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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPLANNING MINUTES 1952-03-26 187 MINUTES OF THE TWENTIETH REGIILAR MEETING OF THE CITY PLANNING COMMISSION The twentieth regular meeting of the Planning Commission was held on Wednesday, March 26, 1952 at the City Court House on Seven Mile near Farmington Road. Chairman Bentley called the meeting to order at approximately 8 PM. Members present: George Bentley Dallas Hay Robert Maclntyre Helen Byers Clarence Jahn Walter Russell Members absent: Harold Bower Edwin Conway Also present were Mr. Wm Brashear, City Attorney, and Mr. Malcolm Waring, Planning Consultant. A correction was made in the third resolution of the Minutes of the Nineteenth Regular Meeting held on February 27, 1952. The word, "withdraw" should be changed to"rescind" to read as follows: RESOLVED, to rescind the motion made at the public hearing, "to table petition #46, Albert Acton, etc." Chairman Bentley asked Miss Byers to read the Minutes of the Fourth Meeting of the Joint Study Committee for the Schools, Parks and Recreation Commission held on March 15, 1952, in which a motion was made and supported unanimously that the following approval be sent to the Planning Commission: "That the following properties be set aside for public use (park and playgrounds) located in the City of Livonia; Section #1 - 15.08 acres more or less at the Clarenceville Grade School, Pembrook at Lathers; a site - 5.67 acres more or less at Vassar and St. Francis School; a site - 6.78 acres more or less at Middlebelt Road and Morlock Streets; also a site - 8.61 acres more or less at west side of Parkville Ave. adjacent to Clarenceville High School as per attached legal descriptions from Herald Hamill, City Engineer. The following resolution was made and supported: RESOLVED, that the joint parks and school committee forward a communi- cation to the City of Livonia Planning Commission to investigate for future planning and zoning; that we may not encounter some of the difficulties of other municipalities when they acquire land for parks and school sites; that they purchase or condemn it for public pur- poses only. This would not tie the property down specifically for parks or schools and at some later date if conditions should noticeably • change, they would be in a position to sell or exchange the excess property. This way it would not legally designate the property specifically. Then an amendment to the above resolution was offered and supported and carried unanimously, it was RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be sent to Mr. Brashear, City Attorney, City of Livonia, asking him to render an opinion on the legality of the above motion and also to the flexibility of acquiring land for public purposes so that it may be resold at a future date if conditions warranted and that his opinion be forwarded to the next meeting of the City of Livonia Planning Commission." 189 Following a short discussion regarding the above, a motion was duly made by Dallas Hay, seconded by Clarence Jahn, and it was RESOLVED, to table the matter regarding acquisition of school sites until the next meeting of the Planning Commission to enable Mr. Brashear to consider same. A roll call vote was taken on the foregoing with the following results: AYES: Ray, Jahn, Russell, Maclntyre, Bentley and Byers NAYS: None Next, Miss Byers read a letter from Mr. H. E. Wolfe, dated March 26, 1952 ad- dressed to the City Council and the Planning Commission containing a description of property as follows: Lots #108 to 111, inclusive, and Lots #124 and the north one-half of Lot #125, Livonia Gardens Subdivision, and requesting that the above described property be changed from an Br-1-B classification to a greenbelt parking classification, or to any classification the City Council or Planning Commission may set up and will permit the use of the property for the parking of automobiles. This change to be made in the petition that was previously sub- mitted requesting the zoning to be changed from P.