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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRDA MINUTES 1999-10-21 Cie MINUTES OF THE 101ST REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLYMOUTH ROAD DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF LIVONIA The 101st Regular Meeting of the Plymouth Road Development Authority of the City of Livonia, Michigan was called to order at 3:40 p.m., Thursday, October 21, 1999 In the 4th Floor Conference Room of City Hall. Members Present: Mayor Jack E. Kirksey Mr. Raby, Vice Chairman Mr. Stan Anderson Mr. Scott Grace Mr. Lowell Peterson Mr.Bill Pike Mr. Rod Crider Members Absent: Mr. Michael Polsinelli,Chairman Mr. Dennis Kujawa Mr. Duane Wolfgang Mr. Jerry Wordhouse Mr. Marvin Walkon Ms. Toni Mette Others Present : Mr. John J.Nagy,Director,P.R.D.A. Mr.Paul Condon,Kellerin Equipment Sales,Inc. Mr. Harry Silwicki,Toter,Incorporated Mr.Jeff Carless,JELIK,Inc. (Midas) Ms. Susan Annibal, Secretary 1. Roll was called. 2. Adoption of the October 7, 1999 Minutes: On a motion duly made, seconded and unanimously adopted, it was #99-53 RESOLVED that the Minutes of the 99th Regular Meeting held by the Plymouth Road Development Authority on October 7, 1999 are approved. Mr. Raby, Vice Chairman, declared the motion is carried and the foregoing resolution adopted. 3. Comments from Chairman: In Mike Polsinelli's absence and per his request, Mr. Raby asked members to voice their interest in the positions of Chairman and Vice Chairman; election of officers for the forthcoming election be held in December. 4. Kellerin Equipment Sales: Paul Condon, of Kellerin Equipment Sales, providers of material handling equipment, was accompanied by Harry Silwicki of Toter Incorporated and approached the Board with a presentation of several sizes of industrial trash containers to potentially be (ihre incorporated in the City's trash collection at places throughout the City in conjunction with the multi-phased improvement of Plymouth Road and elsewhere. Of polyethelene construction, the units came in 45, 60 and 80 gallon sizes and in three colors with a two-year warranty on workmanship. A unique feature of these products was an internal bag strap for ease of manual 1 (11,' removal of refuse, although the major purpose for the products was in conjunction with automated pick-up. The units were easily cleaned with (Armorall), and modestly prices at $270.00 for the 45-gallon unit and raging in price from $240.00 to $310.00 for the 60-gallon unit. Having submitted an informational hand-out and physically demonstrating the features of three trash containers brought before the Board, it was agreed that Mr. Condon wouldfollow up the presentation through further communication. 5. Beckett & Raeder— Construction Report: Irrigation was discussed with regard to Phase III and the street lighting project(west of Middlebelt). Jacobs was putting light poles and had gone back and had fixed a couple of unenergized poles. There had been a problem trying to keep cars from hitting the pole(s). Some lights had been put in without the curb work being done. Because of the phasing nature of the project with respect to irrigation, we'd go back and do more later. We'll go back there and put in sidewalk where needed. Everything in Phase III will be done. Landscaping and irrigation would be done at Plymouth and Ann Arbor Trail in Phases IV and V. Phase IV would include Plymouth and Middlebelt to Plymouth and Farmington. It was hoped to see the intersections done in Spring of 2000. The Wards area was a Winter-long project including the corner and everything involved;we already have the easement. BRI was waiting to hear from MDOT regarding proposed bus shelters. The landscaping component had not yet been approved by MDOT and was not part of Phase III,but would be addressed in Phase V and would include landscaping from Middlebelt to the "Y". Minimal landscaping would be done at the Shelden Center, and the Kmart and Target areas would be done in Phase V. Documentation,of the materials planned to be implemented would be provided to the Board. An update was expected soon on the whole project. In the interim, Board members could call the Edison 800 number in regard to that portion of the project. Jacobs had been working with controls in half- mile sections. The Mayor had noticed that at the Peregrine site on Plymouth Road a fair number of evergreen trees had not survived, which would be replaced next year in the Spring. Meanwhile, the Mayor thought it a good idea for the unsightly dead trees to be removed. The lights which were in looked very nice, although one strip of lights were out. Jacobs would take a look at the problem. Thinning existing trees was discussed, to allow optimum aesthetics of the trees now being planted, especially in front of the library. With regard to the Peregrine property, granted it would look like a factory, although somewhat shielded when proposed evergreen trees were planted in front of an existing fence. There were more trees in front of the property Mr. Anderson asked that possibly more evergreens be planted in that location all the way to the corner, emphasizing the shielding of the factory building by planting pine trees. The Peregrine owners, Ashley Capital,were going to the ZBA for additional parking on the East side of the property. It was expected in the near future to learn of a new occupant for the 500,000 square feet there, as well as laying all new sod there. It would be a massive infusion of dollars. A greenbelt would enhance the appearance of the property. The Mayor assured that some major changes were going to take place there. 