A2 City Council Meeting: 11/16/2020
November 16, 2020 was the first meeting of the newly elected Council. Below you’ll find a quick overview of meeting highlights and actions taken. Meeting highlights are agenda items that generated discussion. All items not listed below, but on the attached agenda, were approved unanimously without discussion. Please feel free to reach out to me if you have questions on any of the actions that were taken.
Meeting highlights:
CM Julie Grand appointed Mayor Pro Tem Approved 9-2, with CM Ramlawi and Hayner dissenting.
Council amended City Code to make it easier to install solar panels (C-1). The change to the Unified Development Code (UDC) will allow solar panels to be installed on carports without a site plan and also allow solar panels to extend up to 12 feet above the height limit of a zoning district. Approved unanimously.
Council voted to remove on-street parking on Scio Church between South Maple Road and Greenview Drive (CA-1) to create space for bike lanes. This decision was recommended by city engineers and had the support of the majority of residents surveyed. The 2020 project will also include watermain work, resurfacing of the roadway, replacement of some curb and gutter, replacement some sidewalk ramps for ADA compliance, addition of crosswalks to improve pedestrian access, and the filling in some existing sidewalk gaps. Approved unanimously.
Council approved a request from the City’s Sustainability Office to renew the contract with Julie Roth to administer the Ann Arbor Solarize Program (CA-10). Approved unanimously.
Council approved 2021 Council Committee Appointments (DC-1) after a discussion about the process and concerns from CM Hayner about his specific appointments. Approved 10-1 with CM Hayner dissenting.
Council directed Planning Commission to develop a new zoning district that enables greater density and mixed uses along major transit corridors (DC-2). The goal of this new “transit-supported district” is to increase housing supply along major transit corridors to address housing shortages while advancing our community environmental and affordability goals. I added an amendment to the resolution, which was supported, which requested more community engagement opportunities so the ordinance has substantial community feedback before it comes to Council for consideration. Approved 10-1 with CM Hayner dissenting.
Council passed a resolution accepting the results of the 2020 November elections and recognizing President-elect Joseph Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris (DC-3). Approved unanimously.
Council denied a resolution which would have asked Planning Commission to examine the feasibility of a transit-supported district only along South State Street and to update the South State Street Corridor Plan (DC-4). This resolution was sponsored by CM Hayner and Ramlawi and intended as a competing resolution to DC-2. I voted against this resolution because I support Planning Commission presenting recommendations for a new zoning district(s) after 1) considering how it might be utilized on multiple transit corridors and 2) looking holistically at our community before making these recommendations . Denied 9-3 with CM Hayner, Griswold, and Ramlawi voting yes.
Council approved the purchase the Botsford Property (3015 Miller Road). If purchased, Washtenaw County will provide an equal contribution and assume ownership and management of the property. A contribution of up to $202,500.00 from the Open Space and Parkland Preservation Millage funds (DC-5) was approved. This decision followed a closed session discussion. Approved unanimously.