HomeMy WebLinkAboutPLANNING MINUTES 2016-07-12 MINUTES OF THE 1,091st PUBLIC HEARINGS AND REGULAR MEETING
HELD BY THE CITY PLANNING COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF LIVONIA
On Tuesday, July 12, 2016, the City Planning Commission of the City of Livonia
held its 1,091st Public Hearings and Regular Meeting in the Livonia City Hall, 33000
Civic Center Drive, Livonia, Michigan.
Mr. Ian Wilshaw, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Members present: Sam Caramagno Glen Long Carol Smiley
Peter Ventura Ian Wilshaw
Members absent: Betsy McCue
Mr. Mark Taormina, Planning Director, and Ms. Margie Watson, Program
Supervisor, were also present.
Chairman Wilshaw informed the audience that if a petition on tonight's agenda
involves a rezoning request, this Commission makes a recommendation to the City
Council who, in turn, will hold its own public hearing and make the final
determination as to whether a petition is approved or denied. The Planning
Commission holds the only public hearing on a request for preliminary plat and/or
vacating petition. The Commission's recommendation is forwarded to the City
Council for the final determination as to whether a plat is accepted or rejected. If a
petition requesting a waiver of use or site plan approval is denied tonight, the
petitioner has ten days in which to appeal the decision, in writing, to the City
Council. Resolutions adopted by the City Planning Commission become effective
seven (7) days after the date of adoption. The Planning Commission and the
professional staff have reviewed each of these petitions upon their filing. The staff
has furnished the Commission with both approving and denying resolutions, which
the Commission may, or may not, use depending on the outcome of the
proceedings tonight.
ITEM #1 PETITION 2016-04-01-03 DAVE PHIPPS
Mr. Caramagno, Secretary, announced the first item on the agenda, Petition 2016-
04-01-03 submitted by Dave Phipps pursuant to Section 23.01 of
the City of Livonia Zoning Ordinance #543, as amended,
requesting to rezone the properties at 14851 and 14931
Farmington Road, located on the west side of Farmington Road
between Lyndon and Five Mile Roads in the Northeast 1/4 of
Section 21, from OS and R-2 to R-9-I.
July 12, 2016
27713
Mr. Wilshaw: Mr. Taormina, do I have it correct that we had tabled this item
previously?
Mr. Taormina: It was tabled. We should remove it from the table.
Mr. Wilshaw: May I have a motion to remove this item from the table?
On a motion by Smiley, seconded by Caramagno, and unanimously adopted, it
was
#07-73-2016 RESOLVED, that the City Planning Commission does hereby
determine to waive the provisions of Section 10 of Article VI of
the Planning Commission Rules of Procedure, regarding the
effective date of a resolution after the seven-day period from the
date of adoption by the Planning Commission, in connection with
Petition 2016-04-01-03 submitted by Dave Phipps pursuant to
Section 23.01 of the City of Livonia Zoning Ordinance #543, as
amended, requesting to rezone the properties at 14851 and
14931 Farmington Road, located on the west side of Farmington
Road between Lyndon and Five Mile Roads in the Northeast 1/4
of Section 21, from OS and R-2 to R-9-I.
Mr. Wilshaw, Chairman, declared the motion is carried and the foregoing resolution
adopted.
Mr. Taormina: This is a rezoning petition involving two parcels that are located
on the west side of Farmington Road across from the Civic
Center. Portions of both of these parcels are currently zoned R-
9, Housing for the Elderly. In the case of the northerly parcel,
which is 14931 Farmington, the R-9 district encompasses a
narrow 40-foot section that runs along the north property line. The
remainder of the parcel is zoned R-2, One Family Residential. On
the southerly parcel, 14851 Farmington, most of the site is
currently zoned R-9-I. OS (Office Services) zoning encompasses
the easterly part of the site that is developed with a private drive
called Luther Lane. The request would rezone the entirety of both
parcels to the R-9-I classification to enable the development of a
senior housing complex. Together, the two parcels make a "U-
shaped" configuration. The parcel to the north, 14931 Farmington
Road, has a net land area of 3.40 acres, with 207 feet of frontage
on Farmington Road and a depth of roughly 627 feet. The
southerly parcel measures 6.41 acres and has frontage on
Farmington Road via its connection to Luther Lane, which
provides access to the Livonia Woods nursing home located
adjacent to and further west of the property. The front portion
where Luther Lane is located is zoned OS, Office Services, and
the remaining rear portion is zoned R-9-I, Housing for the Elderly.
July 12, 2016
27714
Except for the road, the property is vacant with the rear portion
containing a mature woodlot. Combined, the properties total 10.3
acres in size. In terms of adjacent land uses and zoning, to the
north is cemetery land as well as the Livonia Public Schools bus
yard. To the south there is an office, a residential home and Silver
Village. To the west is a nursing facility as well as another
cemetery property. To the east across Farmington Road is the
Civic Center site, including the Police and Fire headquarters.
Under the R-9-I zoning, the allowable density is expressed in
dwelling units per acre and the total number of units is a function
of the height of the buildings as well as the number of bedrooms
per unit and the total acreage of the land. R-9-I zoning allows
buildings up to four stories in height. Based on the R-9-I density
criteria, each one-bedroom unit in a four-story building requires a
minimum land area of 2,000 square feet. This would translate to
roughly 21.8 dwelling units per acre. Overall, the site could
support a total of 224 one-bedroom units. There is a preliminary
site plan that was submitted with the application. It shows seven
four-story buildings, each containing 32 one-bedroom units for
the maximum allowed density of 224 total dwelling units. The
conceptual plan illustrates the arrangement of the seven
buildings, all of which would have access along a network of
private driveways that connect and form a loop with Luther Lane.
Located near each of the buildings would be parking as well as
carports. Ingress and egress from Farmington Road would be
available from both Luther Lane as well as a new curb-cut at the
north end of the development. There is a one-story
community/office building with separate off-street parking shown
in the northeast corner of the site adjacent to Farmington Road.
A series of pathways would be provided throughout the
development. Storm water management will be a requirement of
Wayne County and is tentatively shown in the form of detention
basins located towards the south end of the site, adjacent to
Luther Lane. The Future Land Use Plan designates the subject
area as a combination of Office and Medium Density Residential.
The Medium Density classification corresponds to a density of
between 4 and 14 dwelling units per acre. Thus the requested
density of approximately 21 dwelling units per acre falls under
the range of the High Density Residential land use category which
is identified as between 14 to 50 dwelling units per acre. With
that, Mr. Chairman, we have a single item of correspondence that
I would like to read into the record.
Mr. Wilshaw: Yes, please.
Mr. Taormina: There is one item of correspondence from the Engineering
Division, dated May 11, 2016, which reads as follows: "In
July 12, 2016
27715
accordance with your request, the Engineering Division has
reviewed the above referenced petition. We have no objections
to the proposed rezoning at this time. The legal descriptions
included with the submitted drawings appear to be correct and
should be used in conjunction with this petition. The existing
parcels are assigned the addresses of 14851 and 14931
Farmington Road. The lot is currently serviced with public
sanitary sewer and water main. Storm sewer is available within
the Farmington Road right-of-way and is under the jurisdiction of
Wayne County. The submitted drawing does not indicate
proposed utilities or calculations, so we cannot comment on the
impacts to the existing systems at this time. It should be noted
that the proposed development will need to obtain permits from
both the City of Livonia and Wayne County for any proposed
utility work, as well as provide storm water detention per the
Wayne County Storm Water Ordinance." The letter is signed by
David W. Lear, P.E., Assistant City Engineer. That is the extent
of the correspondence.
Mr. Wilshaw: Are there any questions of the Planning Director?
Unidentified audience member: I can't see it. It's not clear.
Mr. Wilshaw: Sir, we'll try to zoom in on the sections as best we can. You may
need to look at the TVs to see the pictures as well.
Unidentified audience member: Is there some reason a map wasn't sent?
Mr. Wilshaw: Sir, we have an order for our meeting. We're not at the point
where we have public comments. We're just getting background.
We'll get to a point where you can ask questions. We're not there
yet.
Unidentified audience member: He can't see.
Mr. Taormina: If you could, have him sit down in one of the seats right
underneath the television. They will be showing the plans on the
television. It will be much easier to see.
Mr. Wilshaw: Are there any questions for the Planning staff at this time? Seeing
none, we will go the petitioner. Please come forward and state
your name and address for the record please.
Robert McCann, 21445 Holmbury Road, Northville, Michigan 48167. Thank you
for the opportunity to address you this evening. As we had
mentioned earlier, we're trying to build something that the city
doesn't really have, kind of a high end luxury community for
July 12, 2016
27716
seniors in the heart of the city. We understand there has been
some concerns from local residents, particularly in regard to the
height of the building. Do you have the video, Mr. Taormina? I
had asked an old friend of mine, a former top gun pilot who likes
to play with drones, and he brought it out and we took some video
from Silver Village and from the south end of the lot line so that
we could show, in effect, what is going in. It's going to be difficult,
I know, what I'm looking at. At the top left part of the screen, you'll
see an arrow. This is a view from Silver Village. Where it says 80
foot angle, that is 80 feet in the air which should be at least 25 to
30 feet above the proposed ceiling of the buildings. What I want
to make sure and to ensure to the residents, particularly those in
Silver Village, that we're not building a monstrosity that no one is
going to look down into their bedrooms because you're not going
to be able to see. These buildings will be about 55 feet in total
height. As we see, the second part of this building as it goes up,
this is from Luther Lane and these trees on the left are not part of
our property. These trees are there and will have to stay there as
part of zoning that was done for the property that's immediately
adjacent to us. As you can, as the video goes up, it will pop up at
each individual site. There's 25 feet. There's the approximate
building height, about 50 feet, still well below the, lack of a better
term, timberline. So you're clearly going up as much as 35 feet
above the maximum height of the building before you get to the
top of the tree line. At that point, you'll see the 85 feet pop in here
in just a moment. You're still not to the top of the tree line. We
wanted to do our best to make sure that everyone understood
that this is not going to be an encumbrance on anyone. What
we're trying to achieve here is not to maximum density for our
own pockets. We're trying to build something that the community
needs and something that the community doesn't have, a first
class luxury senior housing community.
Mr. Wilshaw: Thank you, Mr. McCann. Is there anything else you need to tell
us at this time?
