HomeMy WebLinkAbout1,154 - January 28, 2020MINUTES OF THE 1,153rd PUBLIC HEARINGS AND REGULAR MEETING
HELD BY THE CITY PLANNING COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF LIVONIA
On Tuesday, January 14, 2020, the City Planning Commission of the City of
Livonia held its 1,1531d 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: David Bongero Sam Caramagno Glen Long
Carol Smiley Peter Ventura Ian Wilshaw
Members absent: Betsy McCue
Mr. Mark Taormina, Planning Director, and Stephanie Reece, 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 2019-12-01-07 Unleashed Pet Care
Ms. Smiley, Acting Secretary, announced the first item on the agenda, Petition
2019-12-01-07 submitted by Unleashed Pet Care Real Estate
L.L.C. pursuant to Section 23.01 of the City of Livonia Zoning
Ordinance #543, as amended, requesting to rezone the property
at 9300 Middlebelt Road, located on the east side of Middlebelt
Road between Joy Road and West Chicago Avenue in the
Southwest Y4 of Section 36, from OS, Office Services to C-1,
Local Business.
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Mr. Taormina: This is a request to rezone property from OS, Office Services, to
C-1, Local Business. The subject property is located on the east
side of Middlebelt Road and it is between Joy Road and West
Chicago Avenue. The property is a former Turowski Funeral
Home. The property is approximately 0.75 acres in size with 230
feet of frontage on Middlebelt and 141 feet of frontage on the side
street, Hathaway. The existing building on the property
measures about 4,747 square feet and faces Middlebelt. Parking
is available on the north, east, and south sides of the building.
The purpose of the rezoning is to enable the reuse of the building
as a veterinary clinic. The existing OS zoning does not support
this type of use; however, the C-1 zoning allows veterinary clinics,
animal clinics, and animal hospitals, subject to waiver -use
approval. Looking at the various uses surrounding the site, to the
north and to the south, fronting on Middlebelt Road are a
combination of office and commercial uses. Immediately to the
east are residential homes zoned R-1 (One -Family Residential)
and then to the west, across Middlebelt, are duplexes under the
R-6 (Two-family Residential) zoning. The site contains 53
parking spaces. When we look at the parking that is required for
a veterinary clinic, based on a ratio of 1: 150 square feet of usable
floor area, the required amount of parking would be 22 parking
spaces. That would result in a surplus of over 30 spaces. Most
of the site is either building or parking lot. There is minimal
landscaping presently. The future land use plan shows the
subject site as Corridor Commercial, which supports the
proposed change of zoning. With that, Mr. Chairman, I can read
out the departmental correspondence.
Mr. Wilshaw: Yes, please.
Mr. Taormina: The first item is from the Engineering Division, dated December
19, 2019, 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 existing parcel is assigned the address
of #9300 Middlebelt Road. The existing parcel is currently
serviced by public water main, sanitary sewer and storm sewer.
The information submitted does not show proposed alterations
for the utility services, so it does not appear that there will be any
impacts to the existing systems. It should be noted that should
the developer need to do any work within the Middlebelt Road
right-of-way, permits will need to be obtained from the Wayne
County Department of Public Services. " The letter is signed by
David W. Lear, P.E., Assistant City Engineer. The next letter is
from the Finance Department, dated December 12, 2019, which
reads as follows: "I have reviewed the address connected with
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29481
the above noted petition. As there are no outstanding amounts
receivable (general or water and sewer), I have no objections to
the proposal," The letter is signed by Connie Kumpula, Chief
Accountant. The next letter is from the Treasurer's Department,
dated December 23, 2019, which reads as follows: "In
accordance with your request, the Treasurer's Office has
reviewed the name and addresses connected with the above
noted petition. At this time there are taxes due, but they are not
delinquent, therefore 1 have no objections to the proposal." The
letter is signed by Lynda Scheel, Treasurer. That is the extent of
the correspondence.
Mr. Wilshaw: Thank you, Mr. Taormina. Do we have any questions for our
planning staff? Hearing none, the petitioner is here. If you would
like to come forward and give us your name and address.
Dr. Kari Nugent, 8645 Middlebelt Road, Westland, MI, 48185, we have been an
established small animal practice for the past 10 years in that
location. Prior to that, we were a mobile house call service. We
are looking to expand and open an integrated veterinary wellness
center at the proposed location. Extending services to massage
therapy, hyperbaric treatment, and some other alternative
veterinary medical modalities.
Mr. Wilshaw: Thank you, Dr. Nugent. Is there any other information that you
would like to provide to us in regard to the petition we have in
front of us tonight?
Dr. Nugent: In terms of the location, at the present time we don't plan on doing
anything structurally, other than renovating the interior of the
building, partitioning for the use as a veterinary practice. In terms
of the external structure, we don't plan on doing any renovations
at this time.
Mr. Wilshaw: Let's see if we have any questions for you from any of the
Commissioners here. Mr. Bongero?
Mr. Bongero: A question for Mark. What is the minimum height requirement on
the fence separating commercial from residential? Is it five feet
or six?
Mr. Taormina: Five feet is the minimum.
Or,
Bongero: It is just a little bit short. Looks great.
Or.
Taormina: My guess is that it is the result of additional asphalt lifts to the
parking lot, which raised it on the commercial side of the property.
January 17, 2020
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Mr. Bongero: Yeah, it is like three
inches short.
I went by your other
business
and it looks like you
are busy over
there. It says you do
boarding.
Dr. Nugent: We do at the current location. We will not be boarding at the new
location. Particularly given the restrictions for overnight care in
Livonia, we are cognizant that there needs to be someone
present at the facility if we do have animals kept overnight. We
do not have any intention of doing that. If at some point we get
to the point that we need to, we will have the appropriate
veterinary staff on site, should we need to hospitalize a patient
overnight.
Mr. Bongero: All in all, the building is in good shape on the outside. The parking
lot has a couple rough spots back by the planter. I think that is
where you are putting the outside...
Dr. Nugent: Greenspace.
Mr. Bongero: Yeah,
so that will take care
of that.
You are
going to close the
other
business? It is only a
half mile
down the
road.
Dr. Nugent: We are leasing that property. So, we will be closing that property
location.
Mr. Bongero: I like it. It's great. I think it is a great idea.
Mr. Wilshaw: Thank you, Mr. Bongero. Any other questions for our petitioner?
Mr. Long: I realize that this is a zoning hearing and not an official site plan,
but can you talk about your intended greenspace. Will it be
fenced? Will it be real grass or artificial turf? Can you just talk a
little bit about that?
Dr. Nugent: We are planning on doing real grass. The area will be fenced.
