Title
Resolution to Direct the Ann Arbor Housing Commission, and its Affiliated Legal Entities, to Develop 353 S Main as Affordable Housing
Memorandum
On April 1, 2019, Ann Arbor City Council adopted Resolution R-19-138 directing the City Administrator to collaborate with the Ann Arbor Housing Commission (AAHC) to provide coordinated analysis on the feasibility of city-owned properties as potential locations for affordable housing. This resolution incorporated previous resolutions R-19-110, R-19-111 and R-19-116.
The Ann Arbor Housing Commission led the analysis along with support from a City staff team and several contractors to determine the feasibility for 11 sites including review of land use and zoning, environmental conditions, financial resources, site -specific costs, and overall risk among other factors. The analysis, three potential portfolio scenarios, and next step recommendations were presented to City Council at the Nov.18, 2019 City Council meeting. On November 18, 2019 (R-19-521), City Council added 353 S. Main to the financial feasibility analysis.
353 S Main is an ideal site for an affordable housing project. The site is free of negative site issues that would impede affordable housing development and it scores competitively for Low-Income Housing Tax Credits and other federal and state funds for affordable housing. The site is in the DDA district, which makes it eligible to request financial support from the DDA and it is eligible for City Affordable Housing Millage funds. The sites can be developed with a small amount local financial support compared to some of the other sites.
Staff worked with the SmithGroup to conduct community engagement on this site which included both a 6-story (550% FAR) and 10-story building (900% FAR) with 50-90 apartments with an activated ground floor and no on-site parking. Both renditions received roughly the same total support in the community with a higher percent preferring a 6-story building over a 10...
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