Mr. McCann: The only thing that we had discussed, the first building there,
which our plan at this point, there's one thing that was mentioned
in the original plan that included carports. Our intention is to put
in garages, not carports. And that first building, our intention is to
flip it so it faces north and south. It gives you better curb appeal,
a much more aesthetic quality for the front of the building which
will face Farmington Road as opposed to the side of the building.
So it will be split into two building at three stories as opposed to
four and give us a much better aesthetic view coming in from
Farmington Road. And we're talking about archways and gates
and things to make it very appealing when people drive in the
July 12, 2016
27717
gates. Again, as it was pointed out by Mr. Taormina, the Luther
Lane, which is to the north end of the property, and a new road
to the south end of the property, is the emergency access road in
a "U" shape. There should be no interference with any other
properties up and down Farmington Road or Lyndon or anything
else. In any kind of an emergency, it would be contained within
that property line.
Mr. Wilshaw: Thank you, sir. As we proceed with this particular item, it's worth
reiterating the fact that this a rezoning request. We are looking at
the zoning of the property. The site plan that has been presented
is conceptual to give us a better idea of what could potentially be
built at this site, but right now, the charge before us is to
determine if the R-9-I zoning is appropriate for the land. Are there
any questions for the petitioner by the Commission?
Mr. Ventura: Mr. McCann, based on the video that you played, are we to
understand that all of the trees that are the screen for the adjacent
developments that exists today are on somebody else's land?
Mr. McCann: My understanding, everything south of Luther Lane is the
property behind us. Some of them are, I guess, on our property
line. My mistake for that, but they are not coming down. That
would be part of the . . .
Mr. Ventura: As you may or may not know, construction activity has a very,
very harmful effect on existing trees. As you change grades, it
kills trees. Obviously, this is not an engineered site plan, so we
don't know whether you're going to change grades or not. But my
question to you is, would you be willing to guarantee that any
trees that die, you would replace?
Mr. McCann: I think that's part of the plan, is it not? If there are trees there that
we say are going to be there, then we have to replace them
should they die.
Mr. Ventura: I meant will you guarantee it.
Mr. McCann: I'm not going to guarantee you that we're going to replace a tree
that dies for something that is not our fault. Our intention is to
leave the trees there. If a tree dies because it's got Dutch Elm
disease, we'd have no impact on that. I can't guarantee you,
yeah, we'll just come in and plant a new 100 foot Dutch Elm tree.
No, that's unreasonable.
Mr. Ventura: Bob, as you and I both know, all the Dutch Elms died years ago.
July 12, 2016
27718
Mr. McCann: I'm using that as an example.
Mr. Ventura: I understand. But if it's reasonably attributable to the construction
activity and sometimes it takes years for a tree to die, then would
you guarantee replacing it? It's not a disease. It's a result of the
construction.
Mr. McCann: I would be willing to sit down and talk about something that is
directly related to construction activity. Absolutely. For me to sit
here today and say, oh, sure, I'll do that, that's an unreasonable
request, I think. But I'd certainly be happy to sit down and discuss
that.
Mr. Ventura: Thank you.
Mr. Wilshaw: Are there any further questions for the petitioner? Seeing none, if
there is anybody in the audience that wishes to speak for or
against this petition, we ask that you please come forward at this
time?
David Beech, 29115 Lauren. I'm a friend of Bud who lives in the property right next
door. I'd like a clarification of Building #1. I didn't quite . . . when I
was talking to Bud, he didn't understand what the flipping of the
buildings and possibly three and possibly four stories. What does
that mean?
Mr. McCann: I'd be happy to. If you can see, Building #1, it's essentially the
front of the building, the entrance to the building, at that point
would be facing north. Our intention is to flip that building so that
the front of the building faces east towards Farmington Road. So
it would become instead of one building, two buildings; instead of
one four-story building, two three-story buildings. So it would be
flipped each so the facing would be to Farmington Road so the
aesthetic quality of the entrance would be enhanced.
Mr. Beech: The building would be cut in half.
Mr. Wilshaw: Mr. McCann, Mr. Beech, just so that we can kind of keep things
going on an orderly basis, if you could just give us all your
questions, sir. And then what we'll do is, we'll direct any of those
questions to the petitioner.
Mr. Beech: Ask you the questions?
Mr. Wilshaw: Yes, please.
July 12, 2016
27719
Mr. Beech: Will that be wider then when you break that into two buildings?
Will this one building that is broken into two buildings, will that be
actually wider than the depths that it is right now?
Mr. Wilshaw: That is a question we can ask. But keep in mind sir, that we are
looking at the zoning of this land, the actual use of the land. The
site plan, which is questions that you're asking about, this is all
conceptual at this point. We're not going to be approving this site
plan that you see tonight.
Mr. Beech: Oh, I see.
Mr. Wilshaw: If the zoning is approved, the site plan would come back and we
would get into all the details about landscaping and the placement
of the buildings and all the detail.
Mr. Beech: And for the four stories you're referring to also?
Mr. Wilshaw: Exactly.
Mr. Beech: Okay. Well, in reference to that, he did say it would be three
stories there instead of four. Is that right?
Mr. Wilshaw: Yes. The zoning would allow up to four stories. He can certainly
put in the buildings that are less than four stories.
Mr. Beech: Okay. And just for general knowledge. Does Livonia allow four
story buildings?
Mr. Wilshaw: Yes.
Mr. Beech: I mean generally?
Mr. Wilshaw: Yes. In this particular zoning, the R-9-I zoning, four story
buildings are allowed. Yes.
Mr. Beech: Okay. But you have to get special zoning for a four story building
in Livonia. Is that right?
Mr. Wilshaw: It depends on the zoning. There are commercial zoning districts
that allow for four story buildings. There are residential that allow
for it. We have apartment buildings. We have McNamara Towers,
and other buildings that are much more than four stories.
Mr. Beech: Okay. Very good. When will the site plan be talked about?
July 12, 2016
27720
Mr. Wilshaw: If the zoning is approved tonight or even if it's denied and he
appeals to the City Council, then a site plan could come forward
at that time. It would be another, Mr. Taormina, probably a month
or two?
Mr. Taormina: At least.
Mr. Wilshaw: It would be a couple months before we would see the site plan.
Mr. Beech: A couple months. And will they send a site plan to Bud's house?
Mr. Wilshaw: They will not send the actual plan. They will send notification of
the meeting. Because you've given us your name and address,
we can make sure and if he's in the radius, he's around the
property, correct?
Mr. Beech: Right.
Mr. Wilshaw: So he will get notification of that.
Mr. Beech: Like this plan in the mail?
Mr. Wilshaw: They won't send the actual plans, no. Just a notice to come to
this meeting, and then you can see the plans. You can always
work with the Planning Department to see those as well. It's all
public information.
Mr. Beech: Well, that's his major concern is what the actual buildings are
going to be and how close they're going to be to his house and
I'm sure that everybody else has with the four stories the same
thing. It's really close right on his property. Thank you very much.
Mr. Wilshaw: Thank you, sir. Mrs. Smith.
Josie Smith, Silver Village, 33648 Lyndon, Livonia, Michigan. I've been a resident
58 years here. I live at Silver Village. I've been there 24 years
because I didn't think I would live this long. I have a couple of
questions. The one is, Luther Lane. Now, you have your road
there at Luther Lane. The other road is coming in where the white
house is. Have I got this right? Is that going to make the circle
and connect to Luther Lane? Okay. So that means the traffic still
would be coming out by us at Silver Village.
Mr. McCann: It can go either way.
Mrs. Smith: Well, why?
July 12, 2016
27721
Mr. Wilshaw: Again, Josie, please ask your questions to us. We'll direct them
over to the petitioner after you have a chance to speak.
Mrs. Smith: Pardon me. I'm sorry. Okay. Luther Lane comes down from the
nursing home all the way down. I figured when I went back and
saw that, the other road is going to be by the title company behind
that parcel of land there. Okay. That's where the road comes in.
So that still would be a lot of traffic coming in and going out Luther
Lane. Am I right?
Mr. Wilshaw: Yes. There would be a connection between this property and
Luther Lane.
Mrs. Smith: I beg your pardon?
Mr. Wilshaw: There would be a connection between this proposed property and
Luther Lane. Then the other connection would be directly off
Farmington Road. So both the direct access to this property and
the access from Luther Lane would go to Farmington Road.
Mrs. Smith: Okay. The only reason I ask this, I'm thinking of a fire. As you
know, our city ordinance says you do have to have two driveways.
But five years ago at Silver Village we had a fire, a furnace fire.
Well, they were there right away because the police and fire
department are so close, but they come in on silent alarm so they
won't bother the residents. Okay. I'm in Building 4 on the other
driveway. It's raining. I get in my car to go play cards at Building
17, didn't know there was a fire there. When I went around the
corner by the activities room, lo and behold, the fire department,
the police department, the rescue squad because of us old
people, you send everybody. I know you do. So that meant, there
we were. If that fire would have spread from 17 to 1, we still only
had one little driveway to go out, and that's what I wonder about
that, the fire. Am I looking at it wrong?
Mr. Wilshaw: What we will do is, once you're all set with your questions, we'll
have the petitioner come forward and he can address that issue
of traffic flow and hopefully explain that to you.
Mrs. Smith: Okay.
Mr. Wilshaw: Are there any other questions that you have?
Mrs. Smith: Yes. I saw the view from the trees. You said you can't see us.
Well, trees only last so long. You have wintertime coming. So you
will be able to see I think. That is one of my concerns. We are
concerned there at Silver Village. Now, we do help the nursing
July 12, 2016
27722
home. Some of us have been over there and we visit there. It's
nice. Believe me. But I am concerned. My big thing is about fire.
I've been in two fires. I'm petrified of them. Thank you.
Mr. Wilshaw: Thank you, Mrs. Smith.