We are hoping...in our old location it is an old house and people
in the area really like the home kind of feel. We are trying to
create that in a new location. The proposed greenspace ... we are
thinking about doing a cute white little picket fence so that it brings
into that homey atmosphere. It will be actual grass area. We are
open to moving the greenspace if needed and someone is
opposed to the location. We do have enough room to actually
create several if needed.
Or.
Long: Thank you.
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Mr, Wilshaw: Thank you, Mr. Long. We will have the record show that
Commissioner Caramagno joined us at 7:10 p.m. Are there any
other questions for our petitioner? Is there anyone in the
audience wishing to speak for or against this item? I don't see
anyone coming forward. Dr. Nugent, we always give you the last
word since you are our petitioner. Anything else you would like
to say?
Dr. Nugent: We are hoping that we can become a part of the Livonia
community. We have heard wonderful things about what a pet
loving community that it is. We feel it would be a great location
to move our clinic.
Mr. Wilshaw: Excellent. Thank you, Dr. If there are no other questions or
comments, again, as Mr. Long indicated, we do want to remind
everyone this is a rezoning request. We are focused tonight on
the zoning and is that appropriate for that site. Once that is
decided we will potentially look at the site plan and have more
detailed questions at that time. With that, if there is no other
questions or comments, I will close the public hearing and a
motion will be in order.
On a motion by Ventura, seconded by Bongero, and unanimously adopted, it was
#01-01-2020 RESOLVED, that pursuant to a Public Hearing having been held
by the City Planning Commission on January 14, 2020, on
Petition 2019-12-01-07 submitted by Unleashed Pet Care Real
Estate L.L.C. pursuant to Section 23.01 of the City of Livonia
Zoning Ordinance #543, as amended, requesting to rezone the
property at 9300 Middlebelt Road, located on the east side of
Middlebelt Road between Joy Road and West Chicago Avenue
in the Southwest'/4 of Section 36, from OS, Office Services to C-
1, Local Business., the Planning Commission does hereby
recommend to the City Council that Petition 2019-12-01-07 be
approved for the following reasons:
1. That the proposed change of zoning will allow the reuse of
the building as a veterinary clinic which is not permitted
under the OS district regulations;
2. That the proposed change of zoning is compatible to and in
harmony with the surrounding zoning districts and land uses
in the area; and
3. That the proposed change of zoning is supported by the
Future Land Use Plan which recommends Corridor
Commercial in this area.
January 17, 2020
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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?
Mr. Wilshaw, Chairman, declared the motion is carried and the foregoing resolution
adopted. It will go on to City Council with an approving resolution.
Mr. Wilshaw: On item #2, the petitioner has asked to have the item moved to
the end of the agenda to work with their timing. We said we would
do that.
ITEM #2 PETITION 2019-08-08-13 BioLife Plasma Services
Mr. Caramagno, Secretary, announced the next item on the agenda, Petition 2019-
08-08-13 submitted by Build to Suit, Inc. on behalf of BioLife
Plasma Services requesting approval of all plans required by
Sections 18.47 and 18.58 of the City of Livonia Zoning Ordinance
#543, as amended, in connection with a proposal to construct a
new medical clinic at 29959 Plymouth Road, located on the south
side of Plymouth Road between Middlebelt Road and Milburn
Avenue in the Northeast'/4 of Section 35
Mr. Taormina: This is a request to construct a new plasma collection center
called BioLife. Its location is within the Wonderland Village
shopping center, which is on the south side of Plymouth Road
just west of Middlebelt Road. The parcel in particular, is 2.3 acres
in size with 265 feet of frontage on Plymouth Road. The parcel
depth is roughly 380 feet. As you can see from the zoning map,
the current zoning is C-2, General Business. The subject
property is part of a larger shopping complex that is known as the
Village Shops of Wonderland. As originally approved, the Village
shops included five buildings, all with frontage on Plymouth Road
and extending west from Middlebelt for a distance of about 1,650
feet. Four out of five multi -tenant retail buildings have been
constructed, and the proposed BioLife would occupy the last
remaining building pad located at the far west end of the Village
Shops. This was referred to as Retail F on the original plans.
Retail F, as originally approved, measured about 28,326 square
feet and was a multi -tenant building. The proposed single -use
BioLife building would be one-story in height and about 14,390
square feet in area. It's positioned near the middle of the property
with the parking on the north, west, and east sides of the building.
The site does not have direct access to Plymouth Road. Instead,
access would be provided via the existing drive aisles and lanes
January 17, 2020
29485
that are part of the existing layout of Wonderland Village. The
building's interior would be divided into three main parts. The
front portion would include reception, as well as a donor
processing area, various exam rooms, training center, and other
administrative offices. The middle section, which is labeled donor
floor, contains multiple cubicle partitions. The back part, which is
labeled Receiving Area, includes a plasma processing area, a
freezer, a biohazard room, an employee breakroom, and a
changing room. The required setback of a building in the C-2
district from a main road right-of-way is 60 feet. In this case, the
building would be setback 95 feet from the right-of-way of
Plymouth Road. Parking is required at a ratio of 1: 110 square
feet of usable floor space. Accordingly, this facility would require
105 parking spaces. The site plan shows 129 spaces, so parking
is adequate to support the proposed use. Behind the building is
an access drive for pick-up's and deliveries. There is also a trash
dumpster enclosure in this area. It is near the southwest corner
of the building. In this case, the dumpster would be enclosed by
three walls that are a minimum of six feet in height. The existing
lighting in the parking lot would be used. There is no additional
exterior lighting proposed, other than some wall packs that would
be attached to the building. There is a fully detailed landscaping
plan that was included with the application. The landscaping on
site totals roughly 25% of the property and thus, is conforming.
Looking at the building, which is an item that the Planning
Commission reviewed in great detail at previous meetings, the
latest plans show the exterior consisting of a combination of thin
brick in two different colors identified on the rendering as white
and black, and Nichiha siding which is a composite material that
is smoke color. Looking at this plan, you see the darker brick is
the area surrounding the main entrance. The composite panel of
horizontal siding is this material, which is a rough sawn
appearance. The lighter color brick is on both sides of the main
entry. Also included are dark brown metal panels and E. I. F. S.
The white portion, which is where the sign is located, would be in
E. I. F. S. Signs are limited to one sign, measured at one square
foot for each lineal foot of building frontage. In this case, they
would be allowed one sign, 85 square feet in area. The rendering
shows three signs. One on each of the north, east, and west
elevations. That is something that would have to be reviewed by
the Zoning Board of Appeals for approval. With that, Mr.
Chairman, I can read out the departmental correspondence.
