Title
Resolution to Direct the Establishment of an Office of Economic Development and Directing the City Administration to Prioritize Housing Development at all Income Levels to Support Housing Affordability, Sustainability, Tax Base Development, and Placemaking as the City's Strategic Priorities for Land Development
Memorandum
On December 18, 2023 the Administrator's Office provided to the Council a report titled A New Approach to Economic Development, wherein a series of reforms to our economic development and land development processes were recommended to the Council. The report is the result of more than a year of work directed by the Economic Development Corporation of Ann Arbor with support from members of Council to examine how the city could become more effective and efficient at pursuing economic development initiatives. The report can be found at the following link:
https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6455353&GUID=9953264D-8091-454D-8178-7E569BF0A22C
The City Council was briefed on the contents of the report in meetings on December 11, 2023 and February 12, 2024. In addition, individual briefings were offered to each member of the Council and the Mayor.
Following these discussions, four resolutions have been prepared for Council's consideration endorsing the findings of the report and providing direction back to the City Administrator to implement certain recommendations provided in the report. This resolution addresses the creation of an economic development office and the implementation of policy directives to guide the organization's approach to land development writ large. Accompanying resolutions will direct 1) strategies for supporting housing affordability by pursuing housing development at all income levels, 2) strategies for supporting sustainability in the built environment, and 3) strategies for supporting place-making and tax base improvements.
Staff
Prepared by: John Fournier, Deputy City Administrator
Reviewed by: Mi...
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