Ann Arbor · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Ann Arbor public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Protection of places of religious worship
After more than 20 years of weekly picketing outside Beth Israel Congregation, council adopted a 50-foot buffer ordinance barring force, obstruction or intimidation at worship entrances. Critics called it an unconstitutional speech restriction.
$10 Million Park Improvement Bonds
Council authorized up to $10 million in limited tax general obligation bonds to fund park capital improvements.
Virtual Currency Kiosk Regulation
New ordinance regulates crypto kiosks with warning signs, receipts and a $1,000 daily cap, targeting scams that disproportionately drain seniors' savings.
Human Services Partnership priorities
Council funded the 2026-27 winter warming center ($222,000) and set priorities for the Human Services Partnership starting with homelessness, as county homelessness hit a record 821 people.
Construction site safety reforms
Two new initiatives strengthen construction safety: enforceable OSHA 30 supervisor requirements in city contracts and permit notices enforcing skilled trades apprentice supervision — following a 2025 worker death on the Miller Avenue project.
Dean II Rezoning and Area Plan
Council added a 10th parcel (548 S. Fifth Ave) to the 15-story, ~240-unit Dean II project and approved the Dean II Area Plan. Supporters say it's exactly where dense student housing belongs; opponents call it spot zoning that removes an R4C buffer, misses affordable housing that a PUD could have captured, and funnels traffic into dead-end streets.
City Policy Agenda Feedback
The committee set the schedule for building the city's 2027 policy agenda — the roadmap for what Ann Arbor will push for with state and federal lawmakers next year.
DDA Boundary Expansion and TIF Revenue-Share Proposal
The district captured about $394,000 more in tax increment revenue than projected, largely because the district was recently expanded. But a pile of property tax appeals inside the district could force some of that money back, so the real number won't be clear until early 2028.
Veterans Memorial Park ice arena closure and repairs
A compressor failure shut the Vets Park indoor ice rink for the rest of the 2026 season; staff are seeking repair quotes and building programming at Buhr Park's outdoor rink.
Stormwater Comprehensive Plan
The city is finishing its first-ever comprehensive stormwater plan, a 50-year framework covering flooding, water quality and climate resilience. About 70% of the city lacks stormwater detention and impervious surfaces are near 40%, so future redevelopment will be a key tool.
Indoor public pool shortage
Club Wolverine says Ann Arbor is down to one indoor public pool (Mack) after middle school pool closures, and EMU's 22-lane pool is closing this year. Swim clubs face long waitlists and the group wants the city to help address safety and swim education.
Carey Street one-way conversion and Division bikeway extension
Council approved making Carey Street one-way (downhill only), removing the uphill turn onto the Broadway Bridge. Staff cited limited sight lines, near-misses at pedestrian crossings and 11 illegal movements in two hours of video. Critics worry about detours, hospital commuters and the pending Broadway Bridge redesign.
Woodbury Gardens Rezoning (1310 Wisteria Drive)
Council unanimously rejected rezoning 41 acres of the Woodbury Gardens apartments (1310 Wisteria Drive) to TC1 transit-corridor zoning, which would have enabled 342 new apartments on five acres. Members said TC1 is meant for commercial corridors, not established residential communities, and transition-area zoning standards should come first.
Near-campus upzoning (DC-2)
Council kicked off zoning changes for the student rental area near central campus to allow more housing where demand is highest. Supporters say it relieves pressure on family neighborhoods; critics say it bypasses the $800,000 public zoning rewrite process.
Homelessness Bill of Rights
Council approved a resolution establishing a Bill of Rights for people experiencing homelessness, with local homelessness up 118% since 2022 and shelters facing funding cuts. It doesn't add shelter beds but sets values and triggers a review of city policies.
Public Power Ballot Proposal
Ann Arbor's city council is pushing back hard against a local ballot measure that wants to create a public power utility. They're warning voters it could stick the city with a staggering $1 billion bill.
Equity-based park tree planting priorities
The committee is figuring out how to prioritize tree planting in economically disadvantaged parks, with the 2044 goal of 50% canopy in parks versus today's 48%. They want a clearer process with Parks so projects don't fall through the cracks.