Mr. Wilshaw: Yes, please.
Mr. Taormina: The first item is from the Engineering Division, dated August 14,
2019, which reads as follows: "In accordance with your request,
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29486
the Engineering Division has reviewed the above referenced
petition. We have no objections to the proposed project at this
time. The existing parcel is assigned the address of #29959
Plymouth Road. The legal description provided appears to be
correct and should be used in conjunction with this petition. The
existing parcel is currently serviced by public watermain, sanitary
sewer and storm sewer. The information submitted does not
show proposed alterations for the utility services, so it does not
appear that there will be any impacts to the existing systems. It
should be noted that should the developer need to do any work
within the Plymouth Road right-of-way, they will need to obtain
permits from Michigan Department of Transportation. Once the
project has been approved by Council, detailed site plans will
need to be submitted to this department along with a sanitary
sewer basis of design, to determine if permits will be required."
The letter is signed by David W. Lear, P.E., Assistant City
Engineer. The next letter is from the Livonia Fire & Rescue
Division, dated August 23, 2019, which reads as follows: "This
office has reviewed the site plan submitted in connection with a
request to construct a new medical clinic on property located at
the above referenced address. We have no objections to this
proposal." The letter is signed by Greg Thomas, Fire Marshal.
The next letter is from the Division of Police, dated August 15,
2019, which reads as follows: `I have reviewed the plans in
connection with the petition. I have no objections to the proposal."
The letter is signed by Brian Leigh, Sergeant, Traffic Bureau.
The next letter is from the Inspection Department, dated
September 4, 2019, which reads as follows: "Pursuant to your
request, the above referenced Petition has been reviewed. 1. A
variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals would be required for
the excess number, area and height of signs. This Department
has no further objections to this Petition. I trust this provides the
requested information." The letter is signed by Jerome Hanna,
Director of Inspection. The next letter is from the Finance
Department, dated August 15, 2019, which reads as follows: "I
have reviewed the addresses connected with the above noted
petition. As there are no outstanding amounts receivable, general
or water and sewer, I have no objections to the proposal." The
letter is signed by Connie Kumpula, Chief Accountant. The next
lAter is from the Treasurer's Department, dated August 23, 2019;
which reads as follows: `In accordance with your request, the
Treasurer's Office has reviewed the address connected with the
above noted petition. At this time, there are no outstanding
amounts receivable for taxes. Therefore, I have no objections to
the proposal." The letter is signed by Lynda Scheel, Treasurer.
The last letter is from the Department of Assessment, dated
August 26, 2019, which reads as follows: "The above described
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property is a 7.49-acre parcel under the name of Middlebelt
Plymouth Venture LLC. The request by Build to Suit, Inc. appears
to encompass only a portion of the 7 and % acres. The
Assessor's Office recommends the owner contact our department
for a Property Split." The letter is signed by Mary Ciolino,
Department of Assessment. That is the extent of the
correspondence.
Mr. Wilshaw: Just a procedural point of order, this item was tabled. We will
need a motion to remove it from the table.
On a motion by Smiley, seconded by Ventura, and unanimously adopted, it was
#01-02-2020 RESOLVED, Petition 2019-08-08-13 submitted by Build to Suit,
Inc. on behalf of BioLife Plasma Services requesting approval of
all plans required by Sections 18.47 and 18.58 of the City of
Livonia Zoning Ordinance #543, as amended, in connection with
a proposal to construct a new medical clinic at 29959 Plymouth
Road, located on the south side of Plymouth Road between
Middlebelt Road and Milburn Avenue in the Northeast'/4 of
Section 35, the Planning Commission does hereby remove the
item from the table.
Mr. Wilshaw: Any questions for the planning staff?
Or. Wilshaw: Our petitioner is here. We will need your name and address for
the record please.
Steve Hermiller, Mannik Smith Group, 2365 Haggerty Road, Canton, MI, 48188, 1
have with me the architect. We appreciate the opportunity to be
back. Early on in this process, I think we went through the work
session. There were some changes requested. We came back
and we presented some samples at the last work session. I am
going to let Nick speak to that since he brought a full set of
materials that he can explain further in detail how we have
advanced it even further. It explains the nature of the elevation.
Nick Slaughterbeck, Onyx Creative, 25001 Emery Road, Cleveland, OH, 44128,
at the last hearing there was a bit of a worry about the think brick.
We have since switched over to a full brick. Mainly because of
the climate conditions in Livonia. There is worry of thin brick
falling off the building, as is with any cold/hot climate here in the
area. Such, we would be switching over to full brick with standard
masonry tiebacks throughout the building. As you can see, we
have the Silverbrook, which is the white and grey brick, as well
as Manganese Iron Spot, which is the darker brick. With that, I
don't know if you want me to go into the changes from when we
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submitted back in October. I know there was worry of an
institutional look of the building back when that was submitted.
Since then, we have really taken a look at Wonderland Village
and noticed its delineation and its angulation, the difference in the
properties. One of the worries we had heard was that there was
too long and too broad of a space. This fagade was too bland
and too monotone, if you will. As such, we have added more
angulation and parapet, more pushing 'and pulling in the fagade,
and more changes in the materiality. We are hoping by doing so,
we are adding to that visual discrepancy throughout those longer
facades that would mimic and at least compliment the adjacent
Wonderland Village. We went with brick. As Wonderland Village
has a lot of brick element to it, as well as switching from E. I. F.
S. to Nichiha, which is a fiber cement panel board. The rough
sawn will have a light texture to it but the grey will still be seen
through. We have limited the E. I. F. S only to our sign banding.
The store front windows we have maintained. We have added a
few store fronts on side elevations that would be standard. Non -
vision glass, as well as a few areas where we have added ribbed
metal panel just to extend those visible windows to allow for more
clarity and visibility, a less institutionalized look we hope.
Mr. Wilshaw: Thank you for that background. You have made some amazing
improvements to the fagade of the building and you have worked
well our planning staff in making those changes, so we appreciate
that. Do we have any questions for our petitioner?
Mr. Ventura: I am going to defer to Ms. Smiley.
Ms. Smiley: I was going to ask about the landscaping. Was there a landscape
plan and how much of the property is covered with landscaping?
Mr. Taormina?
Mr. Taormina: Staff notes indicate 25% of the site would be landscaped. This is
the landscape plan that was submitted with the application. You
can see foundation plantings on the front part of the building
where the main entrance is facing Plymouth Road. A variety of
shrubs is going in that area, as well as some ornamental trees.
