Saturday, September 24, 2022

Ypsi Fall River Day is tomorrow in Frog Island Park




Gentle reader, tomorrow is Ypsi Fall River Day. The event takes place in Frog Island Park from noon - 3. There will be lots of family friendly events but the highlight is definitely free kayak rentals from the Frog Island boat launch to Ford Lake. This is a great opportunity to get to know this cool section of the Huron River. If you want to paddle, I’d recommend getting there early because a line for kayaks forms pretty quickly. 

Monday, September 19, 2022

Ann Arbor City Council Preview: September 19, 2022


 Gentle readers, it's #a2Council Night in Ann Arbor. Here's the agenda

The evening kicks off with a respectable, 15-item consent agenda. Of note. CA-6, a resolution to remove parking on Division between Hoover and Packard. The removal of parking will allow for extension of the protected bike lane on Division. You love to see it. While we are on the topic of road safety, let's talk about CA-8. This is a resolution to study jurisdiction of the MDOT roads to the city. MDOT currently "owns" some major roads in Ann Arbor: Jackson Road, Huron Street, Washtenaw Avenue, and North Main Street. MDOT tends to prioritize moving vehicles quickly over pedestrian safety and livability. Needless to say, I'm in favor of Ann Arbor taking control of these roads so that the city can continue with its vision zero goals. 

There are two public hearings on the docket tonight, both are for the PUD at 340 Depot. 

Rendering of the proposed PUD at 340 Depot. 

PH-1/B-1 is for the PUD Zoning. PH-2/DB-1 is the site plan for the project. This project is located across from the Amtrak Station. This will be a 2 story building with commercial on the first floor and 4 residential units on the second floor. I only have two critiques of this project. First, it is too short. Why not build this 6 stories. Secondly, it's silly that something as simple as this needs a PUD. We really need to simplify our zoning code. 

There is one ordinance first reading on the agenda tonight. C-1 is the first reading of the right to renew ordinance.  This is an exciting new ordinance that would require landlords to renew rental agreements unless there is good cause not to. 

Rounding out the agenda we come to the resolutions. DC-1 is a resolution to appoint Claire McKenna to the energy Commission. DC-2 is a resolution to accept an easement to Leslie Park and reimburse Dhu Varren on the Park Condominium Association $47k for it. DC-3 is a resolution to accept a grand for a reconnaissance level survey update for the Old Fourth Ward Historic District. DC-4 is very exciting. It's a resolution to prevent right turn on red in the downtown area. When I looked at the crash data a few years ago, ~40% of pedestrians who were hit by drivers were hit by drivers turning right on red. This is a great way to make our city safer. And finally we get to DC-5, a resolution to require masks at City Council Meetings when COVID transmissions are at a level that warrants it. I think this makes a lot of sense.

And that's all there is. Looks like it'll be a pretty short meeting. What items are you most looking forward to seeing? 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 6, 2022

Ann Arbor City Council Preview: September 6, 2022

 


Gentle readers, it's time for the first #a2Council meeting September. Here's the agenda

The evening kicks off with a modest, 12-item consent agenda. Of note: street closings for the Shriner's Parade, Ann Arbor Marathon, and Turkey Trot. CA-7 is authorizing the city to apply for a USDOT Safe Streets grant. 

There are no public hearings on the agenda, but there is an ordinance first reading. C-1 is the first reading of the new Right to Renew ordinance. This is an exciting new ordinance that would require landlords to renew rental agreements unless there is good cause not to. 

Further down the docket, we arrive at two resolutions. DC-1 is a resolution to support Michigan Senate Bill 58 and House Bill 4314 - Holding Polluters Accountable. DS-1 is pretty exciting. It's a resolution agreeing to a contract for a consultant to study the feasibility of a municipal utility and as well as a sustainable energy utility (SEU). It will be really interesting to get more information about these two options for Ann Arbor and how they will impact the city's climate goals. 

 And that's all there is. Looks like it'll be a pretty short meeting. What items are you most looking forward to seeing? Hopefully we will see you there. The CTN stream starts at 7 pm. Make sure you follow the action on the #a2Council hashtag.