Standing atop the promenade deck outside Ann Arbor's city hall on Tuesday, City Council Member Sabra Briere acknowledged the challenges the city faces with its downtown zoning.
Overlooking a collection of properties just east of city hall, Briere, D-1st Ward, contemplated the theoretical possibility that a future developer — given the D1 zoning that's in place in that area — could come along and acquire the parking lot that fronts Ann Street and some of the adjacent parcels, and construct a 180-foot-tall development that meets the city's zoning requirements.
And given that it rubs up against a historic district and residential properties, a 180-foot-tall development might be disliked as much as the 14-story high-rise at 413 E. Huron the City Council approved this week for fear of bringing on a costly lawsuit if it didn't approve the project.
Briere was one of five council members who voted against the project, which won approval in a 6-5 split vote following months of debate.
Watch the video above (note the 411 Lofts and Varsity student high-rises off in the distance) and leave your thoughts on the city's downtown zoning in the comments below.
And while you're at it, take our poll.
Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529. You also can follow him on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's email newsletters.