The same treatment is along the back part of the property where
there is some greenspace. The area around the dumpster would
have some landscaping. There is existing landscaping along
Plymouth Road where we have the PRDA streetscape
improvements, as well as the sides of the property that were all
part of the original Wonderland landscaping plan. The only thing
is, along the sides of the building there are no foundation
plantings there. They just indicate lawn. I am not sure if that a
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concern. Other than that, it is a well laid out detailed landscape
pIan,
Ms. Smiley: Did the PRDA look at this?
Mr. Taormina: They have not acted u, this petition yet.
Ms. Smiley: Thank you.
Jr. Taormina: I will point out that the PRDA's input would be very limited since
they reviewed the initial plan for Wonderland Village and had
significant input into the streetscape improvements that are
already in place.
Ms. Smiley: Thank you.
Mr. Wilshaw: Thank you, Ms. Smiley.
Mr. Ventura: I would like to offer a compliment to the petitioner. You guys have
been very flexible in terms of revising your physical appearance
of the building materials and accommodating the concerns of the
Commission. You should be commended for that. The building
plan, as it stands today, is much improved. One question that I
don't remember ever being asked, do you employee any security
on the site or in the building?
Mr. Hermiller: Unfortunately, the property owner is not present. They had flight
issues.
Mr. Slanderbeck: I cannot speak to the employment of security on site, but I do
know of the security measures that are in place. We obviously
meet all building codes and we do have secure card reader
access to the building for employees. Secured exits and, of
course, fire accessible routes. We do have security contractors
who are part of the design process who do help with the internal
security of the building. Externally, unfortunately, I can ask and
get back to you on that issue.
Jr.
Ventura: I noted
Jr.
in
all the information that
you provided to us that the
donors
are
paid with a Debit card.
Is that correct?
Hermiller: I don't know actually. Because of the flight thing though, the
owner did say they could be on the phone if you didn't mind.
Jr.
Ventura: Okay, I will defer that question to another time. Thank you.
January 17, 2020
29490
Mr. Wilshaw: Thank you, Mr. Ventura. My recollection from our previous
meeting was that they did talk about payment through a Debit
card. I do remember that, but obviously it is up to the petitioner
to ultimately answer those questions. Any other questions that
we can ask of the representatives here?
Mr. Caramagno: Mark, regarding the sign, did we ever find out an answer and if I
wasn't listening, I apologize about the sign? Do they get signage
on the monument sign?
Mr. Taormina: I did not. I was unable to get that information prior to tonight so I
apologize.
Mr. Caramagno: In the approval resolution
here,
they
are limited to the base
signage only. That they will
apply
to the
Zoning Board of Appeals.
Mr. Taormina: That is correct.
Mr. Wilshaw: Thank you,
Mr. Caramagno.
Any other
questions for the planning
staff or the
petitioner? I don't
see any
others.
Mr. Wilshaw: Is there anybody in the audience that wishes to speak for or
against this item? Seeing no one coming forward, I will give you
the last opportunity to make any statements you would like.
Mr. Hermiller: I did get a text back from the owner, it is a Debit card payment.
Mr. Wilshaw: Thank you. I love technology.
Mr. Hermiller: I don't know exactly about the security, but in moments you may
know.
Mr. Wilshaw: We will see what happens.
Mr. Hermiller: Actually, they did text. They said there is no need to have onsite
security. They have security cameras everywhere.
Mr. Ventura: Thank you.
Mr. Wilshaw: There we go. Thank you for having those questions answered
for us. With that, if there is nothing else from the Commission or
anyone in the audience, I will ask for a motion.
On a motion by Long, seconded by Smiley, and unanimously adopted, it was
#01-03-2020 RESOLVED, that the City Planning Commission does hereby
recommend to the City Council that Petition 2019-08-08-13
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29491
submitted by Build to Suit, Inc. on behalf of BioLife Plasma
Services requesting approval of all plans required by Sections
18.47 and 18.58 of the City of Livonia Zoning Ordinance #543, as
amended, in connection with a proposal to construct a new
medical clinic at 29959 Plymouth Road, located on the south side
of Plymouth Road between Middlebelt Road and Milburn Avenue
in the Northeast '/4 of Section 35, be approved subject to the
following conditions:
That the Site Plan identified as C2001 dated October 18,
2019, as revised, prepared by Mannik Smith Group, is
hereby approved and shall be adhered to;
2. That appropriate recordable legal instrumentation, such as
a cross access agreement, that gives notice and outlines the
terms of how the subject property would share parking and
access with abutting property(s), be supplied to the
Inspection Department at the time a building permit is
applied for;
3. That the Landscape Plan identified as C500, dated October
18, 2019, as revised, prepared by Mannik Smith Group, is
hereby approved and shall be adhered to;
4. That all disturbed lawn areas shall be sodded in lieu of
hydroseeding;
5. That underground sprinklers are to be provided for all
landscaped and sodded areas and all planted materials
shall be installed to the satisfaction of the Inspection
Department and thereafter permanently maintained in a
healthy condition;
That the Elevation Plan dated December 13, 2019, prepared
by Onyx Creative, is hereby approved and shall be adhered
to;
7. That all rooftop mechanical equipment visible to the public
shall be concealed on all sides by screening that shall be of
a compatible character, material and color to other exterior
materials on the building;
8. That the three walls of the trash dumpster area(s) shall be a
minimum six feet (6') in height, constructed out of building
materials that shall complement that of the building and the
enclosure gates shall be louvered aluminum and maintained
and when not in use closed at all times;
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9. That all light fixtures shall not exceed twenty feet (20') in
height and shall be aimed and shielded so as to minimize
stray light trespassing across property lines and glaring into
adjacent roadways;
10. That only conforming signage is approved with this petition,
and any additional signage shall be separately submitted for
review and approval by the Zoning Board of Appeals;
11. That the specific plans referenced in this approving
resolution shall be submitted to the Inspection Department
at the time the building permits are applied for; and
12. 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.
Mr. Wilshaw, Chairman, declared the motion is carried and the foregoing resolution
adopted. It will go on to City Council with an approving resolution.
Mr. Wilshaw: We have a motion to approve by Mr. Long and supported by Ms.
Smiley. The petitioner has asked to speak.
Mr. Nermiller: I forgot to mention if the motion passes, is there an opportunity
for a request to waive the 10-day process so we can expedite it
from the deadline to go to City Council?
Mr. Wilshaw: I appreciate you bringing it up. We do have a note to do that.
That will be separate action after this motion has been voted on.
It is a seven-day waiver. Thank you for reminding us. Is there
any other questions or comments on the motion? Seeing none.
