Dharma's Council Newsletter, June 15, 2025

Neighbors,

City Council meets next on Monday, June 16 at 7 p.m.. Before my agenda highlights, I have a few updates to share.

Ward 4 Listening Hour, July 20

I'm hosting my next Ward 4 constituent coffee hour on Sunday, July 20 from 10-11 a.m. at Argus Cafe (1200 Packard St). I hope to see you there!

Ann Arbor Summer Festival

The Ann Arbor Summer Festival (A2SF) kicked off the annual festival Friday, June 13, and it runs through June 29. This is one of my favorite Ann Arbor events of the year as it offers everything from live music to outdoor film screenings: all for free! 

Ann Arbor Earns Spot on Global Climate A List

The City of Ann Arbor has been named to the prestigious 2024 CDP A List, recognizing global leadership in climate transparency, action, and resilience. Only 112 cities worldwide—and just 29 in the U.S.—achieved this top score.

This recognition reflects the city’s commitment to bold climate action through the A2ZERO plan, which charts a path to community-wide carbon neutrality by 2030. Learn more!

Updated Draft Comprehensive Land Use Plan Released

The second draft of the Ann Arbor Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) is here! You can find it on the CLUP project page, alongside the first draft for comparison, the project timeline, and engagement efforts. A memo from the city summarizes changes between draft 1 and draft 2.

I continue to support many elements of the plan, while I also recognize that considerable detail needs to be worked through in zoning. That said, I believe removing the proposed “flex district” is a mistake. This district would allow commercial and industrial uses (but not housing) in select areas (Industrial road was designated as such in the first draft of the plan). While we absolutely need more housing, cities are more than just places to live. Some uses — including certain municipal operations — are simply not compatible with residential zoning. Eliminating this district could limit the city’s long-term flexibility and economic resilience.

I’ve also talked with the Office of Sustainability and Innovations (OSI) about evaluating how the plan accounts for existing investments in rooftop solar, which I think deserves more careful attention. This was also brought up at Planning Commission meetings by commissioners.

City Council Meeting, Monday, June 16 at 7 p.m.

• Meeting Agenda

• Responses to Council Member Questions (there were no questions from council members this week)

Agenda Highlights

CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS

• Resolution to Approve PFM Financial Analyses Amendment (related to the Arbor South Development) (CA-21). City Council will consider a resolution to amend and renew the City’s contract with PFM Group Consulting LLC, adding $100,000 and extending it for one year. This would bring the total contract value to $175,000. The purpose of this increase is to continue financial and economic analysis related to the Arbor South Development after City Council passed a resolution in April to "Authorize the City Administrator to Negotiate City Participation in the Arbor South Project, Including Potentially Owning, Operating, and Bonding for Parking Decks." I voted against that resolution and remain concerned about the direction it sets for the City's participation in development in our transit corridors. While I value the importance of thorough analysis, I will not support continued efforts for significant public investment in parking infrastructure without advancing our TC-1 transportation goals like improved transit, walkability, or bike connections in a part of the city that badly needs it, especially as we bring more housing to the area.

PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS

You need not sign up in advance to comment on a public hearing item.

• Green Rental Housing (PH-2). I wrote about this in my last newsletter and want to reaffirm my support for the proposed Green Rental Housing Ordinance. I’ve heard and appreciate concerns about potential impacts on rent, but after a thorough review, I do not believe this ordinance will significantly affect rental prices. The proposed ordinance sets basic energy efficiency standards (and two paths to get there) to ensure tenants live in homes that are safe and comfortable while also helping the City meet its A2ZERO carbon neutrality goals. Contrary to claims circulating from the Greater Metropolitan Association of Realtors, most of Ann Arbor’s rental housing stock is already expected to meet these modest standards without needing upgrades. For units that do need improvements — such as better insulation or air sealing — the City is offering resources and support to help property owners comply. It’s also important to remember that energy inefficiency has a cost, too: poorly insulated homes often come with high utility bills that disproportionately burden tenants. City staff do not expect these regulations to increase costs for renters, and I believe this is a responsible, forward-looking step toward healthier housing and meeting our sustainability goals.

FIRST READING ORDINANCE CHANGES

• Scio Church Road and 2180 Ann Arbor-Saline Road - Robertson Homes Rezoning (C-1). Approval of this ordinance will rezone four recently annexed parcels (255, 315, 371 Scio Church Road, 2180 Ann Arbor-Saline Road) from TWP (Township) to R4E with conditions (Multiple-Family Residential) and accept conditions to limit the maximum height to 50 feet in this district. Accompanying the conditional rezoning petition, as a separate submittal, is a site plan petition to enable the parcels to be redeveloped for 75 attached townhomes with 150 garage vehicle spaces and 17 surface spaces. To learn more about this Ward 4 project, visit the City's 371 Scio Church Development engagement page. (Planning Commission voted 8-0 in favor of the rezoning).

• UDC Amendment (Public Notices and Hearings) (C-2). This is the first reading of an ordinance change that updates sections of the Unified Development Code that would 

  • Standardize public notice language and timing across departments.

  • Eliminate public hearing requirements for site plans and certain permits (like wetlands and PUDs) unless they're tied to another application that requires a hearing.

  • Ensure public comment remains available at Planning Commission meetings for all site plans, even without a formal hearing.

  • The proposed change is part of a Council directed broader effort to support more efficient housing development at all income levels. (Planning Commission voted 7-0 in favor of these changes).

• UDC Ordinance - Citizen Participation (C-3). Council will also vote on a proposed amendment to the Citizen Participation Ordinance; another piece of the broader effort to make housing development processes more efficient. Key changes include:

  • Aligning meeting timing with the City’s review process — meetings must occur within 45 days of application acceptance.

  • Improving digital outreach by expanding notifications through City communication channels and publishing a calendar of participation meetings on the City’s website (in addition to paper notification).

  • Revising project classifications to align participation requirements with the type of City approval required (administrative vs. discretionary), rather than just the project’s size. Rezonings, planned unit developments zonings, and special exception use permits would all continue to require public hearings. (Planning Commission voted 7-0 in favor of these changes).

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I'd love to hear from you. Feel free to reach out any time with your questions, concerns, or ideas:

Email: DAkmon@a2gov.orgPhone/Text: 734-492-5866

There are also several ways to share your thoughts with the full City Council:

• Submit an eComment online

• Email all of Council: CityCouncil@a2gov.org

• Speak at a Council meeting (in person or remote):Call the City Clerk’s office at 734-794-6140 starting at 8 a.m. on the day of the meeting to reserve a speaking time.Note: You do not need to reserve time to speak during a formal public hearing.

Thank you for staying informed and engaged!