Title
An Ordinance to Amend Sections 5.22, 5.26, 5.28, 5,29, 5.30, and 5.37 of Chapter 55 (Unified Development Code) of Title V of the Code of the City of Ann Arbor (Fences, Reimbursements, Public and Private Utilities) CPC Recommendation: Approval (Fences 7 yes/0 no; Reimbursements 6 yes/0 no; Utilities 7 yes/0 no)
Memorandum
Approval of this ordinance will amend the Unified Development Code (Chapter 55) to revise the standards for fences in residential and nonresidential districts, revise the fee reimbursement formula for developments that provide affordable housing, revise the definition of public utility and add a definition for private or franchise utility. These amendments are recommended by the 2024-2025 CPC Work Program or a running list of suggestions maintained by staff.
Fences - Fence regulations are proposed to be revised and reorganized. Revisions include applying restrictions on electrified and sharp points in residential districts, increasing the maximum opacity permitted in the side yard of a residential district from 80% to 100% and decreasing the maximum height permitted beyond the front setback line in nonresidential districts to 12 feet. Reorganization changes include combining residential and nonresidential standards into general standards, and separating height and opacity standards from general standards and providing in a table format.
The proposed language in the attached ordinance slightly differs from the version considered by the City Planning Commission because further changes are introduced as directed by the City Planning Commission to ensure that decorative fences with pointed ornaments are not inadvertently prohibited.
The City Planning Commission’s motion to recommend approval as amended passed with 7 yes and 0 no votes.
Reimbursements - The current formula offers a 50% reimbursement of application fees when affordable housing is provided. The proposed formula offers reimbursement in proportion to the percentage of affordable housing that is provided up to 50% of application fees.
The City Planning Commission’s motion to recommend approval passed with 6 yes, 0 no votes.
Public and Private Utilities - The current definition of public utility conflates public utilities with private utilities. A correction is proposed to define public utilities and private utilities with the same language used in the Public Services Standard Specification Manual.
The proposed language in the attached ordinance includes additional amendments than the version considered by the City Planning Commission to reference the correct proposed definitions of public or private utilities where mentioned in the code, as directed by the City Planning Commission.
The City Planning Commission’s motion to recommend approval as amended passed with 7 yes and 0 no votes.
Attachments: Ordinance (Fences, Reimbursements, Public and Private Utilities)
October 1, 2024 Planning Staff Report (Fences)
October 1, 2024 Planning Staff Report (Reimbursements)
October 1, 2024 (Public and Private Utilities)
October 1, 2024 Planning Commission Minutes
Staff
Prepared by: Alexis DiLeo, Principal Planner
Reviewed by: Brett Lenart, Planning Manager
Derek Delacourt, Community Services Area Administrator
Approved by: Milton Dohoney Jr., City Administrator
Body
(See Attached Ordinance)