Ann Arbor OKs exceptions for Airbnb houses in hopes of avoiding lawsuit fight
Updated May 07, 2021;
Posted May 07, 2021
Prentice Partners of Ann Arbor built this six-bed house at 1505 White St. that’s a dedicated Airbnb house. Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News
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ANN ARBOR, MI More than 140 short-term rental properties in Ann Arbor’s residential neighborhoods may keep operating under new regulations finalized this week.
City Council voted 7-4 along factional lines to OK new rules with exceptions allowing existing short-term rentals like dedicated Airbnb houses to remain in neighborhoods.
The previous council voted last September to ban them effective March 1, but Mayor Christopher Taylor and his allies, who regained control of council in November, now are allowing existing operators to continue in hopes of avoiding a lawsuit fight they think the city would lose.
Ann Arbor homeowner’s $12K sewer backup claim denied in 8-3 council vote
Updated Apr 11, 2021;
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ANN ARBOR, MI Laurie Lounsbury said she found an inch of water in her basement last August due to a city sewer backup caused by tree roots growing into a sewer pipe.
City Council was divided this past week on whether to honor the homeowner’s nearly $12,000 insurance claim against the city for personal items lost as a result of the incident, voting 8-3 to deny it.
Lounsbury, who said she’s disappointed in the decision and now considering her legal options, shared her tale of the sewer backup with council members before the vote.
Should city be responsible for clearing snow ridges left by plows at crosswalks and driveways?
Updated Feb 01, 2021;
Posted Feb 01, 2021
A city of Ann Arbor snow plow truck on Jan. 19, 2019.Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News
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ANN ARBOR, MI They’re pesky and sometimes dangerous and can impede traffic for some.
But who should be responsible for clearing the snow and ice ridges that city plows leave behind at the edges of crosswalk ramps, bus stops and driveway aprons?
As of right now, Ann Arbor leaves it to adjacent property owners to handle with mixed results.
But some City Council members want to explore having the city take over responsibility.
Ann Arbor officials aim to address City Council’s bad reputation in community
Updated Dec 16, 2020;
Posted Dec 16, 2020
Council Member Ali Ramlawi, D-5th Ward, speaks during the Ann Arbor City Council s annual retreat and budget planning session Dec. 14, 2020.City of Ann Arbor
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ANN ARBOR, MI After two years filled with political fights among City Council members over everything from water rates to new development to firing the city administrator, public confidence in Ann Arbor city government is low.
In a recent city survey, only 57% of residents offered positive ratings about overall confidence in city government, down from 63% two years ago, and 60% offered positive ratings about city officials being honest, down from 66%.