Patricia Wattle, 33734 Lyndon, Livonia, Michigan. Part of Silver Village. I'm coming
from a different angle. I'm a professor of senior services and
gerontology at Madonna. So I'm a resident. I just had some
concern about demographics and I didn't want . . . while I certainly
understand this is Planning and approvals, I wanted everybody
to take into account not to approve something if you can't go
forward with it. My concern was that this would be quality housing
for Livonia residents, but more so, what would define an elderly
person when you have it zoned as elderly. When we started Silver
Village, I know that the definition of an elderly person has
changed considerably. In today's world, elderly is not 55
anymore. Elderly is not 65 anymore. So I wanted to make sure
that we had taken into account what that involves, okay, and who
is going to make the decision of who lives in that housing. Then
also, as far as senior services, has the city considered the senior
services that would be necessary when you add this many more,
224 more units, what kind of services. I did work at the Civic Park
Senior Center for six years and I know that our services were
great, but they could be much better and I want to make sure that
that's thought through so that we can make sure we provide an
attraction to the people that want to go and live there. So my
question is, have they looked at the demographics of that and I'd
be glad to share studies that we've done already at the center.
Mr. Wilshaw: Thank you.
Ms. Wattle: One more question. Is this model of financing for the people that
are going to live there similar to the Henry Ford Village or more
similar to the Marycrest Heights?
Mr. Wilshaw: We'll ask that question. It's a good question. Thank you. Seeing
no one else come forward, if the petitioner would like to please
come back. He's had a chance to hear some questions asked by
the audience. If you would like to address some of those, I'm sure
he could do so now.
Mr. McCann: I'd be happy to. Again, on the egress off of Farmington Road
where Luther Lane comes in to the west. The circular road goes
around to the north and then back out to the east. That is the "U"
road. There should be no interference for traffic at Silver Village
whatsoever.
July 12, 2016
27723
Mr. Wilshaw: There is no connection to Lyndon or Silver Village.
Mr. McCann: There is no connection to Lyndon at all. No.
Mr. Wilshaw: Okay. We had a question about demographics.
Mr. McCann: The target market here is 55 and older. And in terms of rent
payments, this is non-subsidized housing so we're not comparing
ourselves to either of the locations that you mentioned.
Mr. Wilshaw: So the residents that would live here would pay fully out-of-pocket
for their facilities?
Mr. McCann: Yes.
Mr. Long: Is there a down payment to get in, a down stroke in order to get
in?
Mr. McCann: We haven't gotten to that point yet. Reasonably, there would be
a security deposit, but we're not at that point yet.
Mr. Long: Okay. But it would be a lump sum payment similar to what she
was talking about?
Mr. McCann: No.
Ms. Smiley The lady made the point that the view was taken when everything
was in full bloom. We don't know what it would be like but the
point is, is that it's well below . . .
Mr. McCann: The total building height, and I'm talking about the top of the
building, not where there are windows, it's still at least 30 feet
below the top of the trees.
Ms. Smiley: Okay. And then you said this is non-subsidized. So it's not
necessarily just for Livonia residents.
Mr. McCann: Maybe it's for new Livonia residents. Wouldn't that be nice?
Ms. Smiley: That was my question. Okay. Thank you very much.
Mr. Long: Do you have an estimate of how many jobs this would create?
Mr. McCann: I don't. Not yet. We're too early. We're in the embryonic stages.
We'll get there.
July 12, 2016
27724
Mr. Long: I understand.
Mr. Wilshaw: Are there any others questions? If there are no further questions
at this time, we can close the public hearing. We will ask for a
motion.
On a motion by Smiley, seconded by Long, and adopted, it was
#07-74-2016 RESOLVED, that pursuant to a Public Hearing having been held
by the City Planning Commission on July 12, 2016, on Petition
2016-04-01-03 submitted by Dave Phipps pursuant to Section
23.01 of the City of Livonia Zoning Ordinance #543, as amended,
requesting to rezone the properties at 14851 and 14931
Farmington Road, located on the west side of Farmington Road
between Lyndon and Five Mile Roads in the Northeast 1/4 of
Section 21, from OS and R-2 to R-9-I, the Planning Commission
does hereby recommend to the City Council that Petition 2016-
04-01-03 be approved for the following reasons:
1. That the proposed change of zoning is compatible to and in
harmony with the surrounding zoning districts and land uses
in the area;
2. That the proposed change of zoning would provide for the
development of the subject property in a manner that is
consistent with its size and location; and
3. That the proposed change of zoning would provide for a
greater variety of housing opportunities to serve the area as
well as the City as a whole.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that notice of the above hearing was
given in accordance with the provisions of Section 19.05 of
Zoning Ordinance #543, as amended.
Mr. Wilshaw: Is there any discussion?
A roll call vote on the foregoing resolution resulted in the following:
AYES: Smiley, Long, Caramagno, Wilshaw
NAYS: Ventura
ABSENT: McCue
ABSTAIN: None
July 12, 2016
27725
Mr. Wilshaw, Chairman, declared the motion is carried and the foregoing resolution
adopted. It will go on to City Council with an approving resolution.
Again to the residents, we will be revisiting the site plan when it's
presented to us and that's where we will have opportunity to get
into the real detail about the placement of buildings, landscaping,
and all the details of this particular petition.
ITEM #2 PETITION 2016-06-01-04 SOAVE/ORO
CONSTRUCTION
Mr. Caramagno, Secretary, announced the next item on the agenda, Petition 2016-
06-01-04 submitted by Soave/Oro Construction, L.L.C. pursuant
to Section 23.01 of the City of Livonia Zoning Ordinance#543, as
amended, requesting to rezone the property at 28200 Lyndon,
located on the north side of Lyndon between Harrison and
Barkley in the Northeast 1/4 of Section 24, from R-U-F to R-2.
Mr. Taormina: This is a request to rezone property on the north side of Lyndon
between Harrison and Barkley. The request is to rezone this
property from R-U-F, Rural Urban Farm, to R-2, One Family
Residential. The property is 2.71 acres in size. It includes 346 feet
of frontage along Lyndon and has an average depth of roughly
340 feet. The property is the location of the former CB (Compton-
Buckingham) Swim Club. The swim club has been closed for a
number of years. The front part of the site contains an old
swimming pool as well as a clubhouse and parking lot. The rear
portion of the site is undeveloped and maintained as an open
field. The purpose of the rezoning would be to allow for the
development of single family homes that are in accordance with
R-2 district regulations. The R-2 zoning requires a minimum lot
size of 70 feet by 120 feet and each lot area would be a minimum
of 8,400 square feet in size. The land area requested to be
rezoned is sufficient in size to allow for the division of the property
into approximately eight single family homes. This is actually the
third rezoning petition involving the CB Swim Club property. The
swim club site was originally much larger extending all the way to
the north to Oakley Avenue and to the west to Harrison Avenue.
In 1988, the land area, roughly 1.70 acres in size, that included
all the Oakley Avenue frontage, was rezoned from R-U-F to R-2.
The petition was approved and the property was subsequently
divided to form six lots that adjoin the north property line of the
CB Swim Club site. In 2005, the westerly 120 feet of the CB Swim
Club property, which is its entire Harrison Avenue frontage, was
rezoned from R-U-F to R-2. Approved was a six lot development
which are all site condominiums. The surrounding land uses in
July 12, 2016
27726
area include to the north, residential homes zoned R-2, the same
classification that is proposed for this property. The same zoning,
R-2, exists to the east as well as to the west of the property. To
the south is Perrinville Early Childhood Preschool which is zoned
PL, Public Lands, as well as an additional residential
development that is zoned R-1, One Family Residential. The
Future Land Use Plan for his property does designate the area
as Low Density Residential, which corresponds to a density of
between one to five dwelling units per acre and is consistent with
the proposed R-2 zoning which would have an anticipated
maximum development density of roughly three dwelling units per
acre. With that, Mr. Chairman, I can read out the departmental
correspondence.
Mr. Wilshaw: Please.
Mr. Taormina: There is one item of correspondence from the Engineering
Division, dated June 27, 2016, which reads as follows: "In
accordance with your request, the Engineering Division has
reviewed the above referenced petition. We have no objections
to the proposed rezoning at this time. The legal description
included with the petition appears to be correct and should be
used. The existing property is assigned an address of #28200
Lyndon Avenue. The existing building is currently serviced by
public water main, and storm and sanitary sewers. Should the
owner wish to re-develop the property, drawings will need to be
submitted to this department to determine if permits will be
required."The letter is signed by David W. Lear, P.E., Assistant
City Engineer. Thank you.
Mr. Wilshaw: Are there any questions of the Planning Director? Seeing none,
is the petitioner here this evening? We will need your name and
address for the record please.
Brian Duggan, 14315 Denne, Livonia, Michigan. I'm here to represent Mr. Soave
on this project.
Mr. Wilshaw: Thank you, sir. Is there anything else you'd like to add to what
you've heard?
Mr. Duggan: I think Mark did a fine job. I just wanted to add the fact that the
swim club has been vacant for many years and the pool is unsafe.
Kids are out there playing around in an area that would obviously
be best for the overall area if we demolished that and put some
new homes in there.
July 12, 2016
27727
Mr. Wilshaw: Are there any questions for the petitioner? Is there anybody in the
audience that wishes to speak for or against the granting of this
petition? Can we have your name and address?
Peter McCoy, 28235 Oakley, Livonia, Michigan. My house abuts right behind the
property. I'd just like to say that I'm hoping that it doesn't go in
because we'd like to just keep it, hopefully turn it into a park or
something else. I'd just hate to see houses constructed up tightly
against our houses. I don't know. It might be a down side to other
homes in the area to have so much a tight fit with homes in there.
That's my feeling. I wouldn't be too happy about it.
Mr. Wilshaw: Are there any questions for Mr. McCoy?
Mr. Caramagno: Which house are you, sir?
Mr. McCoy: I'm at 28235.
Mr. Caramagno: How far off of Harrison?
Mr. McCoy: I'm about five houses down.
Mr. Caramagno: Have you lived there since the property was rezoned to allow for
houses to be built? Are you one of the original buyers?
Mr. McCoy: I'm the second owner.
Mr. Caramagno: Second owner of that house.
Mr. McCoy: Yeah.
Mr. Caramagno: Are you're saying you'd rather see this property undeveloped?
Mr. McCoy: Yes. I understand what they're saying about the pool and so forth,
but it would be nice if it was filled in and turned into a park or
something to that effect. It just seems like the houses . . . if this
could have been thought through better when the homes went in
on Harrison, and it doesn't seem like it's a very good fit to put
those homes in like that coming in off of Lyndon.
Mr. Caramagno: So you're saying you don't think this pool property would be in
harmony with what's built there now?
