Summary
Council approves housing, zoning, and tenant actions
Ann ArborJul 20, 20264 min read
At a glance
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Council approved a tenant-organization ordinance, a short-term rental moratorium request, several housing and zoning measures, and a $405,000 agreement to support a licensed clinician in the police co-response program.
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Topics discussed
TransportationPublic SafetyCommerceEnvironmentalHousing
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What this means
Council took action on several items that could affect housing options, neighborhood development, and public safety services in Ann Arbor. It approved a resolution asking staff to prepare a moratorium on short-term rentals and review the city’s short-term rental rules, and it advanced a tenant-organization ordinance so renters can organize more easily. Council also approved area plans and rezoning tied to 3785 Varsity Drive and Near North, plus bond issuance for an Ann Arbor Housing Commission project. On public safety, it approved a $405,000 agreement with Washtenaw County Community Mental Health to support a licensed clinician for the police co-response program and approved an unarmed response program with 4.0 new full-time positions.
Key decisions
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- Honored and celebrated the life of Washtenaw County Deputy Chief Public Defender Lorne Brown.
- Approved a resolution directing the City Attorney to prepare an ordinance granting tenants the right to establish or participate in a tenant organization.
- Approved, as amended, a resolution directing the City Attorney to prepare a moratorium on short-term rentals and direct staff to review the city’s short-term rental regulations.
- Approved the 3785 Varsity Drive Area Plan and the related rezoning from M1 to C2B.
- Approved the Near North Area Plan and the related rezoning of 700 N Main St to R4E with conditions.
- Approved a resolution authorizing issuance of bonds by the Ann Arbor Housing Commission for the Dr. Willis C. Patterson Project.
- Approved a resolution to add 4.0 full-time positions for the unarmed response program through Supportive Connections.
- Approved a $405,000 intergovernmental agreement with Washtenaw County Community Mental Health to support a licensed clinician for the police co-response program.
- Adopted on second reading the ordinance amending Chapter 40 on trees and other vegetation, including oak wilt prevention changes.
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Meeting information
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City Council
Jul 20, 2026, 11:00 PMLarcom City Hall, 301 E Huron St, Second floor, City Council Chambersscheduled
This meeting will be broadcast live on CTN Cable Channel 16, ATT Channel 99, and online at a2gov.org/watchCTN To sign up for public comment, call the City Clerk's Office between 8am - 5pm at 734-794-6140 on the day of the meeting.
Agenda
- Public commentary can be made in person or by calling Zoom at: 877-853-5247 or 888-788-0099 Enter Meeting ID 942 1273 2148 or online at a2gov.org/CouncilZoom
- CALL TO ORDER
- MOMENT OF SILENCE
- PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
- ROLL CALL OF COUNCIL
- PROPOSED ITEMS TO BE ADDED TO AGENDA
- Resolution to Honor and Celebrate the Life of Washtenaw County Deputy Chief Public Defender Lorne Brown
- APPROVAL OF AGENDA
- COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR
- Agenda Response Memo and eComments - July 20. 2026
- City Administrator's Report - July 20, 2026
- INTRODUCTIONS
- Historic District Commission (HDC) Annual Awards 2026
- PUBLIC COMMENTARY (3 MINUTES PER SPEAKER, 45 MINUTES TOTAL)* *WHEN MORE THAN 30 SPEAKERS HAVE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK AT A COUNCIL MEETING, EACH SPEAKER SHALL BE GIVEN 2 MINUTES TO SPEAK AT THAT MEETING * (SPEAKERS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO GRANT THEIR RESERVED TIME TO AN ALTERNATE SPEAKER) * ACCOMMODATIONS CAN BE MADE FOR PERSONS NEEDING ASSISTANCE WHILE ADDRESSING COUNCIL TO PARTICIPATE ONLINE, CALL ZOOM AT: 877 853 5247 or 888 788 0099 ENTER MEETING ID 942 1273 2148 PHONE CALLERS CAN PRESS *9 TO RAISE HANDS AND *6 TO UNMUTE THEIR PHONES WHEN CALLED UPON TO SPEAK.
