HomeMy WebLinkAboutSTUDY - 2017-05-08
CITY OF LIVONIA – CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES OF STUDY MEETING HELD MAY 8, 2017
Meeting was called to order at 8:27 p.m. by President McIntyre. Present: Brian
Meakin, Brandon Kritzman, Maureen Miller Brosnan, Jim Jolly, Scott Bahr, and
Kathleen McIntyre. Absent: Cathy White.
Elected and appointed officials present: Mark Taormina, Director of
Economic Development and Planning; Todd Zilincik, City Engineer; Ed Davis,
Superintendent, Parks and Recreation; Coline Coleman, Chief Accountant; Mike Slater,
Director of Finance; Jim Inglis, Executive Director of Housing; Dennis Wright, Mayor;
and Don Knapp, City Attorney.
President McIntyre announced there is new data on Items 9 and 13.
Councilmember Brosnan recognized Clara Carr, former City Employee who retired from
the Parks and Recreation Department with 30 years of service, she recently passed
away at the age of 101. She will be dearly missed.
AUDIENCE COMMUNICATION: None
1. REQUEST FOR DESIGNATION AS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION: Michelle
Clemens, President, The Ian Clemens Foundation, re: as required by the State
of Michigan to obtain a Charitable Gaming License to allow them to conduct a
raffle at an event scheduled for August 6, 2017.
Michelle Clemens, 9950 Levan, presented the request to Council.
Brosnan offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
Vice-President Kritzman said he would be support the resolution. He asked
Michelle Clemens to talk about their organization and explain how the funds will
be utilized. She said her son Ian Clemens passed away from brain cancer while
attending Michigan State University and pursuing his dream to become an
Engineer. She said they offer scholarships to Engineering students. She said
they also help families in need with children with cancer. She said this past year a
recipient of one of their scholarships graduated with her degree in Engineering
and will be employed by Google in California. Vice-President Kritzman
commended Michelle Clemens on her foundation and making a difference in
honor of her son Ian. He said her story was quite amazing.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
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2. PLYMOUTH ROAD DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (PRDA) ANNUAL REPORT
FOR 2016: Michael T. Slater, Treasurer, re: as submitted pursuant to Public Act
197 of 1975.
Mike Slater, Finance Director, PRDA Treasurer, presented the Annual Report for
2016 to Council and asked that it be received and filed for the information of the
City Council.
Meakin noted that the revenue is less than the expenditures and asked Slater
where the difference came from to cover the expenditures. Slater replied that
there is a fund balance. He said there is some reserve however it will need to be
addressed in the budget next year. Meakin asked Slater if the light poles that are
lying on the ground will be replaced anytime soon. Slater responded indicating
they are waiting on DTE.
Vice-President Kritzman asked Slater about some work along the right of way
that is being done at Plymouth and Middlebelt, whether it is routine maintenance
of the paver area.
Slater said it was due to some gas line replacement work done by Consumers
Energy and is being restored at their expense. Slater asked the City Engineer to
confirm if that was correct.
Todd Zilincik, City Engineer, confirmed that was correct.
President McIntyre said the report will be received and filed for the information of
the City Council for the Consent Agenda.
DIRECTION: RECEIVE & FILE CONSENT
3. REQUEST TO APPROVE QUARTERLY BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS: Department
of Finance, re: for the first quarter of the 2017 Fiscal Year Budget.
Mike Slater, Finance Director, presented the request to Council. A summary of
adjustments to the current City budget for the first quarter of the 2017 fiscal year
has been provided to Council. The adjustments are needed to adjust for the
increased cost of contracted snow removal from this past winter.
Bahr asked Slater why it was over budget. Slater responded stating they budget
for basically 1 ½ snow removals. He said if they called just once, they are under
budget and if they are called twice they are over budget. Bahr asked when are
they called if it was a certain number of inches of snow. Slater said when it is 4
inches or more they are usually called in.
