Comments on: Zingerman’s: Making It Right for the HDC

By: franny jo

franny jo — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 03:42:52 +0000

we aren’t a narrow and rigid and dumb city, are we?
That orange building is true historic crapola.

I care much more about easy accessibility, reasonably affordable handicap access.
I much prefer that Zingermasn re-invest the 600-750 K for something of value to the business, the neighbors and the community.
The history worth preserving is what Zingerman’s has created at this corner…to the benefit of the Fourth Ward, Kerrytown businesses and the whole freaking community.

By: fridgeman

fridgeman — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 02:17:02 +0000

If the laws and ordinances we have don’t support a “no-brainer” decision like this one, they something is wrong and they should be re-written so that this would not be illegal.

I read with great interest the article last week about Sabra Briere’s use of online survey tools to gauge the mood of her constituents. I think this was fantastic even if imperfect.

I suspect that if the city ran an online poll for city residents on this issue, 85% or more would support Zingerman’s.

By: just a homeowner

just a homeowner — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 19:12:13 +0000

The HDC embodies everything that is wrong with the city. Here’s a thriving business wanting to expand. It wants to demolish some old, rundown buildings to do so. And city officials who are above the law, the voters, everyone, are making that process difficult.

More evidence that some want to keep Ann Arbor encased in amber.

By: Vivienne Armentrout

Vivienne Armentrout — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:08:19 +0000

Thanks for your (as usual) complete and thoughtful coverage of this complex question and process. It reminds me of the service all our volunteer committee and commission appointees do for us. We expect them to be thoughtful, careful, and to follow the laws and regulations that they are expected to enforce. Certainly the council and administration are not able to provide this level of oversight. They receive little reward other than the satisfaction of knowing they have done a task necessary to the orderly function of local government.

The suggestion that any corporate entity (or person) should be above the law is troubling. The next question would be, who decides on the membership of that privileged group who are so deserving that our laws and regulations – and the open process that is supposed to be available to all – should be bypassed in their favor?

By: fridgeman

fridgeman — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 13:56:35 +0000

The energy (and time, and money) consumed by this long-running debate could really be put to much better use in so many ways.

Let Zingerman’s do what they need to! You would be hard-pressed to find a firm more supportive of the town’s values. I do think they are entitled to special treatment.