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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL STUDY - 2015-08-05 CITY OF LIVONIA— CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF STUDY MEETING HELD AUGUST 5, 2015 Meeting was called to order at 8:10 p.m. by President Brosnan. Present: Brandon Kritzman, John Pastor, Brian Meakin, Laura Toy, Lynda Scheel, Susan Nash, and Maureen Miller Brosnan. Absent: None. Elected and appointed officials present: Todd Zilincik, City Engineer; Mark Taormina, Director of Planning & Economic Development; Don Knapp, City Attorney; Judy Priebe, Director of Legislative Affairs; Susan Hoff, City Clerk; and Mayor Jack Ki rksey. President Brosnan announced there are five (5) X-Items to be discussed following tonight's agenda. President Brosnan congratulated the City Clerk's office on conducting a well-managed election. Pastor thanked all the voters that voted for him. He congratulated the candidates that made it through the City Primary Election and will be moving onto the City General Election. He said he looks forward to working with the new Administration. AUDIENCE COMMUNICATION: None. NEW BUSINESS: 1. BLOCK PARTY: Karen Werden, re: to be held on Saturday, September 19, 2015, from 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Flamingo, between St. Martins and Bretton, with a rain date of September 20, 2015. Claudia, a neighbor of Karen Werden's, was present on her behalf. She said they are seeking Council permission to hold their annual block party. Pastor offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 2. REQUEST FOR DESIGNATION AS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION: Heather Flack, Executive Board President, Academic Pathways Cooperative Preschool, re: to obtain a charitable gaming license as required by the State of Michigan to allow them to conduct fundraising raffles to raise funds for improvements to their school and playground. 2 Heather Flack, presented her request to Council. They are seeking a designation as a non-profit organization so they may obtain a charitable gaming license as required by the State of Michigan to allow them to conduct fundraising raffles to raise funds for improvements to their school and playground Vice-President Meakin said all their paperwork appears to be in order. Vice-President Meakin offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 3. VACATING REQUEST: Ignacio and Jacklyn Salazar, re: for 5 feet of a 12 foot easement for the purpose of installing an in-ground pool at their property located at 37190 Weymouth. (Petition 2015-07-03-01) Jacklyn Salazar, 37190 Weymouth, presented her request to Council. They are requesting to have the City vacate 5 feet of a 12 foot easement for the purpose of installing an in-ground pool at their property located at 37190 Weymouth. Toy offered the resolution referring the matter to the Administration for its report and recommendation for the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: REFER TO ADMINISTRATION CONSENT FOR ITS REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION 4. APPOINTMENT OF ERIC LADWIG TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION: Mayor Jack Kirksey, re: for a three-year term which will expire on June 9, 2018. Mayor Kirksey asked the Council to withdraw his request at this time. He said Mr. Ladwig is with him this evening and that his schedule will not allow him to dedicate the time that is required for the position. Eric Ladwig said he is honored that Mayor Kirksey has selected him and he appreciated the Mayor's confidence in his abilities. However, he does have an existing obligation with his franchise and a suitable replacement will not be available until after December. He hopes that this can be revisited in January or February. At the direction of the Chair, this item has been withdrawn until further notice. 5. REQUEST TO APPROVE EXECUTION OF AN ADDENDUM TO THE SPECIALIZED SERVICES VEHICLE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE SUBURBAN MOBILITY AUTHORITY FOR REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION (SMART) AND THE CITY OF LIVONIA- Department of Community Resources, re: so as to cover one 2015 Champion Challenger lift equipped bus which has 3 been approved through a Michigan Department of Transportation 5310 Grant through SMART for the Livonia Community Transit Program. Felicia Cross, Program Supervisor, Community Resources, presented the request to Council. In 2014, Livonia Community Transit (LCT) applied for a new vehicle through the Specialized Services 5310 grant program administered by SMART. They have been notified that the grant has been approved for LCT to receive one 2015 Champion Challenger lift equipped bus. There is no cost to the City for this vehicle. It is respectfully requested that Council authorize execution of an agreement between the City and SMART so that they may take possession of this vehicle. A copy of the agreement has been provided to Council for its review. Toy offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 6. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN SMART AND THE CITY OF LIVONIA- Department of Community Resources, re. for the Municipal Credit Contract for the period July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016, with all Credits to be used for the Livonia Community Transit Program. Felicia Cross, Program Supervisor, Community Resources, presented the request to Council. This is a request for Council approval for the Municipal Credit ($95,342) Contract for FY 2016. They are requesting that these Municipal Credits be used for the Livonia Community Transit Program. This is the same contract amount as FY 2015. It is respectfully requested that Council authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the proposed FY 2016 contract. A copy of the contract has been provided to Council for its review. Toy offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 7. LIVONIA EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM 62ND ANNUAL ACTUARIAL VALUATION REPORT OF DEFINED BENEFIT (DB) PLAN AS OF NOVEMBER 30, 2014: Board of Trustees — Livonia Employees Retirement System, re. same. Don Knapp, City Attorney, said this is an annual housekeeping item that needs to be received and filed. He said the numbers are used to help determine the City's budget for the following Fiscal Year. At the direction of the Chair, this item will be received and filed. DIRECTION: RECEIVE & FILE CONSENT 4 8. LIVONIA RETIREE HEALTH AND DISABILITY BENEFITS PLAN AND TRUST (VEBA) 17TH ANNUAL ACTUARIAL VALUATION REPORT AS OF NOVEMBER 30, 2014: Board of Trustees — Livonia Employees Retirement System, re. same. Don Knapp, City Attorney, said this is an annual housekeeping item that needs to be received and filed. At the direction of the Chair, this item will be received and filed. DIRECTION: RECEIVE & FILE CONSENT 9. WAIVER PETITION: Planning Commission, re: Petition 2015-06-02-11 submitted by United Lawnscape, Inc., requesting approval to operate a contractor's yard for the outdoor storage of landscaping equipment and materials, located on the east side of Merriman Road between Plymouth Road and the CSX Railroad right-of-way (12240 Merriman), in the Southwest '/4 of Section 26. Mark Taormina, Director of Planning and Economic Development, presented the request to Council. This is a request to operate a contractor's yard for outside storage and landscaping equipment and materials. The site is located on the east side of Merriman Road, south of the CSX Railroad and north of Plymouth Road. This property is roughly 1.2 acres in area. Its dimensions are roughly 100 feet in width by 533 feet in depth. The zoning of the property, as well as all the surrounding properties, is M-1, Light Manufacturing. The site presently contains an 8,575 square foot industrial building. The back portion of the property remains undeveloped and is covered mostly in gravel and enclosed by a chain link fence. A landscape contractor is allowed only with waiver use approval under Section 16.11 (b) of the Zoning Ordinance. This provision actually applies to a number of special trade contractors that have to rely on outside storage of their vehicles, equipment and materials. The outside storage part of the request would occupy the rear portion of the property which is about 32,300 square feet in total area. It's the east half of the property. The existing fencing, that is already around the perimeter of this site, would be repaired and/or replaced with privacy slats installed throughout, where needed. Access to the site would be provided by means of two gates, one which would be on the north side of the building where there is an existing 16 foot wide concrete drive that provides access to the rear portion of the site, and then a second access gate which is located on the south side of the building where there is a 26 foot wide concrete drive between the building and the south property line. The outside storage area would be completely graded and paved. A drainage plan was submitted with the application showing the collection of the stormwater in new catch basins that would be installed and an underground drainage system that would discharge ultimately into an existing storm system that is located on the property to the south. This is going to require the petitioner to coordinate and maybe obtain the necessary easements from the adjoining property owners, but it is my 5 understanding that they are currently working on that aspect of the development. The materials that are commonly associated with a landscape contractor business would be stored in bins. These bins would be created in the easterly part of the site along the fence line. There is a large mulch bin identified on the plans as well as three other smaller bins that are facing south with access from the paved portion of the lot. They are identified with mulch and then a 30 yard dump bin. All of that would be on a paved portion of the site. An area in the back of the property is identified for the storage of 10 trailers. In terms of employee parking, they have identified the need for 13 spaces. Those are shown as spaces along the front of the building where they show five spaces and then eight parallel spaces along the