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Special Interests
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| Township Building Improvements Save Energy and
Money |
| Farmland and Open Space Preservation Board |
| Small Farm Initiative |
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Natural Features Committee
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| Township Master Plan |
| Township Zoning
Map |
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| Energy
Improvement Grant for Township |
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ANN ARBOR TOWNSHIP BUILDING IMPROVEMENTS SAVE ENERGY AND MONEY
Ann Arbor Township received a Federal grant, administered by the
Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth, to:
To obtain an energy audit of the Township offices/fire station
at 3792 Pontiac Trail.
To implement recommended retrofits identified during the energy
audit.
To use the energy project to promote energy conservation efforts
throughout the township.
Several energy audit contactors provided proposals to conduct the
energy audit. Kelly Tinker Architects of Ann Arbor was awarded the
contract. Three site visits were made to the Township building,
including one night time visit, to inspect, photograph, and document
its physical characteristics. The building envelope, heating and
cooling systems, lighting and electrical equipment, and occupant
use were included in the analysis. A report was issued to the Township
which detailed where the gas and electric energy was being used
and provided recommendations for energy savings. Seventeen energy
conservation projects and eight low or no cost operation and maintenance
measures were identified. These included adding ceiling and floor
perimeter insulation, installing weather stripping, reworking the
duct system for better heating and cooling distribution, replacing
an old air conditioning condenser with a high efficiency unit, replacing
inefficient light fixtures with high efficiency fixtures, as well
as some actions by building occupants.
Several contractors were provided with RFP's for the energy upgrade
projects. Four visited the site and two provided proposals. Antler
Construction of Canton, MI was selected. The completed projects
include:
Insulation: installed in the ceilings of the front entry, meeting
room and stairway, and at the edge of the floor in the office
area
Improvements to the HVAC systems: replaced kinked, leaking, and
improperly sized ductwork, installed demand controlled ventilation
systems, replaced an old 6 SEER air conditioner with a 16 SEER
unit, installed programmable thermostats.
Lighting: inefficient light fixtures were replaced with lower
wattage, high efficiency fixtures.
All removed equipment was dismantled and recycled. The project
was completed in December, 2010. Additionally, Township staff is
encouraged to turn off lights and equipment when not in use, to
keep office temperatures moderate, and to separate recyclable materials.
The total cost for gas from October, 2008 to September, 2009 (prior
to the energy upgrades) was $4,385 and the total cost for electricity
during this period was $7,786. The Township expects to see noticeable
savings in energy and money since completion of the energy improvement
projects.
Please let us know if you have any questions about the project.
The following links provide information and tips for saving energy
and money:
http://www.cec-mi.org/
http://www.energysavers.gov/
http://michigan.gov/energy
http://www.ewashtenaw.org/living/environmental_health_and_services/healthy_home_portal/energy_use
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Farmland and Open Space Preservation Board |
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Farmland and Open Space Preservation Board meets at the Township
Hall, 3792 Pontiac Trail, typically on the 4th Monday of every month
at 7:30 pm.
Members:
| John Allison, Township Trustee |
| Raymond Grew |
| Oran Hesterman |
| Wayne Jones |
| Otto Moehrle |
| Ken Koch |
| Tom Bartoshesky |
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Barry Lonik, Consultant - BLonik13@aol.com or 734-223-2321
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Ann Arbor Township Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) Program
PDR is a means to compensate landowners for the development potential
of their property while retaining private ownership. An independent
real estate appraiser studies the property for development and for
agriculture by comparing it to other nearby properties that have
sold recently. The difference between the values in those studies
establishes the value of the "development rights" which is paid
in a lump sum or installments. A deed restriction called a "conservation
easement" is drafted, signed and recorded ensuring the land's availability
for farming and open space is maintained forever.
