Washtenaw Community College moves forward with parking garage plans
Plans are moving forward for a $12.75 million parking garage to accommodate the exploding population of Washtenaw Community College students.
But before the dirt can move, WCC must get approval from Ann Arbor Township, which has a specific planning approval process for any developments on campus.
Plans for a parking garage at WCC were presented for review at the WCC Board of Trustees meeting Tuesday. The college is working with Ann Arbor Township to gain approval for the garage.
Plans courtesy of Rich & Associates and WCC
That process typically takes seven to eight months, said Damon Flowers, associate vice president of facilities development and operations at WCC. The college also follows state and county regulatory processes.
Ann Arbor Township sent back design plans for the garage for the first time Monday. WCC officials hope to make changes and resubmit plans to the township for preliminary site plan approval.
"Their application did not include several of the required elements," Ann Arbor Township Supervisor Michael Moran said today. "It's been submitted to the planning commission for approval, but it was incomplete, so it wasn't reviewed."
Rich & Associates of Southfield has handled the design of the 535-space garage, which will be situated behind the Morris Lawrence and Occupational Education buildings, near a retention pond on WCC's campus. The plans also include a road that will connect two of the seven existing campus parking lots. The connection between lots 7 and 1 will loop the whole campus, Flowers said.
About 900 trees will have to be removed to make way for the road. However, the college will be required to plant about 1,102, Flowers said, per an Ann Arbor Township woodland ordinance.
A proposed new woodland ordinance would nearly triple the number of trees that would need to be replanted by WCC. Under the proposed ordinance, the college would have to add 3,381 trees to replace the 900 it removed, adding $911,600 to the project, Flowers said.
Moran said it wasn't immediately clear whether the new ordinance would apply to the parking garage plans.
"The ordinance hasn't been adopted. It's been recommended by the planning commission," Moran said. "It will have to go to the board. It's my belief they've already filed their application. It's not that easy of an answer. It's my belief that it would not apply to them."
The township Planning Commission is expected to review the plans in July.
Some board members had questions about the design plans at Tuesday's meeting.
Trustee Pam Horiszny worried the building plans look like a prison. Trustee David Rutledge suggested an additional exit feature from an earlier design would "break up the long expanse" of the building.
WCC President Larry Whitworth noted the design plans didn't show the trees that would add to the aesthetics, and noted landscaping would also add to the overall look of the garage.
WCC staff plan to review the plans and consider the board members' concerns. Planners said they're looking into getting the building LEED-certified. "Anything that goes in will be done in a sustainable fashion," said Matthew Jobin of Rich & Associates.
Juliana Keeping covers higher education for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at julianakeeping@annarbor.com or 734-623-2528. Follow Juliana Keeping on Twitter
Comments
luvdady
Tue, Jun 22, 2010 : 3:38 p.m.
@ mr benard how about you valet park our cars for us since you know where all this wonderful parking is located. last semester i lugged 35lbs of books from the it building to nearly st joes hospital in ten degeree weather, and was lucky to get a spot. ""Understanding that many commute from other counties to study at WCC, the solution to encouraging alternatives to automobile commuting and parking problems is not to increase the supply of spaces. You can't build your way out of parking problems."" really if you add more spots, you have more parking spaces simple physics really.
j
Mon, Jun 21, 2010 : 9:20 a.m.
As a mother who takes a small child (and previously had 3 to take) to the WCC childrens center, I can attest that the parking situation is terrible. Since I cannot drop off my child earlier than 15 minutes prior to her "start time"/my first class time, showing up early is not possible. As mentioned, people stalking for spots & spots that are quite a hike for a mom, her 3 kids, all the backpack and lunches is a feat. We dodge the vehicles parked on islands, against fire lanes and everyone speeding to catch that spot that just opened up. The worst is people who actually PARK in the 5 designated child care drop off spots. I have never been able to use a drop off spot, drop kids off no earlier than 15 prior to my 1st class time, leave again to find a spot, and then walk a 1/2 mile to class to get to class on time. So, I am excited that the garage is going up and hope that all the mom's that use the WCC CDC can finally get a break!
Connie
Thu, Jun 10, 2010 : 3:02 p.m.
I work full time and barely have just enough time between work/school to travel to campus. Riding the bus isn't an option (no service where I live)and arriving earlier would be great if I I could leave work earlier without fear of losing my job! I can easily spend 15 minutes hunting for a parking space, which means I'm usually late for class. I'm for anything that adds parking...even if it means I have to pay for it...hunting for a spot and worrying about missing class time is very stressful.
Juliana Keeping
Thu, Jun 10, 2010 : 12:14 p.m.