Brosnan offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
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DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
4. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF THE 2017-18 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM (CDBG); ANNUAL ACTION PLAN DRAFT AND
BUDGET; AND REQUEST TO APPROVE HOLD HARMLESS CONTRACTS
BETWEEN THE CITY OF LIVONIA AND FIRST STEP; FAIR HOUSING
CENTER OF METROPOLITAN DETROIT, WAYNE METROPOLITAN
COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY; CRUZ CLINIC; HEGIRA PROGRAMS, INC.;
ST. JOHN HEALTH SYSTEM/EASTWOOD CLINICS, STONEBROOK
COUNSELING ASSOCIATES, PLLC; AND CITY OF LIVONIA DEPARTMENT
OF COMMUNITY RESOURCES: Livonia Housing Commission, re: in
connection with the operation of a domestic violence victim assistance program;
for the purpose of providing fair housing; and for the mental health counseling
program provided for through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
programs for the 2017-2018 program year. (CR 36-17)
Jim Inglis, Executive Director of Housing, presented the request to Council. The
recommended final program design, budget and Annual Action Plan for the 2017-
2018 CDBG program has been provided to Council. The Annual Action Plan
serves as the formal application for the CDBG program and must be submitted to
the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development by May 15, 2017.
The purpose of this letter is to respectfully request your formal approval of the
Annual Action Plan for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2017 and ending June 30,
2018. Attached is a suggested resolution for Council consideration. At the regular
meeting of February 13, 2017, the Council authorized informal approval for a
proposed CDBG program and tentative budget for fiscal year 2017-18. The
Housing Commission-Community Development Office has held two public
hearings and provided a thirty-day public comment period. The Housing
Commission did not receive any written public comments. The CDBG anticipated
allocation of $316,093.00 plus potential un-programmed funds of $269,000.00 is
designated in the Action Plan. It is respectfully requested that City Council
approve the 2017-2018 CDBG program and Annual Action Plan Draft by adopting
the prepared resolution. It is also requested that the Council authorize the
Director of Housing, Mayor and the City Clerk to execute the contract documents
on behalf of the City of Livonia with sub recipients First Step, Fair Housing Center
of Metropolitan Detroit, Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency, Cruz
Clinic, Hegira Programs, Inc., St. John Health System/Eastwood Clinics,
Stonebrook Counseling Associates, PLLC and City of Livonia Department of
Community Resources.
Brosnan offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
Meakin commended Inglis on the report and said it is a very interesting action
plan.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
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5. REQUEST TO APPROVE APPROPRIATION AND EXPENDITURE WITHOUT
COMPETITIVE BIDDING PROCESS FOR THE PERRINVILLE SCHOOL MOVE
PHASE 2: Department of Community Resources, re: to prepare the school to be
moved to the proposed permanent location at Greenmead, from funds in the
Historical Commission Trust Fund. (CR 07-15).
Linda McCann, Director of Community Resources, presented the request to
Council. The historic Perrinville School was successfully moved last fall and is
now located on the Greenmead property. The area will be marked to properly
prepare the Perrinville School to be moved to the proposed permanent location
as shown on the plans by Neumann Smith Architects. This final move is
anticipated for preparation after there have been two (2) weeks of permanent dry
weather. Phase 2 will begin after approval has been provided for Integrity
Building Group's (IBG) proposal (see attachment). The following items during this
phase will include excavation of the site, new connections for sanitary sewer,
storm sewer and domestic water service. The new concrete spread footings and
foundation for the existing building, and the new addition along with structural
steel work are also included in Phase 2. The stairs at the front and rear of the
building will be constructed. In addition, the doors, frames and hardware will be
installed. The original cupola that was removed will be restored and reinstalled.
Phase 2 will be considered complete once the Perrinville School has been
stabilized on the new concrete foundation and items in 1GB proposal have been
completed and accepted, along with the building being weatherized. However,
the interior restoration will be done in the future during the final phase, Phase 3.
