AHP Revisions: Initial Approval Again

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At its Dec. 6, 2010 meeting, the Ann Arbor city council gave initial approval to changes in the city’s zoning code for areas outside the downtown, across most of the city’s zoning classifications.

The changes affect area, height and placement (AHP). Because of amendments made to the proposal, the approval given on Dec. 6 is considered to be only an initial, first-reading approval, even though the council had already given initial approval of the AHP revisions at its Sept. 7, 2010 meeting. The zoning change will need an additional approval before the council in order to take effect.

The changes are intended to allow more compact use of land, preserve natural systems, accommodate new growth along transit corridors, and locate buildings to promote non-motorized access. Previous Chronicle coverage of the city planning commission’s deliberations on AHP changes: “AHP Zoning Revisions Go to City Council.”

The amendments, brought forward by Marcia Higgins (Ward 4), ensure that zoning districts that provide for employment uses – Office (O), Research (RE), Office/Research/Limited Industrial (ORL) – are not subject to a cap on building height, except in areas directly abutting residential areas.

The measure had been postponed from the council’s Oct. 4 meeting, at the request of Marcia Higgins (Ward 4). At the council’s Oct. 18 meeting, Higgins brought forth her amendments. After some deliberation on the merits of the amendments, Higgins withdrew them and the council again elected to postpone the measure. At the Monday, Nov. 15 meeting, the council again elected to put off a vote on the proposal.

This brief was filed from city council chambers. A more detailed report of the meeting will follow: [link]