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Welcome to Ann Arbor Charter Township.

Important Announcement

Mobile Home Park Resolved After 50 Years

Lawsuits and a development proposal for a mobile home park with nearly 500 units have been terminated under an agreement between Ann Arbor Township and J A Bloch & Company, a Michigan development company, and Sun Communities, a national real estate investment trust. Litigation to force the use of 149 acres for a mobile home park dates to the mid 1970’s, that resulted in a judgement in favor of the developer. Under this agreement, Washtenaw County Circuit Court has agreed to vacate that judgement.

The Township’s population would have grown by 20-30% under the current proposal with no increase in property tax revenue to cover associated costs for public services. Under Michigan law, these housing units are built on a chassis, rather than a foundation, and are not subject to property taxes.

Property Tax Implications

The Township’s financial analysis estimated that the cost to current Township residents for public services for the proposed mobile home park residents would have exceeded $500,000 annually.

The development proposal called for housing units costing between $250,000 and $350,000 on 149 acres not served by public water or sewer. In addition to loans needed to purchase the mobile homes, also referred to as manufactured homes, residents are responsible for monthly rent and park fees, as well as gas, electricity and internet bills.

Other Considerations

The Township evaluated the type of units proposed and did not consider them to be the type of affordable housing typical of a mobile home park.  This project targeted households with annual incomes 50% higher than Ann Arbor’s median income of $95,000 for 2 people. With the recommended housing cost ratio of 30% of gross income, an annual income of $145,000 would be needed to cover an estimated $2,400 monthly payment for a 20-year loan on a $300,000 unit (with a 5% down payment), estimated monthly park fees of $900, and $300 estimated monthly fees for gas, electricity and internet. Standard mortgages and loans longer than 20 years typically are not available for units located on rented land.

The Township also considered other issues related to the ownership of these housing units.  “It’s difficult, expensive or outright impossible to move these homes and so residents are forced to tolerate escalating rents, arbitrary fees, lack of transparency in billing and failure to invest in the maintenance of park properties, all which contribute to their housing insecurity,” testified University of Colorado Sociology Professor Esther Sullivan at a committee hearing of the Michigan Senate (as reported by Detroit Free Press in March 2024). A package of bills to address these issues was introduced in the Michigan Senate.

“The Township decision to enter into an agreement with the developers was reached after months of analysis and negotiations,” said Township Supervisor Diane O’Connell. “While not easy, it has been one of the most important decisions we have deliberated for the future of our Township.”

The agreement reached between the Township and J A Bloch & Company and Sun Communities includes the Township’s purchase of the acreage for $10 million, and the sellers or their successors disavowing any future interest in the property. No bonds or property tax increase are needed to fund the purchase.

The Township is reviewing future options for the acreage which has natural features such as wetlands and a stream. Options include a possible sale of some of the land to developers for houses on 1-acre lots and preserving existing farmland under the Township’s Farmland and Open Space Preservation program whose agreements are funded by the Township’s preservation millage and federal, state and local grants.

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History

History


The Township of Ann Arbour  was organized in 1827 by the Legislative Council of the Michigan Territory and the Village of Ann Arbour–which later became the City of Ann Arbor–was organized in 1833. As villages remained part of the township, the Village of Ann Arbour did not become completely detached from the township until it reorganized as the city of Ann Arbor.

Housing and Population

Housing and Population


As of the census of 2020, there were 4,747 people in 1,958 households residing in the township. The population density was 288.6 per square mile. There were 2,073 housing units of which 76% are single family dwellings. The racial makeup of the township was 67% White, 1% African American, 0% Native American, 24% Asian, % Pacific Islander, 4% identifying as two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4% of the population.  Additional census data for Ann Arbor Township can be viewed here.

Geography

Geography


According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 16.9 square miles, of which 16.7 square miles is land and 0.15 square miles, or 0.86%, is water. The city of Ann Arbor was established within the borders of Ann Arbor Township. Over the years, the city expanded, annexing portions of the township as the city grew and reducing the land area of the township. Under a 1994 boundary agreement with the City of Ann Arbor, those areas of the Township lying within the future boundaries of the city will be subject to annexation by the city.

Landscape

Landscape


The landscape of Ann Arbor consists of hills and valleys, with the terrain becoming steeper near the Huron River. The elevation ranges from about 750 feet along the Huron River to over 1,000 feet. Ann Arbor is known for its wide variety of trees, foliage, and its lush landscape.