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File #: 18-0377    Version: 1 Name: 4/2/18 - Ordinance to Amend Definition and Special Exception Use Conditions for Fraternity and Sorority Houses
Type: Ordinance Status: Passed
File created: 4/2/2018 In control: City Council
On agenda: 7/16/2018 Final action: 7/16/2018
Enactment date: 4/2/2018 Enactment #: ORD-18-06
Title: An Ordinance to Amend Sections 5:1 and 5:10.4 of Chapter 55 (Zoning) of the Code of the City of Ann Arbor to Modify the Definition of Fraternity or Sorority House and Amend Corresponding Special Exception Use Standards (Ordinance No. ORD-18-06)
Attachments: 1. 18-06 Ordinance Briefed and Approved.pdf, 2. Approved UDC Version Full Def Section - Fraternity and Sorority Ordinance Amendment (002).pdf, 3. 18-06 Fraternity Special Exception Ordinance Briefed.pdf, 4. Fraternity Special Exception Ordinance.pdf, 5. Memorandum to CPC - 8-11 .pdf, 6. Planning Commission Minutes August 15, 2017.pdf, 7. Letter of Opposition from Stephen Bernstein.pdf, 8. AASAC Zoning Law Letter of Support.pdf, 9. 18-06 Unified Development Code Summary Publication Notice to News.pdf
Related files: 17-0836

Title

An Ordinance to Amend Sections 5:1 and 5:10.4 of Chapter 55 (Zoning) of the Code of the City of Ann Arbor to Modify the Definition of Fraternity or Sorority House and Amend Corresponding Special Exception Use Standards (Ordinance No. ORD-18-06)

Memorandum

The City Planning Commission included amendments to regulate fraternity and sorority houses in the City.  Last year, the Planning Commission held a public hearing and recommended amendments to the definition and special exception use criteria associated with fraternity or sorority houses in the City of Ann Arbor.

 

The proposed ordinance amendment accomplishes two primary changes to applicable regulations:

 

                     The proposed change to the definition of Fraternity or Sorority House would add a requirement that the house maintain an affiliation with the University of Michigan or another postsecondary college or university.

                     The second change codifies a practice of the past fraternity or sorority house consideration to include a maximum occupancy component to any special exception use permit.  This proposed amendment appears in the R2B Zoning District where the use initially appears and is referenced by other zoning districts.

 

The proposed amendments would not retroactively apply to existing houses in the City, but would be applicable to new fraternity or sorority applications. 

 

The Planning Commission recommended the proposed changes in August of 2017.

Staff

Prepared by: Brett Lenart, Planning Manager

Reviewed by: Derek Delacourt, Community Services Area Administrator

Approved by:  Howard S. Lazarus, City Administrator

Body

(See Attached Ordinance)