south side of the building. So parking should not be an issue especially in consideration of the size of available storage area in the rear portion of the building. As far as landscaping, there is only one area on the site that's landscaped, that's the front portion of the site where there are some existing shrubs. Alan Cruz, Project Manager, Hennessey Engineers, Inc., 13500 Reeck Road, Southgate, MI 48195, was present to answer any questions Council may have. He said he was there on behalf of United Landscape. He is the design engineer that prepared the plans. The current property is M-1, Light Manufacturing, and it's a permitted use. They went through the right steps. They met with the City Engineer and addressed their concerns with regard to the paved lot and storm drainage. This use is consistent with the Master Plan. Kritzman said this is a good use for this property and is happy to hear they will be making improvements to the property. Vice-President Meakin asked Cruz if there would be storage of salt. Cruz said yes and indicated that it would be Carped. He said it would be seasonally not year round. Vice-President Meakin asked Taormina if there would be any issue with the outside storage of salt. Taormina responded saying he asked the staff in the Inspection Department and was told if it was small amount and was Carped and was only stored outside during the winter months it wouldn't be an issue. Vice-President Meakin asked Cruz what other types of materials would be stored outside. Cruz replied, mulch and other types of landscaping materials like dirt, topsoil, and rocks. He also noted that there would be a slatted privacy fence around the entire yard. It will be completely screened on all sides. Vice-President Meakin asked whether or not there were any environmental issues with the property. 6 John Wernis, United Landscape, 62170 Van Dyke, Washington Twp., Michigan 48094, indicated testing was done and revealed there were some minor concerns relating to materials from the metals that were recycled there previously. However, they are addressing the matter by capping it with asphalt. Toy asked Wernis which businesses surround this location. He replied Guthrie Lumber. She asked if their business was mostly residential or commercial or both. Wernis replied mostly multi-family residential and commercial. He said they have locations within the state of Michigan and added that they are a fairly large Landscaping Contractor. Toy asked if they also provided snowplowing. Wernis replied yes. Kritzman offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 10. WAIVER PETITION: Planning Commission, re: Petition 2015-06-02-12 submitted by Crosswinds Court Sub Inc., requesting approval to develop a Planned Residential Development under the Single Family Clustering option (Arbor Trail Estates) on the north side of Ann Arbor Trail between Wayne Road and Newburgh Road (35652, 35700, 35800 and 35850 Ann Arbor Trail), in the Southeast '/4 of Section 32. Mark Taormina, Director of Planning and Economic Development, presented the request to Council. This is a request to develop a Planned Residential Development and Single Family Cluster called "Arbor Trail Estates." The site of the proposed development is on the north side of Ann Arbor Trail. It's approximately a third of a mile west of Wayne Road. The current zoning is R-U-F and C-1, but the site is in the process of being rezoned to the R-1 Single Family Residential category. First Reading was given by the City Council on June 15. The site consists of four parcels with a combined land area of 5.03 acres and includes 716 feet of frontage on Ann Arbor Trail. Looking to the west is the site of the Parkway Condominiums which is zoned R-7, Multiple Family Residential. Immediately to the east of the subject property are the Arbor Woods Condominiums zoned R-C, Residential Condominiums. To the south across Ann Arbor Trail are residential lots zoned R-1 and R-U-F. Looking to the north is the Middle Rouge Parkway or Edward Hines Park which is zoned PL, Public Lands. Single Family Clustering is a development alternative available in any R-1 thru R- 5 district, subject to special waiver use approval. Single Family Clustering provides flexible design standards as a way of encouraging more efficient use of land as a means of preserving open space, providing single family development on difficult sites, and offering reasonable alternatives to multiple family residential development. This option permits either attached or detached single family dwellings. In order to qualify, the applicant must demonstrate that the land area proposed to be developed contains one or more unique characteristics. The list 7 includes natural assets worth preserving, floodplains, poor soils, being located adjacent to either non-residential or high-density residential land uses, or is a parcel that is small, unusually shaped or contains narrow dimensions that makes conventional land development difficult or impractical. This site qualifies on the basis that the land area proposed to be developed is relatively small, does have frontage on a major thoroughfare, is