Title
An Ordinance to Add Section 1:239 of Chapter 8 (Boards and Commissions) and to Add Section 5:136 and Renumber Sections 5:136 to 5:139 of Chapter 57 (Subdivision and Land Use Control) of Title V of the Code of the City of Ann Arbor to Create a Design Review Board and Review Procedure for Certain Downtown Properties - CPC Recommendation: Approval (8 Yeas, 0 Nays) (Ordinance No. 11-07)
Memorandum
Approval of the proposed amendments will implement the Design Review Program Outline recommended by the Design Guidelines Task Force and approved by City Council.
Background
City Council established the Design Guidelines Task Force in February, 2010 to review the draft downtown design guidelines and develop a design review process. The Task Force met 34 times between March, 2010 and January, 2011 to develop its recommendations.
On February 7, 2011, City Council adopted a resolution (R-11-025 attached) approving the Task Force’s Design Review Program Outline and the Downtown Design Guidelines (attached as a separate document). City Council directed the Planning Commission to draft ordinance amendments to implement the program outline.
Proposed Amendments
The proposed ordinance amendments establish a process for providing feedback on the design of site-planned projects in the downtown. The ordinance covers projects that propose to add floor area; are zoned D1, D2 or PUD; and are not located in an historic district.
Prior to applying for site plan approval, a petitioner will be required to submit preliminary project design plans to the seven-member Design Review Board (DRB), along with an application and fee. The DRB meeting is scheduled to occur prior to the required Citizen Participation meeting or notice.
Upon receiving a DRB application, the City will mail a notice to property owners, occupants, and neighborhood groups within the same radius required for the project in the Citizen Participation Ordinance (either 500 or 1,000 feet).
The proposed ordinance r...
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