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Washtenaw County Purchases Conservation Property

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Washtenaw County’s Parks and Recreation Commission closed on the purchase of  the Maisel property in Northfield Township on December 1. The purchase increases the county’s system of parks and nature preserves by about 220 acres. The $1.44-million conservation purchase will become one of the largest publicly accessible sites in the Ann Arbor area. Ann Arbor’s greenbelt program covered the majority of the purchase price. The land won’t be open to the public immediately, as the park staff determines trail layout and parking access and demands. Kiosks and trail maps also need to be installed. The large size of the park will offer core habitat for wildlife.

 

 

Ann Arbor Attempts To Smooth Building Process For Developers

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Real Estate developers have complained for years about Ann Arbor’s many requirements and layers of review and approval for building projects. Some have stated that they’ll never do business in the city again because it’s easier and less costly to build new housing in other places. Ann Arbor officials are trying to right that wrong. The City Council voted to shorten the approval process. Projects that meet the city’s zoning requirements will not have to go through council. Instead, they’ll be reviewed and approved by city staff and the Planning Commission. City leaders are discussing more steps to smooth the process as the city tries to attract high-density development along transit corridors.

Cities Rethink Parking Rules

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The city of Ann Arbor recently voted to remove all minimum off-street parking requirements. Detroit is reviewing its zoning code, possibly implementing new rules regarding how many parking spaces are needed for uses like housing, retail and industrial. Both examples are part of a growing trend in Michigan and around the U.S. as cities rethink their parking rules. Complying with Detroit’s parking requirements is a pain and poses a threat to business growth. Some Detroit-area businesses and organizations think the parking minimums are old-fashioned and block the development of vibrant neighborhoods. Others remain skeptical of entirely scrapping all parking minimums.

 

 

Metro Detroit Rents Begin to Soften Amidst All-Time High

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Although metro Detroit’s average rent growth is 5.14% annually, and metro Ann Arbor’s is 7.14%, metro Detroit’s rent market is beginning to soften.  According to CoStar Group Inc., asking rents are $1,214 a month in the metro area. In Ann Arbor, the average asking rents are up to $1,443 a month. The largest annual increase between both areas was in Saline, with rents up 26.56% which equates to $1,311 a month. Birmingham/Bloomfield area averages $1,815 a month, which is down from $1,857. Detroit’s west side has the most affordable rent at $726 a month. According to CoStar’s director, inflation, rising interest rates and home sales prices, increasing maintenance costs and a rush of renters wanting t lock in rates contributed to increasing rents.

 

Metro Detroit’s Fair Market Rents Increase

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The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is predicting rent hikes for the 2023 fiscal year in metro Detroit. It published fair market rents at a 11.9 percent increase for a two-bedroom apartment. The rate is increasing from $1,084 to $1,213, beginning October 1. This increase is higher than the Michigan and national averages which hover around 10.3 to 10.4 percent. Metro Ann Arbor rates are 9.7 percent higher. Kalamazoo County wins the prize for the highest fair market rent increase at 19.3 percent. Private sector data was used to estimate changes. The figures are used to determine rent ceilings for certain low-income and emergency grants, as well as the worth of housing vouchers and the maximum award amounts for Continuums of Care.

 

Ann Arbor Planning Commission To Hold Hearings On New Proposals

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The Ann Arbor Planning Commission will hold public hearings on three new development proposals on Wednesday, August 3 at 7:00 p.m. The projects include a four-story residential building with 185 new housing units, the reimagining of The George mixed-use apartment and retail complex, and a special-exception use proposal for a childcare center. The new housing units would redevelop the University Inn site. The reimagining of The George would convert 23,462 square feet of ground floor retail space to 42 residential units. The proposal for the childcare center would repurpose an existing building at 1301 Morningside Drive in northwest Ann Arbor.

 

 

 

Site Cleared For Ann Arbor Residential Development As Law Suit Continues

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A development planned for 91 acres of farmland north of Ann Arbor is moving forward, even though neighbors are suing the developer over a disputed piece of property. Chestnut Development LLC has plans for a 264-unit development south of Whitmore Lake. Builders are currently installing water, sewer and storm water infrastructure on the property. The plans include 56 single-family homes on individual lots and 208 multi-family attached units on 79 acres of property. The remaining acreage is slated for future commercial development. A neighboring couple has filed complaints that the developer has trespassed and destroyed their property. The lawsuit aims to determine ownership of the property that is partially on the developers lot. The residents are requesting the judge award title of the piece of property under adverse possession.