They are asking Council to approve 1GB, as they are the current contractor,
without competitive bids to complete Phase 2 in the amount of $147,020. These
funds are available in the Historical Commission Trust Fund. No general funds
will be used for this project.
Meakin offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
Jolly asked if they had a timeline for completion. McCann replied they must have
two weeks of no rain, so they are waiting on the weather to cooperate.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
6. REQUEST TO APPROVE EXTENSION OF INTERGOVERNMENTAL
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CONFERENCE OF WESTERN WAYNE AND
THE CITY OF LIVONIA YOUTH ASSISTANCE PROGRAM THROUGH
SEPTEMBER 30, 2019: Department of Community Resources, re: to receive
$52,195.00 to be used for the Youth Employment Resource Program, the Youth
Assistance Group Facilitators and Jail Tour expenses.
Linda McCann, Director of Community Resources, the extension of the
Intergovernmental Agreement between Wayne County and CWW on behalf of
Livonia's Youth Assistance has been provided to Council for its review. The IGA
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is from April, 1, 2017 - September 30, 2019. Livonia Youth Assistance is to
receive $52,195, which is used toward the Youth Employment Resource
Program, the Youth Assistance Group Facilitators and Jail Tour expenses. They
ask the Council authorize the approval of the agreement between CWW and the
City of Livonia, with the funds deposited in the Youth Assistance Trust Fund.
Brosnan offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
7. AWARD OF BID: Department of Parks and Recreation, re: for replacement of
the marquee sign at the Jack E. Kirksey Recreation Center at the corner of Five
Mile Road and Hubbard Road, from budgeted funds.
Michelle Koppin, Assistant Superintendent, Parks and Recreation, presented the
request to Council. The Department of Parks and Recreation has taken bids for
marquee replacement at the Kirksey Recreation Center. The current sign at the
corner of Five Mile and Hubbard is not operational with obsolete technology that
we are unable to repair. Specifications were prepared by the department and an
advertisement for bids was placed in the March 12, 2017, issue of the Livonia
Observer and on the MITN website. Three (3) bids were received and opened in
the presence of the Bid Committee at 2 p.m. on April 11, 2017. The bid tabulation
and the form of proposal and bid specifications has been provided to Council for
its review. The bids are good for 120 days from opening.
Staff is requesting that City Council authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to
execute a contract in the amount of $18,628.00 with the low bidder, Curb Appeal
Concepts, 4040 Montgomery Drive, Shelby Twp. Ml 48136, care of Mr. Timothy
Muller. Budgeted funds are available
Meakin offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
8. AWARD OF BID: Department of Parks and Recreation, re: for construction of
Phase One of the proposed Dog Park at Bicentennial Park, from budgeted funds.
Michelle Koppin, Assistant Superintendent, Parks and Recreation, presented the
request to Council. The Department of Parks and Recreation has taken bids for
Phase One of the proposed Dog Park construction at Bicentennial Park. Phase
One will consist of electrical, sewer, water, clearing grub vegetation, asphalt
paths, concrete for the entry area, and drainage for the site. This phase will be
completed by the end of August, with Phase Two consisting of fencing, electronic
gate for access, and site furnishing, such as agility features. Phase Two will be
installed in Fall, 2017. Specifications were prepared by the Engineering
Department and an advertisement for bids was placed in the Sunday, March 19,
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2017, issue of the Livonia Observer and on the MITN website. Seven (7) bids
were received and opened in the presence of the Bid Committee at 2 p.m. on
April 11, 2017. Below, for Council's review, is the bid tabulation. They are
recommending JSS - Macomb receive the contract, as the low bidder and having
received favorable references on similar projects they completed. They request
that City Council authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute a contract in the
amount of $89,095.00 with JSS - Macomb, LLC, 48228 Conifer Drive, Shelby
Twp., Ml. Copies of their form of proposal and bid tabulation as prepared by
Engineering Department has been provided to Council for its review. The bids are
good for 120 days from opening. Budgeted funds are available.