- Sundee Wislow - Prepare a Moratorium on Short-term Rentals and Direct Staff to Review the City’s Short-term Rental Regulations (DC-2) (Phone)
- Janet Wang - Tenants Right to Establish or Participate in a Tenant Organization (DC-1) (Zoom)
- Major Stevens - Tenants Right to Establish or Participate in a Tenant Organization (DC-1) (In Person)
- Felicia Brabec - Intergovernmental Agreement with Washtenaw County Community Mental Health (CA-21) (In Person)
- Nathan Kim - Tenants Right to Establish or Participate in a Tenant Organization (DC-1) (Zoom)
- Sierre Wolfkostin - Prepare a Moratorium on Short-term Rentals and Direct Staff to Review the City’s Short-term Rental Regulations (DC-2) (In Person)
- Matt Ridenour - Prepare a Moratorium on Short-term Rentals and Direct Staff to Review the City’s Short-term Rental Regulations (DC-2) (In Person)
- Hanna Larcinese - Tenants Right to Establish or Participate in a Tenant Organization (DC-1) (In Person)
- Rebecca Arends - Unarmed Response Program through Supportive Connections (CA-20) and Intergovernmental Agreement with Washtenaw County Community Mental Health (CA-21) (In Person)
- Jack Bernard - Tenants Right to Establish or Participate in a Tenant Organization (DC-1) (In Person)
- Sheila Rasouli - Tenants Right to Establish or Participate in a Tenant Organization (DC-1) (In Person)
- Peter Eckstein - Prepare a Moratorium on Short-term Rentals and Direct Staff to Review the City’s Short-term Rental Regulations (DC-2) (In Person)
- Aklesia Maereg - Tenants Right to Establish or Participate in a Tenant Organization (DC-1) (In Person)
- Alexandria James - Prepare a Moratorium on Short-term Rentals and Direct Staff to Review the City’s Short-term Rental Regulations (DC-2) (In Person)
- Kathy Griswold - EPA update; Pedestrian crash rate; Missing sidewalk on Broadway; & Intergovernmental Agreement with Washtenaw County Community Mental Health (CA-12) (In Person)
- Jim Koli - Historic Buildings and Anson Brown Building and Historic District Commission Awards (INT-1) (In Person)
- Ralph Mckee - Prepare a Moratorium on Short-term Rentals and Direct Staff to Review the City’s Short-term Rental Regulations (DC-2) (Phone)
- Tom Wieder - Affordable Housing (In Person)
- Chuck Ream - CLUP Comprehensive Land Use Plan (In Person)
- Nicholas Nightwine - AFSCME Contract (In Person)
- Vince Caruso - Gelman Superfund Site (In Person)
- Julia Labiano - Nightlife Safety (Zoom)
- Jeremy Haley - 315 W Huron Development (In Person)
- David Kastner - Ongoing Union Contract Negotiations (In Person)
- Mozhgan Savabieasfahani - We are against military aid to Israel (In Person)
- Paul Seyfarth - AFSCME Contract (In Person)
- Blaine Coleman - We are against military aid to Israel (In Person)
- COMMUNICATIONS FROM COUNCIL
- COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR
- CONSENT AGENDA
- Resolution to Approve Street Closing for the Electricians NTI Block Party - Wednesday, July 29, 2026 from 10:00 A.M. until 1:00 A.M. on Thursday, July 30, 2026
- Resolution to Close Main Street from William to Huron and Liberty Street from Main to State on Saturday, August 1, 2026 from 7:00 AM until 11:00 PM for Ann Arbor Pride 2026
- Resolution to Approve Street Closings for the United Association (UA) of Plumbers and Pipefitters Block Party on Thursday, August 6, 2026 from 10:00 AM until 1:00 AM on Friday, August 7, 2026
- Resolution to Approve Changes to Traffic Patterns and Parking on Certain City Streets for the 2026 University of Michigan Student Move-In Program from August 24 - August 30, 2026
