Monday, September 20, 2021

Ann Arbor City Council Preview: September 20, 2021

 


Gentle readers, it's #a2Council night in Ann Arbor. Here's the meeting agenda, and here's the excellent A2AF episode on the agenda. 

The evening kicks off with a small, nine-item consent agenda. CA-1 is for repairing and expanding the bridge on E Medical Center Drive near the intersection with Fuller. I'm all for repairing our infrastructure, but expanding lanes seems like it's counter to our Vision Zero and climate goals. If it has to go through, I'd really like what WCEB has proposed for the area. 

They go into this in the A2AF episode linked above. You should really give it a listen. 


There are two public hearings on tonight's agenda. PH-1/B-1 is on the second reading of the personal mobility device ordinance. This is good an it'll formalize the rules around escooters, ebikes and trikes and where the rules for their safe operation. PH-2/B-2 is the second reading of the updates to the animal ordinance. This is generally aimed at preventing animal cruelty. 

C-1 is the first reading of an ordinance that would remove indoor storage and warehousing from the C2B zone, which is intended for a near downtown-ish commercial districts. This seems good. DC-1 is a resolution to set up a study committee for the potential Hayden House Historic District. DC-2 is a resolution to establish a Renteers Commission. This is great and long overdue. I really appreciate CM Radina for taking point on it. One quibble: there are two non-voting positions for landlords, to which I say "Common man, this is a renters commission, not a rentiers commission. Landlords are welcome to participate just like any member of the public."

As always, gentle reader, I am probably forgetting some very important items here. What agenda items are you most looking forward to seeing. I am guessing that tonight will be another late night around the virtual council table. Hopefully we will see you there. The CTN stream starts at 7 pm. Make sure you follow the action on the #a2Council hashtag.

Tuesday, September 7, 2021

Ann Arbor City Council Preview: September 7, 2021

 


Gentle readers, tonight is a rare Tuesday edition of #a2Council. Here's the agenda and here's the excellent A2AF episode about the meeting. 

The evening kicks off with middling, 17-item consent agenda. Of note, CA-17, a resolution to approve street closings for the Oct. 8th Tech Trek. 

There are two public hearings on the docket this evening. PH/B1-1 is an update to the UDC that would mandate Dark Skies friendly outdoor lighting. This seems like an easy way to help mitigate our impact on our wild friends. PH-2/B-2 is the second reading of an update to the home occupation rules. This is generally in a good direction, but does not go far enough. Scott Trudeau wrote about this and you should probably read it. 

There are two ordinance first readings on the agenda. C-1 adds rules for personal mobility vehicles using city streets and sidewalks. This includes ebikes, and scooters as well as electric assist pedicabs. Molly explained this really well on the A2AF episode. C-2 is an update to the rules around animals. It includes prohibitions of some new types of traps among other things. 

Elsewhere on the agenda, we have DC-1 asking the energy commission to recommend council do a feasibility study for a municipal utility company. This seems like it could be really interesting. Another interesting item is DS-1. Here the Ann Arbor Racquet Club is seeking a waiver that would exempt them from building a required sidewalk. This seems complex, the work they are doing is minor, and having to build the sidewalk would be expensive. They they were granted a waiver when doing more substantial construction in 2017 and that was probably a mistake. Personally, I think sidewalks on both sides of the street are a must unless you ban cars from that street. I don't think the city should grant this waiver. Hopefully the city can come to a creative solution with the Racquet Club. 

As always, gentle reader, I am probably forgetting some very important items here. What agenda items are you most looking forward to seeing. I am guessing that tonight will be another late night around the virtual council table. Hopefully we will see you there. The CTN stream starts at 7 pm. Make sure you follow the action on the #a2council hashtag.