Mr. McCoy: Yeah. That's how I feel about that. I don't like it coming off of
Lyndon. I think if it was originally done right, you would have an
entrance off of Harrison Street.
July 12, 2016
27728
Mr. Caramagno: Thank you.
Rick Anthony, President, CB Swim Club, Inc., 14833 Santa Anita Avenue, Livonia,
Michigan 48154. I am also the President of the CB Swim Club,
Inc. We are working along with Mr. Soave to turn this into
something that can be used. The pool club, just to give you a little
bit of history, closed in 2008. It has been a pretty big financial
drain on those current owners of the club. We have certainly
made every attempt. The property is fenced. We've never had
any problems with people going around in there, but you can look
at the property plat of everything around it and there's houses
everywhere. It is the absolute highest and best use for this land.
So I just wanted to get up and say that.
Mr. Wilshaw: Okay. Thank you.
Belinda Eleson, 28154 Lyndon, Livonia, Michigan. Good evening. I live right next
door to the CB Swim Club. First of all, I want to thank you for
affording me the opportunity to speak. I have lived in my home
for 22 years now. I was never a member of CB Swim Club. While
it was open, we had no issues, but since it has closed, it has
turned into blight. I mean the overgrowth is horrendous. My fence
line is ridiculous. I have trees growing through my fence that I
cannot maintain, shrubbery, what have you, has been like that for
years. I have asked repeatedly to please clean it up. It has not
happened. As far as the pool, the pool is completely collapsed.
It's buckled. It fills with water. I myself and other neighbors have
called the City to ask to have the pool drained because not only,
one, it's dangerous to children or anybody who gets in there and
I disagree with you, sir. There have been people who have gotten
in there because I have called the police on three different
occasions. Teenagers have been in there trying to loot. It's a
hazard. It's dangerous. It's not good for anybody around there,
not to mention the mosquito problem that it causes by the pool
filling. I think you can only drain so much because there's still
water in there which attracts mosquitos. I can't imagine living right
behind it and looking out at that every day. Those houses are
expensive. I would not want to look at that. I don't like seeing what
I see being right next to it. So as far as houses going in there, I
see it as being a plus if it, in fact, is homes. I'm not fond of
apartments or anything like that, but homes I think would be good.
And as far as having a park put there, we have a huge park right
across the street adjacent to the school. Dooley Park is there.
Compton Park is just down the street. So that's my two cents.
July 12, 2016
27729
Mr. Wilshaw: Seeing no one coming forward, I will give Mr. Duggan an
opportunity if he would like to add anything else from what he's
heard.
Mr. Duggan: I just want to assure the neighborhood that our intent right now is
to put single family homes in there.
Mr. Wilshaw: The zoning would be R-2, which is single family homes, 70 foot
width by 120 foot depth. That's consistent with what's in the area.
Is there anything else from the Commission?
Ms. Smiley: Through the Chair to Mr. Taormina, I'm reading the petition. It
says one family residence, 9,600 square feet. Is that right?
Mr. Taormina: No. We made that correction.
Ms. Smiley: So it's 70 feet by 120 feet. Okay. Thank you.
Mr. Wilshaw: Thank you. for clarifying that, Ms. Smiley. Are there any other
questions?
Mr. Long: Mr. Duggan, while you don't need a site plan yet, has there been
any thought to the positioning of the homes? Would you have an
"L" shape going on here or would it be a court?
Mr. Duggan: Mark can answer this better. Way back when they started Oakley,
I believe, the city came up with a design like a court, but Mr.
Soave is looking at all his options right now. It was originally
planned by the city to be a court in there.
Mr. Long: Thank you.
Mr. Wilshaw: I believe we can close the public hearing on this item. Thank you,
Mr. Duggan, for coming forward. A motion would be in order.
On a motion by Ventura, seconded by Smiley, and unanimously adopted, it was
#07-75-2016 RESOLVED, that pursuant to a Public Hearing having been held
by the City Planning Commission on July 12, 2016, on Petition
2016-06-01-04 submitted by Soave/Oro Construction, L.L.C.
pursuant to Section 23.01 of the City of Livonia Zoning Ordinance
#543, as amended, requesting to rezone the property at 28200
Lyndon, located on the north side of Lyndon between Harrison
and Barkley in the Northeast 1/4 of Section 24, from R-U-F to R-
2, the Planning Commission does hereby recommend to the City
Council that Petition 2016-06-01-04 be approved for the following
reasons:
July 12, 2016
27730
1. That the proposed change of zoning is compatible to and in
harmony with the surrounding land uses and zoning districts
in the area;
2. That the proposed change of zoning will provide for single
family residential development similar in density to what is
existing in the neighboring area;
3. That the proposed change of zoning is consistent with the
Future Land Use Plan designation on the subject property
of low density residential land use; and
4. That the proposed change of zoning represents an
extension of the existing zoning districts occurring on
adjacent properties to the north and west.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that notice of the above hearing was
given in accordance with the provisions of Section 19.05 of
Zoning Ordinance #543, as amended.
Mr. Wilshaw, Chairman, declared the motion is carried and the foregoing resolution
adopted. It will go on to City Council with an approving resolution.
Similar to our previous petition, this was for zoning. The site plan
will be coming forward in the future so we will see the details of
that location.
ITEM #3 PETITION 2016-06-02-11 LIVONIA OFFICE CENTER
Mr. Caramagno, Secretary, announced the next item on the agenda, Petition 2016-
06-02-11 submitted by Livonia Office Center requesting waiver
use approval pursuant to Section 9.03(m) of the City of Livonia
Zoning Ordinance #543, as amended, to operate a massage
establishment (Refuel Massage) within the Livonia Office Center
at 28200 Seven Mile Road, located on the north side of Seven
Mile Road between Inkster and Middlebelt Roads in the
Southeast 1/4 of Section 1.
Mr. Taormina: This is a request to operate a massage establishment called
Refuel Massage. The location is the Livonia Office Center, which
is on the northwest corner of Lathers Avenue and Seven Mile
Road. This property is about 0.75 acres in size with 120 feet of
frontage along Seven Mile by 270 feet along Lathers. The zoning
of the property is OS, Office Services, which allows for massage
establishments as a waiver use pursuant to Section 9.03(m) of
July 12, 2016
27731
the Zoning Ordinance. The office building on this property was
built in the late 1970's and contains a gross floor area of about
10,540 square feet. The building faces Lathers with parking in the
front located between the building and the street, as well as on
the north and south sides of the building. To the north, east and
west of the property are residential homes under the R-U-F
zoning classification. To the south, across Seven Mile Road,
there is a variety of both commercial as well as residential uses.
This proposal would utilize one of the units on the lower level of
the building as a massage establishment. It's identified as Suite
#108 and is located towards the south end of the building. This
space is roughly 400 square feet. The latest floor plan that was
submitted to the Planning Commission indicates that there are
seven rooms that make up Suite #108 including a waiting room,
reception area, one massage room, a facial room, restroom,
break room, and storage space. Refuel Massage apparently has
been operating at this location for approximately one year. The
owner was issued a violation notice by the Enforcement Division
with orders to cease operations and apply for the required waiver
use. There was another massage establishment within this
complex in the adjacent unit, #109, that operated until recently.
They were providing massage without authorization, and there
was an investigation. That business was shut down as a result of
some illicit activities, and they have since vacated the premises.
So this is a massage establishment that apparently has been at
this location for some time and it was separate, as we've been
told, from another user which has since left the building. Parking
is established at a ratio of one space for every 200 square feet of
useable floor area. That would require a total of 42 parking
spaces. The site actually exceeds that requirement. There are
two required elements to these types of businesses in terms of
special land use requirements. The first is that they cannot be
located within 400 feet of any other property which is either
occupied or approved for a massage establishment. This
proposed massage establishment would be in compliance with
that provision. As of today, there are no other massage
establishments located within 400 feet of the proposed location.
Secondly, the ordinance requires that no massage establishment
be located within 400 feet of a school, place of worship, state-
licensed day care facility, public library, playground, or public
park. Again, this establishment would be in compliance with that
special requirement because no such uses are located within 400
feet of the proposed business. I will point out that you do have
new information submitted today which gives you a more detailed
breakdown of where the rooms are within this particular suite.
That was information that was discussed at the study session and
July 12, 2016
27732
the plans have now been submitted. With that, I'll read out the
correspondence.
Mr. Wilshaw: Please. Thank you.
Mr. Taormina: There are two items of correspondence. The first item is from the
Engineering Division, dated June 27, 2016, which reads as
follows: "In accordance with your request, the Engineering
Division has reviewed the above referenced petition. We have no
objections to the proposed waiver use at this time. The legal
description included with the petition appears to be correct and
should be used. The existing property is assigned an address of
28200 Seven Mile Road. The existing building is currently
serviced by public water main and storm and sanitary sewers.
Should renovations to the building require alterations to the
existing services, drawings will need to be submitted to this
department to determine if permits will be required."The letter is
signed by David W. Lear, P.E., Assistant City Engineer. The
second letter is from the Livonia Fire & Rescue Division, dated
July 11, 2016, which reads as follows: "This office has reviewed
the site plan submitted in connection with a request to operate a
massage establishment on property located at the above
referenced address. We are requesting this petition be placed on
hold until the following information is received: Additional
architectural drawing for suites 108 and 109 to be submitted by a
licensed architect. Hand drawn pages that were submitted did not
seem correct in their layout in relationship to page 2." The letter
is signed by Daniel Lee, Fire Marshal. Thank you.
Mr. Wilshaw: Are there any questions of the Planning Director?
Ms. Smiley Through the Chair to Mr. Taormina, was there a letter from the
Police Department or just the Fire Department?
Mr. Taormina: Apparently, we have not received anything from Police or
Inspection as of this hearing.
Ms. Smiley: Were both massage establishments operating at the same time?
Mr. Taormina: It was my understanding that there was a time when they were
both operating concurrently. That is correct.
Ms. Smiley: And the one in #109 was illegal?
Mr. Taormina: They were both unauthorized by virtue of the fact that they never
went through this process. The one in #109 is no longer in
operation. I really can't speak to the details of that investigation
July 12, 2016
27733
but it's my understanding that they are now gone. Maybe the
owner of the property can provide more information in that regard.
Ms. Smiley: I just want to make sure the good one was the one in #108.
Mr. Taormina: That's my understanding.
