2026 Election Questionnaire - Ward 2
Neighbors for More Neighbors A2 is a group of Ann Arbor area residents who have come together to work toward a more inclusive Ann Arbor. You may have seen our purple lawn signs around town. We created and circulated a questionnaire for candidates running for city council and mayor in the primary on August 4, 2026. We hope that this information is useful to all Ann Arbor voters as they prepare to vote this summer.
Our goal was 100% participation, and we are disappointed to not have answers from every candidate. We invited all candidates to our general meeting in April to meet our members and learn about our organization. Our board then sent the questionnaire via email to all candidates on April 24.
In our communications with candidates, we committed to publishing their answers unedited and in full, and we have done so below.
We followed up with those who had not replied on May 15, and then again on June 12. We made every effort to contact candidates directly using the information from their nominating petitions filed with the city clerk, their campaign website, and social media. We also encouraged members of the public to reach out to all candidates directly to encourage their participation, and many did so.
What you see here is exactly what candidates submitted verbatim. We have noted when no response was received or when a candidate declined our invitation.
1. Candidate's Housing Story
How has your housing story shaped your views on housing and land use in Ann Arbor? (i.e., how did you come to live in Ann Arbor, what type of housing have you lived in, how did you acquire your housing, how have your or your family's experiences with housing and neighborhoods shaped your approach to policy?)
Sandy Aldrich
My Ann Arbor housing experience started as a student from 1986-1990 and 1997-1999 and has ranged from Helen Newberry dorm to various student apartments on Church Street, South Forest, N. Thayer and Michigan Ave. After graduation in 1990, I lived in massive apartment complexes in Okemos Michigan, and Los Angeles (Park La Brea) and Sunnyvale, CA. In 2000, we became first time home owners in Mountain View, CA with a townhouse in the Whisman Station development. This was a thoughtfully planned high density development with a light rail system that connected Downtown San Jose with downtown Mountain View. That experience showed me that density can be functional and beautiful when it is proactively and intentionally planned. In 2004, we made the decision to move our young family to Ann Arbor to be closer to our families. We considered other neighborhoods but immediately fell in love with the King School neighborhood filled with mature trees, quiet streets, plenty of parks and highly rated, diverse schools.
Teesha Montague
Candidate declined to respond.
2. Neighborhood Businesses
2a: Do you support zoning changes to allow neighborhood businesses (e.g. Jefferson Market, Argus Farm Stop, Washtenaw Dairy) across all of Ann Arbor? (Y/N)
2b: Please explain your stance.
Sandy Aldrich
2a: Yes
2b: All great local places! The people who live nearby these locations are lucky to be able to walk to get their ice cream or sandwich. A community is vibrant when residents turn into neighbors by having regular conversations at gathering places like neighborhood parks or in these cases, local cafes or markets. I support creating community anchors like small cafes or corner markets that invite neighbors to say hello and connect. This approach is a core part of placekeeping to protect the soul and memory of our neighborhoods even as we grow. My focus is on Mindful Growth that respects the human scale of our streets and treats every neighbor as a legitimate stakeholder in how our city evolves.
Teesha Montague
Candidate declined to respond.
3. Tenant Protections
How can the city better protect renters and ensure they have safe, dignified, and stable living conditions?
Sandy Aldrich
To be honest, I'm a bit out of the loop on the current Ann Arbor rental market but my sons are renting in Chicago and Ithaca, so I see the challenges. Ultimately, making Ann Arbor a great place to live requires transparency and clear communication from both sides.
For renters, local rules like the Right to Renew provide essential predictability so good tenants aren't left guessing about their housing security. At the same time, we need to understand the realities local landlords face. Many are small business owners who rely on steady income to cover high property taxes, mortgages, and rising maintenance costs to meet city standards.
To keep the housing market healthy, we need clear, fair processes that protect everyone. Tenants deserve upfront clarity on their rights, and landlords need predictable guidelines for things like notice periods and security deposits to protect their investments. It’s about creating a functional system where everyone can operate with confidence.
Teesha Montague
Candidate declined to respond.
4.Three Homes Per Lot
4a: The City’s new Comprehensive Land Use Plan calls for allowing at least three homes per lot citywide. Do you support this change? (Y/N)
4b: If not, where do you think it should be illegal to build three homes on a lot?
Sandy Aldrich
4a: Yes
4b: I support the infilling neighborhoods vision, especially when it comes to adding smaller, more manageable units that are perfect for young professionals, seniors, and young families. For me, it’s about creating a property ladder so the people who make our city run can actually afford to live here instead of getting priced out. That said, I think we can grow without losing the soul of our neighborhoods. Keeping these new spots to a 3-story or 35-foot height limit helps with a gentle density approach. We get the diverse housing options we desperately need while respecting the neighborhood vibe and aesthetic we all love.
Teesha Montague
Candidate declined to respond.
5. Ending Ann Arbor's Housing Shortage
What roles should market-rate housing, public-private partnerships, and public housing each play in ending Ann Arbor’s housing shortage?