On a motion by Smiley, seconded by Ventura, and unanimously adopted, it was
#01-04-2020 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 2019-08-08-13 submitted by Build to Suit, Inc. on behalf
of BioLife Plasma Services requesting approval of all plans
required by Sections 18.47 and 18.58 of the City of Livonia
Zoning Ordinance #543, as amended, in connection with a
January 17, 2020
29493
proposal to construct a new medical clinic at 29959 Plymouth
Road, located on the south side of Plymouth Road between
Middlebelt Road and Milburn Avenue in the Northeast '/ of
Section 35,
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 #3 PETITION 2019-12-08-16 N.C. Designers & Cont.
Mr. Caramagno, Secretary, announced the next item on the agenda, Petition 2019-
12-08-16 submitted by N.C. Designers & Contracting Inc.
requesting approval of all plans required by Section 18.58 of the
City of Livonia Zoning Ordinance #543, as amended, regarding a
proposal to construct an addition and remodel the interior and
exterior of the existing gas station (Shell) at 33411 Six Mile Road,
located on the southwest corner of Six Mile and Farmington
Roads in the Northeast Y of Section 1.
Mr. Taormina: This is a request to construct an addition and remodel the interior
and exterior of an existing gas station located at the southwest
corner of Six Mile and Farmington Roads. This site was recently
rezoned from C-1, Local Business to C-2, General Business. The
site is about 21,600 square feet in size. It has 160 feet of frontage
on Farmington Road and 135 feet on Six Mile Road. The existing
one-story building on the site measures roughly 1,500 square feet
in area. As you can see from this aerial photograph, it is
positioned at about a 45-degree angle from the intersection.
There are two groups of gas pumps with overhead canopies, as
well as four driveways: two that are on Farmington and two that
are on Six Mile Road. The addition would be constructed at the
north end of the building. The addition would also be one-story
in height. It would be 578 square feet in total area, with
dimensions of 18 feet nine inches by 27 feet three inches. The
main purpose is to provide the station with additional retail space.
Upon completion, the enlarged gas station building would be
about 2,085 square feet in size. The required setback is 60 feet
from any road right-of-way. The building is 70 feet from the
Farmington Road right-of-way and only 45 feet from Six Mile
Road, thus non -conforming. As you can see, the addition would
encroach even further into the setback along Six Mile Road.
From our estimation, at the closest point, the addition would be
less than 35 feet from the property line. Along the west property
where the site abuts OS zoning, the zoning ordinance allows a
zero setback provided that the building is property fire rated. The
building in this case would have a zero setback adjacent to the
January 17, 2020
29494
west property line. Again, because the addition encroaches into
the required front setback, a variance would be required from the
Zoning Board of Appeals. In terms of parking, a requirement for
gas stations is one space for eachl50 square feet of usable floor
space devoted to retail sales. That translates to an off-street
parking requirement of 12 spaces. This plan shows 10 spaces.
It is shy of a couple of spaces and would also require a variance
from the Zoning Board of Appeals. Looking at the building itself,
this is the rendering. As you can see, the entire fagade would be
remodeled. The exterior would consist of vertical metal panels,
which is the dark brown color, composite siding, which is the
lighter brown on the top portion of the building, and limestone
panels. There is existing block wall along the back of the building
that would be painted. Along the top of the building it would be
finished with a 1&inch-high continuous crown molding that would
be constructed using EIFS. The roofline, as you can see, has two
sections with varying heights. Seventeen feet would be the
height on the south half of the building, and it would be raised a
couple of feet to nineteen feet on the north half where the addition
is proposed. At the study session, it was suggested that the
limestone panels extend across the lower part of the ends of the
building on the north and south elevations. When you look at
these two elevations, the north and the south, the suggestion was
to carry those limestone panels across the base of the building.
Going back to the plan, in terms of landscaping, the plan shows
a combination of lava rock and artificial plants in the right-of-way,
as well as a small island at the intersection where the sign is
located. The petitioner indicated that this was an oversight on
their part and that they would upgrade the landscaping. This
aspect of the job would have to be refined further. We did not
review this petition regarding signage, so we cannot comment on
that. Lastly, I thought it would be helpful to the Commission to
show an aerial photograph of what the size of the addition would
look like in relationship to the surrounding buildings to the north
and give you a better sense of what the encroachment would be
into the required setback. It is conceptual, but it gives you a good
idea of what the impact to the site would be in terms of the
addition to the building. With that, Mr. Chairman, I can read out
the departmental correspondence.
Mr. Wilshaw: Please.
Or.
Taormina: The first item is from the Engineering Division, dated December
19, 2019, 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
project at this time. The existing parcel is assigned the address
January 17, 2020
29495
of#33411 Six Mile Road. The existing parcel is currently serviced
by public water main, sanitary sewer and storm sewer. The
information submitted does not show proposed alterations for the
utility services, so it does not appear that there will be any impacts
to the existing systems. It should be noted that should the
developer need to do any work within the Six Mile Road or
Farmington Road right-of-ways, permits will need to be obtained
from the Wayne County Department of Public Services." The
letter is signed by David W. Lear, P.E., Assistant City Engineer.
The next letter is from the Livonia Fire & Rescue Division, dated
December 23, 2019, which reads as follows: " This office has
reviewed the site plan submitted in connection with a request to
construct an addition and remodel the interior and exterior of the
existing gas station on property located at the above referenced
address. We have no objections to this proposal" The letter is
signed by Greg Thomas, Fire Marshal. The next letter is from the
Division of Police, dated January 10, 2020, which reads as
follows: "1 have reviewed the plans in connection with the
petitions. I have the following objections to the proposal. There is
only one parking space provided for handicap parking. My other
concern is regarding the placement of the only available handicap
parking space provided for access to the building. It is my
suggestion that the handicap parking space be moved to the area
of the labeled #1 and #2 parking spaces shown on the blueprint.
The proposed handicap parking space would force the disabled
patron to traverse around two sides of the building which could
pose a possible safety hazard for the handicapped person." The
letter is signed by Scott Sczepanski, Sergeant, Traffic Bureau.
The next letter is from the Inspection Department, dated January
7, 2020, which reads as follows: " Pursuant to your request, the
above referenced Petition has been reviewed. 1. Only one
restroom is shown. Two restrooms are required per the Michigan
Plumbing Code based on the proposed occupant load. This will
be addressed further at the time of our plan review if this project
moves forward. 2. A variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals
would be required to maintain the deficient setback proposed for
the side yard. This Department has no further objections to this
Petition." The letter is signed by Jerome Hanna, Director of
Inspection. The next letter is from the Treasurer's Department,
dated December 23, 2019, which reads as follows: "In
accordance with your request, the Treasurer's Office has
reviewed the name and addresses connected with the above
noted petition. At this time there are taxes due, therefore I have
no objections to the proposal." The letter is signed by Lynda
Scheel, Treasurer. The next letter is from the Finance
Department, dated December 19, 2019, which reads as follows:
"I have reviewed the addresses connected with the above noted
January 17, 2020
29496
petition. As there are no outstanding amounts receivable, general
or water and sewer, I have no objections to the proposal" The
letter is signed by Connie Kumpula, Chief Accountant. That is the
extent of the correspondence.