Ms. Smiley: It's not authorized or legal.
Mr. Taormina: That's correct.
Ms. Smiley: Thank you.
S. Chand Marwaha, 3665 Valley View Lane, West Bloomfield, Michigan 48323.
Mr. Wilshaw: Would you like to add anything you've heard so far tonight?
Mr. Marwaha: I just want to clarify the situation in #109. That situation has been
cleared by the police and they have arrested the individual, the
owner. As I said many, many times, I was under the impression
they're legitimate and they are qualified and licensed, but the act
was committed by an employee. The owner sometimes does not
have any control because they are not there all the time, including
myself as a landlord. I couldn't be there. So the #109 situation
was one of a million. I've owned this building for 26 years and we
never had a situation like that. Unfortunately, people do commit
crimes without the knowledge of anybody and everybody. So with
all due respect to you, #109 has been shut down and I took the
possession back. The court has given me possession back to me.
It has been re-rented to a skin clinic. So there is only one
massage, this one. If you look at the drawing, the massage itself
is only about 150 square feet. It's not more than that. The other
one is a facial room, and then storage and a break room. So
technically, I'm requesting less than 200 square feet approval on
the massage. These people have been wonderful, credible
people. They have been there more than a year. I had no
complaints. They're helping other businesses also in the building.
The other businesses, when they come they look at the massage.
They go there and they have admired and they have called on
some occasion and say how nice it has been. So I believe we are
serving the community. As far as the#109 situation, it's all behind
us. Twenty-six years it never happened. It happens anyplace and
every place. People do commit a crime without knowledge of the
superiors. So with all due respect to you, this will be a nice thing
to happen to the community for service standpoint of view. Also,
they're a good tenant. The building is hard to rent to any medical
suites and all that because all this medical buildings are now
July 12, 2016
27734
brand new and they have all the new equipment. So I cannot rent
to medical suites or office suites. It's very hard. This place sit
empty for six months and I could not rent it. Finally, I broke down
and rent it to these people to cover the cost of operations. Still,
the building is 30 percent empty and it's not covering the cost. But
I'm keeping it because I love the City of Livonia. I have been there
26 years and I've done everything to make the building look
better. But I sincerely apologize for the incident on #109. That's
taken care of. Police have arrested the woman. She has been
arraigned and she never came back. As a matter of fact,
everything was left there. We had to put it out. So I beg for your
approval on this and I hope for 200 square feet I don't want to
lose a tenant. They pay well. They pay on time. They keep the
building nice and I had no complaints, neither my tenants. So I
beg for this committee to approve this and it will help me. There's
not many good massage places in the city. I have been told this
is one of the best and people have come as far as Pontiac.
People called me and said what a good experience it has been.
Plus it's helping other people. People come for tax preparation;
they see Refuel Massage. They want to come and try it. So it's
not only helping ... the psychologist, they are referring their
clients also. It kind of serves other tenants also, and it helps me
financially. All the taxes are current. The water bill is paid. The
building is well kept up. As far as the plans are concerned, they
have been submitted by Philip Goss. He has submitted all the
drawings to the Building Department. So they have all the
information and what they need. If anything needs to be done, I'd
be happy to comply with their request, from the City, from the
Building Department, anyplace.
Mr. Wilshaw: Thank you, sir. Are there any questions for the petitioner?
Mr. Long: This suite, #108, this is the part of the building that's closest to
Seven Mile Road. Is that correct?
Mr. Marwaha . That is correct, sir.
Mr. Long: Okay. Is there any signage for the massage parlor?
Mr. Marwaha: I believe there is one. Yes.
Mr. Long: Does that sign go out to Seven Mile Road or is it just a little sign
on your entrance?
Mr. Marwaha: I think a little sign in the window. They couldn't afford it. They're
trying to make some money.
July 12, 2016
27735
Mr. Long: Thank you.
Mr. Ventura: A question for Mr. Taormina. Mark, at our study session, I believe
you mentioned that there were a number of building code
violations in the property generally, and the petitioner was
working on getting them resolved and up to code. Do you know if
that process has been completed?
Mr. Taormina: Has it been completed? No. My conversation with the Inspection
Department late last week was that the petitioner was making
progress towards that end, and that he had retained the services
of an architect. That architect has provided information to the
Inspection Department that allows them more or less to analyze
the existing conditions of the building. What's needed next will
require some improvements, mostly involving the access ways in
the building. In discussing this with the Inspection Department,
they did not feel that this particular unit was in violation of any of
those ingress/egress issues. They would still need to go through
final approvals for their occupancy permit for this space should it
move forward, but I did not hear from them that there were any
significant issues as it pertains to Unit #108 as far as building
code violations. Apparently, the owner has been cooperative in
providing that information to the Inspection Department to get
those other issues resolved, but I think there's still going to be
some work required to that end.
Mr. Ventura: Thank you.
Mr. Marwaha: I want to comment to all of you that I will do my utmost. In 26
years I have not failed on the city. I have talked to Mr. Jerome
periodically. He had just submitted yesterday or today, I believe
the architect has submitted the drawings which is 99 done. One
of the items is left and I promised Mr. Jerome that I would take
care of that, whatever takes to do it. So my commitment to all of
you stands, that I will bring the best to the city in regards to
compliance and regards to updates or anything. I'm very proud of
the city. I've been here 26 years. I've done very well with the city.
So I don't think I'm going to fail now. You can have my
commitment in writing and verbally that I will comply with Mr.
Jerome. I fully cooperated with his request. We have registered
all the properties. We have allowed them to come anytime. The
Fire Department has been there. We corrected all the things. So
I reassure you that if any one of you will call me and say
something needs to be done, I will not disappoint you. I will take
personal interest to do that.
July 12, 2016
27736
Mr. Wilshaw: Okay. Thank you. Are there any other questions for the
petitioner?
Mr. Caramagno: Sir, you said you're 70 percent occupied or 70 percent vacant?
Mr. Marwaha: Seventy percent occupied.
Mr. Caramagno: Is your occupancy, have you recently signed someone up?
Because I'm looking at some of the documents you've sent. Have
you recently signed someone up in there?
Mr. Marwaha: Recently, but they have not moved in. They just don't have the
money. They signed the deal but they haven't come up with the
money.
Mr. Caramagno: What kind of business is that?
Mr. Marwaha: It's going to be skin care basically. Skin care.
Mr. Caramagno: Skin care?
Mr. Marwaha: Yes. But sometimes people do come and sign the deal but they
don't come up with the money. That's the critical issue. And I'm
trying not to put anybody there who's against the code. For
example, I would not open another massage. If that person
leaves, if it permits only to #108, nothing else. I can't put anything
which is against the ordinance or the code.
Mr. Caramagno: Okay. Just so I'm clear right now. There is no massage operating
in the building as of today?
Mr. Marwaha: To the best of my knowledge, no, sir. That's to the best of my
knowledge.
Mr. Caramagno: It's your building. To the best of your knowledge, is there a
massage operation in there today or not?
Mr. Marwaha: I don't . . . that's the only one I know. That's the only one I have
allowed.
Mr. Caramagno: When you say that's the only one you allowed, what do you
mean? Is there one operating there today? If I go there to get a
massage, can I go there tonight and get a massage?
Mr. Marwaha: I don't know whether they're open right now. Okay. So.
July 12, 2016
27737
Mr. Caramagno: That's what I'm getting at. They shouldn't be open. They don't
have approval.
Mr. Marwaha: Yeah, they don't. They can't because we are just waiting for the
approval.
Mr. Caramagno: But they've been open for a year?
Mr. Marwaha: They have been open, yes.
Mr. Caramagno: Illegally.
Mr. Marwaha: I was not aware of that. That's my fault.
Mr. Caramagno: I'm just trying to get it clear. Illegally, well, there was two. One
providing illegal services.
Mr. Marwaha: Yeah. One is gone and one is left. Now if you choose not to keep
them there, I'll have to remove them. All I can say, on a going
forward basis, I'm not going to rent to any massage. Even if it's
empty, I'm going to leave it empty.
Mr. Caramagno: Okay. Thank you.
Mr. Marwaha: Keep in mind. It's only 200 square feet out of 10,000. If you
choose not to keep them there, I will give them a 30-day notice to
move.
Mr. Wilshaw: All right. Thank you, sir.
Mr. Marwaha: I will comply with your request. Thank you.
Mr. Wilshaw: Is there anybody in the audience that wishes to speak for or
against this petition? I know we have one resident here.
Gary Williams, 28112 Seven Mile Road, Livonia, Michigan. I have a document for
you.
Mr. Wilshaw: Yes. If you want to bring them over to Mark, he can distribute
them.
Mr. Williams: Where do we start? Golly. I gave you some paperwork. I have a
master copy. I'll go through this. The reason I brought up the
human trafficking is we've had a lot of problems here. Okay. A
lot. And I know he stresses that he hasn't had that many, but
there's been numerous, numerous investigations as long as a
year long in some cases that I've been told by the zoning
July 12, 2016
27738
commission that they had a hands off last year on it. Officer
Painter was supposed to contact some of you guys here to
address some other issues that we had. We don't just have
prostitution there. I can't speak on it because it might be an
ongoing investigation. I don't want to blow it for somebody. It's
been a nightmare over there. Chinese Relaxation on page two
here. That woman, my understanding, remember her? She fled
back to I believe Asia to avoid prosecution. She was running a
pretty large scale operation there. That was back I think in 07,
something like that. And we got the other one, Golden Massage.
That was another problem. They've made several arrests on that
one. We have a way of escape. They just, as a matter of fact, Eric
Goldstein, I was on the phone with him about two months ago
and he had to fill in for the prosecuting attorney and they just tried
one of those cases from that building there. This is just ongoing
and ongoing. I've been fighting this thing for six or seven years
now, and it's getting really tiring. As a matter of fact, I'm at the
point to where I'm going to ask the Council tonight, because I feel
that I've exhausted all my avenues regarding city help. I tried to
mediate. I called these people. They told me they could get away
with whatever they want. The little guy, I dubbed him tattoo. He
wears a tuxedo all the time. He's always over there. Every other
day hugging people. So they know what's going on. They know
the people there. We have a school down the street. We have a
park down the street. We have a community. I have five letters I
submitted. I walked around. They had no problem signing it. We
all know the problems. March 29, 2016, nine undercover police
officers with M-16s, bullet proof vests, entered that building,
stayed there for two hours pulling stuff out of that building. I called
Chief Caid. He said they were executing, get this, executing a
building violation. I don't know. Maybe it's true. He asked me if I
was some type of patriot. I go, no. I'm a neighbor. I live across
the street from this stuff. I don't know what else to say. I can go
on and on and on. We all know this has been a troubled building.
