Interview With Jennifer Hall
There’s an interview with new Planning Commission chair Jennifer Hall in last week’s Business Review (formerly Business Direct Weekly.) Hall thinks that implementing the “consensus of community” can and should extend to dictating the color of a building’s brick. She also takes the “just because voters in Ann Arbor overwhelmingly supported the idea of a greenbelt doesn’t mean that everybody supported the idea of density” line, which directly contradicts what the greenbelt’s supporters promised. One encouraging sign: Hall, who favored the 828 Greene proposal, says that the current commission will specifically aim not to table projects. And she’s “of the camp that doesn’t have a problem with taller buildings.”
I read the line about how the community sentiment for the greenbelt does not necessarily translate into pro-density as basically an assessment of the truth. I think she is right on this, although the planning commission could do more of its part to quit tabling and vetoing projects just because five neighbors raise a little hell. I heard Chris Crockett of the Old Fourth Ward speak in favor of density on the Northeast side, but she seems to oppose every project located near her home, no matter what. This griping about the U-M dorm is absurd. Ann Arbor = Suburb.
posted by Matt on November 19th, 2004 at 7:49 pmAAiO, you seem to be presenting the more negative-sounding bits of the interview. Consider this bit:
“But what we need to recognize as well is we’re always going to have changing neighborhoods. That doesn’t have to be in a bad way. But if Ann Arbor is going to continue to be a desirable place to live, it’s going to have to have some change.
“I listen to what people have to say, but I’m always conscious of the fact that there’s a broader community.
“… One thing to add: It’s usually only the people who think they’re losing something who come to speak to you. You never hear from the people who think it’s a good idea. It may seem that if 20 people are telling you it’s a bad idea, then everyone is opposed to it. I would have to guess there’s probably at least 20 people sitting at home who think it’s a great idea.”
I’m reading that as a plea for people to come out and counter the negative voices so that the commission can (at least have a chance to) make the decisions that she wants them to make.
posted by Murph on November 19th, 2004 at 10:42 pmMurph, I liked a lot of what she had to say. My concern after reading this interview is that even though she’ll personally support the right projects, she will back down too easily if the “community consensus” goes the other way. Like that one urban planning prof said at the mayoral debate, sometimes you have to tell the neighborhoods that they’re wrong. Todd Leopold’s view that we’re doomed if citizens can have input on individual projecsts seems unduly pessimistic, but he may not be that far off.
posted by ann arbor is overrated on November 20th, 2004 at 4:08 pmChris Crockett was my highschool librarian, and also is the devil.
posted by js on November 27th, 2004 at 4:06 pmI think she was possibly the most mocked member of any public school district in America, not in small part due to her racoonish make-up and harpy demeanor.
A shrill woman in flourescent dress, it doesn’t surprise me that she stands against every vestige of progress…