HomeMy WebLinkAboutPLANNING MINUTES 1954-01-12 261
42.
MINUTES OF A PUBLIC HEARING AND THE
FORTY-FIFTH SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY PLANNING COMMISSION
A Public Hearing and the 45th Special Meeting of the City Planning Commission
were held on Tuesday, January 12, 1954 at the City Hall, Livonia, Michigan.
Chairman Dallas Hay called the Public Hearing to order at approximately
8:05 p.m.
Members present: William Newton Edwin Conway Robert L. Greene
Irving Geer Rufino Salinas H. Paul Harsha
Dallas Hay Clarence Jahn
Mr. Tom Kimmerly, Asst. to Mr. W. W. Brashear, City Attorney; Mr. Herzberg,
Asst to Mr. Malcolm Waring, Planning Consultant and Mr. Harold Hultquist,
Supt. Public Works were present, together with approximately 175 people
attending the public hearing and the special meeting.
A public address system was borrowed from the Department of Civil Defense on
a trial basis for this evening.
The secretary announced that the first item on the agenda was the J. Ziegler
Woods Subdivision, No. 2 located north of Dover Avenue between Middlebelt
and Henry Ruff Roads in the Southeast 1/4 of Section 35. Mr. Aubrey H.
Ettenheimer, Mr. Henry Alper, and Mr. Abe Green were present representing the
subdivision.
The secretary read a letter of transmittal from Mr. Ettenheimer and the
recommendation of Waring and Johnson. Waring and Johnson also submitted
copies of a survey of the property located south of Grandon, showing which
lots have houses built on them.
A letter from Mr. W. W. Brashear, City Attorney, directed to Mr. William Kyte,
9168 Oporto, Livonia was read in which it related action taken at the 2/14/51
and the 2/13/52 meeting of the Planning Commission when the subject of
closing Cathedral Street came up.
A petition containing approximately 50 names of Bonapart Gardens residents re-
questing that the streets Danzig, Oporto, Melvin, Louise, Beatrice, and Free-
mont be cut through to the first east/west street was read by the secretary.
The recommendation of Waring and Johnson regarding the petition of George W.
Hall, Jr., 31090 Grandon Road containing 87 signatures requesting the area
known as J. Ziegler Woods Subdivision, No. 1 be rezoned from RUFB to R-1-A
was read. Mr. Hall was present.
Mr. Cornetet, 9107 Melvin was present as a spokesman for Bonaparte Gardens, and
stated that when the subdivision was platted the streets were opened up and
that he did not like living on a dead end street. A drawing was presented
and according to Mr. Cornetet a turn around would go into the garage of
Mr. Landelius, 9120 Hugh and would extend three feet into the front room of
the home of Mr. Britt, 9135 Freemont. Mr. Cornetet had no intention of
giving up one foot of property without due process of law, and that he would
have no objection if the streets were cut through.
NC;
Mr. Hamelink, 30624 Grandon was present representing the Grandon Woods Civic
Association and stated that anytime they wanted to make Grandon a dead end
street they're all for it. He also reminded the Commission of the petition
submitted at the previous meeting containing 70 names.
Mr. Green stated that they felt that the streets should not be opened up, and
that a turn around becomes a public street that is owned by the City of
Livonia. The land would have to be dedicated by all owners adjacent to it.
and they are willing to contribute more than their share. When the land was
first bought it was acreage.
Mr. Kyte, 91613 Oporto stated that the only reason Cathedral was closed was
that it would be a 30ft. street and that it would end up as an alley.
Mr. Green stated that they would be willing to create walking easements.
Mr. Cornetet stated that to open just some of the streets has not been dis-
cussed by the Bonaparte Gardens residents.
Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Conway, seconded by Mr. Newton, and unanimously
carried, it was
RESOLVED, that J. Ziegler Woods Subdivision, No. 2 be temporarily
tabled to allow the Bonaparte Gardens residents to discuss opening
only some of the streets.
The Chairman declared the foregoing resolution adopted.
Immediately the Bonaparte Gardens residents present decided without question
that they wished every street opened up to the first east/west street.
Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Conway, seconded by Mr. Jahn, and unanimously
carried, it was
RESOLVED, that the J. Ziegler Woods Subdivision, No. 2 be tabled until
the regular meeting, January 19, 1954, and
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Planning Commission as a whole, a
representative of Rose Hill Builders, and Mr. Hamelink, representing
Grandon Woods, meet at Mr. Cornetet's house at 10:00 a.m. January 17
to study the subdivision as a whole for a possible solution.