It's an eyesore on top of everything else. I have a couple numbers
for demolition companies. I mean I'm sure they'd work out a deal
with him. But, the truth of the matter is, I need somebody from the
state, and I'm going to ask this right now. I need mediation. I don't
feel comfortable just sitting down with Eric Goldstein without an
attorney, and I don't feel I should have to pay for another one.
You know what I'm saying? I mean, so if you guys could offer me
a phone number. What's my recourse? You know, when I see all
this stuff happening, because it seems like there's been a blind
eye turned for so many years regarding this and it's not just
prostitution. Okay. I mean it's a lot of other things. But how do you
prove all this stuff? I know this. And you know that it's been bad
over there. You have to. Every one of you received emails from
July 12, 2016
27739
me. I emailed the Mayor. I've left voice mails. I mean this is getting
out of hand now. When is this going to end? Do we have to keep
doing this and doing this? Isn't there something within the city that
can say, there's been too many problems with this particular
building that the County can step in and you seize it or
something? I mean, we have a school down the street. We have
neighbors.
Mr. Wilshaw: Mr. Williams, I think it's safe to assume that you are against this
petition?
Mr. Williams. Oh. I'm sorry. Yeah. Very, very much so. As a matter of fact, I am
putting my home up for sale next spring because of this. I've
gotten to the point where we feel a little unsafe now. I've got
cameras everywhere on my house. I have two years of video on
SD cards. I mean I saved them. If someone wants to look at them
or if you want to streamline the camera I've got on my garage, it
points right at the building. I mean, this is out of hand. This is too
bad. This could be something decent. I think it would be a good
community building for the seniors or something like that,
something a little more positive than what's been going on over
there, but I am against it. Okay. I presented the letters from the
other neighbors that couldn't be here either.
Mr. Wilshaw: Yes. Thank you. We appreciate that.
Mr. Williams: I'm sorry. I'm just not very good at this, but I'm angry.
Mr. Wilshaw: You're doing fine. We just want to keep you on point.
Mr. Williams: Thank you for that too.
Mr. Wilshaw: Thank you, sir. Are there any questions for Mr. Williams? Thank
you, sir.
Mr. Williams: I had a lot more. Believe me. I've got a stack of stuff. And this
goes back about eight or nine years. I went on Google's archives
and typed that stuff in. This #108 was one of the major problems
over there by the way. I want you to know that.
Mr. Wilshaw: We see there's a number of different . . .
Mr. Williams: And if you go on Craig's List, I cross referenced the phone
numbers. You can find them on Craig's List too and they were
attached to a Farmington location too. So I'm done.
Mr. Wilshaw: Thank you, sir. Is there anybody else wishing to speak?
July 12, 2016
27740
Amanda Oliverio, 19305 Brentwood, Livonia, Michigan. I'm parallel. My only
question would be for the owner, what is these hours that this
massage is running for both of them, I guess. Because I believe
that the worry was is that it was late at night. So that was my only
question for them.
Mr. Wilshaw: That's a fair question. Thank you. We will ask the petitioner that.
Mr. Williams: I did have one more.
Mr. Wilshaw: Mr. Williams, go ahead..
Mr. Williams: After the last meeting, I made contact with the city, the Mayor's
office and Eric Goldstein's office. Now, they've got a CPL training
course over there, I guess. They got the beauty hair thing over
there going. They've got the bridal salon going. This place is
packed like a Walmart. Now, I don't know if you're aware of the
school down the street. When school's in session, it's bumper to
bumper. You cannot move there, and now this is becoming more
impacting. If there was a fire down the street or something like
that, I mean, I would hate to see that someone would have to,
you know, die or the house burn up because they couldn't get
down because of the excess traffic that we've been adding from
this building. I appreciate the fact that this gentleman wants to
progress and build and make it positive, but it's not positive over
there. And I believe those buildings, those businesses, are out of
zone and out of ordinance still. I still didn't get my answers. Is
there somebody that can give me an answer? Do I have any
recourse? I mean outside the city. Somebody I can contact
because I do feel abandoned on this whole situation here. I mean,
before I moved in, the problem is, my property sees everything.
The rest of the neighborhood, unless you're driving by and you're
actually looking, you don't see anything. So this is why it's
survived for so long. But it's been the focal point of many, many
investigations and that is on record.
Mr. Wilshaw: All right. Thank you, Mr. Williams. In terms of what we can do for
you tonight, we are dealing with the waiver use of the massage
for this location. That's really all that's before us and all that we
can deal with tonight. If there are other resources that you can
avail yourself of for your other issues, you know what those are,
I think, already. You've tried them. We're all set. Sir, the
petitioner. If you'd like to . . .
Mr. Marwaha: Give me a question. Which question would you like me to
answer?
July 12, 2016
27741
Mr. Wilshaw: Let's start with the question of the hours of operation that was
asked.
Mr. Marwaha: Hours of operation. The optical, which has been there for the last
35 years, they open in the evening 6:00 to 9:00 and 6:00 to 10:00
sometimes. They don't open during the day. They are part time.
So they would be open in the evening.
Mr. Wilshaw: That's the optical or the massage?
Mr. Marwaha: Optical.
Mr. Wilshaw: We're just interested in the massage. The massage would be
closed by what time?
Mr. Marwaha: By 6:00 at the most. They don't open all the time. They do by
appointment. So there's not much of a traffic issue. The second
issue is the tax preparation. The tax preparation, the guy works
all kinds of hours depending upon when people want to come.
Mr. Wilshaw: We're talking strictly about the massage tonight.
Mr. Marwaha: Massage is not open but she's pregnant first of all. She's not
operating as far as I know. And secondly, we are waiting for your
permission. But thirdly, as far as hours are concerned, the
building is open 24 hours a day. People like optical, they're only
open three days a week. You have a sign on that. Six to nine. So
six to nine or ten, whatever time they take. The dentist, also, he
works late hours. He makes dental.
Mr. Wilshaw: Sir, we're strictly talking about the massage. We're not interested
in . . .
Mr. Marwaha: Going back to the massage, she was pregnant. She's not even
open at this time.
Mr. Wilshaw: Okay. But what would the hours of operation be if this massage
operation . . .
Mr. Marwaha: It would be maybe two to six or one to six. That's what I've been
told because people don't do massages in the morning. They go
in the afternoon and generally they close around six.
Mr. Wilshaw: Okay. Thank you, sir.
July 12, 2016
27742
Mr. Marwaha: But as far as traffic is concerned, you have to keep in mind people
come and go, come and go. It's not something we are
congregating people there. So I think his allegation that school . .
. school is only about 20 minutes when the school closes. The
traffic is only good for 20 minutes. After that, it calms down. So I
don't think the allegation he's making, he knows what he' talking
and he called me and threatened me sometimes.
Mr. Wilshaw: We don't want to get in a debate back and forth. We're just strictly
trying to stay on point with this particular item.
Mr. Wilshaw: As far as massage is concerned, if he really feels there's that
much opposition, I will take it out, but we have to keep in mind,
it's only a small portion of the total. And secondly, it's a source of
income because I can't rent. It sat empty for six months and I
couldn't rent it because it's in the corner. It's on the lower floor. I
don't have an elevator. I don't have handicap access. And if I add
all that, it's going to cost more. It's not worth it. So I think not only
based on practicality, on hardship also, this matter has to be
considered a little more carefully. So if you decide you don't want
the massage to be there, I guess that's the choice then.
Mr. Wilshaw: Are there any more questions?
Mr. Williams: I have one more. I apologize.
Mr. Wilshaw: I think we have to close off the . . .
Mr. Williams: I have one more comment. It would take two minutes.
Mr. Wilshaw: Mr. Williams, you've got two minutes.
Mr. Williams: All right. The disability act of the United States. They do not
comply to one and they're running and operating like a 7-11 all
day long and all night long, and like you said the last time. Do you
remember? Handicapped people don't need massages. I just
wanted to bring that up for non-compliance, the handicap needs
or disability.
Mr. Wilshaw: We are aware of that. Thank you, sir.
Mr. Williams: Thank you again, and I apologize.
Mr. Wilshaw: Is there anybody on the Commission wishing to address the
petitioner? Hearing none, we will close the public hearing and ask
for a motion.
July 12, 2016
27743
On a motion by Caramagno, seconded by Long, and unanimously adopted, it was
#07-76-2016 RESOLVED, that pursuant to a Public Hearing having been held
by the City Planning Commission on July 12, 2016, on Petition
2016-06-02-11 submitted by Livonia Office Center requesting
waiver use approval pursuant to Section 9.03(m) of the City of
Livonia Zoning Ordinance #543, as amended, to operate a
massage establishment (Refuel Massage) within the Livonia
Office Center at 28200 Seven Mile Road, located on the north
side of Seven Mile Road between Inkster and Middlebelt Roads
in the Southeast 1/4 of Section 1, which property is zoned OS,
the Planning Commission does hereby recommend to the City
Council that Petition 2016-06-02-11 be denied for the following
reasons:
1. That the petitioner has failed to affirmatively show that the
proposed use is in compliance with all of the special and
general waiver use standards and requirements as set forth
in Sections 9.03 and 19.06 of the Zoning Ordinance #543;
2. That the petitioner has not adequately established that there
is a need for the proposed use in this section of the City;
3. That the petitioner has not sufficiently demonstrated that the
proposed use would be compatible to and in harmony with
the surrounding uses in the area; and
4. That the proposed use is contrary to the goals and
objectives of the Zoning Ordinance which, among other
things, are intended to insure suitability and appropriateness
of uses.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that notice of the above hearing was
given in accordance with the provisions of Section 23.05 of
Zoning Ordinance #543, as amended.
Mr. Wilshaw: Is there any discussion?
