Title
An Ordinance to Amend Sections 5.18 and 5.37 of Chapter 55 (Unified Development Code) of Title V of the Code of the City of Ann Arbor (Exceptions to Height Limits) CPC Recommendation: Approval (9 yes, 0 no) (ORD-26-18)
Memorandum
Amendments are proposed to Chapter 55 Unified Development Code (UDC), Section 5.18 and 5.37, to update the eligibility requirements for sustainable developments that can receive an exception to the normal zoning district height limit.
• The proposed amendments will change the criteria to be considered a sustainable development from having the capacity to be an all-electric development to being solely powered by electricity.
• The requirement to provide solar collector surfaces remains unchanged, but an option to contribute a fee-in-lieu for part of this requirement is newly offered.
• These amendments are proposed following an evaluation of how often and to what degree exceptions were provided for sustainable and affordable developments since they were first made available in 2023.
• Overall, the provision is successfully generating sustainable development - more so than previously offered premium floor area provisions - but some updates were warranted to better align the award with A2Zero Plan strategies immediately.
• Further changes may be appropriate as part of broader updates to UDC to implement the future land use recommendations of the City’s Comprehensive Plan 2050.
The City Planning Commission recommended approval of the attached ordinance following a public hearing on April 21, 2026.
Attachments: Ordinance (Exceptions to Height Limits)
April 21, 2026 Planning Staff Report
April 21, 2026 City Planning Commission Minutes
Staff
Prepared by: Alexis DiLeo, Principal Planner
Reviewed by: Brett Lenart, Planning Manager
Derek Delacourt, Community Services Area Administrator
Approved by: Milton Dohoney Jr., City Administrator
Body
(See Attached Ordinance)