HomeMy WebLinkAboutPLANNING MINUTES 1951-08-29 21
MINUTES OF THE THIRTEENTH REGULAR
MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMIISSION
The thirteenth regular meeting of the Planning Commission was held on August
29th, 1951 at 33110 live Mile Road, Livonia, Michigan.
Members present: George Bentley Helen Byers Dallas Hay
Harold Bower Clarence Jahn Robert Maclntyre
Members absent: Edwin Conway, Walter Russell and Carson Johnston
Also present were Messrs. Wm Brashear, City Attorney and Malcolm Waring, Plan-
ning Consultant.
At approximately 8:10 PM, Chairman Bentley called the meeting to order.
Upon a motion duly made by Dallas Hay, seconded by Robert Maclntyre and unani-
mously carried, it was
RESOLVED, to accept the minutes of the twelfth regular meeting
as received.
Chairman Bentley advised the assembly that Mr. Henry Ryba of George Jerome &
Company, 1437 National Bank Building, Detroit, Michigan, would be heard at this
time regarding Holley Subdivision on Ann Arbor Trail near Hix Road. Mr. Ryba
explained that the reason for not including properties that had been sold on
either side of Holley Subdivision is that the individuals would have to enter
into signing the plat, and people usually are reluctant to "sign" their names
on documents.
Mr. Waring pointed out to Mr. Ryba that no right-of-way is given on the present
plat. A dedication of 60 feet on each side should be made for future streets,
and at least an attempt should be made to extend the subdivision to include
the lots that have been sold by metes and bounds descriptions.
The Holley subdivision plat was turned over to Mr. Waring who will work with
Mr. Ryba on same. Upon a motion duly made by Clarence Jahn, seconded by Harold
Bower and carried unanimously, it was
RESOLVED, that approval of Holley Subdivision would be granted
on the condition that it be revised to include parcels B, C
and D as out lots and the proper dedication made of Ann Arbor
Trail to a full width of 60 feet.
Chairman Bentley announced that the next old business to be discussed was the
proposed Civic Center. A letter from Mr. Petersime was passed around for each
member to read, and Mr. Brashear explained in detail Mr. Petersime's views on
the proposed Civic Center. Mr. Petersime seemed to be impressed with the plans,
but would not commit himself regarding the sale of additional land. Mr. Standi-
ford had indicated to Mr. Brashear that they would give some objection to
offering parcels for sale. Mr. Petersime was interested in knowing that it
would be developed for parking purposes as originally planned. He was assured
that the city is vitally concerned with parking, and they mast have plenty of
parking facilities. Mr. Brashear further explained that Mr. Petersime is now
E of the frame of mind that he will give the city close to 30 acres with the re-
quirement that it be used for municipal purposes. The parking area would not
necessarily be constructed in its entirety at the outset; but would progress
in accordance with the business places that buildup around the parking area.
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A letter bearing out the above facts bearing Mr. Petersime's signature is
presumably in the mail at this time. Preliminary agreements will be made 'up,
and warranty deeds (limited to a prescribed number of years) will be placed
in escrow at the bank.
A brief discussion was held regarding the tremendous cost of parking lots and
Mr. Waring suggested the use of parking meters by the City of Livonia to re-
cover the cost of constructing the municipal parking area. The Chair postponed
the discussion on the Civic Center temporarily to hear Mr. and Mrs. Donald
Bachman of 18001 Lathers Drive.
Miss Byers read a letter dated July 30th addressed to the City Council and signed
by Doris Bachman, regarding the zoning statutes of T. F. O'Connor Parkview Acres
Subdivision. The writer claimed that improper zoning was made. R.2-C zoning
is in effect whereas R-1-B zoning is the registered subdivision restriction.
Following a discussion on the matter, Mr. and Mrs. Bachman were advised by the
Chair that the zoning could not be changed until a petition was submitted and
a public hearing held on same.
