Ann Arbor staff recommends denial for high-rise rezoning on South University
The city's planning department is recommending denial for a rezoning request at 1320 South University, next to the Landmark high-rise now under development next door.
City of Ann Arbor
The Ann Arbor Planning Commission will consider the request at 7 p.m. Tuesday, according to its agenda.
The 0.82-acre property now has a 2.5-story student apartment building on it. It's owned by Philip Sotiroff of 1320 South University Ltd.
Douglas Sotiroff asked the city last fall to rezone the parcel from a D2 district, downtown interface, to D1, downtown core.
Along with the rezoning, an area plan was submitted outlining a possible site plan of a building from 10-14 stories, or up to 145 feet tall, for the location.
Existing zoning would allow a building height on the property of up to 60 feet. The adjacent Landmark building, scheduled to open by fall, is 14 stories.
The denial is based on several reasons listed on the staff report. They include: No evidence of zoning error; no change in municipal policy for the area; no change for the property since it was rezoned in 2009.
"Further staff finds that the proposed rezoning is not in keeping with the master plan recommendation for the subject site and the proposed rezoning does not meet the Zoning Ordinance’s intent of maintaining a sound, stable and desirable development within the City," according to the report.
Download a copy of the staff report.
Comments
PersonX
Wed, Feb 8, 2012 : 4:22 p.m.
"Further staff finds that the proposed rezoning is not in keeping with the master plan recommendation for the subject site and the proposed rezoning does not meet the Zoning Ordinance's intent of maintaining a sound, stable and desirable development within the City," according to the report. Bravo! They are finally waking up to the fact that we have a master plan and need to manage development in the city. Somehow they missed this when they approved the various monstrosity plans for the Fifth Ave fiasco!
DOT
Wed, Feb 8, 2012 : 12:49 p.m.
Whether in favor of it or not, it seems to me the reasoning of the Planning Department is without thought. Simply bureaucratic. What's the logic with a 14-story building adjacent to the lot? What about the neighbornood? Don't just recommend without looking up from the books. Help City Council look at issues, pro and con.
Ron Granger
Wed, Feb 8, 2012 : 2:20 a.m.
The rush to build more high-rises in Ann Arbor needs to slow down. This is just a money grab, and some of these places are likely to suffer due to the looming glut of capacity.
Eric S
Wed, Feb 8, 2012 : 2:16 a.m.
Sellers: They aren't proposing an office building, they want another student housing high-rise. Remember that whatever they put there is going to face directly across the Mudbowl and Washtenaw. Anything tall would be a visual wall for the Angell neighborhood.
sellers
Wed, Feb 8, 2012 : 1:41 p.m.
Agreed - which is why I suggested wait a few years to judge market/needs :)
sellers
Wed, Feb 8, 2012 : 1:30 a.m.
It seems a compromise could be reached. How about give it a deferral for 2 years to gauge the market, and if demand is there - compromise for 1/2 the height - or do it D2 with exception for 100ft instead of 60ft. Not a fan of government getting in the way - but just suggestion don't overbuild. We do have a shortage of (large) office space downtown, and this kind-of building could be good for tech companies that need larger space and want to attract recent grads of the U's.
Paula Gardner
Tue, Feb 7, 2012 : 7:03 p.m.
I just tried the link and was able to download it. Here's a link to the city webpage with the meeting info: <a href="http://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=1048141&GUID=C4DB2888-821C-4477-BB5E-B3E7C8AADC1A&Options=&Search=" rel='nofollow'>http://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=1048141&GUID=C4DB2888-821C-4477-BB5E-B3E7C8AADC1A&Options=&Search=</a>
Fordie
Tue, Feb 7, 2012 : 7:36 p.m.
Not sure why I wasn't able to get it to work then. Thank you for the link to the city's site.
Fordie
Tue, Feb 7, 2012 : 6:56 p.m.
It doesn't appear that your link to the staff report is working.