- Resolution to Approve the Purchase of a Conservation Easement on the Root Property in Superior Township and Appropriate $180,367.00 (8 Votes Required)
- Resolution to Accept a $431,200.00 Grant and Approve a Parcel Contract with USDA-NRCS for a Conservation Easement on the Hamilton MC Property in Salem Township (8 Votes Required)
- Resolution to Approve Participation in the Purchase of a Conservation Easement on the Heydon III Property in Scio Township, Approve a Participation Agreement with Scio Township, and Appropriate $295,000.00 (8 Votes Required)
- Resolution to Approve Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) for the Affordable Housing Project at 2285 W. Liberty Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
- Resolution to Approve Change Order No. 1 to the FY26 Renewal of the Pavement Marking Maintenance Contract with P.K. Contracting, LLC ($299,390.00 increase; $804,577.50 Total Contract, RFP No. 24-45)
- Resolution to Approve a Construction Contract with E.T. MacKenzie Company for the Dexter Road Sidewalk and Stormwater Improvements Project ($846,900.00) and Appropriate $80,000.00 in Contributing Funds (8 Votes Required)
- Resolution to Increase the Approved Construction Contingency Amount for the Ingalls Kingsley Watermain Project with Bailey Excavating, Inc. to Accommodate the Extension of Sanitary Sewer Service to 2731 Newport Road (Additional $236,000.00, Total Contract Amount $4,504,513.70)
- Resolution to Approve a Memorandum of Understanding with the Treeline Conservancy for the Design and Planning of the Gateway Segment of the Treeline Trail
- Resolution to Authorize the Purchase of a Karcher MCM 600 Street Sweeper from Environmental Equipment Sales & Service (Sourcewell - $477,137.00)
- Resolution to Approve a Master Services and Purchasing Agreement with Axon Enterprise, Inc. for Police Technology Consolidation, Drones, Hardware, and Software Services (Sourcewell - $2,966,598.76)
- Resolution to Approve Amendment No. 1 to the Professional Services Agreement with All Weather Comfort Solutions LLC for Weatherization Services (Additional $45,000.00 for a Not-to-Exceed Contract Total of $315,000.00)
- Resolution to Approve Amendment No. 1 to the Professional Services Agreement with Roco Enterprises, LLC DBA Roco Roofing LLC for Roofing Repair and Replacement Services (Additional $100,000.00 for a Not-to-Exceed Contract Total of $400,000.00)
- Resolution to Approve Amendment No. 1 to the Professional Services Agreement with American National Renovations LLC for Roofing Repair and Replacement Services (Additional $50,000.00 for a Not-to-Exceed Contract Total of $350,000.00)
- Resolution to Adopt a Fee-in-Lieu Rate for the Sustainability Option for a Height Increase Under Section 5.18 of the Unified Development Code
- Resolution to Rescind Any Previous Recommendations Regarding A2WINEMAN, LLC and Approve Issuance of New Full-Year Class C Quota Liquor Licenses in the City of Ann Arbor to A2WINEMAN, LLC at 504 - 512 S. Main Street
- Resolution to Approve Unarmed Response Program through Supportive Connections and Approve the Addition of 4.0 Full Time Equivalent Positions (8 Votes Required)
- Resolution to Approve the Intergovernmental Agreement with Washtenaw County Community Mental Health for a Licensed Clinician to Support the Co-Response Program through Ann Arbor Police Department ($405,000.00)
- PUBLIC HEARINGS (3 MINUTES PER SPEAKER) FOR ZOOM MEETINGS, PHONE CALLERS CAN PRESS *9 TO RAISE HANDS AND *6 TO UNMUTE THEIR PHONES WHEN CALLED UPON TO SPEAK.