Jolly offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
Jolly asked Koppin if they had a timeline and when the dog park might possibly
be open for usage. Koppin said the contract specifies for completion by August
25, 2017 for Phase I. She indicated they are in the process of preparing the bid
for Phase II, she said they are anticipating that the park be open for usage in the
Fall of 2017.
Meakin thanked the Parks and Recreation Department for their hard work on this
project.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
9. REQUEST TO ADJUST WATER AND SEWER CONSUMPTION RATES,
INDUSTRIAL SURCHARGE RATE AND INDUSTRIAL WASTE CONTROL
CHARGE: Public Service Division, re: to become effective with the first billing
on or after July 1, 2017.
Coline Coleman, Chief Accountant, and Don Rohraff, Director of Public Works
were present for this request. Coleman presented the request to Council. She
said they have worked on the water rates jointly and are proposing an increase of
6.7% to the average user. There will be no increase in fixed costs this year. She
noted that an average user uses about 5,000 gallons of water per month and the
increase will be about $3.50. She said the increase is necessitated by the
increase to the City by Great Lakes Water Authority for water and Wayne County
for sewer services. The water increase is about 4.4% and the sewer increase
about 6.4%. Fixed costs have continued to rise; those are the costs that the City
pays to Great Lakes Water Authority and to Wayne County regardless of the
amount of water sold. This year the fixed cost for Great Lakes Water Authority is
approximately 8.3 million dollars. The fixed cost for Wayne County sewage
services is about 15.4 million dollars for a total of about 23.7 million dollars in
fixed fees.
Don Rohraff, Director of Public Works, spoke about the fixed costs for the City.
Livonia's local costs have also increased. Sewage costs have increased due to
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the cost of improvements to the sewer system, which have been ordered
pursuant to the May 2011 rain event. In addition, water costs have increased
pursuant to repairs to a GLWA meter. The repairs have led to a more accurate,
higher measure of units sold to the City of Livonia, thereby increasing cost. The
City is also planning to replace 5,280 feet of 12-inch water main on Five Mile
Road from Middle Belt to Merriman, at a cost of $1 million dollars. This stretch of
water main has had numerous water main breaks in the last few years. He said
they have emergency repairs and non-bonded capital which is for equipment
needed for those repairs. He said the reality is we must pay our suppliers and be
financially sound. He said our rates compared to surrounding communities is the
lowest or second lowest depending on the type of user.
Brosnan said it is important to understand where we are headed overall. The big
question residents will have regarding this increase is how it stacks up compared
to previous increases. She recognized that there has been a lot of reorganization
within the Great Lakes Water Authority. She said it was expected with this new
reorganization that rate increases would go down. She asked Rohraff and
Coleman how we are doing in that regard. Coleman replied that last year’s
increase was slightly higher than this year’s increase. She said it is still an
increase but a slightly lower increase. Brosnan asked them if they have tracked
the rate increases over the years. She added from when the fixed rate was
introduced going forward. Coleman said yes. She said she could provide that
Council prior to the voting meeting. Brosnan said she’d like to see the increases
tracking report broken down to show the increases by Great Lakes Water
Authority and Wayne County. Brosnan said to Rohraff she knows he serves on
the Great Lakes Water Authority and several of their committees; she asked how
much of role do we play when it comes to working with Wayne County to fairly
allocate costs. Rohraff replied basically none. Brosnan said that’s interesting
because that is the other side of this equation. Rohraff said unfortunately they
(Wayne County) only have two meetings a year and it usually to introduce new
people due to the high turnaround they have. He said the Wayne County
Executive has made the comment that they are looking to get out of the sewer
business. He said the interaction is very little. Brosnan for lack of opportunity not
for lack of wanting.
Vice-President Kritzman said when the fee structure was changed five years ago.
