivision$100M development could bring 454 new apartments to Ann Arbor’s Main StreetExpecting senior population boom, Ann Arbor officials OK new housing for older adultsAnn Arbor OKs largest greenbelt purchase in history, preserving 375-acre farmAnn Arbor officials enthusiastically OK Packard Street mixed-use development

Monroe Township's Building Department has issued permits related to more than $1 million in improvements to empty buildings while township officials consider next steps in retail marijuana. In 2018, an approved statewide ballot initiative paved the way for recreational marijuana businesses to set up shop in Michigan. Barron then formed a Citizens Advisory Committee comprised of stakeholders from across the community, representing those in favor or against marijuana businesses. The current draft of the ordinance circulating among the advisory committee currently puts the cap on marijuana businesses at 25. “Business spurs business,” Barron said.

ANN ARBOR, MI — Ann Arbor officials have kicked off a new round of talks about allowing higher-density development outside of downtown along major transit corridors. The proposed transit corridor zoning ordinance needs to be refined and officials are looking for robust community engagement to help do that, she said. It then needs a formal Planning Commission vote in early May for City Council to consider it in June, she said. MORE FROM THE ANN ARBOR NEWS:Ann Arbor wants to have ’20-minute neighborhoods.’ So what are they? New ‘aligned living’ campus in Ann Arbor offers fresh digs for tech-savvy professionalsAnn Arbor streamlining police oversight process after two years of hurdlesAnn Arbor seeking participants for new virtual Community AcademyNew drawings offer closer look at 22 townhomes proposed on Ann Arbor’s Main Street

The members contend that Monroe Township may soon be over-saturated with cannabis businesses. When it comes to the burgeoning cannabis industry in Monroe Charter Township, Jerry Oley hasn’t been afraid to voice his concerns. In October, its Planning Commission began addressing special use permits sought by six hopeful marijuana businesses. “How many businesses are we going to lose … because marijuana businesses are taking over?” Loveland said. But there has been much criticism from township residents and the coalition that there are too many properties that meet that criteria.

ANN ARBOR, MI — An ordinance awaiting final City Council approval will require new developments in Ann Arbor to look to the future and install electric vehicle charging stations. The city’s new EV parking ordinance was unanimously approved by council at first reading in December and awaits final adoption following a public hearing Jan. 19. Ann Arbor Police Department getting its first all-electric Ford MustangsCity Planner Jeff Kahan explained the proposed EV parking ordinance in a memo to City Council. There also would be electrical conduit to visitor parking outside the garages to add EV chargers there in the future. MORE FROM THE ANN ARBOR NEWS:Distrust in COVID-19 vaccine is a real concern Washtenaw health officials say they must addressA closer look at what’s in Ann Arbor’s new transportation planAfter completing 2 new developments, Ann Arbor Housing Commission looks to next 11Police shooting of Aura Rosser highlighted in Washtenaw prosecutor’s new policiesQ&A: Ann Arbor affordable housing leader explains ambitious $397M plan

ANN ARBOR, MI – A new townhouse-style condo development with added sustainability features is headed to City Council for approval. The development site at 700 N. Main St. is across from the Ann Arbor Community Center where a row of eight houses was demolished several years ago. Brian Biskner, project manager with Powell Engineering, presented the latest plans Tuesday night, explaining sustainability features added in response to requests made by commissioners in November. A proposed ordinance awaiting City Council approval would require EV chargers in new developments. MORE FROM THE ANN ARBOR NEWS:24 Ann Arbor developments to watch in 2021Mayor’s refusal to censor Violin Monster’s F-bombs sparks Ann Arbor council debateWashtenaw prosecutor launches effort to review thousands of past cases for racial biasHistory of racism discussed as Ann Arbor OKs single-family zoning for 26 propertiesAnn Arbor Police Department getting its first all-electric Ford Mustangs

ANN ARBOR, MI – Twenty-six newly annexed properties in residential neighborhoods on Ann Arbor’s west side are now zoned for single-family use. “I agree as well,” said Brett Lenart, city planning manager, noting the Planning Commission’s work plan includes starting a conversation about single-family zoning. There’s a lot of community conversation and education that needs to happen before any policy changes, Lenart said. He lives nearby on Westover Street and did not object to single-family zoning for that property, he said. “I am looking forward to a thoughtful and thorough community conversation about the future of zoning and our master plan,” she said.