-1-B to C-2. Miss Byers then read a letter from R. G. Otto, Secretary, Livonia Gardens Subdv. Civic Association, dated March 26, 1952 stating that the Association is agreeable to a change in zoning from residential to parking for those lots owned by H.E. Wolfe, et al, facing Arden and Merriman and adjacent to those lots facing Five Mile Road, with provisions that the green strip be at least ten feet and shall separate the parking area from the adjacent residences and that such a green strip shall be adequately maintained throughout the year by the owners of the parking lot or lots and that adequate provision shall be made for supervision of garbage, pest and vermin control. The letter also requested a copy of the new zoning laws as soon as they are available. Mr. Otto was recognized by the Chair and he asked if the Civic Association could obtain a copy of the zoning laws to study same at the next meeting to be held the second Wednesday in April by the Livonia Gardens Civic Assn. Chairman Bentley advised Mr. Otto that the portion of the zoning laws that pertained to parking would be obtained from Mr. Waxing and turned over to Mr. Otto as quickly as possible. Upon a motion duly made by Dallas Hay, seconded by Clarence Jahn, it was RESOLVED, that Mr. Waring be instructed to incorporate in the new zoning map a parking district to be known as P-1 under the proposed new zoning ordinance comprising Lots 108 to 111. inclusive, of Livonia Gardens Subdivision of the East 1/2 of the Northeast 1/4 of Section 22, Town 1 South, Range 9 East, City of Livonia, Wayne County, Michigan, having a frontage on Merriman Road of 95 feet; and that they are likewise the owners of Lot #124 and the North 1/2 of Lot #125, of said subdivision, having a frontage on Arden Avenue of 75 feet. A roll call vote was taken on the foregoing with the following results; AYES: Hay, Jahn, Russell, Maclntyre, Bentley and Byers NAYS: None 191 Upon a motion duly made by Dallas Hay and seconded by Clarence Jahn, it was RESOLVED, to table Petition #51, H. E. Wolfe, et al, until the next regular meeting of the Planning Commission to be held the last Wednesday in April. A roll call vote on the foregoing resolution resulted in the following: AYES: Hay, Jahn, Russell, Maclntyre, Bentley and Byers. NAYS: None There was a discussion on Petition #52, Sheldon Land Company. A motion was made by Robert Maclntyre, seconded by Dalls Hay, and it was RESOLVED, to instruct Mr. Waring to incorporate in the new zoning map certain rezoning of land at the southeast corner of Farmington and Plymouth Roads. As a result of a discussion immediately following the above, Mr. Maclntyre and Mr. Hay withdrew the motion and second, as it was decided that the public might misinterpret the suggest change. A. motion was duly made by Dallas Hay, seconded by Clarence Jahn, and it was RESOLVED, to refer Petition #52, Sheldon Land Company, to Mr. Brashear for preparation for a public hearing to be held on April 23, 1952. A roll call vote on the foregoing resolution resulted in the following: AXES: Hay, Jahn, Russell, Maclntyre, Bentley and Byers NAYS: None Next, Miss Byers read a letter from the City Clerk dated February 20, 1952 re- ferring Petition #45, E. H. Dill, back to the Planning Commission. It is the opinion of the Council, the letter stated, that an extra 20 feet should be dedicated off Farmington Road across from the property described in the above- mentioned Petition #45. Then, a copy of the letter dated March 7, 1952 sent to Mr. Louis Savage by Mr. Brashear, was read, regarding the question as to how the dedication could be made. Mr. Brashear advised that Qnit-Claim Deeds should be given to the Wayne County Board of Bold Commissioners. Also it was mentioned in the letter that the proposed buildings will be set back from Farmington Road at a greater distance than is shown on the proposed plan prepared by Mr. Agree. Mr. Brashear'a letter to Mr. Savage dated March 19th was then read, pertaining to the conditions that will necessarily be observed by the Sheldon Land Company for approval by the City Council and the Planning Commission. Upon a motion duly made by Dallas Hay and seconded by Robert Maclntyre, it was RESOLVED, to table Petition #45, E. H. Dill, until the next regular meeting of the Planning Commission to be held on 4/30/52. A roll call vote on the foregoing resolution resulted in the following: AYES: Hay, Jahn, Russell, Maclntyre, Bentley and Byers NAYS: None 193 The Chair called on Mr. Walter Pachota of the Best Block Company who inquired about the zoning of his property. He was advised that a letter was forth- coming and any questions regarding same could be referred to the City Attorney. Miss Byers read a letter dated March 10, 1952, addressed to the Planning Com- mission from