He said it wasn’t about getting rid of fee increases it was about getting the curve
down because we were facing double digit rate increases at that time. He said
that is something we are all grateful we are not having to endure at this point. He
asked Rohraff and Coleman if in their opinion we are accomplishing that goal as
a region collectively. Rohraff said that is a difficult question, he said his gut
reaction would be yes, we are trending that way, downward.
Vice-President Kritzman said if one municipality is making good choices and
decisions that is not always reflected in the rates. It is disappointing to us. He
said that he doesn’t feel confident that Great Lakes Water Authority is taking into
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account the improvements that our community is making in the infrastructure. He
congratulated Rohraff and Coleman for all their efforts. Rohraff added that since
2011 we had the S2 Grant of 1.1 million dollars used for sewer inspections. He
said we had an SRF that was 3.1 million dollars used for sewer relining, parking
lot disconnects and manhole relining. He said we had the SAW Grants that was
2.8 million that was used for sewer inspections, cleaning, relining of the sewers.
We had a DWRF Project 3.1 million dollars used for upgrading and replacing
water mains mostly in the Coventry Gardens subdivision area. He said currently
they are experiencing the DWRF Project 2 for improvements in Sections 34 and
36, it is for 7.3 million dollars for water main replacement. The total of all that is
17.4 million dollars through grants and efforts used on our infrastructure.
Brosnan offered the approving resolution for the Regular Agenda.
Meakin said he appreciates that Livonia remains on the low end for rates
compared to surrounding communities. He commended Rohraff and Coleman for
all their hard work on all the improvements to the infrastructure and on keeping
the rate increases manageable.
Don Knapp, City Attorney, added that Ordinance amendments have been
prepared to reflect the changes in the rates. There are separate Ordinances for
the rates and the language changes to bring it up to code. He said they are ready
for First Reading.
President McIntyre noted that was the new data to be received and filed for the
Regular Agenda.
ST
DIRECTION: 1) APPROVING – 1 READING (RATES) REGULAR
ST
2) APPROVING – 1 READING (LANGUAGE)
3) RECEIVE & FILE – NEW DATA
10. REQUEST TO AUTHORIZE APPROPRIATION AND EXPENDITURE: Public
Service Division, re: for emergency water main repair on eastbound Schoolcraft,
west of Newburgh.
Don Rohraff, Director of Public Works, presented the request to Council. An
emergency water main repair took place on March 17 and March 18, 2017. They
found a leak on the 20-inch water main under east bound Schoolcraft service
drive just west of Newburgh. The water department doesn't work on water mains
this large and the city's emergency contractor D'Angelo Brothers; Inc. was called
to make the repair. Additional traffic control measures were needed due to the
location near the exit ramp for Newburgh from I-96 to perform the main repair.
They are requesting the following payments be made
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1. $30,173.41 to D'Angelo Brothers Inc., 30750 Eight Mile Road, Farmington
Hills, Michigan 48336 for materials and labor necessary to perform
emergency repairs.
Funding for these repairs is budgeted in the Water and Sewer Fund and will
come from Construction in Progress Account.
Brosnan offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
11. REQUEST TO AUTHORIZE APPROPRIATION AND EXPENDITURE: Public
Service Division, re: for emergency water main repair on 13245 Newburgh
Road, just South of I-96.
Don Rohraff, Director of Public Works, presented the request to Council. An
emergency sewer repair was performed March 24, 2017 on 13245 Newburgh
road just south of I-96. The business owner notified the department of a sewer
backup they were experiencing. After investigation, it was determined that the
sewer lead to the property was damaged during a water main repair. The city's
emergency repair contractor D'Angelo Brothers Inc. was contacted to make the
necessary repairs. They are requesting the following payments be made.
1. $7,920.80 to D'Angelo Brothers Inc., 30750 Eight Mile Road, Farmington Hills,
Michigan 48336 for materials and labor necessary to perform emergency
repairs.
2. $1,695.75 to Gaz Contracting, Inc., 31095 Schoolcraft, Livonia, Ml 48150 for
labor and equipment for pavement cutting for the emergency repair.
