Planning Commission Reviews Master Plan

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At its June 18, 2013 meeting, the Ann Arbor planning commission unanimously adopted a master plan resolution and list of resource documents used to support the master plan. This is part of an annual evaluation of the master plan that’s required by the commission’s bylaws.

Seven documents constitute the city’s master plan: (1) sustainability framework, adopted in 2013; (2) parks and recreation open space (PROS) plan, as adopted in 2011; (3) land use element, as adopted in 2013 to add the South State corridor plan; (4) downtown plan, as adopted in 2009; (5) transportation plan update, as adopted in 2009; (6) non-motorized transportation plan, adopted in 2007; and (7) natural features master plan, adopted in 2004.

There is also a list of resource documents that are used to support the master plan. [.pdf of resource document list]

The commission had held a public hearing on suggestions related to the master plan on May 21, 2013. That hearing drew six speakers on a range of topics, including development in Lowertown, a park in downtown Ann Arbor, and adequate sidewalks, cleared of vegetation, so that kids can walk to school safely. On May 21 commissioners also discussed possible revisions, primarily related to supporting documents. However, on the advice of planning staff, commissioners postponed action until their June 18 meeting.

On June 18 the commission adopted a revised list of resource documents, with three new additions: (1) the Downtown Vision and Policy Framework (known as the Calthorpe study), adopted in 2006; (2) the Huron River Impoundment Management Plan (HRIMP), as adopted in 2009; and (3) the Allen Creek Greenway task force report, adopted in 2007. The greenway document was amended into the list during the June 18 meeting, at the suggestion of commissioner Bonnie Bona.

Earlier this year, on March 5, 2013, the planning commission had voted to add the Connecting William Street study to the list of resource documents – a move that generated some controversy.

This brief was filed from the second floor council chambers at city hall, 301 E. Huron. A more detailed report will follow: [link]