The Chairman declared the foregoing resolution adopted.
Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Harsha, seconded by Mr. Geer, and unanimously
carried, it was
RESOLVED, that a letter be written to the Fire Department, Police
Department, and the Department of Public Works for their report on the
proposed J. Ziegler Woods Subdivision, No. 2.
The Chairman declared the foregoing resolution adopted.
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The second item on the agenda was the proposed Bel-Aire Gardens Subdivision,
No. 2 located north of West Chicago between Merriman and Henry Ruff Roads in
the Northwest 1/4 of Section 35.
The secretary read the letter of transmittal from Mr. Ettenheimer and the
recommendation of Waring and Johnson wherein Mr. Johnson stated that it in-
cludes some area proposed for a school site.
There was a discussion regarding the school site.
Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Jahn, seconded by Mr. Newton, and unanimously
carried, it was
RESOLVED, that the Bel-Aire Gardens Subdivision, No. 2 be tabled until
the regular meeting, February 16, 1954, and
FURTHER RESOLVED, that a report be obtained from the Board of Education
and the Department of Parks and Recreation regarding the area proposed
for a school site and that a letter be sent informing them of the above
meeting.
The Chairman declared the foregoing resolution adopted.
The next item on the agenda was the proposed Country Homes Subdivision located
between Plymouth Road and the Middle Rouge Parkway from Wayne to Levan Road in
a part of the east 1/2 of Section 32 and a part of the west 1/2 of Section 33.
Mr. Storrer was present representing the Harry Slatkin Builders, Inc.
The secretary read the letter of transmittal from Mr. Storrer and the
recommendation of Waring and Johnson wherein they stated thatit was their
recommendation together with Mr. Michelson that another school site be
located west of Yale, north of Orangelawn and east of Levan Road.
Mr. Storrer stated that when he saw Mr. Waring regarding this subdivision
Mr. Waring stated that there was no school provided on the Master Plan. It was
also stated by Mr. Storrer that Slatkin Builders, Inc. intend to take approx-
imately two to three years to complete this subdivision.
Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Jahn, seconded by Mr. Conway, and unanimously
carried, it was
RESOLVED, that the Country Homes Subdivision be tabled until the regular
meeting, February 16, 1954, and
FURTHER RESOLVED, that Mr. Storrer meet with the Department of Parks and
Recreation and the Board of Education relative to a school and park site
in the area and that a letter be sent informing them of the regular
meeting, February 16, 1954.
The Chairman declared the foregoing resolution adopted.
Post meeting note: Mr. Storrer requested to appear before the Planning
Commission on January 19, 1954 instead of February 16, 1954.
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The Chairman called a recess at 9:40 p.m.
The Chairman called the meeting to order at 9:55 p.m.
The secretary read Petition Z-15a, D. Newman again requesting to change the
classification of Lot 549 of Supervisor's Livonia Township Plat No. 9
located on the southwest corner of Newburg and Plymouth Roads from RUFB to
C-2. Waring and Johnson's recommendation was also read. Mr. Norman Newman
was present.
Mr. Newman stated that there will be a restricting covenant in the contract
and that there would be an established greenbelt and cyclone fence on Newburg.
There would be no ingress or egress from the park.
A petition was submitted with 14 names of immediate property owners and
approximately 20 names of Board of Trustees and members of the Riverside
Park Church, Newburg Road at Plymouth Road. Approximately 22 names from
residents of the southwest section and surrounding area were submitted
objecting to Petition Z-15a. These three petitions were submitted by
Mr. Schnell, 37470 Plymouth.
Mr. Newman stated that he had talked to the residents on Plymouth and that he
could find only one person objecting to his petition. The other people agreed
that the zoning should be changed.
s There were eight people present objecting to the petition.
Mr. Davey, Attorney for the Wayne County Road Commission was present and
stated that if the petitioner would dedicate 25 feet on the Newburg Road side
plus 10 feet at the rear of premises for park purposes the County Road
Commission would withdraw their objection.
Mrs. Hoffert, 37560 Plymouth said Mr. Newman did not come to her house.
hrs. Schnell, 37470 Plymouth stated that Mr. Newman knew when he bought the
property that it was zoned RUFB and that everytime he submits a petition he
has a different reason for wanting to change the zoning. It was her opinion
that there was not room on the property for a Howard Johnson restaurant.