Mr. Bachman said that they wanted the city zoning to agree with the recorded
subdivision restrictions. Upon a motion duly made by Hobert MacIntyre, seconded
by Clarence Jahn and unanimously carried, it was
RESOLVED, that the complaining parties institute a petition to
change zoning and the petition will be brought up for public
hearing.
(Copy of subdivision restrictions returned to Mrs. Bachman by Mr. Brashear.)
Messrs. Herald Hamill, City Engineer and J. R. Buck arrived at the meeting at
approximately 9 PM and presented a rough draft to determine the Commission's
thinking before drawing up a tentative plat. The proposal is to continue
Grandon Avenue from Henry Huff west to Middlebelt to facilitate future water
supply. It was the opinion of some members that petition #26-Cathedral St.
be reconsidered by the City Council in view of the fact that the City Council
approved Grandon Woods Subdivision against the Planning Commission's recom-
mendation. After a lengthy discussion, a motion was made by Dallas Hay, sec-
onded by Harold Bower and, it was
RESOLVED, that in view of the fact that the City Council has
previously approved the subdivision west of Henry Riff known as
Grandon Woods Subdivision, tentative approval is given for the
continuation of Grandon Avenue from Henry Riff to Middlebelt Road
upon presentation of the preliminary plat of the new subdivision
including the necessary easements.
AYES: Dallas Hay, George Bentley, Helen Byers, Clarence Jahn, Harold Bower
NAYS: Robert MacIntyre
Chairman Bentley asked Miss Byers to write a letter to the City Council to
request the rules and regulations suggestions or changes within the next 30
days as this matter will be taken up at the Planning Commission's next regular
meeting.
The Chair advised that the Civic Center discussion would be resumed. Following
the discussion of the proposed Civic Center, all members present were in tentative
favor of the Petersime offer, awaiting the arrival of the signed offer.
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Miss Byers read a letter dated August 27, 1951 requesting the Planning Com-
mission's budget requirements for the coming year. The balance in the budget
from December lst to May 31, 1951 is $3,268.87. Upon a motion duly made by
IL: Harold Bower, seconded by Robert Maclntyre and unanimously carried, it was
RESOLVED, to request that the City Council approve a budget of
$10,000. for the coming year.
The secretary presented a statement from Waring & Johnson dated August 1,
in the amount of $170. $120.00 item is a portion of the appropriation re-
quest. Upon a motion duly made by Dallas Hay, seconded by Clarence Jahn
and unanimously carried, it was
RESOLVED, to approve the statement in the amount of $170.00 from
Waring & Johnson, and refer same to the City Council for payment.
A discussion followed pertaining to the Livonia Post Office situation. The pres-
ent plans are to annex Livonia to Plymouth and the entire district would be con-
sidered one area for service. It was brought out that many small towns and
villages have their own Post Offices, and Livonia should be no exception due to
the large area and the increasing number of industries locating here. Upon a
motion made by Clarence Jahn, seconded by Harold Bower and unanimously carried,
it was
RESOLVED, to send a letter to the Assistant Postmaster General, Governor
Williams and our state senators to the effect that in the planning of our
City, the Civic Center includes plans for a Post Office location.
Dallas Hay reported that the committee as yet had nothing to report on the riding
stable investigations in Livonia. A discussion produced ideas about licensing
horses, restricting horse stables to the agricultural districts, licensing owners
of stables to make them more careful about renting horses to persons that don't
know how to ride, etc. Miss Byers suggested that the riders be held responsible,
and ticketed by the police if necessary, when they ride the horses on lawns and
disturb shrubs, etc.
Upon a motion duly made by Clarence Jahn, seconded by Dallas Hay and unanimously
carried, it was
RESOLVED, to adjourn this meeting until Thursday, September 6th at 8 PM
to discuss Mr. Petersime's offer and agreements pertaining to same.
Thereupon the meeting was adjourned at approximately 11 PM.
Helen E. Byers, Seer
ATTESTED:
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Ge•!ge N. :_ .tley, hairman