also adjacent to higher density developments, and is of shallow depth that makes conventional subdivision development impractical. Greater design efficiency is achieved by allowing the lot sizes and yard setbacks to be reduced, provided that the overall density does not exceed that which would normally be allowed for the applicable zoning district, which in this case -the R-1 district- is set at 4.0 units per acre. For the subject site, which is 5.03 acres in overall area, the maximum number of homes that could be achieved is 20 units. The site plan shows a total of 19 single family detached homes in the form of a site condominium. The lots range in size from the lowest at 4,918 square feet, which is Lot 11, to 5,855 square feet which is Lot 17. A majority of the lots are around 5,000 square feet and measure 50 feet in width by 100 feet in depth. There would be a single "L" shaped road called Rouge Bluff Court that would provide access to all 19 lots. The road enters from Ann Arbor Trail at the east end of the property, continues north for a distance of about 140 feet before making a 90 degree turn in a westerly direction. It then runs parallel to Ann Arbor Trail for a distance of approximately 600 feet terminating at the west end of the property in the form of a "T" turn-around. The Engineering Division has reviewed the revised "T" turn-around indicating that it fully complies with their design parameters. The minimum spacing between dwellings in an R-1 cluster is 10 feet and the minimum front yard setback is 25 feet, 40 feet abutting a major thoroughfare. All 19 lots would conform to these minimum yard requirements. In terms of storm water detention, that is shown in the northwest corner of the property in the form of a combined forebay and storage basin with an outlet to an existing storm pipe that drains to the Middle Branch of the Rouge River. Again, it's in the northwest corner of the property adjacent to the road just west of proposed Lot 12. A couple of basins would be created on the surface of the land providing some shallow depressions that would hold the storm water. It would first enter the forebay which is on the right hand side which is separate from the larger detention pond which is on the left hand side. From there, the water would discharge out to an existing pipe that then releases to the Middle Branch of the Rouge River. They would be tying into an existing storm system. The plan shows a 20 foot wide landscape berm along Ann Arbor Trail that would be planted with a variety of both deciduous and coniferous full size trees. These would all be full size trees, including white spruce, white pine, red maple and fir. Along the east side of the property, adjacent to Arbor Woods, the plan shows a landscape greenbelt no less than 40 feet in width between the road and the property line. The greenbelt would be bermed and landscaped, and planted with mostly evergreens intended to shield the new development from the existing homes. Adjacent to the Parkway Condominiums, the greenbelt is approximately 15 feet in width. We do not currently have information pertaining to the homes that would be constructed 8 here, but Mr. Soave, the developer, is present and would be able to respond relative to the types of homes that would be constructed. Toy asked Taormina if this was the old greenhouse site. Taormina replied yes. President Brosnan asked Taormina if the objections of the Public Safety Division still exist or if the new plan addressed those objections. He said the new plan is an improvement addressing those objections. Enrico Soave, 37771 Seven Mile Road, Suite C, Livonia, was present to answer any questions Council may have. He said Mr. Taormina did an excellent job describing their proposed development. He said they are excited about this development and hope to begin construction before the end of this year. Toy asked Soave what size homes would be constructed, specifically, the square footage. Soave replied stating the minimum would be a 1,300 square feet ranch and maximum would be 2,400 square feet colonial / Cape Cod model. Mostly brick construction. Toy commended Soave for taking into the consideration the concerns of the adjacent neighbors and addressing their concerns. Taormina pointed out that the Planning Commission stipulated the minimum house size be at least 1,500 square feet. He said that conflicts with the information Mr. Soave just provided. Soave responded stating their 1,300 square feet model is perfect for retirees and new families that are 3 bedroom homes. He said they fit perfectly on the lot within the building envelope. He said if it's an issue they could further discuss it Taormina said he didn't have an issue with it. He said that was carry over language from a previous developments. He said he recommends that if Council has no objection, that the condition be modified to reflect a minimum size of 1,300 square feet for a house. Toy offered the approving resolution modifying the stipulation of house size minimum of 1,300 square feet for the Regular Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING — MODIFYING REGULAR CONDITION #2 TO