Also, as to why EMU and other universities don't have to go through a similar, additional approval process, the Michigan Constitution grants the state's 15 public universities a lot of autonomy. The state's 28 community colleges don't have that constitutional perk.
Juliana Keeping
Thu, Jun 10, 2010 : 12:11 p.m.
Here is some more info about why WCC falls under A2 Township's jurisdiction for planning from that Damon Flowers, the associate VP of facilities development and operations at WCC, shared with me today via e-mail: " Ann Arbor Township's review of WCC's construction and planning issues is the result of a State Supreme Court ruling in the case of Burt Township vs. DNR in 1999. To make a long story short, the state's DNR wanted to build boat dock in Burt Township, and it did not seek local planning approval. DNR felt as a state agency, that they didn't have to get local approval. Burt Township sued saying that they did and won at the Circuit Court level. DNR appealed and lost, and finally it was taken to the State Supreme Court, where the Court upheld the lower court ruling. Since then certain State Agencies (including community colleges) must submit plans to local authorities for approval. The College's outside general counsel suggested that the ruling would likely be upheld if WCC. So that's how we got to where we are today. "
Rasputin
Thu, Jun 10, 2010 : 7:32 a.m.
@ Elizabeth, I think what Mrs. Meisler is inferring is that WCC could expand parking by providing a structure and EXPAND parking at its current location(s), instead of leveling the woods which are actually utilized for scientific research by some courses at WCC and the HS. Perhaps, taking a page from the new Ann Arbor Library underground structure might not be a bad idea; we have to get past this notion of consuming all of our resources and start building down and upwards. A structure comprised of 4-5 levels below ground and 7-8 above utilizing the existing parking area would be more than sufficient.
Rasputin
Thu, Jun 10, 2010 : 7:26 a.m.
Better late then never!
Elizabeth
Wed, Jun 9, 2010 : 2:50 p.m.
@Laura Meisler - So they should make parking problems even worse for about two years, garnering more complaints about parking and the structure itself, instead of using existing space? WCC can't win either way, there will always be complaints no matter what.
vonspot27
Wed, Jun 9, 2010 : 2:39 p.m.
This plan seems flawed on many ways. But I think it makes the most sense to decrease the need for parking lots(sprawl) and increase and/or introduce vertical parking.
Laura Meisler
Wed, Jun 9, 2010 : 1:49 p.m.
Why not build a new structure on the site of existing parking lots instead of leveling the woods?
ktalley
Wed, Jun 9, 2010 : 1:42 p.m.
"Planners said they're looking into getting the building LEED-certified." You have to be kidding me. Parking structures can be LEED-certified? Any regard I had for that program has just dropped several notches. What does WCC currently do in the way of promoting car sharing or vanpooling?
djacks24
Wed, Jun 9, 2010 : 1:20 p.m.
I attended WCC for nearly 8 years in a row. Like others have said the beginning of the terms were ridiculous. I would literally have to sit in my car an wait for someone to walk out the building and stalk them as they walked to their car, and then sit almost right behind them until they pulled out of their spot so I could jump on it before someone else could. Usually a few weeks into each term, plenty of spots opened up further out for students who didn't mind walking. I'd always take one of the plenty of open further parking spots. But there would still be the lazy people who would troll for a closer spot until one opened up. I think building a parking structure is a little extreme when the campus police don't even enforce parking rules. It used to make me sick seeing multiple cars taking up more than one spot. I never even knew that campus police could even write tickets for parking violations until I transferred to EMU. Also EMU makes students buy parking permits. The whole time I attended EMU, I never had any issues finding parking spots even at the beginning of every term. So I would propose WCC take a lesson from EMU and start issuing tickets and if parking is still a problem after that, then start making students pay to park (at least in certain lots). People may whine about having to pay a fee to park, but would these whiners rather help pay for the parking structure with their tuition increases and increased property taxes? I guarantee these measures would open up 25% or more of the existing parking.
OldGerman
Wed, Jun 9, 2010 : 12:46 p.m.
Is there a picture/blue print of the proposed WCC parking garage online?
Alan Benard
Wed, Jun 9, 2010 : 12:22 p.m.
@bunnyabbot: Where? The only places on the main campus not already occupied by buildings are... parking lots. And their stated goal is to move more programs to satellite centers in the county.
bunnyabbot
Wed, Jun 9, 2010 : 11:57 a.m.
seems that perhaps from the comments a parking structure is maybe borderline needed, it also makes sense that they would build one before perhaps building additional class space.
Alan Benard
Wed, Jun 9, 2010 : 11:53 a.m.
@Julie: Use your imagination. Sometimes I drive my car.Leave earlier. Walk more.