Funding for these repairs is budgeted in the Water and Sewer Fund and will
come from Construction in Progress Account.
Meakin offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
12. REQUEST TO AUTHORIZE AN AGREEMENT WITH DETROIT EDISON
COMPANY: Engineering Division, re: to remove and re-install the streetlights as
part of the Five Mile Road Water Main Replacement Project – Middlebelt Road to
Inkster Road, from budgeted funds.
(CR 303-16)
Todd Zilincik, City Engineer, presented the request to Council. Pursuant to
Council Resolution No. 303-16, adopted July 25, 2017, the City Council
authorized the Engineering Division to proceed with the Five Mile Road Water
Main Replacement Project - Merriman Road to Inkster Road. During the design
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phase of this project, it was found that the location of the new water main on Five
Mile Road between Middlebelt Road and Inkster Road would necessitate that six
(6) UG streetlights be removed and re-installed.
They respectfully request that the City Council take the following actions:
Authorize an agreement with the Detroit Edison Company, Macomb Center,
15600 19 Mile Road, Clinton Twp., Ml 48038-3502 in an amount not to
exceed $8,322.81 for the streetlight removal.
Authorize an agreement with the Detroit Edison Company, Macomb Center,
15600 19 Mile Road, Clinton Twp., Ml 48038-3502 in an amount not to
exceed $39,024.77 for the streetlight installation.
Authorize an expenditure in the amount of $47,347.58 from, Construction in
Progress Account.
Authorize the City Engineer to approve minor adjustments in the work as
required.
Brosnan asked Zilincik if the lights would be replaced and put in the right-of-way
like the previous lights. He said they will be put back in the same location.
Brosnan offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
13. WAIVER PETITION: Planning Commission, re: Petition 2017-03-02-06
submitted by BJ’s Restaurant, Inc., to redevelop and demolish the existing
building (former Champps Americana Restaurant) and construct a new full
service restaurant (BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse), including expansion of the
Class C liquor license to include an outdoor dining patio increasing overall
seating count from 249 to 295, located on the east side of Haggerty Road
between Seven Mile and Eight Mile Roads (19470 Haggerty Road), in the
Southwest 1/4 of Section 6.
President McIntyre noted there was new data to be received and filed for the
information of the Council.
Mark Taormina, Director of Planning and Economic, presented the request to
Council. This request involves the redevelopment of the former Champps
restaurant which is located on Haggerty Road. The plans before you call for
demolishing the existing restaurant and constructing a new full service restaurant
that would be called BJ’s. The location is on the east side of Haggerty Road. This
site is part of the Pentagon Entertainment Complex which includes two other
free-standing restaurants, J. Alexander’s and Bahama Breeze, as well as the
AMC 20 theater complex and a Hyatt Place hotel. The zoning of the property in
question, as well as the surrounding area, is C-2, General Business. The area of
the site in question is about 2.4 acres. Champps originally received approval in
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1997. The total seating capacity of the Champps restaurant was 249. That
included 116 seats that were within the dining rooms. There were another 87
seats in the lounge area and then 46 seats in what was a glass enclosed patio
area. That building was about 10,840 square feet in size, and the number of
parking spaces provided is roughly 150. So, the new restaurant about be 7,600
square feet in size. It’s about one third smaller than the existing Champps
building. It would be in the same general area near the middle of the site. The
setback from Haggerty Road would be 93 feet. The interior seating would remain
at 249; however, the overall seating would increase to 295 with the addition of an
outdoor dining patio that would add another 46 seats. Parking and access for the
new restaurant would be very like what currently exists. Parking is available on all
four sides of the building and access would be provided via the existing drive
approaches from around the entertainment campus. The site does not have
direct access from Haggerty Road. There are no planned changes to the ingress
and egress points to this location. In terms of the outdoor dining patio, it’s an L-
shaped patio that would be provided in the northwest corner of the restaurant. It
would be enclosed by a four-foot high metal railing and that would also be
partially covered with a wooden trellis. The dining areas measure 15 feet by 47
feet along the front of the building, and roughly 15 feet square along the north
side of the restaurant. The primary access to the outdoor dining patio would be
provided from within the restaurant; however, there would be an emergency exit.
