Planning Unit Oks Easing Of Structure Design Rules

Amendments to Ann Arnor s, zoning chapter which will allow the Planning Commission and land developers greater flexibility in design of structures was approved Tuesday night by the commission. The amendments now go to the city council for action. The staff-initiated amendments will allow the commis sion to work closely with developers to provide more excellence in the general design of site plans and will I place less emphasis on specitic zoning chapter rules such I as setback, height and parkI ing requirements. In a report to the Planning I Commission, t h e planning I staff said provisions of the I chapter allowing for "minor varianceíT in such requirements have been interpreted too strictly by the Zoning Board of Appeals. The amendments are to delete the word "minor"n several phrases. The planners' report said the changes were sought to allow the commission "to consider a site plan on its own merits rather than being constrained by procrustean (arbitrary) requirements that m practice contradict the intent of the planned project provisions." , Another amendment to tne zoning chapter the commission approved was to delete verbiage requiring the city -O prove owners of abondoned buildings intended to abandon them before the city could require those buildings be torn down. __ In other business, the ■ mission approved the 1 ing of land formally occupied by the Town House Hotel, at I Fifth Avenue and Ann Street, ■ to C2B-R I residential. Owners of that I land, Magnaz Inc., are ï, ing to construct a five-story I structure containing both I iness offices and apartments. I The commission deferred to a I later meeting the proposed I site plan for the project. I Commissioners also voted 5 I to 2 in favor of a site plan for I a car wash on Maiden Lane.l but because of the need for six votes for approval, the plan goes to City Council with a recommendation for demal. Residents of the area have objected to the car wash as ■ unfit for a residential borhood. . I Site plans which received I approval include: Woodbury I Gardens Tower, at S. 1 trial Highway and Astor I Drive for a five-story elderly I housing project; Plymouth I I Medical Office Building, on I Plymouth Road east of Hurón I Parkway, for medical offices; I South University Officel I B u i 1 d i n g site plan, at S. luniversity and Forest I Avenue, for a three-and-aI half-story office building. DeI ferred was a site plan for proIposed additions to the Arbor I Lodge Motel, at Washtenaw I Avenue and Hurón Parkway, .