Voters in Ann Arbor Township passed a 20-year millage in 2003 to
fund a PDR program. The Township Farmland and Open Space Preservation
Board matches those funds with other sources to secure the funds
to purchase development rights. The Township has completed two PDR
projects (150 acres of the Kapp family farm on Nixon Road and 30
acres of the David Braun property on Whitmore Lake Road), and four
others (620 acres) are in process. The Township also owns 150 acres
of farmland that is available for agricultural production, including
two small fields (see Available
Properties) on the Small Farm Initiative page.
Click here for Application
for the Farmland and Open Space PDR program.
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| Township Master Plan |
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2008
MASTER PLAN. (text only)
2008
Master Plan Maps (Note: 7 Mb file)
Bound hard copies of the Township Master Plan can be purchased
at the Township Office.
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Natural Features Committee |
Members
Gene Ragland
Margaret Hedstrom
Diane O'Connell
Kris Olsson
Jesse Gordon
The Natural Features Committee meets the 3rd Monday of each month on
an as-needed basis. Please contact the Township Hall at 734-663-3418 if
you have any questions.
The Township Board of Trustees established the Natural
Features Advisory Committee in 1997. The purpose of this committee is
the development of long-term policies and strategies for protecting natural
features, such as wetlands, woodlands, streams, farmland and open spaces.
The Committee develops and recommends to the Township Board, ordinances
and regulations whose purpose is protection of natural features. The Committee
also promotes the importance of and methods for preservation of natural
features by designing and implementing educational initiatives for Township
residents. At the request of the Board of Trustees or Planning Commission,
the Committee can review policies, zoning petitions and site plans pending
before these bodies. The Committee is empowered to work with similar committees
of other local governments to foster regional protection of natural features.
The Committee is comprised of five to seven residents of Ann Arbor Charter
Township, at least one of who shall be a member of the Board of Trustees
and at least one a member of the Planning Commission.
Accomplishments
Land Development Standards: The Ann Arbor Township
Land Development Standards are guidelines that apply to all new development
in the township. The Natural Features Committee developed a major chapter
on "Protection and Mitigation of Natural Features" which was incorporated
into these Standards. This chapter identifies eight specific natural features
which exist within Ann Arbor Township: wetlands, watercourses, floodplains,
woodlands, landmark trees, steep slopes, threatened or endangered species
habitat and ground water recharge areas. It describes the required procedures
for inventorying natural features on a particular site and methods for
preparing plans to document any impact that may occur to these natural
features. It also establishes standards for mitigating impacts on natural
features that are disturbed. This chapter has been an important factor
in all new development proposals submitted since its approval by the Township
Board in 1997.
Wetland and Watercourse Protection and Restoration
Ordinance: Wetlands are complex integrated ecosystems that provide
many valuable functions including reducing water pollution, controlling
floodwaters and maintaining wildlife habitat. The Township Board approved
this ordinance in 1998. The ordinance was the product of more than 12
months of study and design effort by the Natural Features Committee. This
included mapping township wetlands, extensive community education, and
public hearings on the importance of wetlands and watercourse protection
to the quality of life in Ann Arbor Township. This ordinance has become
an important factor when development is proposed on lands with wetlands
or watercourses and has led to substantial improvements in wetland protection.
Click here to go to Wetland Ordinance
Natural Features Setbacks: In parallel with the
"Wetlands Ordinance," the Natural Features Committee developed natural
features setback standards that were adopted by the Township Board in
1998 as a revision to the zoning ordinance. These setbacks deal with building
and construction placement in proximity to wetlands, streams and steep
slopes.
Stormwater Management and Impervious Surface Reduction:
Impervious surface reduction and stormwater management are two of the
most important factors for protecting water quality in our streams (Fleming
Creek and Traver Creek) and the Huron River. Recent studies conducted
by The University of Michigan Department of Natural Resources have found
that if impervious surface (roof tops, pavement, etc.) exceeds 8% in the
Huron River Watershed, degradation of stream quality and biodiversity
occurs. The Natural Features committee worked with the Washtenaw County
Drain Commissioner and the Huron River Watershed Council to identify methods
for minimizing the impact of new development on water quality.
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