Firm Hired For CBD Development-control Study

Employment of the architectural firm of Johnson, Johnson & Roy, Inc., to study methods of controlling development in the Central Business District was authorized by the City Council last night. The action came following the first of two public hearings on a proposed ordinance to limit the height of buildings in Ann Arbor to 15 stories. A second public hearing will be held Monday. Johnson Johnson & Roy estimates the study will take 10 to 12 weeks and will cost $10,000 to $12,000. The council appropriated $5,000 last night as the initial payment for the study and is hopeful of obtaining some funds from the University. Although the motion to hire the consultants passed unanimously, Mayor Cecil O. Creal had some reservations. Noting that the city had spent $21,000 as its share for the "Guide to Action" and $25,000 for a modern zoning chapter, he asked if the city was to review these documents every several months by hiring consultants when a problem arose. First Ward Councilman John D Teachout said that Ann Arbor is expanding rapidly and that such studies may be needed every few months to handle the growth problems. The study consists of three phases, the council was told last night, "the initial planning phase" being "the study and analysis of the potential" housing sectors within the central city, based upon a review of the land use plan in the 'Guide to Action.' " Height and density of buildings, as well as parking alternatives, will be studied during this first phase, the architectural firm said. The first part of the study is expected to take four weeks. During the second phase, "the initial studies and alternatives would be placed before local individuals and groups for review and evaluation." This would take about two weeks. Finally, the firm would prepare specific revisions to the zoning ordinance for possible adoption by the council. It was the feeling of some councilmen last night that the council should not act on passage or rejection of the 15-story limitation until after the study had been completed and recommendations presented. Creal, however, told the council it should come prepared next week either to pass the ordinance at second reading or turn it down. "We're going to have a final hearing on the ordinance," he said, "and we should let the people know whether we are going to turn it down or not." Second Ward Councilman William E. Bandemer said he would not want to act at second reading until the study was completed. "I wouldn't like to have it made an ordinance and have to rescind it at a later date," he said. While the ordinance does not become official until it passes second reading, it does halt the issuance of building permits for structures higher than 15 stories while the question is being decided. At last night's public hearing, four persons appeared to speak against the 15-story limitation. No one spoke in favor of it. George Hans, speaking on behalf of the electrical contractors of Ann Arbor, said the building industry was the largest industry in the nation and said "anything that deters it will effect the economy." He said if the council institutes adverse regulations, out of town developers would look elsewhere to invest their money. Walter Sanders, professor of architecture at the University who said he was speaking on behalf of the Huron Valley Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, said the chapter was opposed to the ordinance except as an interim measure. He said the proposed ordinance appeared "arbitrary and is related to what may be the best interests of Ann Arbor." Sanders said property owners are "facing up to the fact" that visual appearance of a building is almost as important as structural soundness and suggested the city have some type of legislation requiring developers to appear before a governmental body to have the aesthetic aspects of a building approved. John Gunn, who's proposed 24-story building at Thompson and Liberty was halted by the proposed ordinance, said the council's study committee should be expanded to include people with practical experience in the building industry including a contractor, developer and an architect. He said the council's sudden decision to halt construction of buildings higher than 15 stories showed a lack of "integrity." Gunn said that actions such as this could cost developers thousands of dollars in preliminary plans. Jack Wheatley, speaking for the local building trades unions, said the study of the problem should have been done before any legislation was enacted. He also said representatives of the building trades should also be on the study committee.