HomeMy WebLinkAboutPLANNING MINUTES 1951-06-06 MINUTES OF TEE SIXTEENTH SPECIAL 1.85
MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
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The sixteenth special meeting of the Planning Commission and the joint meeting
with the City Council were held on June 6, 1951 at 33110 Five Mile Road,
Livonia, Michigan.
Members present: George Bentley Dallas Hay Robert Maclntyre
Helen Byers Harold Bower Walter Russell
Edwin Conway Clarence Jahn
Members absent: Carson Johnston
Mayor Jesse Ziegler, Wm Brashear, City Attorney; Donald Wilson, City Building 1
Inspector; Herald Hamil, City Engineer and MMalcolm Waring, Planning Consultant,
were also present.
City Council Nettie Carey Jack Whitehead. Harvey Jahn
Members present: W. W. Edgar Raymond Grimm Harry Wolfe
Wm Taylor
Chairman Bentley called the meeting to order at approximately 8:10 PM and pre-
sented each person in attendance with a copy of the rough draft of "Regulations
Governing the Subdivision Of Land Within The City Of Livonia Providing For
Enforcement Thereof And Providing Penalties For Violation Thereof", and then
explained to the group that the Planning Commission was of the opinion that
it would be beneficial for both groups to read through these regulations and
ask questions or discuss anything that might come up as a result of this joint
discussion. Mr. Bentley then asked Mr. Brashear to read aloud the above-
mentioned regulations.
IL To begin with, Mr. Brashear briefly pointed out that these regulations govern-
ing subdivision of land were necessary at this time as the old township laws
were no longer adequate after Livonia became a city. (Livonia has been fol-
lowing the Wayne County rules.) He also very definitely stated that when
these regulations are adopted, all new plats must be approved by the City
Council and the Planning Commission unanimously before the new plats can be
recorded. The City Council has 30 days in which to approve or disapprove a
new plat, and the Planning Commission has 60 days in which to make a decision.
Mr. Brashear suggested that the Planning Commission and the City Council work
out some suitable means of approving plats. For example, the Planning Com-
mission may specify the type of improvements, layout of lots, design and
determine what improvements are needed; the City Council could then determine
the cost of said improvements, the amount of bonds to be fixed, etc. Those
provisions, however, were purposely omitted from these regulations due to the
City Council's duties involved.
The subdivision regulations must be set for public hearing before the Planning
Commission and notice of public hearing should be sent to public utilities
companies. After the public hearing, the Planning Commission has a right to
adopt the regulations, and they will become an important part of the master
plan of Livonia.
Messrs. Harry Wolfe and Harvey Jahn said that they would like to have several
I[: hours, at least, to study this proposed set of regulations. Mr. Grimm in-
quired, "Inasmuch as the Council is the only legislative body with the power
to pass an ordinance, where does the Council stand on Section 1.07 in these
regulations, entitled, 'Zoning Ordinance'?" Mr. Brashear explained that this
is merely a definition of zoning ordinance.
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Mayor Ziegler said that he considered it very important and necessary that the 6
Pinning Commission and the City Council be in accord with the regulations. He
suggested that both groups proceed to go over the proposed regulations at this
time, and afterwards set up a rule whereby the City Council and the Planning
Commission have certain jurisdictions.
At this point (before the reading of the proposed regulations) the Chair an-
nounced that the entire group would hear Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Kaley of 8999
Middlebelt Road, who appeared at the meeting to present their question. Mr.
Kaley asked if it were possible to have an alley closed between Middlebelt &
Fremont. The alley just north of Joy Road (alley lies north and south) and
runs straight through from Dover to Joy Road and is approximately a block long.
Mr. Bentley advised Mr. Kaley that he would have to submit a petition to be
brought up at public hearing on closing an alley. Mr. Bentley also advised
Mr. Kaley that due to the fact that there are places of business operating in
that immediate vicinity, he doubted very much if a petition would be worth
his time. Mr. Waring added that the policy that has been worked out in Detroit
where business establishments operate, enough space is required in an alley to
load and unload vehicles off the street. Mr. Bentley advised Mr. and Mrs.
Kaley that the matter would be investigated by Mr. MacIntyre of the Planning
Commission and a report would be given on same.
The Chair then asked Mr. Brashear to proceed with the reading of the proposed
regulations:
Section 3.04 (Record of Final Plat) (a) Mr. Hamil said according to the pre-
sent laws, restrictions cannot be shown on plat. The Board of Auditors check
ownership on each plat submitted. Mr. }Tamil also questioned the fact that the
public hearing be held on the plat in its final form; why not have the public
hearing on the preliminary plat.