REFLECT 1,300 SQ FT MINIMUM FOR HOUSE SIZE 11. SITE PLAN PETITION: Planning Commission, re: Petition 2015-06-08-07, submitted by Acy, L.L.C., in connection with a proposal to remodel the exterior of the commercial shopping center (Ten Yen Plaza) located on the west side of Wayne Road between Joy Road and Ann Arbor Trail (8963-8997 Wayne Road) in the Southwest '/4 of Section 33. Mark Taormina, Director of Planning and Economic Development, presented the request to Council. This is a request to remodel the interior of an existing retail 9 plaza commonly referred to as Ten Yen Plaza. It's on the west side of Wayne Road between Ann Arbor Trail and Joy Road. This site is just under an acre in size and it includes the main parcel that has frontage along Wayne Road and which contains the retail plaza, as well as a back lot which is located kitty corner from the main parcel with frontage on the side street, Joselyn Avenue. That portion of the site provides additional parking for the plaza. It's difficult to see on this site, but 9001 is also property owned in common with the Ten Yen Plaza. The main part of the site is zoned C-2. The back lot is zoned C-1. The multi- tenant one-story retail plaza is about 10,500 square feet in total size and can accommodate up to six leasable tenant spaces. However, the only tenant currently occupying space in the center is Ten Yen restaurant which has been there for some time. The improvements to the site involve a facelift to the shopping center's store front elevation. The current facade includes a combination of brick and glass on the lower part with asphalt shingled mansard roof above. The most significant change will be to cover the mansard roof by adding a dimensional parapet wall along the upper part of the facade along the building's east elevation facing Wayne Road. The new vertical wall elements would extend above the existing roofline and project above a walkway that is in front of the storefronts. It would be constructed out of E.I.F.S. primarily. This would be a painted E.I.F.S. system. It also includes some patterning to help differentiate and provide some interest along the facade of the center. Also you'll see flanking on both ends of the facade are sections of sloped red metal roofing that would extent about four feet above the new parapet wall and there are nine brick columns that would be needed to support the overhang. Those would be evenly spaced along the front of the building. There is some existing panel brick located on the front of the building. That would be removed and replaced with cultured stone. There are a couple different materials that will go into the facelift. The red metal roof on top, the next layer moving down is the painted E.I.F.S. system, then you have a darker brown which is the columns that would be constructed along the front of the overhang. Those would be clad with full face brick. Then in the background is the cultured stone which is actually along the face of the restaurant. The Planning Commission had a lengthy discussion at their Public Hearing on this item with regard to other suggested improvements to the site including some painting on the building, restriping the parking lot, updating the signage, and repairing the dumpster enclosure. The Petitioner has submitted new plans addressing those areas of suggested improvements. The Planning Commission is recommending approval of the proposed site plan. Ryan Schneider, A.J. Design Architect, 2803 Greenlane, Commerce, Michigan 48382, was present to answer any questions Council may have. He did have some samples of the materials and color scheme that will be used. Amanda Wong, 22833 Summer Lane, Novi, owner of Ten Yen Plaza, was present to answer any questions Council may have. 10 Kritzman thanked the owner for her investment in the business and the community. Toy offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT X1. PROPOSED ACQUISITION OF TAX-FORECLOSED PROPERTY: Livonia Housing Commission, re: to acquire five (5) houses (9071 Louise, 15505 Auburndale, 18071 Floral, 15175 Santa Anita, and 8875 Middlebelt) for a total of $33,567.50, which includes estimated closing costs, through the Community Development Block Grant Program. Jim Inglis, Executive Director, Housing, presented the request to Council. Wayne County annually provides the City of Livonia notice and an opportunity to exercise its right of first refusal as to tax-foreclosed properties within the City limits. The 2015 list of such properties has been released and the Housing Commission has requested that the City obtain the above captioned properties The City on July 20, 2015 advised the County of our intent to acquire the properties. The amount required to obtain these five properties is $28,567.60, plus an additional $5,000.00 for estimated closing costs for a total of $33,567.60. The funds for this purchase will come from the City of Livonia to be reimbursed with federal Community Development Block Grant funds administered by the Housing Commission. They are requesting Council approval to acquire these properties. Toy asked Inglis how the public may get more information on