Incumbent Ward 3 Councilmember Stephen Kunselman said the principle issues of his “diverse” ward are difficult to pinpoint. After all, the ward covers East Quad, the South University area and most of the neighborhoods between Washtenaw Avenue and Packard Street.

But both Kunselman and his challenger, Ann Arbor attorney Christopher Taylor, agree that new building developments are a major concern in their ward.

The contentious proposal for 601 Forest, a 25-story student housing high-rise on the corner of South University Avenue and Forest Street, would be built in Ward 3.

Taylor, who supports height restrictions for downtown buildings, said he would only push for new building developments that are “within Ann Arbor’s culture, context and character.”

Kunselman supports the construction of 601 Forest because of resident demand for downtown density.

“A vibrant urban center, strong single-family residential neighborhoods, very well-preserved, protected functional greenbelt environment,” he said. “That is going to be our future.”

Both Kunselman and Taylor said that student input is welcome, but not sought-after, in their council seat elections.

Student voter turnout has been historically low all over the city.

“Do I have interest in tapping the great reservoir that is the student vote? Ah, not so much right now,” Taylor said. “If there’s issues important to students, the door’s open.”

Kunselman agreed, saying that “the history is against the students” as a constituency.

“If students showed themselves to be a voting rock they would certainly increase their voice,” he said.

In addition to his previous two years on council, Kunselman served on the Ann Arbor City Planning Commission from 2004 to 2006. Taylor was a Democratic party precinct delegate in 2006 and served as a law clerk to U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit Judge Bruce Selya.