Mr. Bentley asked the Council members to consider the regulations and advise
their thoughts on same at a future joint meeting. The Council left the meeting
at 9:55 PM, and recess was called for five minutes.
At 10 PM the meeting was Again called to order. Upon a motion made by Harold
Bower, seconded by Edwin Conway and unanimously carried, it was
RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the last meeting.
The Master Plan Committee reported that their meeting with Mr. McGivern netted
practically nothing, as the outcome is still unknown. A discussion followed
regarding what course of action should be taken to try and wind up this land
acquisition for the Civic Center. It was decided to visit the owner, Mr.
Petersime, and upon a motion duly made by Clarence Jahn, seconded by Harold
Bower and unanimously carried, it was
RESOLVED, that a committee of four: Mayor Ziegler, Harold
Bawer, Wm Brashear and Clarence Jahn, travel to Gettysburg,
Ohio to talk with Mr. Petersime r:carding the property pro-
posed for the Civic Center. The date of the trip will be
decided by the committee and pending an appointment with Mr.
Petersime.
I[] Miss Byers then read a letter dated May 31st from Waring and Johnson regarding
the cost involved on behalf of Mr. Waring in assisting Mr. Brashear to rewrite
the Zoning Ordinance for Livonia. Approximately $450. would cover the cost
of bringing same up-to-date.
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Mayor Ziegler advised the Planning Commission that the City Council will ap-
propriate the funds to cover the cost involved to rewrite the zoning ordinance.
It will be presented for public hearing and a recommendation will be made to
the City Council. F
Upon a motion made by Mr. Bower, seconded by Mr. Conway and carried unani-
mously, it was
RESOLVED, to hereby authorize Mr. Waring of Waring and Johnson, s'
to assist Mr. Brashear, City Attorney, in the preparation of the
new zoning ordinance; and it was
FUR'THE ? RESOLVED, that the secretary write a letter to the City
Council asking for a special appropriation to cover the cost of
same.
Miss Byers read another letter from Waring and Johnson dated June 5th, re-
garding a proposed survey of Livonia at a cost ranging from $1,750. to
$2,000. as the original survey of Livonia is out of date.
Mr. Waring suggested that it be started immediately if possible as college
students out of school for the summer months would be a great help in com-
pleting the job and thereby hold the cost to a minimum.
Upon a motion made by Clarence Jahn, seconded by Dallas Hay and carried
unanimously, it was
RESOLVED, to refer Waring and Johnson's letter to the City Council
accompanied by a letter of transmittal for special appropriation.
Messrs. Waring and Bentley will attend the City Council meeting
of June 25, to explain the many uses for an up-to-date survey of
Livonia.
Following a discussion regarding the acquisition of land, a motion was duly
made by Clarence Jahn, seconded by Edwin Conway and unanimously carried,
it was
RESOLVED, that the secretary notify the following by letter:
1. Board Of Education 2. Parks and Recreation Commission and
3. City Council - requesting them to submit in writing to the
Planning Commission any planning or selection of future sites.
Miss Byers read a letter dated May, 29, 1951 from the Wayne County Road
Commission regarding West Chicago. (This letter was addressed to Don
Wilson and a carbon copy was sent to the Planning Commission.)
A statement was submitted from Waring and Johnson dated June 1, 1951 in
the amount of $50. for retainer's fee for the month of May. Upon a motion
duly made by Edwin Conway, seconded by Dallas Hay and unanimously carried,
it was
RESOLVED, to forward Waring & Johnson's statement to the City
Council for payment.
Petition #27A David and Sarah Newman - was read by the Chairman and
Petition #31 - Closing of alleys in new Detroit subdivision. (Miss Byer's
copy of Petition #31 was turned over to Mr. Waring to draw a sketch of same.)
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Upon a motion duly made by Clarence Jahn, seconded by Harold Bower and
unanimously carried, it was
RESOLVED, to instruct City Attorney, Wm Brashear, to prepare
Petitions #27A and #31 for a public hearing to be held July
11, 1951.
A suggestion was made to levy a charge on petitions, in order to minimize
the number of times a petition is submitted.
The next regular meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 27, 1951.
Upon a motion made by Robert Maclntyre, seconded by Harold Bower and unani-
mously carried, it was
RESOLVED, that this meeting be adjourned.
The Chairman thereupon declared meeting adjourned at approximately 11:30 PM.
AP / :,/ 69.44(g _
Helen E. Byers, Secrev. y
ATTESTED:
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George N. B ntley, Chairman