{"id":481,"date":"2013-08-30T21:50:31","date_gmt":"2013-08-30T21:50:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mixeduseparty.com\/wp\/?p=481"},"modified":"2013-10-06T01:08:49","modified_gmt":"2013-10-06T01:08:49","slug":"our-zoning-plan-will-protect-the-environment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mixeduseparty.com\/wp\/?p=481","title":{"rendered":"Our zoning plan will protect the environment."},"content":{"rendered":"

We will allow more people to live in areas that are already developed, which will slow construction over wilderness and farmland.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The current zoning code limits population density by restricting the number of dwellings that can be built on each lot of land. A dwelling is an apartment or house for one \u201cfamily,\u201d which is usually defined as four unrelated people. Some zones only allow one dwelling per lot. There are minimum lot sizes, which means that there is a maximum number of dwellings that can be built on each acre. For example, the R1A zone allows only one dwelling per lot, and lots must be at least 20,000 square ft. This means there can only be eight unrelated residents per acre.<\/p>\n

Since many people want to live in Ann Arbor, and the supply of housing is limited , housing is more expensive than in nearby communities. Developers respond by building houses in nearby townships. Between 2000 and 2010, Washtenaw County\u2019s population increased<\/a> by 22,021, but Ann Arbor\u2019s population\u00a0decreased<\/a> by 90.<\/p>\n

\"before<\/a>

New developments southwest of Ann Arbor from 1993-2013. Maps from U.S Geological Survey.<\/p><\/div>\n

Advertisements for these developments emphasize how close the subdivisions are to Ann Arbor. A website for \u201cThe Ravines<\/a>\u201d states \u201cResidents pay lower Scio Township taxes but benefit from city water & utilities and by sending their children to Ann Arbor Schools.\u201d The same page later claims: \u201cLocated in popular Ann Arbor and offers great access to the expressway to get to Detroit or beyond quickly. A hop skip and a jump away is Zingerman\u2019s Deli, Kerrytown, Kerrytown Farmers Market, U of M campus, Medical Center and University of Michigan football games.<\/p>\n