Mr. and Mrs. Crawford, 37500 Plymouth and Mrs. Davis, 37818 Plymouth Road stated
that they agreed with Mrs. Schnell and they did not want the property rezoned.
Mr. Jahn asked if the property owners and Mr. Newman couldn't get together
and reach a compromise,
It was stated that they objected to any type of business.
Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Conway, and seconded by Mr. Jahn it was
RESOLVED, that Petition Z-15a, D. Newman requesting to change the
classification of Lot 549 of Supervisor's Livonia Plat No. 9 located
on the southwest corner of Newburg and Plymouth Roads from RUFB to C-2
be granted on the following conditions:
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a. Petitioner will dedicate 25 feet on the Newburg Road side plus
10 feet in the rear of premises for park purposes.
b. A greenbelt will be established.
c. No ingress or egress from thepark.
d. A restricting covenant in the contract stipulating that there will
never be a drive-in restaurant.
e. A cyclone fence will be erected on the east and west boundary of
the property.
A roll call vote on the foregoing resolution resulted in the following:
AYES: Conway, Greene, Hay, Harsha and Salinas
NAYS: Jahn, Newton, Geer
The Chair declared that Petition Z-15a be granted.
The secretary read Petition Z-35a, Lawrence G. and Viola R. Sellake again
requesting to change the classification of Parcel located on the southwest
corner of Ann Arbor Road and Hix Road in the southwest 1/4 of Section 31 for
a depth of 150 feet from the south boundary of Ann Arbor Road from RUFB to
C-1. Waring and Johnson's recommendation and a petition with approximately
60 names objecting to Petition Z-35a were also read. Mr. and Mrs. Sellake
were present.
Mr. Sellake stated that there were no other homes within 1/8 mile of his.
Mr. Cooper, 38116 Minton stated that it would create a safety hazard to allow
business in this area. There were about ten people present supporting
Mr. Cooper.
Mr. Sellake stated that they were only interested in the frontage being
rezoned and not the entire parcel.
Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Greene, and seconded by Mr. Geer, it was
RESOLVED, that Petition Z-35a, Lawrence G. and Viola R. Sellake re-
questing to change the classification of parcel located on the southwest
corner of Ann Arbor Road and Hix Road in the Southwest 1/4 of Section 31
for a depth of 150 feet from the south boundary of Ann Arbor Road from
RUFB to C-1, be denied.
A roll Call vote on the foregoing resolution resulted in the following:
AYES: Jahn, Newton, Conway, Greene, Geer, Hay and Salinas
NAYS: None
NOT VOTING: Harsha
The Chairman declared Petition Z-35a denied.
The secretary read Petition Z-42, initiated by the City Planning Commission
on its own motion requesting that lots 76 to 79 inclusive of Grayton Highway
Subdivision located on the corner of Surrey Avenue and Graytona Avenue and
approximately 750 feet south of Schoolcraft in the west 1/2 of the Northeast
1/4 of Section 28 from RUFB to M-1.
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Waring and Johnson's recommendation and a letter from Marie W. Clark, City
Clerk were read. The Council has referred Petition Z-41 back to the Planning
Commission for their re-consideration. Petition Z-41 is directly related to
Petition Z-42.
Mr. E. Marcotte, Detroit submitted a petition containing 28 names opposed to
this petition.
The property owners of Lots 76 to 79 were not present.
Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Geer, seconded by Mr. Greene, and unanimously
carried, it was
RESOLVED, that Petition Z-42 initiated by the City Planning Commission
on its own motion requesting that Lots 76 to 79 inclusive of Grayton
Highway Subdivision located on the corner of Surrey Avenue and Graytona
Avenue and approximately 750 feet south of Schoolcraft in the west 1/2
of the Northeast 1/4 of Section 28 from RUFB to M-1, be denied.
The Chairman declared the foregoing resolution adopted.
The next item on the agenda was the petition of George Cummins (ncn) to re-
move sand on parcel of land 400 feet wide and 600 feet deep located south
of Five Mile Road and west of Fairlane in the southwest corner of Parcel L3
in the Northwest 1/4 of Section 21. Mr. and Mrs. Cummins and Harold Long
were present.
Mr. Jahn stated that he as being a member of the Top Soil Committee would be
in favor of this application.
Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Jahn, seconded by Mr. Newton, and unanimously
carried, it was
RESOLVED, that application of George Cummins (ncn) to remove aand on
parcel of land 400 feet wide and 600 feet deep located south of Five
Mile Road and west of Fairlane in the southwest corner of Parcel L3
in the Northwest 1/4 of Section 21, be granted, and
FURTHER RESOLVED, that a performance bond be fixed at $500 and it is
recommendated to the Bureau of Inspection that a permit to this effect
be issued.