purchasing the foreclosed properties on the list. Inglis responded by stating they may go on the Wayne County Department of Treasury website. The list is there and some of the properties have pictures. If they are interested there is a bidding process. They will have to attend a sale. All sales must be paid to the County in cash. Vice-President Meakin offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT X2. REQUEST TO APPROVE PURCHASE: Department of Community Resources, re: of two (2) bi-fuel conversion kits to retro fit two (2) 2015 Ford E-450 cutaway buses from budgeted funds. Felicia Cross, Program Supervisor, Community Resources, presented the request to Council. Funds from the 2015 approved capital outlay budget includes the cost to retro fit two (2) cutaway buses for bi-fuel use by the Department of Community Resources. Arrangements have been made by the Department of Public Service, for ICOM North America to perform the installation at a cost of $15,665. 11 It is the recommendation of the Public Service Division that Council authorize the following purchase from ICOM North America, 54790 Grand River Avenue, New Hudson, MI 48165 for a grand total of$15,665. Vice-President Meakin asked Cross what benefits the City gain by utilizing bi-fuel vehicles. Cross responded by indicating that propane is a greener fuel and is better for the environment. Pastor offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT Pastor stepped down from the podium at 9:00 p.m. to avoid any perceived conflict of interest on the following two (2) items. X3. SITE PLAN PETITION: Planning Commission, re: Petition 2015-07-08-08, submitted by GPS Hospitality, on behalf of Burger King Corporation, in connection with a proposal to remodel the exterior of the existing restaurant located on the east side of Middlebelt Road between Five Mile Road and Roycroft Avenue (15378 Middlebelt Road) in the Southwest '/4 of Section 13. Mark Taormina, Director of Planning and Economic Development, presented the request to Council. This is a request to remodel an existing restaurant located on the east side of Middlebelt Road between Five Mile Road and Roycroft Avenue. The property is roughly .88 acre in area. It includes 140 feet of frontage along Middlebelt Road and has a parcel depth of 272 feet. The zoning of the property is C-2, General Business. This restaurant basically exhibits a blue mansard metal roof, which is typical of the Burger King image that was created a few years back. The proposed reimaging would involve removal of most of the mansard roof and in its place would be new parapet walls that would extend a little higher above the roofline than the existing mansard roof. That would be constructed out of a combination of E.I.F.S., which is the tan color on these renderings, as well as what is called Arcon which is a prefinished metal panel. Those are the darker elements. You can see those on the three or four tower structures. There's one silver finish that's actually the existing standing seam metal roof, part of the mansard that would be repainted. Most of that would be either covered up or removed. The tower elements are constructed out of a metal finished wall system that would be on three sides of the building and would accent the main entrance on the right side elevation, as well as the drive-up windows on the left side elevation. Suspended canopies would be installed over the windows and the entrances. The existing brick and E.I.F.S. on the building, as well as any mansard roof that is not removed, would be repainted to match the color schemes of the remodel. The red finish would be a reinforced E.I.F.S. system. The darker brown along the base of the building, most of that is existing brick that would be repainted. The tan colors are either brick that is being painted or new E.I.F.S. being installed. Some of the accent treatments include the suspended 12 canopies. This building would normally be allowed one wall sign not to exceed 30 square feet. The current restaurant has two wall signs, one is on the front elevation and the other is on the south side of the building. Those two signs were approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals in 1984. Initially their plans showed a total of five wall signs that include four circular Burger King Logo signs and one "Home of the Whopper" sign, which would be on the south elevation. At the suggestion of the Planning Commission, they removed the one sign above the drive-thru window. In addition, there is a note on the plan that indicates that a new red LED lightband assembly would be installed that runs along next to the coping along a portion of the top of the building. No dimensions were given for the signage, but it is excessive compared to what currently exists and will require additional variances from the Zoning Board of Appeals should this move forward. Toy asked Taormina if the proposed signage was within the scope of things. Taormina showed a picture of the current signage at the location. Tom Davis, GPS Hospitality/Burger King, 5500 Interstate N. Parkway, Atlanta, Georgia 30328, was present to answer any questions