Ms. Smiley I'm going to support the denying resolution. We're not getting
enough information or answers. I'm not sure that he's prepared
to put an establishment in there. I'm not if it's operating now or
not operating now to tell you the truth. But I think if the petitioner
wants to take a look at it later after he has all of his ducks in a
right-of-way and has followed all the regulations from the
Department, we would take another look at it, but I'm going to go
with the denying for this evening.
July 12, 2016
27744
Mr. Wilshaw, Chairman, declared the motion is carried and the foregoing resolution
adopted. It will go on to City Council with an approving resolution.
ITEM #4 PETITION 2016-06-02-12 TIM HORTONS
Mr. Caramagno, Secretary, announced the next item on the agenda, Petition 2016-
06-02-12 submitted by N.C. Designers & Contracting, Inc.
requesting waiver use approval pursuant to Section 11.03(c)(4)
of the City of Livonia Zoning Ordinance #543, as amended, to
operate a limited service restaurant with drive-up window facilities
(Tim Hortons) within the gas station at 37921 Ann Arbor Trail,
located on the southeast corner of Ann Arbor Trail and Ann Arbor
Road in the Northeast 1/4 of Section 31.
Mr. Taormina: This is a request to operate a limited service restaurant with drive-
up window facilities at an existing gas station located at the corner
of Ann Arbor Trail and Ann Arbor Road. This property is roughly
0.57 acres in size with 130 feet of frontage on Ann Arbor Trail and
165 feet of frontage on Ann Arbor Road. The zoning of the
property is C-2, General Business. In 2015, this gas station
received site plan approval to expand the existing building. That
project is currently under construction. Operation of a limited
service restaurant is regulated under Section 11.03(c) of the
Zoning Ordinance. A limited service restaurant is an eating
establishment with 30 or fewer customer seats. The proposed
Tim Hortons would have very limited seating and would rely
mostly on its drive-up operation for business. The Tim Hortons
would occupy roughly 950 square feet within the building which
is about 2,300 square feet of total interior space. The restaurant
portion would be located on the north portion of the building that
is closest to Ann Arbor Trail. The submitted floor plan does not
show any indoor or outdoor seating in connection with the
restaurant, but the petitioner has indicated that the restaurant
would likely contain about four to six barstools along a counter
area next to the front window. Looking at the site plan relative to
parking, we have to look at two different functions within the
building. One is the retail use, the other is the restaurant. Looking
at the retail, parking is based on a ratio of one space for every
150 square feet of useable floor area. So the convenience store
part of the use would require seven parking spaces. The required
parking for the restaurant, if we look at six seats, would require
three parking spaces plus two spaces that are required for the
drive-up operation, one space per employee, and assuming there
would be one or two employees, that too would require a total of
July 12, 2016
27745
seven parking spaces, for a total of 14 parking spaces. The site
plan provides for a total of 14 spaces. The drive-up operation is
planned along the north side of the building where the restaurant
part of the use would be located, but the traffic lane serving the
drive-thru window would commence at the south side of the
building. It would then loop around the east side of the building
and finish at the pick-up window on the north side of the building.
Restaurants with drive-thru services are required to have a
sufficient amount of waiting or stacking space. That is provided
at a minimum rate of four car spaces in addition to the space at
the drive-up window. The designer has illustrated how as many
as 13 vehicles could stack for this drive-up operation without
adversely affecting the other circulation on the site. You can see
where the last car is positioned near the southeast corner of the
canopy. That would be the 13th vehicle. I know a question came
up at the study meeting as to how this would compare with similar
drive-up operations located at the corner of Inkster and
Schoolcraft. We did take a look at that. It's a little different layout.
Generally, that site provides for about seven car spaces behind
the building and the side that contains the pick-up window. What
makes it different from this is that there are two driveways that
merge together. You have cars coming in off of Inkster Road that
go directly into the drive-up lane. And then there's a secondary
drive aisle to the south, which may cause congestion where the
two aisles merge. It was indicated that there are times when the
cars back up all the way to Inkster Road and that would make
sense if, for some reason, there are cars trying to come in from a
different direction to access the drive-up facility. There are no
exterior modifications proposed with this building. That was all
reviewed in connection with the 2015 petition. In terms of
signage, there is no additional information relative to signage. I
know another question that came up was landscaping. There is a
bit of discrepancy between the plan we're looking at here, which
shows landscaping, and the landscape plan that was previously
approved in 2015. We have been told by the petitioner that it is
his intention to develop the site strictly in accordance with the plan
that was approved in 2015 despite any differences between the
two. In fact, the resolution that we prepared this evening does
reference that previously approved plan. With that, Mr. Chairman,
I can read out the departmental correspondence.
Mr. Wilshaw: Yes, please.
Mr. Taormina: There are three items of correspondence. The first item is from
the Engineering Division, dated June 27, 2016, which reads as
follows: "In accordance with your request, the Engineering
Division has reviewed the above referenced planning petition. We
July 12, 2016
27746
have no objections to the proposed waiver use at this time. The
legal description provided with the petition appears to be correct
and is acceptable to this office. The existing parcel is assigned
an address of 37921 Ann Arbor Trail which should be used in
conjunction with this petition. The proposed plan indicates that
project will consist of renovation of the existing service station
property, and construction of a new building which will include a
drive-thru restaurant. The submitted drawings do not provide any
information regarding the existing utilities and service leads for
the proposed building, so we cannot comment on any impacts to
the utilities at this time. It should be noted that the new restaurant
will need to comply with the City of Livonia's ordinances regarding
fats, oils and grease disposal. The owner will need to submit
plans to this department prior to construction to obtain
Engineering Department permits for any work within the Ann
Arbor Trail right-of-way, and for any changes to the existing
service leads. The owner may also need to obtain permits from
the Michigan Department of Transportation for any work within
the Ann Arbor Road right-of-way."The letter is signed by David
W. Lear, P.E., Assistant City Engineer. The second letter is from
the Livonia Fire & Rescue Division, dated July 11, 2016, which
reads as follows: "This office has reviewed the site plan submitted
in connection with a request to operate a limited service
restaurant with drive-up window facilities (Tim Horton's) within the
gas station on property located at the above referenced address.
We have no objections to this proposal with the following
stipulations: A fire access road shall be provided with not less
than 20 feet of unobstructed width and have a minimum of 13 feet
6 inches of vertical clearance in accordance to 18.2.3.4.1.1 and
18.2.3.4.1.2 of NFPA 1, 2015. The escape lane appears to be too
narrow to accommodate our equipment if vehicles are in the way."
The letter is signed by Daniel Lee, Fire Marshal. We have an
email correspondence, dated July 8, 2016, which reads as
follows: "Using the same criteria for the limited service restaurant
with drive-up window facilities, Tim Hortons, at the gas station on
the northwest corner of Inkster and 1-96, and assuming that the
order station at the Ann Arbor Trail/Ann Arbor Road location
would be on the south side of the building, and the drive-up
window on the east side of the building, I find many areas that do
not meet the same criteria as the Inkster/I-96 location. Drive-thru
traffic flow, ingress and egress, handicap parking would not meet
federal guidelines, fuel delivery interfering with drive-thru traffic
flow and inadequate parking for restaurant."The correspondence
came from Donald Kleinknecht. It does not give his address.
Thank you.
July 12, 2016
27747
Mr. Wilshaw: Are there any questions of the Planning Director?
Ms. Smiley That last letter is not from any of our departments, right? It's just
from an individual?
Mr. Taormina: I'm assuming he is a resident in the area, but again, he did not
provide his address.
Ms. Smiley: Okay.
Mr. Taormina: No, it is not departmental correspondence. That's correct.
Ms. Smiley: So he says there's not enough room in the pass lanes. Is that
what he said?
Mr. Taormina: Are you referring to the previous letter?
Ms. Smiley: No, I'm talking about Donald Kleinknecht.
Mr. Taormina: He states: Drive-thru traffic flow (ingress/egress), handicapped
parking would not meet federal guidelines, fuel delivery
interfering with drive-thru traffic flow and inadequate parking for
restaurant.
Ms. Smiley: Okay. Did our departments find any of those things to be
accurate?
Mr. Taormina: Not at this point. We do not have correspondence yet from the
Inspection Department or the Police Department, just Fire and
Engineering.
Ms. Smiley: Then I have one more question. If I'm in car six, can I go through
that loading zone to get out if I decide I don't want to wait? You
see where the lines are? Can I get over there?
Mr. Taormina: Yes. That is a paved area. As long as there are no vehicles in
that area. I mean if a truck were to be actually positioned within
the loading zone, then the bypass lane would not function
properly. Now whether or not they're going to actually have trucks
parked in that loading area at times when the drive-up operation
is occurring, I don't know. That's a question for the owner.
Ms. Smiley: Okay. Typically, would you have 13 cars stacked up to get a cup
of coffee?
Mr. Taormina: I've seen that before. Tim Hortons at Five Mile and Newburgh
probably at times will have close to that many vehicles. Whether
July 12, 2016
27748
or not this location would see the same kind of business, I don't
know.
Mr. Wilshaw: But they'd like to.
Ms. Smiley: Okay. Thank you.
Mr. Wilshaw: Is the petitioner here this evening? We will need your name and
address for the record please.
Nasser Choucair, NC Designers and Contracting, 3241 S. Telegraph, Dearborn,
Michigan 48124. I guess Mr. Taormina explained enough. I can
answer some of the questions that you guys were asking. This
site plan was approved last year, and we are active now on
construction. We did do the addition on the building, and the
building is coming along. The reason why we're here tonight is
because Tim Hortons gave us the green light to go ahead and
they'll take the space because we weren't sure if they were going
to take it. They want a commitment. They want to see
construction going on so they would tell us, okay, now get us the
drive-thru so we can get in there. Now, site plan that was
approved the way it is without the drive-thru and landscaping, we
have a different landscaping plan, which was approved, and we
are doing that. Engineering, we have approved plans from
Engineering and permits. We are going to close the approach and
do whatever they required us to do. Regarding handicap, we're
not changing any spaces or we're not playing around with the
parking. So I don't know why the neighbor was complaining about
that. That plan was approved by building and safety and building
and safety always bring these issues up, handicap ramps, all that.
