Thursday, June 27, 2013 2 1 1The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com Citizens raise concerns on proposed zoig regulations Residents fear: Thursday, June 27, 2013 The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com Where will Burke and Hardaway Jr. land? change in nature and character of neighborhood By AARON GUGGENHEIM Managing News Editor Over the past several years, downtown Ann Arbor's cityscape has been radically transformed by the arrival of several luxury high-rise apartments that cater to University students. However, the change is not welcomed by all. Many local residents have expressed their dismay at these new buildings, which have changed the appearance of the downtown area. Some of these residents had been meeting on an advisory committee since late 2009 until 2012 in an attempt to maintain the character of the city's residential neighborhoods, specifically the areas close to the University. They had focused their attempts on reforming the high- density residential code, 4RC, that governs what buildings can be built within the zone. The existing code has been in place since 1963 but has slowly reformed based on a Central Area Plan developed in the early '90s that rezoned Ann Arbor into five distinct zones. The plan includes the 4RC zone around the University, which is primarily inhabited by students. After extensive research, the advisory committee recommended to the planning commission that the zoning regulations be rewritten to limit lot combinations - the practice of combining adjacent lots to build a bigger unit - based on square footage in order to reduce changing neighborhood layouts. There are no current restrictions on this practice. While the commission agreed with almost all of the committee's recommendations, they rejected the call for lot limitations on the basis that it should be left to the purview of the planning commission case- by-case. It also suggested the creation of a new group-housing zone in order to concentrate rental housing in the 4RC zone by 420 Maynard St. Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1327 www.michigandaily.com KATIE BURKE MERYLHNULTENG Editorai Chief Business Manager CONTACT INFORMATION Newsroom officehours Sun..Thurs 11a.m. -2 a m 734-763-2459 opt.3 News Tips news..ichi...daiy.co Corrections correcio ,...Si il.,,.. Letters tothetEditor tothedaily@michigandailycom or visit michigandaily.comletters PhoDepartent photomicigniy.om ArtsSti~o ',,( is~ciaily Editorial Page opinionomichigandaily.com Sports Section sports@michigandilycom Magazine statement@michigandiycom Advertising he: 734r~-764-0554 Department display .ichio.daily..,, Classifieds Phone:734-7s4-o557 Department cassied@michigandailycom MARLENELACASS Nancy Leff, former member of zoning advisory committee, speaks at neighborhood meeting at Rose White Park on Sunda EDITORIAL STAFF Elliot Alpern ealpe'"n"michiga" '"y" o Managing Editor allowing for more flexibility in the zoning code that would encourage landlords to build in those areas. The recommendations of the planning commission were presented before the Ann Arbor City Council at a meeting in early April. These changes suggested by the commission, if approved by the council, would be written into zoning code and applied in the next year after additional commission meetings as well as a consideration of public opinion. Ann Arbor resident Nancy Leff, who served on the advisory committee, is part of a group of residents who disagree with the commission's proposals and have started to circulate a petition opposing the revisions. Leff and another residents met Sunday to discuss their opposition and sign petitions. "One of the main goals of our committee was to try to preserve and protect and keep the existing character and nature of the neighborhoods," Leff said. "The issue of lot combinations is key to retaining the housing stock that exists there." She added that a lack of specific zoning code on lot combinations could have a serious impact on the neighborhood. "It opens the door (for houses) that would potentially eliminate the single family housing stock and replace it with larger group structures," Leff said. "That is something our neighborhood doesn't want to see happen." She said if regulations were left to the discretion of the commission and City Council, residents would lose input over what was built within their neighborhoods. "We want the zoning code to clearly state what the regulations are," Leff said. "Every time you let one of these issues go to the planning commission, there is no control anymore. They can choose to do whatever they want." Jane Klingston, another resident who opposes the planning commission's amendments, wrote in an e-mail interview that the creation of a student housing zone - despite the fact that it is not intended to "designate any type of specific living arrangement within this area" - could be harmful to students. "I find (it) discriminatory and (it) could be problematic for the quality of rental housing options for students," Klingston wrote. "(The code) could potentially lead to unsafe substandard housing for students in a city where public safety response is already stretched." James Kosteva, director of community relations for the University, wrote in an e-mail interview that though the city and the University often do talk about land use and planning in order "to understand each others interests," the University was hesitant to weigh in on these potential changes that could affect students who live off campus. "The University rarely gets involved in local land development and zoning decisions unless the interests of the institution are directly or dramatically impacted," Kostevawrote. City planner Matt Kowalski, whoserved as aprojectmanageron the advisory committee, said the disagreement between members of the planning commission and advisory committee could be traced to a debate on how to preserve the nature and character of the 4RC neighborhoods. "We are just looking at it from two different ways," he said. Kowalski said not limiting lot combinations allowed for more creative developments in the 4RC zone and would still be subject to approval from the commission based on their effects. "We didn't want to preclude potentially advantageous projects to the city and community by banninglot combinations," he said. In regards to the proposed group housing zonings, Kowalski said the new code would work to preserve the nature of neighborhoods. The changes would still require site planning and adherence to zoning code, similar to special exception zoning rules such as those required when building a fraternity residence. "What we want to do is incentivize these people (through flexible zoning code) on the fringe to revert some of these houses to residential owner occupied," he said, "and concentrate some rental units in this core area (around the University)." AarontGuggenheim MnaginsNewsnditor, trictFerguson EdioialPaie Eior. opinionedior.Oisichigndaiiy.com Meegan Mn almd sr~,di ,i.,,i,,dii,orichimandaiiycomn John Lynch .Magn sEdtor, MarlenetLacasse OMa.nimgPoto.,Ediiior AustinfReed a, nag in einEditor, designmicimed.iy.com. Meaghan Thompson ManaginCopyEnditor copek~nichio.ndaiiy.,,., By DANIEL FELDMAN DailySports Writer With the NBA Draft fast approaching on Thursday, The Daily broke down the specula- tion surrounding former Michi- gan guards Trey Burke and Tim Hardaway Jr.'s potential landing spots leading up to the draft before doingsome speculating of its own. Trey Burke: While four teams have presented themselves as the likely landing spots for Burke, one seems to present the best opportu- nity in the long termfor Burke. Phoenix Suns: The Suns are coming off a dreadful season after they traded franchise staple, Steve Nash, to the Los Angeles Lakers. Finishing 25-57 and in last place in the Pacific division, the Suns need any help they can get. Given their circumstance, it might make sense for the Suns to take the best player available at the fifth pick and start to fill needs immediately. However, their best current player is a guard in Goran Dragic, who averaged 14.7 points per game and 7.4 assists per game. So, Burke going here might not be the best for him or the Suns. Sitting behind Dragic would slow the growth of Burke and hurt his chances of developing an imme- diate role as a leader. At the same time, the Suns need someone to work with Dragic and and Burke can't do much if he isn't on the court. New Orleans Pelicans: The newly named Pelicans once had a point guard that they thought would lead them for a long dura- tion of time: Chris Paul. The Los Angeles Clipper and soon-to-be free agent was a cornerstone of the Pelicans - formerly the Hornets - and led them to the playoffs three times, while earning All-NBA Team selections three times dur- ing his career in New Orleans. The 6-foot guard is a player that Burke has said he models his game after. The former Wake Forest prod- uct has made a career out of using his strength and dribbling skills to get the basket when he feels like it, and being a lockdown defender of the opposition's best player. While Burke aspires to be that player, does his game factor into the Pelicans' future? It might. While they have point guard Greivis Vasquez and shooting guard Eric Gordon, the possibility to draft another guard to possibly take the rein from Vasquez after Austin Rivers blew his opportu- nity last season is tempting Overall, the Pelicans are more in the need for a small forward who could filla bigger need. Sacramento Kings: After a season-plus of suspense surround- ing whether the Kings would be moving to Seattle or staying put in the capital of California, a deal was finally reached for the Kings to stay put and eventually get a new arena in Sacramento. While that issue i§ settled, the issue regarding the Kings' roster remains. Following a fourth-place finish with a 