Council may have. He also brought some sample materials Vice-President Meakin offered the approving resolution for the Regular Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING REGULAR X4. SITE PLAN PETITION: Planning Commission, re: Petition 2015-07-08-09, submitted by GPS Hospitality, on behalf of Burger King Corporation, in connection with a proposal to remodel the exterior of the existing restaurant located on the south side of Seven Mile Road between Middlebelt Road and Maplewood Avenue (29211 Seven Mile Road) in the Northwest '/4 of Section 12. Mark Taormina, Director of Planning and Economic Development, presented the request to Council. This petition is very similar to the previous petition. This Burger King is located on Seven Mile Road just east of Middlebelt Road. The property is a little larger; it's 1.39 acres with 217 feet of frontage on Seven Mile Road with a depth of 240 feet. At first glance, you'll notice that the architecture of this building is similar to the one on Middlebelt Road. The building's appearance is dominated by the blue mansard roof. However, instead of brick and E.I.F.S., the exterior walls consist mainly of a gray colored scored block. In similar fashion, the makeover will involve removing the mansard roof and installing new parapet walls and tower components using the same materials, E.I.F.S. and metal panels, called Arcon, as well using all the same accent treatments. The existing block veneer of the building would be painted to match the color scheme of the remodel. This Burger King is allowed one sign at 42 square feet, but in 2006 the owner of the building at that time, King Venture Development, was granted permission by the Zoning Board of Appeals to have two identification wall signs, as well as a continuous red parapet lightband 128 feet in length. 13 As you can see, the elevation plan shows four signs including three of the button signs as well as the one "Home of the Whopper" sign similar to the petition we just noted. In addition, a note on the plan does indicate that there will be a new LED Iightband assembly running next to the coping on the top portion of the building. This additional signage will require approval by the Zoning Board of Appeals. Tom Davis, GPS Hospitality/Burger King, 5500 Interstate N. Parkway, Atlanta, Georgia 30328, was present to answer any questions Council may have. He said it is very similar to the previous item, they will be utilizing the same type of materials. Kritzman stated the big difference between the two restaurants, this one and the previous item, is the block construction on this one. Kritzman asked if they had considered using brick, at least in the front of the building. Davis said they had not discussed it. Kritzman said the block does go all the way around the building so it may be burdensome to ask them to replace it He said he's struggling with supporting this item because he does not like block at all. President Brosnan pointed out that Mr. Taormina did indicate the building was about 10 years or less. She asked Kritzman if his concern was durability. Kritzman replied no; strictly aesthetic. Toy offered the approving resolution for the Regular Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING REGULAR X5. SITE PLAN PETITION: Planning Commission, re: Petition 2015-07-08-10, submitted by Schostak Brothers & Company, Inc., in connection with a proposal to construct a high-rise office building within College Park located on the east side of Haggerty Road between Six Mile and Seven Mile Roads (17450 College Parkway) in the Southwest '/4 of Section 7. Mark Taormina, Director of Planning and Economic Development, presented the request to Council. This is a request to construct a three-story corporate office building on property that is owned by Schoolcraft College. The site of the new office is in the southeast corner of the campus and was previously described as Unit 14 of College Park Condominiums. This property is roughly 12 acres in total area and has 463 feet of frontage on the 1-275/1-96 expressway. The zoning is PO, High Rise Professional Office. The combined floor area of all three stories of this building would be 75,890 square feet. The site plan shows the layout and where the footprint is in relation to the parking and circulation. The light gray coloring reflects new pavement. The darker shade of gray is the existing parking lot for the TCF regional bank building which is not shown on this drawing but is just to the south of the proposed office next to the expressway. The majority of the office space will be in the form of open offices. This will be in areas that flank both the east and the west sides of the building's central core. The rendering 14 shows how the building would be arranged from basically east to west. The main parts of the office are on either side of the glass atrium which is basically three stories of open glass extending from the first floor lobby all the way up to the ceiling, which is about 57 feet in overall height. The top drawing on the plan shows the building as viewed from the south and appears mostly as a two story structure. Because of