The loading zone, that is a special time that we have trucks
coming to this site and these trucks come only either after
midnight when there is no traffic or at a time that the site is not
busy, like early, early in the morning at 6:00 probably or 5:00, or
after midnight. So no way the owner would call, let's say, a truck
to come and service that gas station when he's busy. So whoever
is leading or owned the gas station, he is not going call his service
people to come during his peak. Regarding traffic, I did a traffic
analysis a year ago. I'm an engineer at construction management
and I go through traffic analysis with all my sites and I do them
myself and I do the calculations. We did a count on this site. This
site is really, really poor, even it did not go through our system. I
work with Wayne State University with Dr. Datah and he's from
MDOT. We do these studies. I did go through this particular site
in one of the projects to see if it would go through the system that
we use for traffic analysis. This site we had to multiply it by 10
times so it would kick in the system and we would see the traffic
July 12, 2016
27749
flow in it. This site, if you wait at the peak hour, you can take it
from 4:30 to 6:00, you won't even get in there 50 cars for an hour,
especially the two corners, two approaches on the corner. You'll
get like two cars in each one of them. The one of the side you
would get about 20 cars. The one up there, you would get about
30 cars. If you put these numbers together and you do the
calculation, you cannot get more than 50 cars in this site. So if
we're looking at a drive-thru service, every car it would two
minutes to service. No one would wait. Would you wait more than
two minutes? Imagine how many cars we're going to have. I
would say we won't have more than six cars at a time. That's the
max this site would take, especially the area there. I would see
no problem with my analysis. I don't know about the police and
you guys, but my analysis, I would see no problem with traffic if
this is an issue and someone is thinking about traffic problems
there.
Ms. Smiley: My only question was, if I'm in car six, can I get through that
loading zone if I decided I didn't want to wait 20 minutes.
Mr. Choucair: When you say loading zone, what do you mean by loading zone?
Ms. Smiley: Mr. Taormina said, right there. He said that's all paved and if I'm
in car six, I should be able to get out.
Mr. Choucair: This is a regular escape lane, you know. Only we put that space
to show if there is a garbage truck coming to pick up, they have
a specific time when they're going to come and pick that up, either
early or after midnight. And if there is a truck that wants to service
Tim Hortons or the gas station with candy and snacks, they can
park over there and service it, but they have also a specific time
when they can park over there.
Ms. Smiley: Thank you.
Mr. Caramagno: When this site was approved prior to this drive-thru idea, I see the
driveway off of Ann Arbor Trail was closed. The one further to the
west and the one furthest to the east would remain open To me
it seems like that's opposite of what it should be. As I'm looking
at the plan there, I'm thinking, those cars that come out of that
drive-thru window, that would be an opportunity for them to get
off that property easy right there if they just turned right after they
got their coffee.
Mr. Choucair: From Ann Arbor Trail.
July 12, 2016
27750
Mr. Caramagno: I understand the thought before the drive-thru, but now it seems
like this is an opportunity to get cars off this property without
having to wait to make a left hand turn onto Ann Arbor Road.
Mr. Choucair: But it would create an issue at exit. Always if you go from that
approach on Ann Arbor Road, you have the opportunity to go on
Ann Arbor Road, or come back to Ann Arbor Trail. If you go
straight to Ann Arbor Trail, then you have to make a turn left which
is going to cause a problem because you're going to have
stacking cars going left on Ann Arbor Trail. So you're creating an
issue with traffic if you lead the car to go through Ann Arbor Trail.
Mr. Caramagno: I understand what you're saying, but I'm looking at these cars
coming off this drive-thru, coming out here to Ann Arbor Road
having to make a left, and you're going to be popping them out of
there two minutes at a time. I don't know if they're going to get
out of there with a left hand turn in the morning as quick as you'll
be able to service them.
Mr. Choucair: If we got enough cars like we are imagining, like every two
minutes we're going to get a car, I doubt it. I would look next door
to McDonald's. They don't get that many cars, and they've been
for a while there. I think Tim Hortons the same thing. They're not
going to be really extra busy I think in the peak time.
Mr. Caramagno: How are you going to control the delivery vehicle and garbage
truck? How do you plan to control that?
Mr. Choucair: Oh, it's simple, we just tell them don't come at this time. Just come
after midnight, 1:00.
Mr. Caramagno: That's easy to say standing there, but you can't tell the garbage
truck come at midnight or 1:00 in the morning.
Mr. Choucair: Oh, no. Garbage truck would come early in the morning. I thought
you were telling me about the delivery people. Garbage trucks we
can tell them always early in the morning.
Mr. Caramagno: What time is early?
Mr. Choucair: Five. We can get them five.
Mr. Caramagno: No, they can't service the stop at 5:00 in the morning. You have
apartments behind there, don't you? Housing behind here?
Mr. Choucair: Six o'clock. I mean garbage always early in the morning. Near my
house, I live in Dearborn, they service. They come 7:00 in the
July 12, 2016
27751
morning. They pick up all the garbage from the neighborhood.
They start at 7:00.
Mr. Caramagno: Seven o'clock to me in the morning would be prime time for your
coffee drinkers? No?
Mr. Choucair: I don't know. But not that high of a peak. From 8:00. We can say
8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. That's the high peak. 5:30 to 6:00 that's a
high peak.
Mr. Caramagno: You may want to think about your garbage truck coming later in
the morning, 11:00, when the coffee drinkers are gone.
Mr. Choucair: But we're talking about garage trucks, not every day. Once a
week.
Mr. Caramagno: Well, I'm pretty well versed in garbage trucks and I know what the
problem is they're going to have.
Mr. Choucair: I can put him on Saturday to come over there any time he wants.
We can put him any day we want. We do only a pickup at a
service station once a week.
Mr. Caramagno: The gas station services are changing now. You're going to have
a coffee shop. You're going to produce more garbage. You're
going to have a little more of an issue with that than you think
right now. Mark, I thought you had something when I mentioned
the driveway?
Mr. Taormina: In terms of the driveway, when we look at these at the time of the
review, public safety typically comments that those approaches
closest to the intersection are probably the most suited for
removal for safety purposes and better traffic flow. I think the
other consideration that was given in this particular case was the
fuel delivery vehicles and the fact that there would be circulation
either clockwise or counterclockwise from the two outer
approaches to fuel up. Is that correct?
Mr. Choicair: Yes.
Mr. Taormina: So I think the fuel delivery trucks will actually be circulating
around so it would make either of exit or entrance from Ann Arbor
Trail that much easier from that easterly approach.
Mr. Caramagno: Okay. Thank you.
July 12, 2016
27752
Mr. Wilshaw: Is there anybody in the audience that wishes to speak for or
against this petition? Seeing no one coming forward, I will close
the public hearing and ask for a motion.
On a motion by Long, seconded by Smiley, and unanimously adopted, it was
#07-77-2016 RESOLVED, that pursuant to a Public Hearing having been held
by the City Planning Commission on July 12, 2016, on Petition
2016-06-02-12 submitted by N.C. Designers & Contracting, Inc.
requesting waiver use approval pursuant to Section 11.03(c)(4)
of the City of Livonia Zoning Ordinance #543, as amended, to
operate a limited service restaurant with drive-up window facilities
(Tim Hortons) within the gas station at 37921 Ann Arbor Trail,
located on the southeast corner of Ann Arbor Trail and Ann Arbor
Road in the Northeast 1/4 of Section 31, which property is zoned
C-2, the Planning Commission does hereby recommend to the
City Council that Petition 2016-06-02-12 be approved subject to
the following conditions:
1. That the maximum customer seating count for this
restaurant shall not exceed a total of six (6) interior seats;
2. That the maximum customer seating count may be
expanded to a total of ten (10) interior seats if the
requirement for two (2) spaces designated for drive-up
window customers is waived by the City Council by means
of a separate resolution by which two-thirds of the members
of the City Council concur;
3. That the Site Plan marked Sheet SP-1 dated June 17,
2016, prepared by N.C. Designers & Contracting, Inc., is
hereby approved and shall be adhered to;
4. That all site landscaping shall be installed according to the
landscape plan approved in Council Resolution #128-15,
with any modifications subject to the approval of the
Planning Director;
5. That the Elevation Plans marked Sheet A-2 and A-3 both
dated June 17, 2016, prepared by N.C. Designers &
Contracting, Inc., are hereby approved and shall be
adhered to;
6. That all conditions imposed by Council Resolution #128-15
shall remain in effect to the extent that they are not in
conflict with the foregoing conditions;
July 12, 2016
27753
7. That the specific plans referenced in this approving
resolution shall be submitted to the Inspection Department
at the time of application for building permits; and
8. Pursuant to Section 19.10 of Ordinance #543, the Zoning
Ordinance of the City of Livonia, this approval is valid for a
period of ONE YEAR ONLY from the date of approval by
City Council, and unless a building permit is obtained, this
approval shall be null and void at the expiration of said
period.
Subject to the preceding conditions, this petition is approved for
the following reasons:
1. That the proposed use complies with all of the general
waiver use standards and requirements as set forth in
Section 19.06 of the Zoning Ordinance #543;
2. That the subject site has the capacity to accommodate the
proposed use; and
3. That the proposed use is compatible to and in harmony with
the surrounding uses in the area.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that notice of the above hearing was
given in accordance with the provisions of Section 23.05 of
Zoning Ordinance #543, as amended.
Mr. Wilshaw, Chairman, declared the motion is carried and the foregoing resolution
adopted. It will go on to City Council with an approving resolution.
ITEM #5 APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1,090TH Public Hearings and
Regular Meeting
Mr. Caramagno, Secretary, announced the next item on the agenda, Approval of
the Minutes of the 1,090th Public Hearings and Regular Meeting
held on June 28, 2016.
On a motion by Smiley, seconded by Ventura, and unanimously adopted, it was
#07-78-2016 RESOLVED, that the Minutes of 1,090th Public Hearings and
Regular Meeting held by the Planning Commission on June 28,
2016, are hereby approved.
July 12, 2016
27754
A roll call vote on the foregoing resolution resulted in the following:
AYES: Smiley, Ventura, Long, Caramagno, Wilshaw
NAYS: None
ABSENT: McCue
ABSTAIN: None
Mr. Wilshaw, Chairman, declared the motion is carried and the foregoing resolution
adopted.
On a motion duly made, seconded and unanimously adopted, the 1,091st Public
Hearings and Regular Meeting held on July 12, 20 : was adjourned at 8:51 p.m.
CITY - ANNING COMMISSION
Sam C:ramagno, Secretary
ATTEST:
Ian Wilshaw, Chairman