H. E. Downing, Chief Underwriter, Feder Housing Administration, re: Proposed 203 Subdivision W. Chicago and Harrison Road (Greenette Subdivision Edwin M. Orr). The letter stated that various land owners and sponsors should cooperate among themselves and with the municipal planning officials in developing a well organized neighborhood plan. Through such cooperation a street system can be planned that will provide the best possible means of traffic circulation and the most economical lotting of the several parcels. Relocation of drainage channels can also be planned to the advantage of all concerned. The Land Planning Section has prepared a "Suggested Revised Plan" dated Feb. 5, 1952 for part of the NW 1/4 of Sec. 36 which includes the tract under analysis, as well as acreage adjoining to the west and northwest. We feel that the Ashcroft Drain which bisects the lower half of the tract should be relocated and covered in easements along rear property lines or in proposed streets as has been done in the subdivision to the east of Harrison Road. (A photoprint was submitted with the letter.) Miss Byers then read Waring & Johnson's recommendation regarding Greenette Subdivision dated March 12, 1952 suggesting much consideration for the best solution. The Wayne County Road Commission was purchased a parcel of about five acres on the west side of Harrison and on the north side of West Chicago. The School Board has indicated they will need ten (10) acres in this general location for a school site. The Park Board has indicated they will desire another ten (10) acres for a park and playground and be connected to the school property. A sketch was submitted indicating one solution of how this might be accomplished; however, another study on a topographic plan of this area might indicate a different plan as more practical. Upon a motion duly made by Clarence Jahn, seconded by Robert MacIntyre, it was RESOLVED, to refer Greenette Subdivision revised plan from FHA to Mr. Waring for study and to work with the Plat Committee on same. (Plat Committee - Edwin Conway, Dallas Hay and Walter Russell.) A roll call vote on the foregoing resolution resulted in the following: AXES: Hay, Jahn, Russell, Maclntyre, Bentley and Byers NAYS: None There was a brief discussion regarding a photomontage of Livonia, but no action was taken. Mr. Brashear read a proposed "form letter" that could be used to notify persons concerned when there is a rezoning request submitted. The letter would point out what easements, etc. would have to be adhered to regarding the City's Thorofare Plan. It was felt that a letter of this type would be beneficial due to some instances when persons have not conformed to the provisions made. Clarence, Jahn, Chairman of the dinner meeting, announced that if everyone agreed, he would proceed with the arrangements, stating further that each member would pay for his or her dinner individually and the date would be set for some time in April or May. 11.91; Mr. Russell left the meeting at approximately 9:45 PM. A special meeting will be held on April 9, 1952. Miss Byers read a letter dated March 12, 1952 addressed to the Zoning Board regarding Merriman Road. The 15 persons (Davis, et al, 13345 Merriman) who signed the letter requested that the existing zoning be enforced as they did not wish to have it changed. The petition had not as yet arrived regarding a zoning change on Merriman. Upon a motion duly made by Dallas Hay and seconded by Clarence Jahn, it was RESOLVED, to table the above-mentioned letter of March 12, 1952, Davis, et al, until the petition arrives. A roll call vote on the foregoing resolution resulted in the following: AYES: Hay, Jahn, Maclntyre, Bentley and Byers NAYS: None Miss Byers read a copy of a letter of February 28, 1952 to Melody Manor Residents Association from Mayor Jesse Ziegler. Chairman Bentley advised the Commission that he had received an invitation for one member to attend a meeting on May 14th in Detroit by the Wayne County Regional Planning Commission. Mr. Bentley asked if any member wanted to attend the meeting and added that he felt as though the Livonia Planning Commission should be represented. Upon a motion duly made by Dallas Hay, seconded by Clarence Jahn, it was RESOLVED, to adjourn this meeting. At approximately 10:10 PM, the Chair declared the meeting adjourned. AS , . ef7) , : .len E. Byers, Secre ary ATTESTED: George N. Bentley, Chairman 5