Title
Resolution Regarding the Comprehensive Land Use Plan and Low-Rise Residential Density
Memorandum
Background
Zoning that prohibits multifamily housing (all R1 and R2 areas) is currently applied to 54% of developable land in Ann Arbor. While many of these districts thrive, this framework also artificially constrains housing supply, drives up prices, and creates an economic reality that excludes middle-income people from purchasing or renting homes. When housing demand is high, only those with greater affluence can access a limited housing supply. We believe that we can have successful, lively neighborhoods with close access to employment and entertainment centers, and increased housing supply that positively impacts affordability and resident diversity.
The Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) is importantly distinct from Zoning regulations. It is a policy statement of principles and goals that shape the priorities, and future zoning decisions that are made to designate and regulate land use. A Comprehensive Plan can be more or less specific on these points. It can detail clear, balanced, and readily implementable land use regulations or defer specification of those details to future discussions.
As part of City Council's directive for the CLUP, planning staff and consultant teams have engaged with the community extensively to develop the draft plan. The state requirement for engagement is a 63-day review period once the drafted plan is released. Over the past year, Staff have already mounted events, conversations, and surveys citywide. So far, we have received over 4000 distinct resident inputs-and the 63-day state-mandated public review period is still to come. In the meantime, the City will host additional engagement sessions on the initial draft of the plan starting this month (April 2025).
The CLUP community consensus that has emerged to date from this public engagement supports an incremental increase in potential density to support 3-story, mul...
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