RobertinSaline
Wed, Jun 9, 2010 : 11:52 a.m.
Earlier commenter is right! School districts in Michigan are exempt from land use and planning oversight and so are universities & other public educational institutions. From Chapter 9 of City's Master Plan: "As a public educational institution, University-owned land and streets are exempt from local taxes and City codes and regulations, including zoning, site plan review and approval from the City prior to new construction". So does Washtenaw Community College not own the land?? Should WCC contact the state for guidance?
Mikey2u
Wed, Jun 9, 2010 : 11:36 a.m.
This parking structure is not necessary and it is a bad idea. Parking at WCC is only a problem for the first week of a new semester (after the first week, many students drop out and there is plenty of parking to go around.) The current level of enrollment at WCC is not sustainable. If the economy improves, many students will drop out and go back to work. If the economy does not improve, many students will drop out and leave Michigan looking for work. The parking structure will be a crime magnet. Currently all parking is out in the open where everybody can see everybody else. Once WCC builds this behemoth - with all of its dark corners the criminals will come running. WCC will have to hire more security just to maintain the current level of student safety. WCC should focus on providing a quality education at an affordable price and forget about all the unnecessary window dressing.
Julie Donovan
Wed, Jun 9, 2010 : 11:05 a.m.
Great idea!!! I am currently a student at WCC and parking during the Fall/Winter semesters is very tight. I don't see how a bus rider could posible know if there is enough parking or not. I always leave early to get to school early in order to find a place to park. Most times I need that extra time, other times I am there early and get to sit and wait for 30 minutes for my class to start. I don't think we sould be talking to the instructors about the parking, talk to the students.
Steve Bean
Wed, Jun 9, 2010 : 10:58 a.m.
"'Anything that goes in will be done in a sustainable fashion,' said Matthew Jobin of Rich & Associates." That's a misuse of the term "sustainable", in particular when applied to a parking structure. Alan, I agree. The Michigan Environmental Protection Act might apply to this project as the Great Lakes Environmental Law Center claimed in its lawsuit against the city of Ann Arbor on the underground parking structure next to the downtown library. The MEPA requires, among other things, that alternatives be considered. I appreciate you pointing to one such valid alternative. Parking structures have useful lives on the order of 50+ years. Parking demand will likely decline (and mass transit demand and telecommuting correspondingly increase) in the next ten years or so. Management of existing resources and use of technology to get through the short-term peak demand would be a better option.
tracyann
Wed, Jun 9, 2010 : 10:23 a.m.
As a former student I can attest that parking was pretty bad. Though parking was worse at the beginning of a term, my experience has been that it was bad throughout the semester, especially if a class started late morning or early afternoon. I had no problem walking, and usually had to, but time constraints didn't permit me to leave for my commute earlier than I had to or even do a park and ride. I think more parking is good idea, but it sounds like an awful lot of trees will have to be planted.
a2huron
Wed, Jun 9, 2010 : 10:17 a.m.
Plans approved by AA Township??? That is odd. Is WCC voluntarily submitting to a plan review by the township? As a state public entity, I don't believe WCC is even required to submit plans for approval. There only approvals should be by the state. Not even sure the township tree ordinances would apply here. I bet you won't find EMU ever submitting plans for review/approval to Ypsi city or township. Probably same for U of M. Does U of M ever submit its building plans, which must occur monthly given how many projects they have, to the city of AA for approval? Now that would be interesting which is why it probably doesn't happen.
Alan Benard
Wed, Jun 9, 2010 : 9:56 a.m.
This is a terrible plan. Instructors at WCC I speak with insist parking is adequate for the available classroom spaces. More sections cannot be added not because of parking/transportation problems, but because there are no places to hold them when students prefer to attend -- while more weekend and evening sections are being added in popular programs. Parking is only an issue now at the highest peak times during the first weeks of each term. Sufficient parking exists at the edges of the current lots, only requiring students to commute earlier and walk more. Other low-impact strategies, such as re-striping existing lots, have not yet been tried.As a bus-rider, I am aggravated that WCC has switched from offering a $10/term unlimited bus pass to free rides leaving campus. It seems penny-wise and pound foolish to avoid spending a few hundred thousand dollars a term subsidizing public transportation while committing to millions in loans to capitalize high-maintenance structures at a cost of tens of thousands of dollars per parking place. Understanding that many commute from other counties to study at WCC, the solution to encouraging alternatives to automobile commuting and parking problems is not to increase the supply of spaces. You can't build your way out of parking problems.
Bob Martel
Wed, Jun 9, 2010 : 9:27 a.m.
Interesting, I always assumed that WCC was in Superior Township. It seems that those pesky little AA Township "islands" pop up just about anywhere.