the significant difference in elevation on the property, on the opposite side of the building, the north side, which is the bottom rendering, all three floors of the building will be fully exposed. Going back to the site plan, the access to the site will be available from two directions - from the south via the existing road system that is provided through College Park and then eventually from the north via the existing road system provided through Schoolcraft College. That road presently does not exist but the master plan for Schoolcraft College does have that ring road continuing further to the south where it would connect to this driveway and College Park, as well as provide another outlet to a signalized intersection from the south parking lot where a new driveway and road access will be created. Circulation will also be provided completely around the building with parking on the south, north and west sides. Pedestrian walkways are shown leading from these parking areas to entry points on all four sides of the building. In terms of parking, it's based on a ratio for general office space of one parking space for every 200 square feet of useable floor area. Based on the size of this building, no less than 304 parking spaces are needed to satisfy the ordinance. Typically, our parking spaces are required to be at least 10 feet in width. However, there is a special provision that exists for general office buildings that are over 15,000 square feet in size that allows up to 90 percent of the required parking can be striped at 9 feet in width. In this case, the plan shows a total of 304 spaces including 221 that would be 9 feet in width. That constitutes 73 percent of the overall parking. The remaining 83 spaces are all shown at 10 feet in width of which there are 11 ADA accessible spaces. The 10 foot wide spaces are all closest to the building. In terms of storm water drainage, there is existing basins located both at College Park and Schoolcraft College that should be sufficient available capacity to handle the additional runoff from this development. So all the site drainage will be directed to these existing storm water detention ponds. There is a service area located at the northeast corner of the building adjacent to the service drive. This area includes the masonry trash enclosure as well as a recessed loading dock and the transformer and generator pads. The service drive wraps all the way around the building and it forms a link between the parking areas on the north and south sides of the building. In terms of parking lot lighting, there would be light standards that would be LED illumination and those would vary in height from 12 feet to 25 feet. Typically, we like to see the light poles at 20 feet, but given the location of this development and the size, we do allow a little bit taller poles in these particular cases. The submittal does include a fully detailed landscape plan in which the area of green space equals about 59 percent of the total site, which is well above our 15 percent minimum requirement. The plan shows 127 trees total including 82 deciduous trees and 45 evergreens. The proposed building would be constructed out of a combination of brick and aluminum composite panels. The architect is here and he will be able 15 to give you a full rundown of the materials. The brick would cover most of the first floor of the building, while the aluminum composite metal panel material would be used on the upper floors. The cast stone panels accent the building's roofline as well as the corners and the entrances. As I mentioned previously, the overall height of this building would be 57 feet at its highest point. Vice-President Meakin asked Taormina to show the traffic flow pattern. Taormina displayed a site plan and explained the traffic flow pattern David Johns, Schostak Brothers & Company, Inc., 17800 Laurel Park Drive N., Suite 200C, Livonia, Michigan 48152, was present to answer any questions Council may have. He also had with him Dave Richardson. He said he was very excited to be bringing this building to the City of Livonia. This project is one that Schostak Brothers and Schoolcraft College are very excited about. They've been working together to bring this deal about. This will be the new headquarters for Masco Corporation. It will create approximately 215 jobs here in Livonia. They would like to begin construction this fall and hope to take occupancy in late 2016. Toy asked Johns how many stories the building would be. Johns replied it will be a three-story building. Toy said she is excited about this project coming here to Livonia. Kritzman was very pleased with the proposed project. He said it is a very attractive design. The elevations are very appropriate for that location. Kritzman offered the approving resolution for the Regular Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING REGULAR Pastor returned to the podium at 9:21 p.m. AUDIENCE COMMUNICATION: None. As there were no further questions or comments, President Brosnan adjourned the Study Session at 9:22 p.m. on Wednesday, August 5, 2015. DATED: August 13, 2015 SUSAN A. HOFF CITY CLERK