Where things stand now
On March 16, City Council unanimously passed Draft 4 of the Comprehensive Plan.
The next step: implementing it with new zoning ordinances—quickly and with changes not shown in the approved Plan.
Throughout the development of the Plan, officials reassured residents that rewriting zoning would take several years and include extensive public input. The Plan's timeline for implementation is 1-4 years.
But before the Plan was even passed special interest insiders were pushing to rush zoning changes.
January: Will Leaf and Jonathan Levine urged the Planning Commission to pursue more aggressive height and density increases, adding a new zoning category with rules and boundaries not in the Plan’s final draft.
February: Will Leaf exchanged emails with Council member Lisa Disch urging rapid implementation of new zoning before this year’s city elections, warning that “housing activists” would be unhappy if this does not happen and referencing a meeting between the mayor and insider advocates for density and development.
March 12: Planning Commissioner Dan Adams circulated a memo endorsing the Leaf/Levine recommendations to implement the Plan quickly with zoning changes not previously made public.
And now, the Commission is being asked to amend R1 and R2 zoning immediately—before a new zoning map or ordinances are in place, contrary to the Plan. If approved as soon as this summer, all single-family districts would be replaced with a “low-intensity residential” designation allowing up to three units per lot, including multiple buildings.
This opens the door to rampant real estate speculation and significant redevelopment. It means that 3 units could be allowed by right on any lot, with reduced setbacks and no parking, for an unknown increase in the number of residents.
These behind-the-scenes maneuvers by influential insiders contradict assurances by city leadership of a deliberative, transparent and robust public process.
Implementation starts April 14–what we can do now
On Tuesday, April 14 at 7pm, the Planning Commission will hold an online-only working session on implementing the Plan. Watch on Zoom and speak during public comment. This is our chance to insist on transparency and an end to privileged insider access to the Commission, Council, and mayor. Top-down decision-making guided by special interests must end. Stop sidelining residents—public and democratic engagement must be substantive—not performative.
Join online via Zoom: https://a2gov.zoom.us/j/97766341226. The passcode: 882985.
Background memo by Planning staff with information about implementing the Plan. Includes summaries of the deliberative processes other cities followed to rewrite zoning.
Options for public engagement. While City officials never notified residents about the Plan, this memo shows that mailing a postcard to every parcel would cost as low as $14,000.
A memo describing the Commission’s workplan options for revising zoning ordinances. The preference of staff is to start by rezoning residential districts.
Stay engaged and informed—talk with friends and neighbors. Find candidates for city office who represent you and your concerns and be sure to vote in the August 4 primary!
A responsive city government listens to residents and prioritizes their needs.
It’s our City and it’s our Plan. Working together, Ann Arbor can get it right.