There would be a couple of roll up doors, one that would be on the front side of
the patio as well as one on the side of the building kind of opening the area
between the restaurant and the outdoor dining area. Looking at the exterior of the
building, the primary building material would be brick veneer. There was quite a
lot of discussion on the material at our study session, and the petitioner has
provided additional information regarding that thin brick material. They are here
this evening to describe that in greater detail. Other materials include a
composite siding along the top portion of the building and split face block, and
then to a lesser extent, there is some E.I.F.S. material shown on the construction.
The serviced yard and the trash enclosure is shown at the rear of the building.
The overall height of the structure at its highest point is 32 feet, so it’s about 3
feet less than what the ordinance specifies as the maximum, which is 35 feet.
Parking is based on the number of customer seats, both interior and exterior, as
well as the number of employees. Altogether they require 175 parking spaces. It
was indicated earlier there were about 150 spaces available on the site.
However, because this is part of that larger entertainment complex that operates
under shared parking and access agreements with all the other businesses,
when they review all the parking, all the uses, all the required parking, it turns out
there’s about a surplus of 80 parking spaces within the complex. Therefore, BJ’s
would satisfy the ordinance with what they’re providing, again by these existing
cross access and parking agreements and if those are maintained. As indicated
previously, the dumpster area is at the back of the building. There are access
gates to the enclosure that face east towards the entertainment complex. It
appears to be a well shielded area. In fact, if you look on this plan, it’s difficult to
even tell, but that service area and dumpster area is along the backside of the
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building. Again, that’s facing east. A fully detailed landscape plan was provided
overall. It constitutes about 20 percent of the site area, so it’s about 5 percent
more than what the ordinance typically requires. The plan specifies all the
materials. In terms of signage, the ordinance allows only one sign, a primary sign
facing the road, not to exceed 80 square feet. That 80 square feet is based on
the length of the building. They are showing multiple signs on all four elevations
of the building. Because this exceeds what the ordinance allows, it is something
that would have to be reviewed by the Zoning Board of Appeals.
Joan Leguay, BJ’s Restaurant, Inc., 7755 Center Avenue, Suite 300, Huntington
Beach, California 92647. She addressed Council. She is the Director of Property
Development. Their headquarters is in Huntington Beach, California. They have
about 200 restaurants across the country, primarily in the west, Texas and
Florida. Over the past few years they have expanded to the Midwest and
Northeast. She said this will probably be their first restaurant in Michigan. They
are developing another site in Taylor and they are looking at a site in Sterling
Heights. It is a family restaurant. She said they won’t be brewing and beer here.
They have a full menu with an average price of about $13 to $14 per person.
They will be building their brand-new prototype. It is a very beautiful building with
a nice brick and color palette. She said they are very excited to get this project
underway. She was ready to answer any questions Council may have.
Meakin asked about their timeline. Leguay said once they receive permits about
6 months. Meakin said it is a beautiful design and would like to welcome them to
Livonia.
Meakin offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
Brosnan asked Leguay why they chose Livonia. She said she deals mostly with
the design aspect not so much the real estate but said she does know that there
is a lot of due diligence that goes into their location selection. Such as household
median income and growth. Brosnan said she believes they will do very well
there, their price point will lend itself to that campus and the design fits very well.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
AUDIENCE COMMUNICATION: None.
Brosnan congratulated her daughter Marie who is officially an MSU alumni.
As there were no further questions or comments, President McIntyre adjourned the
Study Session at 9:26 p.m. on Monday, May 8, 2017.
DATED: May 11, 2017 SUSAN M. NASH
CITY CLERK