Mr. Wllshaw: I want to thank you for the extra aerial that you provided. I think
that was helpful to the presentation. Are there any questions of
the Planning Director?
Mr. Bongero: Is there an actual site plan, engineered site plan for this property?
Mr. Taormina: Engineered, no. I would say not, because it doesn't appear to
have been based on a.Alta survey or any boundary survey. Bear
in mind, that we are estimating some of the information here, like
the setbacks from Six Mile Road,
Mr. Bongero: When I was at the site, I found no corner stakes at all. I was
having a hard time getting my bearings. So, we don't know if this
is actual. It is just kind of hypothetical.
Mr. Taormina: We do know that the addition most certainly encroaches into the
setback. The extent of what the variance would have to be there
and what exactly that setback would be, we do not have that
information. We are estimating.
Mr. Wilshaw: Thank you, Mr. Bongero. Any other questions for our planning
staff?
Ms. Smiley: Mine was more about the landscaping. Is that the landscape plan
that you have up there right now?
Mr. Taormina: Yes. This was provided with the site data. It provides some
liI ited information on landscaping. There was discussion
regarding this at the study session. The petitioner acknowledged
that the landscape plan needed work.
Ms. Smiley: So, they are going to come back with that? Is that a call back
or...
Or. Taormina: It could be treated as a call back item. The Planning Commission
would determine whether to do that or wait until you get...
As.
Smiley: Table this until you get more information?
Mr. Taormina: Yes, correct.
As.
Smiley: Thank you.
January 17, 2020
29497
Mr. Wilshaw: Any other questions for our planning staff?
Mr. Ventura: Mark, has the petitioner provided you with the material samples
or any specifics?
Mr. Taormina: I do not have that. Maybe he does, I an not sure if he has a
sample board or not.
Mr. Ventura: I just want to be clear. There is no landscape plan at the present
time.
Mr. Taormina: That is correct.
Ms. Smiley: The handicap parking thing, was that addressed?
Mr. Taormina: There has been no change to the plan regarding barrier free
parking. That is something that is reviewed by the Inspection
Department. If the plans get to that point, they will determine the
appropriate number as well as the location of the barrier free
spaces based on the entrance to the store and other important
items such as the provision for a ramp and that sort of thing. We
appreciate the concern expressed by Traffic Bureau. I am not
sure if a second barrier -free parking space is needed in this case
or not, but again, this is something that would be reviewed by the
Inspection Department.
Ms. Smiley: Thank you.
Mr. Wilshaw: Any
other
questions? I don't see anything else. Our petitioner is
here.
We
will need your name
and address for the record please.
Nasser Choucair, 3241
S. Telegraph Road, Dearborn,
MI 48124,
I am
here
to
answer
any questions. The handicap
parking, I
think
one
is
sufficient for a small site like that, but in terms of moving it toward
the sidewalk for safety reasons we are willing to do so. Regarding
the building inspector referring to the restrooms, we are willing to
put another if needed after we do the calculations. It is true that
it depends on the occupancy that put on the plan, but normally in
such small building like this. Occupancy is less than 14
occupants, so it is not needed to have two restrooms, but if the
Building Department insisted, we are willing to put another
restroom. That's no problem. Regarding the landscaping, I was
hoping to get you another better landscaping than the one we
had, but the landscaping architect didn't have sufficient time from
the time that we met in the study meeting. I could not get that
January 17, 2020
29498
with me tonight. I hope we will get that resolved to the board
expectation.
Mr. Wilshaw: an you. Any other comments you wanted to make in regard
to this plan before we go to questions?
Mr. Choucair: The materials on the bung that we aren't using any E. I. F. S.,
I mean very little of E. I. F. S. which is the crown on top of the
wall. The reason I am using it, because it is a lightweight and
these walls are not masonry. It is a framing wall so I would like
to use something light. The composite material that we are using
on the building is like a wood look. Also, this is a material that
won't fail within time. We are using some limestone panels on
the building. We did agree that we are going to bring those
panels on the side of the building under the window. We have
some aluminum panels, metal panels, silver color on top of the
building which is ... give the building a modern look. Some steel
canopy on the front of the elevation and the side. That would give
some shades to the windows. Protect people from going in and
out from snow and rain.
Mr. Wilshaw: Very good. Thank you for describing the materials. Let' see if we
have some questions for you. I believe we probably do. Anyone
with questions for our petitioner?
Ms. Smiley: Did I understand you to say that on the limestone it's going to go
along the base on the north and the south elevations?
Mr. Choucair: I thought it's only where the window is, which is the south. If it is
needed to be put in the north, that is fine with me. We can do
that. Not a problem.
Ms. Smiley: Are you the owner/operator?
Mr. Choucair: No, I am the architect.
Ms. Smiley: Thank you.
Mr. Wilshaw: Anything else Ms. Smiley?
Ms. Smiley: No.
Or.
Bongero: Do you have an actual site plan of the property?
Jr.
Choucair: You mean a survey?
Mr. Bongero: Yeah.
January 17, 2020
29499
Mr. Choucair: Okay, we do have a survey and that site plan is taken out of that
survey. If you are looking for the pins on the property, they are
about six inches in the grass on the four corners. If we bring a
surveyor to pull them out, we can then expose them and show
them, but I think the boundaries is how we extended. It is
sufficient and we are ... the corner of the building should be about
one foot away from the boundary line exactly.
Mr. Bongero: Typically, we see one with a stamp on it. We don't know if this is
accurate or not. Right? How do we know? It doesn't show a
stamp on it that is authentic.
Mr. Choucair: The drawing?
Mr. Bongero: On the site plan.
Mr. Choucair: We can...l mean I can stamp it. I can provide Mr. Taormina the
survey that we got from the owner. They have an existing survey.
It is an older survey. It shows the drawing how it is.
Mr. Bongero: Are going to change the drawing to reflect the stone on ends of
the building?
Mr. Choucair: Yeah, on the sides. We will put some limestone on the bottom.
Mr. Bongero: Thank you.
Mr. Wilshaw: Any other questions for our petitioner?
