To become a member of any of the city’s approximately 80 boards, committees, and commissions, request an application from the mayor’s office. Some of these are listed below.

Appeal boards. 994–2696. There are four boards of appeal: building, housing, sign, and zoning. Property owners can file a request for a waiver of code requirements through each board’s secretary. The appropriate board will act on the request after discussion at a monthly public hearing.

Cable communications commission. Meets fourth Tues. 7 p.m. in the community room of the Edison Center Bldg., 425 S. Main.

Downtown Development Authority, 150 S. Fifth Ave, suite 301. 994–6697. Fax: 997–1491. A board of 12 citizens appointed by the mayor and city council to improve and promote the downtown area. The DDA receives much of the tax revenue generated by new construction downtown. Under a lease arrangement with the city, the DDA manages the public parking system, and contracts with Republic Parking Systems, Inc., for its daily operation. The DDA has installed new sidewalks and pedestrian amenities, has constructed new parking structures and improved old ones, and supports business, downtown housing, public-private development partnerships, and non automotive commuting. dda@a2dda.org

Historic district commission. The commission administers 13 historic districts and has jurisdiction over proposed changes to the exteriors of designated historic buildings. It meets in public session second Thurs. 7 p.m. in the city council chambers, second floor, City Hall. Meetings are telecast live and replayed on the Community Television Network. To contact a commissioner, call the city’s historic preservation unit (994–2797), which serves as a liaison between the commission and owners of historic buildings.

Housing commission, 727 Miller (Miller Manor). 994–2828. Commission-owned housing is available to seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income families. Rent is the greatest of 30 percent of a tenant’s adjusted monthly income, 10 percent of gross monthly income, or a minimum of $50—or a flat rent based on number of bedrooms. The commission manages 359 units at 17 sites and 1,200 Section 8 vouchers. Wait lists for public housing and Section 8 vouchers are closed. Public notices will be given when applications will be accepted again. See the Housing section of this guide for detailed listings. elindsley@a2gov.org, www.a2gov.org/housing

Planning commission. A nine-member citizen body appointed by the mayor and city council, the commission makes recommendations to council on proposed site plans, zoning changes, and modifications of the city’s master plan. All its actions include at least one public hearing. The commission has final say on certain site plans and on special-exception uses (such as sorority houses in a residential zone) as defined by city zoning ordinances. See Planning & development under Community Services, below, for information on how to participate in planning. Commission meetings are the first and third Tues. 7 p.m. in council chambers, second floor, City Hall. Meetings are telecast on the Community Television Network, and agendas are published in the Ann Arbor News the Sun. before the meeting and telecast over channel 16 beginning the Fri. before the meeting. Agendas are also posted online at www.a2gov.org. Working sessions are the second Tues. 7 p.m. at City Hall.