28-54 record in the Pacific division, Sacramento will try to recover. Though the tal- ent remains present with center DeMarcus Cousins, his behavior and maturity still remain an issue. Even if he isn't traded, as rumors have indicated, the Kings lack a true leader and star. In addition to the Cousins debacle, former Rookie of the Year and starting point guard Tyreke Evans is a free agent and doubt has formed if the Kings will resign him. With a seemingly blank page, Burke seems like a perfect fit for the rebuilding franchise. Though the possibility of trading down to acquire more picks and talent exists, the idea of Burke landing there seems very likely. His poten- tial to start right away combined with his craftiness and ability to change speeds could be helpful in the years to come. Detroit Pistons: Burke has called Ohio home for many years, but could a move to the Pistons finally cement him in Michigan? It could very well be. After acquiring Jose Calderon at the trade deadline last season, the Pistons were hoping to see what remained of the former Toronto Raptor point guard while he men- tored the inexperienced Brandon Knight. With his deal expiring after the season, the question remains whether resigning him is logical with a clear rebuilding pro- cess going on. The Pistons have two building blocks in Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond controlling the paint already. But current point guard Brandon Knight struggled in his assigned role, prompting a call for him to move to shooting guard, so the acquisition of a point guard makes sense here too. Burke could be the key in the Pistons lineup, which has been lacking a true point guard since it lost Chauncey Billups in 2008. The issue that remains with the Pistons is if Burke will be available at the eighth pick. Tim Hardaway Jr.: As scout- ing reports have said, Hardaway is a wild card. He has the potential to be a great shooting guard in the league. What will be the biggest thing for him is whether he's in the right location. Los Angeles Clippers: With Chad Ford's most recent mock draft predicting him to go 25th to the Clippers, some thought has to go into the thought they would select him. With Chauncey Billups more likely than not retiring or signing elsewhere, a hole has been created at the shooting guard position. While Los Angeles has former Michigan player Jamal Crawford - the last Wolverine to be a lottery selection or first round pick - he is seen more as a sixth man or instant offense for the team. The team also has Willie Green, who only started games last sea- son when Billups was hurt in the beginning of the season. All of other positions for the Clippers are met at the starting level, so shooting guard seems to be a priority. Indiana Pacers: With the 23rd pick in the draft, the Pacers have the ability to go in a couple dif- ferent directions. Playing to their advantage, they could look to add another big man to complement Roy Hibbert and Ian Mahinmi. Though starting power forward David West is a free agent, early indications have pointed to him re-signing. If he is locked up and it appears he will be, the Pacers will need to look into reintroducing small forward Danny Granger into the lineup. With Paul George hold- ing his former starting job down, Granger could see minutes at the four as the Pacers could go small, so long as one of their bigs in Hib- bert or Mahinmi is on the floor. Where the Pacers can improve is shooting guard. The team will have back the blossoming Lance Stephenson, who brought his game to a new level in the playoffs on both ends of the court. It appears likely that he will retain the start- ing position, but insurance behind him will be needed. With just Ger- ald Green behind him, another 'Do Your Yoga with a rope! 04 build $70 STRENGTH *E 30 days unlimited release classes stress russayog.Com 215 s. state ann arbor option at the two seems like a need. Enter Hardaway Jr. San Antonio Spurs: During the NBA Finals, a once unknown shooting guard Danny Green set the world on fire, hitting an NBA Finals record 27 3-pointers. Originally drafted by the Cava- liers, Green was released and then signed by the Spurs before getting cut again. Green would eventu- ally be re-signed by the Spurs and extended before the start of last season. Green found his role with the Spurs and shined when it mattered the most. While it may not be bad for Hardaway Jr. to be drafted by a team he can have a more promi- nent role on, the best spot for him is a team where he can be the third to fourth scoring option. WHERE'S THE NHL DRAFT COVERAGE? DON'T WORRY. WE DIDN'T FORGET. CHECK BACK ON THEBLOCKM.COM FOR UPDATES. n--uo BUSINESSSTAFF Leah Louis-Prescott sees Mager The Michigan Daily (ISSN 0745-967) is published every Thursday during the spring and summer terms hy students at the Unioersity of Michigan. One copy is available free of charge to all readers. 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