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.
Proposal would allow over 22,000 homes in Ann Arbor to add accessory apartments
Updated 12:39 PM;
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ANN ARBOR, MI Ann Arbor officials say the city’s restrictions on adding accessory apartments to homes are keeping homeowners from building them, but new rules could allow them on over 22,000 properties.
About a couple dozen Ann Arbor homeowners have applied to add accessory dwelling units known as ADUs to their properties since the city adopted an ADU ordinance in 2016.
In some cases, ADUs can be in detached structures such as a carriage house or an apartment above a garage, or a separate rental unit within a home or home addition.
Ann Arbor councilman stripped of committee assignments for homophobic slur
Updated 8:22 AM;
Today 8:22 AM
Ann Arbor City Council Member Jeff Hayner, D-1st Ward, issues a public apology April 19, 2021, for using a quote on social media attacking journalists with a homophobic slur.CTN
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ANN ARBOR, MI Ann Arbor City Council Member Jeff Hayner has been removed from several city boards, commissions and committees for using a quote on social media attacking journalists with a homophobic slur.
“Such derogatory language is harmful to the LGBTQ community,” council stated in a resolution Tuesday morning, April 20, condemning Hayner’s remarks and recommending he attend anti-discrimination, diversity and sensitivity training.
Despite pushback from landlords, Ann Arbor bans criminal background checks mlive.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from mlive.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Death threats, dried pig fetus among concerns Ann Arbor officials reported to police
Updated Mar 07, 2021;
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ANN ARBOR, MI Facing criticisms from constituents is part of the job of being an elected official, but in Ann Arbor some argue it’s reached a disturbing level.
Some City Council members report feeling personally harassed on social media and elsewhere, and in some cases threatened, prompting some to file police reports.
Council members have shared those concerns at recent meetings and in interviews, acknowledging they’ve turned to police, one reporting alleged death threats.
In a particularly bizarre case, a council member reported someone placing a dried pig fetus outside his business. It’s unclear if it was related to his work on council.