Planners Favor Apartments For Downtown

A zoning definition change that wouToH allow two large sections of downtown Ann Arbor to be used as residential áreas was approved by the Planning Commission Tuesday night. , The commission voted unanimously to redefine the C2A (commercial) district to permit space above stores to be used as apartments. The change, if endorsed by City Council, would open up for residential use the general área bounded by Ashley Street, Hurón Street, Fifth Avenue and William Street, and the campus área in the State Street, Washington Street and, William vicinity. The amendment was recommended by the planning staff in response to requests from downtown business and re'alty firms that report an increasing interest in downtown living. Changing the C2A definition will elimínate the necessity of property owners seeking a rezoning of their land for residential use. There are three other types,, of commercial zoning in the downtown, and they already permit residential use. On an unrelated matter, the commission approved a lot split and rezoning to allow the Ann Arbor School district's student building program to construct three homes on Greenview Drive north of Scio Church Road. One home will be built in each of the next three years. Residents of that area have protested the decisión to build on the school-owned property. The land is not officially designated as a park, but has been used for 'that purpose f manfyears by the neighbors. Officials with the student building program say they have been unable to find any adequate altérnate sites in the city. But they say the Greenview site will be no longer used after the next three homes are built. One home has already been built there by students with the voluntary supervisión of local builders. The completed homes are sold to pay for construction costs and finance future student construction.. Other commission action Tuesday night included: approval of a light industrial zoning fix for the Miracol Inc. property at 2930 S. State Road; approval of a site plan for construction of an addition to the Philip Mendis Rentáis Inc., at 438 W. Huron; approval of a parking lot expansión for the AAA Automobile Club at 1200 S. Main; and approval of a historie ordinance to protect the Walker and] Haarer Buildings in the 100 block of W. Liberty.