ANN ARBOR, MI — Two new members are joining Ann Arbor’s Planning Commission, but their appointments were the subject of debate at City Council this week. Lee is an asset manager for local real estate firm Oxford Companies, which controls many properties in Ann Arbor, and Clarke until earlier this year was a real estate transaction specialist for nonprofit affordable housing provider Avalon Housing in Ann Arbor. Taylor said he considers Lee’s commercial real estate expertise an extremely valuable benefit and the Planning Commission lacked someone with that experience. “I would embrace the opportunity to dive deeper into transportation issues at the policy level in my hometown of Ann Arbor,” she wrote. Alex Milshteyn, a local real estate agent, has served on the commission for years and also has made campaign contributions to the mayor’s allies.

ANN ARBOR, MI — An Ann Arbor City Council member has issued a public apology for remarks she made suggesting being “sneaky” about a new city plan. “I wanted to offer an apology to my colleagues on Planning Commission, which I hope they’ll accept, and to the public,” she said. “And so I’m grateful for that clarification here tonight.”Disch’s apology came after Ann Arbor resident John Floyd, who was a Republican candidate for council 10 years ago, addressed council and apologized for his remarks attacking outgoing Council Member Zachary Ackerman, D-3rd Ward, at a recent meeting. “On his last night as a council member a few weeks ago, I made personal, angry and condescending remarks about Mr. Ackerman and his tenure on council,” Floyd said, apologizing for subjecting him, the council and the public to that outburst. MORE FROM THE ANN ARBOR NEWS:Ann Arbor city council member defends second floor home addition, says he won’t resignAnn Arbor council divided 7-4 on raising water rates ‘in a pandemic economy’Ann Arbor requiring locked gate as temporary traffic solution for new condosPPE giveaway aims to hand out 2,500 masks in Ann Arbor areaEastern Michigan University to begin winter 2021 semester online, president says

ANN ARBOR, MI – Ann Arbor is close to adopting a new comprehensive plan focused on making the city’s transportation network safer, more accessible and sustainable. The city’s Planning Commission voted 6-0 Tuesday night, Dec. 1, to forward the new plan — in the making since last year — to City Council for distribution and public comment. Disch’s remarks came after Commissioner Sara Hammerschmidt stressed the importance of making sure the city’s public outreach was broadly inclusive, including outreach to Black residents. MORE FROM THE ANN ARBOR NEWS:What does the loss of Urban Outfitters mean for downtown Ann Arbor? $1.6M from state aims to significantly boost recycling in greater Ann Arbor regionWashtenaw County surpasses 10,000 total coronavirus cases$100M development could bring 454 new apartments to Ann Arbor’s Main StreetHow they voted: Ann Arbor City Council vote breakdown for November 2020

Here’s what’s proposed:Plans for the Valhalla development off South Main Street in Ann Arbor.J. Plans for the Valhalla development off South Main Street in Ann Arbor.J. Plans for the Valhalla development off South Main Street in Ann Arbor.J. Plans for the Valhalla development off South Main Street in Ann Arbor.J. Plans for the Valhalla development off South Main Street in Ann Arbor.J.

Monroe Charter Township is poised to once again address marijuana businesses and its ordinance outlining regulations for those established within the municipality's bounds. Monroe Charter Township is poised to once again address marijuana businesses and its ordinance outlining regulations for those established within the municipality’s bounds. He said there wasn’t negative feedback until the township’s Planning Commission began reviewing applications. The moratorium would prevent the township from processing any additional applications for marijuana businesses or operations seeking to move into the township. Though the township has received several inquiries into the requirements to establish marijuana businesses in its boundaries, it has received no additional applications, Barron added.

The planning commission, which is typically comprised of individuals appointed by the township's board, is down to three veteran members. The Monroe Charter Township’s Planning Commission has experienced turnover in recent weeks. The commission, which is typically comprised of individuals appointed by the township’s board, is down to three veteran members. At the township’s monthly board meeting Tuesday night, the resignations of Wendy Spicer and Cindy Chesney were delivered to township trustees. Van Aken was approached by members of the township board regarding the post.

ANN ARBOR, MI — A major redevelopment of a prime riverfront property in Ann Arbor is up for final City Council approval. The former MichCon site owned by DTE Energy on the Huron River in Ann Arbor on June 3, 2019. It’s an opportunity for “a once-in-a-generation improvement to our waterfront in Ann Arbor,” Di Rita said. Condo prices haven’t been announced, but they would be consistent with the Ann Arbor market, Di Rita said. MORE FROM THE ANN ARBOR NEWS:Demolition work making way for another apartment high-rise in downtown Ann Arbor5-story hotel proposed on west edge of downtown Ann Arbor19-story high-rise behind Michigan Theater delayed until 2021 amid pandemic52-unit Liberty Townhomes development gets unanimous OK in Ann Arbor