For Ann Arbor - Controlled Growth Favored

A policy statement encouraging controlled growth and change in Ann Arbor was adopted by the Planning Commission Tuesday night. The statement is a revised version of one originally proposed by City Administrator Sylvester Murray. It contains the i swKtphasis on rehabilitation of existing oúildings plus a more aggressive city role in encouraging specific types of projects deemed needed. The commission in the past has adopted growth-related policies, but the version it approved last night will be forwarded to City Council for action, marking the first time council has taken a head-on look at a growth policy. Rather than stating a position strongly for or against growth, the policy recognizes that Ann Arbor's physical boundaries are limited but the city itself should Continue to changé. Bfecause of this, Murray has stressed looking at growth as inward change rather than outward expansión of the city limits and increased population. The policy the commission adopted states it is the city's policy to "plan for I and guide orderly growth and change, f cluding population growth" and it "will look favorably upon new developments and rehabilitation of older neighborhoods The types of projects favored by the commission, both new construction and rehabilitation, include those providing for "variety in physical environment of the community in terms of commercial services, work opportunities, housing types, circulation modes, building scale and space modulation within a frame work of design excellence and economie acceptability to the public." The phrase "design excellence" was added by the commission and indicates it will be looking not just at general land uses, but at specific types of projects and how they are planned. Projects also will be gauged according to their environmental, economie and social impact on Ann Arbor, as well as how they conform to the city's building laws, their ability to be served by existing public services, or the public's willingness to finance service expansions. The commission also stated its desire i to work closely with other governmental units in land use and service planning.