Mr. Ventura: I don't know whether this question is directed to you or to the
owner, but we have...l want to tell you that we are happy to see
the change to the station. It sorely needs upgrading, but you were
before us for rezoning and then you were before us for a study
session and both times you were made aware that you were not
in conformance with city ordinance regarding free air. Both time
we were told it would be rectified. As of 4:00 p.m. this afternoon,
it had not been. Can you explain why?
Ali Hammouch, 33441 Six Mile Road, Livonia, MI, 48152, I do acknowledge what
you said and the only reason is...first of all, we have a contract
with that service that will end very soon with the provider for that.
I bought that station three years ago and I wasn't aware of that
ordinance to be free. You brought it up in the zoning, when we
did that rezoning. I said yes, we will definitely do it when we do
the renovation for the site, of course I didn't know where we going
to place that... on the left, on the right. Is it going to be on the side
January 17, 2020
29500
of the building? That is one of the reasons. The second one is,
if I have to actually stop the contract with this guy, so I have to
pay something for him, and on the other end I have to buy the
equipment to provide as a free service. I totally acknowledge
that. It is just going to take some time in order to obey to this
ordinance. I am not saying that I am not going to do it, but it is
just for the fact how the site plan is going to end. Eventually, if I
don't do this what you are requesting is, nothing will pass. I agree
100%. 1 did not know which side of the building we going to put
it and plus how are we going to solve that issue with provider of
that air machine. I can stop it if you feel you don't want it there. I
just can stop it. That doesn't... it's not going to hurt ... I mean the
entire this... it makes $45.00 at the end of the month. I can stop
it if it makes you feel better. I understand where you are coming
from 100%, but I just... there are rules that I am trying to follow
and need to also acknowledge the rules, but this is where I am
at. They are an existing contract. I need to talk to the guy... this
is what is happening, and also relocating that machine... this is
where I am at right now.
Mr. Choucair: It's probably going to be moved from there because we have a
handicapped... we are reorganizing the parking lot, so I guess it
would be on the other side of the building, because that spot is
going to be for the handicap next to the sidewalk so, he have to
move it now or later. He is going to be removing that pump from
that side plus I have a contract with the company so that machine
it does not belong to him so he will have to buy his own that
generates the air without the coins.
Mr. Ventura: I appreciate your comments, but it strikes me as
though...between the time you were before us in the rezoning
and now, you have had sufficient time to speak to your contractor
and rectify this. It is not our position to say that you have to
provide air, or where it is going to be located. That is totally up to
you. It is our position that we require you to conform with the city
ordinance. That is part of what we do here. So, you are correct,
I would not support approval of the petition until it is fixed.
Mr. Hammouch: Ok, I mean ... absolutely. For that rezoning meeting, I take the
ownership that I misunderstood. I thought that while we start the
renovation, we are going to correct that and have the time to
correct that when I do the renovation. As I said, if it makes all our
(inaudible) here that to stop this I can stop it until we resolve it,
but this is my situation. I am not opposing that, but on my end I
misunderstood what you meant at the zoning that this has to be
resolved during the renovation or immediately.
January 17, 2020
29501
Mr. Ventura: I understand. Thank you.
Mr. Wilshaw: Thank you. Mr. HammoUCh. Any other questions for the architect
or the property owner?
Mr. Caramagno: Mr. Chairman, I have a couple questions here. I wrote down
bathrooms, so I am glad that came up in the documents there.
My question would be more to ... is there an air conditioning unit
on the ground behind the building?
Mr. Choucair: Yes.
Mr. Caramagno: What happens to that? Where does that go?
Mr. Choucair: That stays...) mean we are not touching the existing system
because that system is not a rooftop unit. So, I think he have a
funace and a A/C unit, so it is not a rooftop unit. If he is wishing
to... if he wishes to put a rooftop unit, I am going to be placing that
unit on the new addition, which have a flat roof, not on the building
that have an existing gable roof.
Mr. Caramagno: I thought you had mentioned that, and I could have this confused
with another petition. I thought we talked about the utilities being
be upstairs behind that tree.
Mr. Choucair: Compressors. I think he have a compressor if I am not mistaken
for the cooler, but not an A/C unit, I believe. The walk-in cooler
has a fan on the inside and there is a compressor on the outside,
so that compressor, I believe, is on the...
Mr. Hammouch: Let me correct that. The mechanical parts, as far as the heating
and cooling, is behind the building and also the compressor
behind the building. There is nothing on the roof. The roof or
whatever fan they have is an existing where it was. Back in the
day it used to be a Subway. They have existing fans or whatever
from before that doesn't exist anymore. This can all be removed.
Mr. Choucair: And probably the satellite. But the satellite system...) noticed
something up there, that is why I said that the screening would
look nice to cover the back of the building plus any mechanical
equipment on the roof. It doesn't necessarily have to be the
HVAC unit.
Mr. Caramagno: Just with that, this petition is lending itself to being, to me,
incomplete as a presentation here tonight. I think there is a bunch
of things... the landscaping is not right, this A/C unit... something
is going on the roof, it's not going on the roof... there are a lot of
January 17, 2020
29502
things here tonight that seem incomplete to me. What is going to
happen to the wood, the firewood that is stacked outside the
window? What is going to happen? Are you going to discontinue
selling wood there? What happens with that going forward?
Mr. Hammouch: For the wood?
Mr. Caramagno: Yes.
Mr. Hammouch: Okay, what's the ordinance says? Do I have to discontinue?
Mr. Caramagno: I think there is language that you don't sell any product outside
the store. So, you have firewood there, and you have an ice
machine outside. You have a newspaper stand outside. There
are a lot of things here that I think need to be better though out
before I can approve this petition.
Mr. Hammouch: Okay, so the firewood I will of course take it out if it is needed.
The ice machine we will figure out something else, but as far as
that newspaper, this also cannot be outside for the early people
to come in? I don't open 24-hours. They have to have something
in order to put the newspaper, which is they come around
between 2 and 4 or 5. We don't open at that time.
Mr. Caramagno: I don't mean to be specific to you with these things because I
looked across the street at the Mobil and I think he sells firewood
too. You are asking for a redo here and I think those are things
that we really don't need to see stacked up on the front sidewalk.
That is my opinion at this point. Thank you.
Mr. Wilshaw: Any other questions or comments for the petitioner? I don't see
anyone else on the Commission with any comments. Is there
anybody in the audience that wishes to speak for or against this
item? Again, I will go back to the Commission. Is there anyone
with any comments? If not, a motion is in order.
Mr. Bongero: Mr. Chairman, I agree with Sam. It's an incomplete application.