The Chairman declared the foregoing resolution adopted.
The next item on the agenda was the petition of Norris A. Host, Wolverine
Contractors, Inc. (ren) to remove sand from parcel located between School-
craft and C & 0 Railway and approximately 3,000 feet west of Stark Road in
the Northwest 1/4 of Section 28. Mr. Host was present.
The secretary read the letter of transmittal from Mr. Host. The application
has been approved by the Department of Public Works and the Police Department.
Mr. Jahn said that he had not bean notified of this application and that he
wished to investigate it.
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Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Conway, seconded by Mr. Jahn, and unanimously
carried, it was
RESOLVED, that application of Norris A. Host, Wolverine Contractors, Inc.
("e") be tabled until the regular meeting, February 16, 1954.
The Chairman declared the foregoing resolution adopted.
The secretary read the petition of Deo V. Duryee to construct a gasoline
service station , on the south side of Plymouth Road approximately 640 feet
east of Levan Road in the Northeast 1/4 of Section 32. The recommendation of
Waring and Johnson was also read wherein Mr. Waring stated that there are
14 gas stations on Plymouth Road between Inkster and the western limits of
Livonia and 16 gas stations on Plymouth within Redford Township. Mr. Duryee
and Mr. Colin C. Crawford were present.
Mr. Duryee stated that no objections were made to him, therefore he went
ahead with the survey, etc. The property where the old station was is now
rented and has been since last summer. Stated that he is good friends with
the Brown family and he has no intention of erecting the station if there
were objections from Mr. Brown.
Mr. Brown, 36049 Plymouth stated that Mr. Duryee does not live on any part of
the property and that he (Mr. Brown) has two homes on his land, Because of
the increase insurance rates he would not like to see the station erected.
Mr. Duryee nor Mr. Crawford called on Mr. Brown since the previous meeting
because Mr. Duryee wanted to have the new set of prints to show him. They
were still not available.
Mr. Harsha asked how far the proposed station is from Mr. Brown's property.
Mr. Brown stated that the east side of the house is approximately 25 feet
from the line. The edge of the house would be approximately 90 feet from the
edge of the station.
Mr. Salinas asked if the people from the plant stopped at Mr. Brown's road-
side stand.
Mr. Brown stated that the people do not usually stop.
Mr. Crawford stated that the County and Street Highway Commission asked them
to move the station back from the road as the road is to be widened.
Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Salinas and seconded by Mr. Harsha, it was
RESOLVED, that the petition of Deo V. Duryee, to construct a gasoline
service station on the south side of Plymouth Road approximately 640
feet east of Levan Road in the Northeast 1/4 of Section 32, be granted.
A roll call vote on the foregoing resolution resulted in the following:
AYES: Newton, Harsha and Salinas
NAYS: Jahn, Conway, Greene, Geer and Hay
The Chairman declared the foregoing resolution denied.
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The Chairman called a recess at 11:45 p.m.
The Chairman called the 45th special meeting to order at approximately 11:55
p.m.
The first item on the agenda was the desire of Mr. H. Young, Rose-Hill Sales
Company to discuss the temporary erection of a bulletin board 251 X 121 set
back at least 751 from the lot line. The location of the sign will be the
southwest corner of Middlebelt and Plymouth Roads. Mr. Young was present.
Mr. Young stated that they would need the sign six or seven months. A
picture of the proposed sign was shown to the Planning Commission. There
was a lengthy discussion.
Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Conway, seconded by Mr. Jahn, and unanimously
carried, it was
RESOLVED, that the petition of Mr* S. L. Salsinger, Rose-Hill Sales
Company to erect a temporary bulletin board 251 X 121 on the southwest
corner of Middlebelt and Plymouth Roads set back at least 751 from the
lot line be granted subject to the approval of the Poliee Department and
that six months from issuance of permit the bulletin board be removed.
The Chairman declared the foregoing resolution adopted.
The next item on the agenda was the subdivision sponsored by Biltmore Homes
located in the south 1/2 of Southwest 1/4 of Section 14 on the north side of
Five Mile Road and east of Merriman. Mr. Orr was present early in the
evening and informed the Planning Commission that he could not wait.
Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Jahn, seconded by Mr. Conway, and unanimously
carried, it was
RESOLVED, that the proposed subdivision sponsored by Biltmore Homes be
tabled until the regular meeting, January 19, 1954, and
FURTHER RESOLVED, that a letter be written to Mr. Orr requesting that he
or a representative be present at the aforementioned meeting.
The Chairman declared the foregoing resolution adopted.
The next item on the agenda was the committee report on the Bel-Aire Gardens
Subdivision, No. 1. Mr. Salinas stated that he had gone to a department at
the Detroit Edison Company devoted to street arrangement, etc. and he was
informed that the number system on this subdivision is correct but that three
street names were to be changed.
Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Geer, seconded by Mr. Jahn, and unanimously
carried, it was
RESOLVED, that upon the motion of Irving Geer, the three street names in
the Bel-Aire Gardens Subdivision, No. 1 namely Oporto from Richland to
Middlebelt be changed to Robert Drive and Doris from Richland to Louise
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and Freemont from Louise to Oporto be changed to MacIntyre, in memory
of Robert Maclntyre a ,past member of the City Planning Commission.
The Chairman declared the foregoing resolution adopted.
Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Geer, seconded by Mr. Newton, and unanimously
carried, it was
RESOLVED, that a letter be written to Mrs. Maclntyre informing her of
the street dedication, and
FURTHER RESOLVED, that a letter be sent to Rose-Hill Builders informing
them of this street change and that a copy of this dedication be for-
warded to the Livonian for publication in their paper.
The Chairman declared the foregoing resolution adopted.
The next item on the agenda was the approval of the minutes.
Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Newton, seconded by Mr. Jahn, and unanimously
carried, it was
RESOLVED, that the minutes of the meeting (a) 11/17/53, (b) 12/1/53, and
(c) 12/15/53 be approved with the following corrections:
(a) Pages should be numbered 438-450 instead of 238-250.
(b) David Lewis Subdivision and Pearl Wilson Subdivision is one and the
same. Pearl Wilson Subdivision was given tentative approval 11/17.
(c) Omitted from list of school and park sites.
34b - Existent park site.
14a - Existent grade school site.
14b - Proposed grade school site.
The Chairman declared the foregoing resolution adopted.
Letters from the City Council and Treasurer regarding additional floor space
for the Planning Commission's secretary were read.
Upon a motion duly made, seconded, and unanimously carried, it was
RESOLVED, that after meeting with the City Treasurer the exact location
of the Planning Commission 's secretary in the Treasurer's Office shall
be left to his decretion.
The Chairman declared the foregoing resolution adopted.
Upon a motion duly made, seconded, and unanimously carried, it was
RESOLVED, that a committee consisting of Mr. Greene and Mr. Geer make
arrangements to meet with the Civil Service Commission to discuss the
compensation and classification of the Planning Commission's secretary.
The Chairman declared the foregoing resolution adopted.
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After receiving a letter Mr. Newton was appointed as a committee of one to
investigate the widening of West Chicago.
There was a lengthy discussion regarding the hospital or clinic put into
Sergis Gardens. Mr. Newton stated that he had been able to obtain some in-
formation on this matter. The State Fire Marshall had said that they could
only use the first floor of the building. Mr. Newton had heard that this
was for industrial and emergency cases or for mental and alcoholic cases.
Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Jahn, seconded by Mr. Harsha, and unanimously
carried, it was
RESOLVED, that a letter be forwarded to the City Attorney regard-
ing the hospital or clinic being established at Sergis Gardens
asking for his opinion as to whether or not it is a violation of
the Zoning Ordinance.
The Chairman declared the foregoing resolution adopted.
There was a lengthy discussion regarding the City Clerk's letter to the
Planning Commission referring Petition Z-41 back to the Commission for re-
consideration.
Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Jahn, seconded by Mr. Newton, and unanimously
carried, it was
RESOLVED, that the re-consideration of Petition Z-41, Ralph A.
and Kathleen C. Westlake, be tabled until the regular meeting,
January 19, 1954, and
FURTHER RESOLVED, that a letter be written to the City Attorney
asking his opinion as to whether or not it is necessary to notify
residents in the surrounding area of a pending zoning petition by
mail.
The Chairman declared the foregoing resplution adopted.
Upon a motion duly made, seconded, and unanimously carried, it was
RESOLVED, that this meeting be adjourned.
At approximately 1:00 a.m. the Chair declared the meeting adjourned.
1 ;co-d
Rufin•ISalinas, Secretary
ATTESTED:
Dallas F. Hay, Chairman