Zoning Change Approved To Build 'Shops Gallery'

A zoning classification which would permit construction of a Jacobson's "Gallery of Shops" on Green Rd. south of Plymouth Rd. was approved by the City Planning Commission last night. The commission gave its endorsement to a zoning change from Cl local business district to C3 commercial. Final approval must be obtained from City Council. Plans for the 5.74-acre parcel - presently owned by the University of Michigan Employés' Credit Union - cali for a 60,000-square-foot building occupied by Jacobson's and Martin Haller. The "Gallery of Shops" would include furniture and home accessory stores. Initially, attempts were made to amend the Cl zoning to permit furniture sales but this was rejected by the commission and council. In approving the zoning change , commissioners said they reaffirm their policy of not permitting commercial zoning on the north side of Plymouth Rd. Much of last night's commission meeting was spent discussing two items - the site plan for Traver Knolls apartments and a proposed tree preservation ordiiiance. The main question at the Traver Knolls site was the planned relocation of Traver C r e e k . Commissioners questioned whether this would be a danger to the railroad tracks in, a time of flood conditions. Approval for the site plan, including the stream relocation, was granted contingent upon the apartment owners agreeing to accept all liability in case of damage to the railroad tracks and also the approval of the state Water Resources 1 sion for the diversion. The developer of the apartment complex appeared at the meeting and said "all contingencies" are being covered. Discussion of the proposed tree preservation ordinance - suggested by Third Ward Councilman Nicholas D. Kazarinoff - was inconclusive with commissioners speaking both for and against the proposal. "I hope this isn't heresy, but trees can outgrow their usefulness," s a i d Commissioner Douglas D. Crary. He said trees can be too large to fit into a landscape, or can be too close to a house. Crary added that trees should not be bulldozed by developers, however. In a report to the commission, Planning Director Michael R. Prochaska questioned the need for the ordinance. He said trees are protected under existing law, including the soil erosión and sedimentation ordinance and the existing preservation ordinance. He suggested that rather than ha ving another ordinance on the subject, "would it not be just as beneficial to the interests of all people in the city if the city government embarked upon an active campaign . . . to instill a sense of awareness within the people as to the value of preserving such resources?" Prochaska questioned the proposal which calis for city approval before removal of trees with a 19-inch circumference (or larger) two feet above the ground. He stated this was an arbitrary figure and that there are often smaller trees which are more worthy of preservation than larger ones. Further, he said the proposed ordinance "requires an interpretation of the degree of direct influence a municipality can have over its citizens" Prochaska said it does not appear Ann Arbor is presently confronted with the wholesale removal of trees from private properties, stating it appears the converse is in most cases. Commissioner John P. Crecine said that although the 19inch figure is an arbitrary one "it does not appear to be unreasonable." He said the ordinance is attempting to give the public a voice in what happens to trees on private property and added that such an ordinance is working successfully in West Berlin. "There is some need for some public control of tree removal on private property," he added. Crecine said he sees a parallel between this proposed ordinance and the sign control ordinance. Commissioner Charles Reinhart, a Realtor, commented that developers attempt to leave as many trees as possible on land because wooded lots can bring 25 per cent higher returns. Commissioners asked the planning staff to prepare a report of what is possible in the area of tree preservation under existing ordinances. This report, along with the initial report prepared by Prochaska, will then be sent to the City Council.