Kline's Lot sale (CA-21)

Urged council to preserve the Kline's Lot for affordable housing for downtown workers, calling the sale for luxury housing a betrayal of prior councils' commitments.

Supported the sale, arguing Ann Arbor lacks market-rate as well as affordable housing and that a surface lot near an underused structure is a waste.

Speaking for The Ark, said promised alley-widening and sidewalk access language was not in the agreement as of 20 minutes before the meeting, and asked that commitments be honored.

Raised concerns about losing 147 downtown parking spots, handicap parking replacement, and impacts on local businesses; asked for a postponement and suggested a mixed-use compromise.

Called the sale a betrayal of the affordable housing commitment, raised third-party enforcement and parking concerns, and argued serious pedestrian crashes are up 50%.

Director of the Main Street Area Association, asked that the item be removed from the consent agenda for fuller public review of the final terms.

Said the project ignores two flanking historic districts and downtown design guidelines, including stepping heights down and humanizing the alley.

Criticized the public comment sign-up process and urged council to postpone action on the Kline's Lot.