- An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 55 (Zoning), Rezoning of 0.28 Acres from R1D (Single-Family Dwelling District) to R2A (Two-Family Dwelling District), 225 and 235 South Wagner Road (CPC Recommendation: Approval - 8 Yeas and 0 Nays) (ORD-26-16)
- An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 55 (Zoning), Rezoning of 1.2 Acres from M1 (Limited Industrial District) to C2B (Business Service District), 3785 Varsity Drive (CPC Recommendation: Approval - 8 Yeas and 0 Nays) (ORD-26-15)
- An Ordinance to Amend the Zoning Map of Chapter 55 (Unified Development Code), Rezoning of 1.2 Acres from R4C Multiple-Family Dwelling District to R4E Multiple-Family Dwelling with Conditions, Near North, 700 N Main St (CPC Recommendation: Approval - 8 yes, 0 no) (ORD-26-17)
- An Ordinance to Amend Sections 5.18 and 5.37 of Chapter 55 (Unified Development Code) of Title V of the Code of the City of Ann Arbor (Exceptions to Height Limits) CPC Recommendation: Approval (9 yes, 0 no) (ORD-26-18)
- An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 40 (Trees and Other Vegetation) of Title III (Parks and Public Grounds) of the Ann Arbor City Code (ORD-26-22)
- Resolution Approving the Issuance of Bonds by the Ann Arbor Housing Commission for Ann Arbor Housing Development Corporation (Dr. Willis C. Patterson Project)
- APPROVAL OF COUNCIL MINUTES
- Regular Meeting Minutes of July 6, 2026
- ORDINANCES - SECOND READING
- An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 55 (Zoning), Rezoning of 0.28 Acres from R1D (Single-Family Dwelling District) to R2A (Two-Family Dwelling District), 225 and 235 South Wagner Road (CPC Recommendation: Approval - 8 Yeas and 0 Nays) (ORD-26-16)
- An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 55 (Zoning), Rezoning of 1.2 Acres from M1 (Limited Industrial District) to C2B (Business Service District), 3785 Varsity Drive (CPC Recommendation: Approval - 8 Yeas and 0 Nays) (ORD-26-15)
- An Ordinance to Amend the Zoning Map of Chapter 55 (Unified Development Code), Rezoning of 1.2 Acres from R4C Multiple-Family Dwelling District to R4E Multiple-Family Dwelling with Conditions, Near North, 700 N Main St (CPC Recommendation: Approval - 8 yes, 0 no) (ORD-26-17)
- An Ordinance to Amend Sections 5.18 and 5.37 of Chapter 55 (Unified Development Code) of Title V of the Code of the City of Ann Arbor (Exceptions to Height Limits) CPC Recommendation: Approval (9 yes, 0 no) (ORD-26-18)
- An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 40 (Trees and Other Vegetation) of Title III (Parks and Public Grounds) of the Ann Arbor City Code (ORD-26-22)
- ORDINANCES - FIRST READING
- MOTIONS AND RESOLUTIONS
- New Business - Council:
- Resolution to Direct the City Attorney to Prepare an Ordinance Granting the Right to Tenants to Establish or Participate in a Tenant Organization
- Resolution to Direct the City Attorney to Prepare a Moratorium on Short-term Rentals and Direct Staff to Review the City’s Short-term Rental Regulations
- New Business - Boards and Commissions:
- New Business - Staff:
- Resolution to Approve the 3785 Varsity Drive Area Plan (CPC Recommendation: Approval - 8 Yeas and 0 Nays)
- Resolution to Approve the Near North Area Plan, 700 N Main St (CPC Recommendation: Approval - 8 Yeas and 0 Nays)
- Resolution Approving the Issuance of Bonds by the Ann Arbor Housing Commission for Ann Arbor Housing Development Corporation (Dr. Willis C. Patterson Project)
- CLOSED SESSION UNDER THE MICHIGAN OPEN MEETINGS ACT, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LABOR NEGOTIATIONS STRATEGY, PURCHASE OR LEASE OF REAL PROPERTY, PENDING LITIGATION AND ATTORNEY/CLIENT PRIVILEGED COMMUNICATIONS SET FORTH OR INCORPORATED IN MCL 15.268 (8) (1) (C), (D) (E), AND (H).
