Building in A2

So we are moving to Ann Arbor and were hopeful that we were going to be able to build the modern home of our dreams there (we've been in Seattle where building is next to impossible). But we've heard that building in A2 is horribly expensive and practically impossible with zoning, etc. Anyone have any insight?

Fran

There IS a reason why you never see modern styled homes from Michigan in the popular mags.

The codes and covenents around here and the Midwest prevents a lot. Not only that, but clueless, traditionalist building inspectors and city officials gawk and run screaming when they see anything that does not look like a vinyl/brick-clad box with a hip roof and ugly light fixtures.

Maybe I'm being overly theatrical, but maybe not. I've talked to a few builders and building contractors and they ranked Ann Arbor and Novi as the (2) most difficult places to build in Michigan. I'm trying to build in Novi, myself and have begun to feel the pain... and I don't even think my house is overtly modern... especially compared to the stark, Bauhaus type styles.

Good luck and keep the faith.