New housing developments often lead to concerns about increased traffic. But what if the additional traffic is expected to use an already busy and awkward intersection? Ann Arbor officials hope to avoid this problem on the city's north side where Green and Dhu Varren Roads don't quite line up where they intersect with Nixon. A redesign of the intersection is expected to be part of developments planned for the area.
The Ann Arbor Planning Commission has given approval for the annexation and site plan for 282 new apartments on the east side of Nixon just south of M-14.
The commission also signed off on annexing over 100 acres from Ann Arbor Township on either side of DhuVarren on the west side of Nixon. The Nixon Farm North and South site plans haven't been approved but call for over 470 townhomes and attached single family residences.
Mayor John Hieftje says the already poorly functioning intersection needs improvements to handle additional traffic. "The developer as usual will be making contributions to that, and I think you will see a whole new intersection there. It's time to do it, and the city needs to make a move on that, and this will certainly be the impetus to get that done," Hieftje says.
A study on Nixon and DhuVarren is expected to wrap up in December with estimates for re-aligning the roads or installing a round-about.
Toll Brothers, the developers behind Nixon Farms, have offered to build the new intersection. Until that agreement is reached, the Planning Commission isn't expected to consider their zoning and site plan.
Like 89.1 WEMU on Facebook and follow us on Twitter— Andrew Cluley is the Ann Arbor beat reporter, and anchor for 89.1 WEMU News. Contact him at734.487.3363 or email him acluley@emich.edu.