- CLERK'S REPORT OF COMMUNICATIONS
- The following communications were referred as indicated:
- Risk Funds Claims Report - 06/2026
- Communication from Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) Water Resources Division Regarding a Public Hearing Notice Concerning Reissuance of NPDES COC No. MIG760057 to the Hoover Greene Owner LLC for the 950 Greene Street Pool-Ann Arbor - Ann Arbor Public Services - Sustainability
- Proposed Amendment to Council Rules
- The following minutes were received for filing:
- City Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of May 5, 2026
- Transportation Commission Meeting Minutes - April 2026
- Budget and Labor Committee Meeting Minutes of April 14, 2026
- Ann Arbor Housing Commission Board Minutes from May 21, 2026
- Council Liquor License Review Committee Meeting Minutes of April 13, 2026
- Human Rights Commission Minutes - June 10, 2026
- Budget and Labor Committee Meeting Minutes of April 14, 2026
- COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY
- PUBLIC COMMENT - CONTINUED (3 MINUTES EACH - IF NECESSARY) *THIS SECTION IS FOR SPEAKERS WHO SIGNED UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENTARY BUT WERE UNABLE TO SPEAK AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MEETING DUE TO THE 45-MINUTE TIME LIMIT. FOR ZOOM MEETINGS, PHONE CALLERS CAN PRESS *9 TO RAISE HANDS AND *6 TO UNMUTE THEIR PHONES WHEN CALLED UPON TO SPEAK.
- ADJOURNMENT
- COMMUNITY TELEVISION NETWORK (CTN) COMCAST CHANNEL 16, AT&T CHANNEL 99:
- LIVE: MONDAY, JULY 20, 2026 @ 7:00 P.M. REPLAY: FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2026 @ 8:00 P.M.
- REPLAYS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE
- Community Television Network live televised public meetings are also available to watch online live and on-demand from CTN’s website, www.a2gov.org/watchctn <http://www.a2gov.org/watchctn>, on “The Meeting Place” page (http:www.a2gov.org/livemeetings). Cable: Comcast Cable channel 16 or AT&T UVerse Channel 99 Videos are also available for a nominal fee by contacting CTN at (734) 794-6150.
- All persons are encouraged to participate in public meetings. Citizens requiring translation or sign language services or other reasonable accommodations may contact the City Clerk's office at 734.794.6140; via e-mail to: cityclerk@a2gov.org; or by written request addressed and mailed or delivered to: City Clerk's Office 301 E. Huron St. Ann Arbor, MI 48104 Requests made with less than two business days' notice may not be able to be accommodated.
- A hard copy of this Council packet can be made available upon request during regular business hours.
- CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS REMOVED
- Passed on consent agenda
- RECESS
- An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 55 (Zoning), Rezoning of 1.2 Acres from M1 (Limited Industrial District) to C2B (Business Service District), 3785 Varsity Drive (CPC Recommendation: Approval - 8 Yeas and 0 Nays) (ORD-26-15)
- An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 55 (Zoning), Rezoning of 1.2 Acres from M1 (Limited Industrial District) to C2B (Business Service District), 3785 Varsity Drive (CPC Recommendation: Approval - 8 Yeas and 0 Nays) (ORD-26-15)
- Resolution to Direct the City Attorney to Prepare a Moratorium on Short-term Rentals and Direct Staff to Review the City’s Short-term Rental Regulations
- Resolution to Direct the City Attorney to Prepare a Moratorium on Short-term Rentals and Direct Staff to Review the City’s Short-term Rental Regulations
- RETURN TO OPEN SESSION
- Passed on consent agenda
- Resolution to Honor and Celebrate the Life of Washtenaw County Deputy Chief Public Defender Lorne Brown
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