Huron River Drive Zoning Plan Loses

A proposed R4A zóning for a 27-acre parcel of land on Hurón River Dr. at M-14 was denied by the City Planning Commission last night- although a majority of the six members present voted for the multiple family designation. The vote on the zoning showed four commissioners favoring the R4A while two were opposed. Commission bylaws state that any zoning which does not receive six affirmative votes is denied. Last night's action followed months of debate on the parcel, which was to be developed for apartments by Stephen F. Slavik. The commission will forward its recommendation to City Council which will have the final say on the zoning. Those commissioners voting against the zoning did so, they said, because of access reasons. They believe it would create a hazard to have the access route off Huron River Dr. Opposition to the zoning had been voiced largely by naturalists who believed development would cause soil erosión and thus ruin a portion of the Huron River valley. The developer had agreed to work closely with the U. S. Soil Conservaüon Service to prevent erosión. Another controversial zoning matter on the commission's agenda last night was deferred to a future meeting, that being the Courtelis Co. zoning petition for the "Black Pond" area off Traver Rd. In other business, the commission recommended approval for the annexation of the Manning and other property totaling 2.8 acres at Maple and Dexter, and recommended an office zoning on this property. It recommended denial of a requested zoning change from R1C single family to office for the Gingles property at 1800 Baldwin, and referred back to the Planning Department for further review a proposal to créate an Ann Arbor Environmental Interpretive Center. The center would interpret for area residents the natural as well as the man-made environment, and would be a cooperative venture between the city, University and Ann Arbor School District.