Sandy Aldrich
To tackle the housing shortage in Ann Arbor, we can't just pick one path. We have to approach it with a smart, multi-pronged strategy. First, we need market-rate housing to act as our supply engine; it helps stabilize prices across the region by giving high-earners new places to go, which takes the pressure off our older, more affordable homes. Then, we have public-private partnerships that serve as a resource lever. By using things like contributions from developers and potentially teaming up with local churches or the University (dreaming big!) to repurpose land, we can unlock housing options that the city just couldn't build on its own. Finally, public housing and rental vouchers are the essential safety net for the 15% of our non-student neighbors who make 60% or less of the Area Median Income. Since the market alone can't provide permanent affordability for these folks, we have to lean on locally funded projects that stay affordable forever.
Teesha Montague
Candidate declined to respond.
6. Public Housing
6a: Do you support building more public housing in Ann Arbor? (Y/N)
6b: If so, approximately how many units would you aim to build over the next decade; and how, specifically, would you pay for them?
Sandy Aldrich
6a: Yes
6b: The target number would need to be determined by the population that meets the 60% or less of the Area Median Income guideline. To effectively tackle Ann Arbor's housing shortage, the city must implement a rigorous, multi-pronged portfolio strategy rather than relying on a single solution. This approach requires market-rate housing to boost overall supply and ease pressure on older homes, public-private partnerships to leverage resources and repurpose land with local institutions, and public housing and rental vouchers to secure permanent housing.
Teesha Montague
Candidate declined to respond.
7. 2025 Prop A & B (Library Lot) Vote
7a: Did you support Props A & B in 2025 to expand AADL’s Downtown Branch into the neighboring lot and build housing above it?
7b: Please explain your stance.
Sandy Aldrich
7a: Yes
7b: As a Double Wolverine and a parent who's seen firsthand how magical the arts and public education can be, I’m all about supporting the public institutions that give our city its soul. The idea of expanding the library while adding housing is exactly the kind of mixed-use development I love. It's about building a better social habitat for everyone. The project fits the desire to get more housing options near transit and culture. My big thing is making sure we keep the design human-centered and back it up with the seamless infrastructure it needs to actually work.
Teesha Montague
Candidate declined to respond.
8. Addressing Housing Injustice
8a: Do you believe that Ann Arbor's housing history – including racial covenants, exclusionary zoning, and the displacement of Black communities – should influence the city’s decisions about housing? (Y/N)
8b: What are your specific proposals to address historic and ongoing harms caused by the city’s housing policies in an equitable and restorative way?
Sandy Aldrich
8a: Yes
8b: Past land-use policies didn't serve everyone equally, and we need to be intentional about acknowledging those gaps today. A part of that is honoring the lost history of Black Ann Arbor and their contributions and communities. Like, the historic homes and businesses in the Old Fourth Ward are not designated as historical but are essential to who we are. I support making affordable housing an integral part of city-owned land developments like the Y-Lot or the Library Lot. We need to make sure we’re earmarking resources that specifically benefit the neighbors who have been marginalized the most. I’m also pushing for authentic transparency by moving towards real, face-to-face conversations that treat people as the legitimate stakeholders. We’ve got to lean into placekeeping across our neighborhoods to protect and celebrate the cultural memory of those who’ve faced displacement, making sure their legacy is a part of Ann Arbor’s future.
Teesha Montague
Candidate declined to respond.
9. CLUP Recommendations
9a: Which 1-2 recommendations of the new Comprehensive Land Use Plan do you most strongly agree with, and why?
9b: Which 1-2 recommendations of the new Comprehensive Land Use Plan do you most strongly disagree with, and why?
Sandy Aldrich
9a: I’m a big fan of creating Transition Districts, the middle-ground areas where we can build things like townhomes or small apartments that bridge the gap between busy streets and quiet neighborhoods. It makes visual sense to step down the size of the buildings so they don't tower over the houses next door, but still give more people the chance to live in a walkable spot with easy access to a bus line.
9b: I am concerned about how these zoning changes are going to play out, especially with "by-right" approvals for duplexes, triplexes, and lot combinations. When we eliminate public hearings and notices, we’re essentially cutting neighbors out of the conversation. A successful rollout needs real, two-way accountability. Homeowners are key stakeholders, not obstacles to bypass. We were originally promised a three-year timeline for this, and I believe a change this big deserves a process rooted in actual transparency and honest, face-to-face conversations.
Teesha Montague
Candidate declined to respond.
10. Transportation and Housing
How would your transportation goals and housing goals inform each other to create cohesive policies for both?
Sandy Aldrich
My goals for housing and getting around are all about Community Wellbeing. By pushing for gentle density along bus routes and near big employment hubs like the Michigan Medical campus, we have the opportunity to reduce car traffic if those homes are affordable and desirable. I’m also committed to protecting our 10-minute park walkshed, meaning as we add new homes, we make sure every neighbor has a safe, easy walk or bike ride to nature and the basics. It’s about growing in a way that actually keeps our families' safety and quality of life front and center.
Teesha Montague
Candidate declined to respond.
11. Policy Implementation Timeline
How would you ensure that City Council’s housing and transportation policies are implemented in a timely manner?
Sandy Aldrich
After 30 years in the corporate, non-profit, and start-up worlds, I want to bring some real-world management rigor to City Hall to make the most of our $600M+ budget. To me, great infrastructure and transit should be a seamless part of daily life, but that requires a Capital Improvement Plan that stays ahead of the curve. I would partner with city staff and experts to implement in a timely manner.
Teesha Montague
Candidate declined to respond.