Title
An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 55 (Zoning), Rezoning of approximately 0.84 Acres from D2 (Downtown Interface) to PUD (Planned Unit Development District), 315 West Huron PUD Zoning and Supplemental Regulations, 301, 311, 315, 317, 319 West Huron Street and 102, 106 South First Street (CPC Recommendation: Approval - 7 Yeas and 0 Nays)
Memorandum
Approval of this ordinance will zone this property PUD (Planned Unit Development). Approval of this ordinance will also create supplemental regulations for the new PUD district. Supplemental regulations create the standards and requirements, as well as regulating the uses, for the corresponding PUD District.
A proposal to rezone an approximately 0.84-acre site from D2 (Downtown Interface) to PUD (Planned Unit Development), and to construct a fully electric, 10-story mixed-use development that features 285 units with 15% of the units being 60% AMI affordable housing, or a payment in lieu provided.
Petition Summary:
An area plan, or site plan is required when an amendment to the City Zoning Map is proposed [Chapter 55 5.29.7]. In this case, the petitioner has proposed amending the City Zoning Map from D2 to PUD, Planned Unit Development District with a site plan. The site plan will be presented for approval with the second reading of the zoning.
The site plan proposes the construction of a fully electric, 10-story mixed-use development that features 285 units, a coffee shop (retail), a rooftop bar, and amenity spaces. The ground floor is mostly comprised of covered parking, including EV charging, with access from Washington Street. The first floor will have additional covered parking, and coffee (retail) space with access from first street. Floors 1-10 will contain a mixture of studio, one & two bedrooms, with 15% of the units being 60% AMI affordable housing, or a payment in lieu provided. The tenth floor will also have space for a rooftop bar. Access will be provided via a dedicated entrance off First Street. The project also plans to include various sustainability features. The site is partially located in a floodplain fringe and currently zoned D2 Downtown Interface, First Street Overlay District, Secondary Street Designation, and is in Ward 5.
The 2026 Comprehensive Land Use Plan recommends Hub category for this area. The proposed use and PUD zoning are consistent with the plan and surrounding land uses which include the Almendinger building in the same block, the Ann Arbor Railroad to the west, the Delonis Center across West Huron Street to the north (zoned D2), the First and Huron surface parking lot across First Street to the east (zoned D1), and office space across West Washington Street to the south (zoned D2). Across the railroad embankment are the YMCA (zoned PUD) and an auto service facility (zoned D2).
Public Benefits provided by the project include:
Affordable Housing: To increase the supply of affordable housing in the downtown area of the City of Ann Arbor.
Sustainability Features: To address the City's desire to increase housing sustainability by providing 100% electric design with rooftop solar included.
Open Space: To increase public open space and multimodal options in the downtown area.
Respecting Neighboring Properties: To provide for increased setbacks and spacing away from the historic Almendinger Building located at 120 South First Street.
There are eight standards for PUD zoning district approval set forth in Section 5.29.11 of the Unified Development Code. Each standard is presented with analysis beginning on page six of the June 2, 2026 Planning Staff Report, attached.
Staff find the use, physical characteristics, design features or amenities proposed have a beneficial effect for the City, one of the eight standards for approval.
Staff find the beneficial effects could not be achieved under any other zoning classification.
A PUD offers the petitioner more flexibility with site configuration. Increasing building height to a maximum of 130 feet allows the petitioner to reconfigure site development while avoiding development in the floodway fringe and adjacent to the Almendinger Building. It also allows for the provision of public open space on the site.
The City Planning Commission, at its meeting of June 2, 2026, recommended approval of this request. The supplemental regulations presented to City Council have been modified from the Planning Commission version to designate the First Street Character Area and the Street Frontage designations.
Attachments: Ordinance Supplemental Regulations 315 W Huron SP26-0004
Staff Report 315 W Huron SP26-0004 6/2/2026
June 2, 2026 Planning Commission Minutes
Staff
Prepared By: Joshua Shake, Senior Planner
Reviewed By: Brett Lenart, Planning Manager
Derek Delacourt, Community Services Area Administrator
Approved By: Milton Dohoney Jr., City Administrator
Body
(See Attached Ordinance)