6. MIDAS — Jeff Carless, JELIK, Inc.: Priorto,going before the ZBA Mr. Carless is a new franchisee has come before the Board at Mr. Nagy''s suggestion for a recommendation (support and approval) of the new signage proposed for the MIDAS location at 30481 Plymouth prior to going before the ZBA. A color rendering of the new sign was provided, as well as the change from the wording on the sign from "Mufflers/Brakes" to "Auto Service Experts". Proposed signage did not meet Sign Ordinance requirements. Although downsizing the signage area, the Ordinance allowed for only one wall sign. Signage was proposed on the Plymouth Road side Cand additionally on the side of the building, necessitating a Zoning Board variance. Constructed // of vinyl and drive-it type material, As to the height of the monument signage, the petitioner would consider a 6 foot high sign, as long as it was visible above cars parked in the parking lot. 2 thr,, There was a shared parking lot.,which was repaved and restriped. The Mayor complimented the petitioner on the signage graphics . On a motion by Mr. Pike, seconded by Mr. Anderson, and unanimously approved, it was #99-54 RESOLVED, that the Plymouth Road Development Authority unanimously supports in concept the building façade and signage plan for the Midas Auto Service store located at 30481 Plymouth Road, as prepared by Huron Sign Co. dated 8-19-99, Job # 905, and as may be modified by the Zoning Board of Appeals. Mr. Raby, Vice Chairman, declared the motion is carried and the foregoing resolution adopted. 7. Financial Statements — Construction Fund and Special Revenue Fund: Respective statements for September 30, 1999 were received and filed for the information of the Board. A communication of explanation from Mike Slater in answer to questions asked at the last meeting related payments made for reimbursement of damages at the Crestwood Lounge and The Magic Pan Restaurant, i.e., $1,625.00 to the Crestwood Lounge, and $565.82 for sign repair at the Restaurant. 8. Reports from Committees: Public Relations: An updated mailing list for the Plymouth Road Development District was expected from the Assessor's Office. Fisher Creative Services was working on the new newsletter including info on the new banners to be used for the different seasons, as well as many of the improvements that have been made on the Corridor. Hopefully, this issue would be out by parade time. An overage of 10% in distribution was automatically planned; perhaps additional issues could be handed out at the Holiday Parade. The question was raised as to who does the street sweeping after the parade and the fact that clean up could be considerable if Newsletters were distributed. Vacant Buildings: An update on vacant buildings was provided by Mr. Grace. Not included was the John Pastor Building. Cockrum's Market was not listed either; it was not being considered for sale by Mr. Cockrum. Construction Committee: In brief, banners were going up. The lights looked great. Development Assistance Committee: Wards is going ahead with their upgrade. 8. Director's Report: Mr. Nagy had received a letter from Norman Ankers of Miller, Honigman, Schwartz and Cohn indicating that he represented Lena and Delmar Cockrum and stating that they were induced to execute the easement agreement of May 3, 1999 relating to their property and that the sole purpose for securing the easement would be to "construct a sidewalk. and three driveway ingresses." In addition to constructing the sidewalk and the driveway ingresses, the Authority also placed curbing on the Cockrum's property the effect of which substantially hampered parking access of customers to the market and therefore to deprive the Cockrums of a substantial amount of their business. Mr. Ankers went on to say if he did not hear from Mr. Nagy by the close of business on Friday, October 8, 1999,he was instructed by the Cockrums "to pursue all available legal remedies against the Authority." A response was submitted on October 18th. Remarks were added on the Holiday Parade and that plans were coming along nicely. The 3 r next meeting of the Parade Committee will be October 28th at Wonderland Mall. The next meeting of the Plymouth Road Development Authority would be held at the Body Rocks & Racquet facility at 36600 Plymouth Road on the north side of Plymouth Road west of the Levan intersection. 9. Polling of Board Members: Mr. Crider requested the Authority's assistance in finding a building for the Chamber of Commerce on Plymouth Road via the establishment of a committee for financial assistance either through a grant or a loan. Steve Schafer has offered them space to be used by the Livonia Symphony, Greenmead and others,which would be a stand-alone building. Mr.Nagy interjected that there had been a change in the plans for the Phoenix Land Development project at Plymouth and Farmington Roads due to the wetlands being set aside; the change was really in the residential area of the property. The number of units had been reduced from 230-240 down to 150 at $160,000 to $180,000 per condo (although some were thought to be in the $130,000 range). They hoped to create some foot trails and paths around the wetlands with perhaps a gazebo. If anyone on the Board wants to work with Mr. Crider on the concept, they could sit in on any of those Phoenix Land Development meetings. Mr. Pike was very concerned about getting the Chamber of Commerce on Plymouth Road. This request for help by the Chamber of Commerce was referred to the Development Assistance Committee. The Authority was interested in helping the Chamber in finding a location — not just financially but in the construction of the building as well. There was a model in Howell providing facilities with rooms for business meetings. A request was made that Mr. Crider provide a summary to Mr. (Irr' Nagy, who, in turn,would provide it to the Development Assistance Committee. Mr. Grace questioned if Cockrum's had any right of way there? Mr. Nagy advised there was 33 feet of right-of-way, and P.R.D.A. secured an easement for an additional 27 feet. P.R.D.A. actually does not get deed to the property,just an easement. The curbing crosses the easement. The light pole bases are in our easement area in the 27 foot easement area. Mr. Cockrum wasn't complaining about the light poles. He wanted to have parking in that area, but that just couldn't be approved to have vehicle access crossing the public sidewalk. Basically, we are saying that we'll replace the new curbing in back of the sidewalk flush with the sidewalk. The curb is now 2.5 feet from the sidewalk almost like Tennyson Chevrolet used to have. It was a matter of compromise. 10. Adjournment: On a motion duly made, seconded and unanimously adopted, the 101st Regular Meeting held by the Plymouth Road Development Authority on October 21, 1999 was adjourned at 4:30 p.m. The next meeting of the Plymouth Road Development Authority will be held on November 4, 1999 off-site at the Body Rocks facility at 36600 Plymouth Road. Susan Annibal, Secretary 4