Title
An Ordinance to Amend to Chapter 55 (Zoning) and Chapter 59 (Off-Street Parking) and Rezone Downtown Properties for the Ann Arbor Discovering Downtown Project (A2D2) (CPC Recommendation: Approval - 8 Yeas and 1 Nay) (Ordinance No. ORD-09-28)
Memorandum
Attached for your review and approval are amendments to the Zoning and Off-Street Parking ordinances developed as part of the Ann Arbor Discovering Downtown (A2D2) initiative.
Background
In March 2006, City Council approved the Implementation Plan for the Downtown Development Strategies Final Report and directed staff to begin work on five priority recommendations:
• Create special overlay zoning for the downtown that identifies areas of similar character
• Streamline the development proposal process (process mapping and technology
improvements)
• Incorporate a set of essential design standards
• Pursue a comprehensive parking strategy for the downtown
• Work with the Historic District Commission to clarify criteria for development
In July 2006, City Council approved the work plans for each of the priority initiatives, and subsequently appointed advisory committees to develop recommendations for Council consideration. Throughout 2007, the advisory committees worked with City staff and consultants to solicit public comment and create recommendations for changes in plans, policies and ordinances.
City Council approved recommendations of the advisory committees for parking and transportation (June 2007), urban design (November 2007) and zoning (November 2007), and charged the Planning Commission with developing master plan and code amendments to implement the recommendations. The report of the Downtown Zoning Advisory Committee is attached.
The Planning Commission began work in January 2008 to revise the Downtown Plan and draft city code amendments to respond to the advisory committees' recommendations. Drafts of both efforts were completed in April 2008.
Amendm...
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