We are missing a lot of information. We all like it. It's great. li
definitely needs it, and it's a great improvement, but there is so
much information mission. Site plan, incomplete blueprint, a plan
for the mechanicals, the air. For me, I am just struggling with
tonight. I don't know what we are voting on. We don't have actual
things that we are actually voting on, so that would be my feeling.
Mr. Wilshaw: So, it sounds like you are asking for a tabling? Is that a form of a
motion?
January 17, 2020
29503
Mr, Bongero: Yes.
Mr. Wilshaw: Ok, so
Mr. Bongero has
asked for a tabling motion. You
would
move it
to the next study
meeting? That would be adequate
time?
Mr. Bongero: That's fine.
Mr. Taormina: There is room on the agenda, the question I think would be to the
petitioner and how much time they would need to revise the
plans.
Mr. Wilshaw: To the petitioner, do you think that you would be able to come
back for our next study meeting which would be next week.
Correct, Mr. Taormina?
Mr. Taormina: Correct.
Mr. Wilshaw: Does that give you adequate time or do you need additional time?
Mr. Hammouch: That's fine.
Mr. Wilshaw: That would be adequate time. Okay.
On a motion by Bongero, seconded by Smiley, and unanimously adopted, it was
#01-05-2020 RESOLVED, that the City Planning Commission does hereby
recommend that Petition 2019-09-01-07 submitted by N.C.
Designers & Contracting Inc. requesting approval of all plans
required by Section 18.58 of the City of Livonia Zoning Ordinance
#543, as amended, regarding a proposal to construct an addition
and remodel the interior and exterior of the existing gas station
(Shell) at 33411 Six Mile Road, located on the southwest corner
of Six Mile and Farmington Roads in the Northeast'/ of Section
1, be tabled to the meeting of January 28, 2020.
Mr. Wilshaw: There is no discussion on tabling motions.
Jr
Wilshaw, Chairman, declared the motion is carried and the foregoing resolution
adopted.
ITEM #4 PETITION 2019-11-08-15 242 Community Church
Mr. Caramagno, Secretary, announced the next item on the agenda, Petition 2019-
11-08-15 submitted by Hobbs +Black Architects, on behalf of
2142 Community Church, requesting approval of all plans
required by Section 18.58 of the City of Livonia Zoning Ordinance
January 17, 2020
29504
#543, as amended, in connection with a proposal to renovate the
exterior of the church located at 35475 Five Mile Road, located
on the south side of Five Mile Road between Yale Avenue and
Levan Road in the Northeast '% of Section 20.
Mr. Taormina: We spent quite a bit of time at the study meeting looking at
various options that were provided by the applicant, mostly
involving building materials and color schemes. I think the
Planning Commission landed on Option #3, which this is a
rendering of, provided by the petitioner. With that, Mr. Chairman,
I would be happy to answer any questions. I know that the Pastor
is here and he will be able to enlighten us as to whether there are
any other changes.
Mr. Wilshaw: Thank you, Mr. Taormina. This item was tabled at our last
meeting, so we will need a motion to remove it from the table.
On a motion by Long, seconded by Ventura, and unanimously adopted, it was
#01-06-2020 RESOLVED, Petition 2019-11-08-15 submitted by Hobbs +Black
Architects, on behalf of 2142 Community Church, requesting
approval of all plans required by Section 18.58 of the City of
Livonia Zoning Ordinance #543, as amended, in connection with
a proposal to renovate the exterior of the church located at 35475
Five Mile Road, located on the south side of Five Mile Road
between Yale Avenue and Levan Road in the Northeast '% of
Section 20, the Planning Commission does hereby remove the
item from the table.
Mr. Wilshaw: The pastor is here and he is welcome to come forward and give
us any additional information. Good evening, sir.
Eric Rauch, Executive Pastor, 242 Community Church, 7526 Grand River,
Brighton, I thank you for your thorough overview. Mr.
Taormina is correct. What we are presenting here tonight is the
rendering that we looked at last week at the study session and I
believe we came to a consensus too with those colors. The
deeper blues and reds that we discussed last week. Other
updates that were made going into that study session was the
soffit and facia coming in at a dark grey color. Previously that
was a brighter red color. We have muted those tones. Along with
keeping the bookended natural stone as it is now and adding a
little bit of wood feature there to kind of tie it all together. Those
are the changes to the front fagade. We are very happy with the
look of it. We appreciate very much the input from the Planning
Commission. That is what we are here for tonight. If there are
any questions, I would be happy to answer those.
January 17, 2020
29505
Or. Wilshaw: Thank you, Pastor Rauch. For Ms. Smiley benefit, I don't think
you were at our study meeting. We did have a lengthy
discussion. The church had given us a variety of color options.
We debated those and what our preferences were. This seemed
to be the general consensus. We will certainly look to see if you
have any thoughts on it as well. We want to make sure we have
everyone's input. Do we have any questions for our petitioner?
Any comments? Nothing. Is there anybody in the audience that
wishes to speak for or against? No one is rushing forward. Well,
with that and there is not further discussion, a motion would be in
order.
Mr. Caramagno: I have a comment more than a question. Who was on the front
page of the paper from 242 church the other day? Livonia paper.
Did I see somebody?
Mr. Rauch: You may have. I am not aware. Likely, if it was in Livonia, it
would be our campus pastor. Bobby Francis,
Mr. Caramagno: I think you had front page coverage here not too long ago. I don't
remember...I kind of glanced at it. I didn't read it. Apparently,
welcome to Livonia and we got consensus on a plan here so
good.
Mr. Wilshaw: Thank you, Mr. Caramagno. Any other questions or comments?
On a motion by Long, seconded by Caramagno, and unanimously adopted, it was
#01-07-2020 RESOLVED, that the City Planning Commission does hereby
recommend to the City Council that Petition 2019-11-08-15
submitted by Hobbs + Black Architects, on behalf of 2142
Community Church, requesting approval of all plans required by
Section 18.58 of the City of Livonia Zoning Ordinance #543, as
amended, in connection with a proposal to renovate the exterior
of the church located at 35475 Five Mile Road, located on the
south side of Five Mile Road between Yale Avenue and Levan
Road in the Northeast '% of Section 20, be approved subject to
the following conditions:
That the North Elevation plan identified as Sheet Number A-
200, dated November 8, 2019, prepared by Hobbs +Black
Architects, is hereby approved and shall be adhered to,
except for the fact that the existing stone walls on either side
of the entrance shall not be painted;
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That the colors of the building materials shall conform to the
rendering identified as OPT-3-View From 5 Mile -North dated
December 20, 2019;
3. That only conforming signage is approved with this petition,
and any additional signage shall be separately submitted for
review and approval by the Zoning Board of Appeals;
4. That no LED Tight -band or exposed neon shall be permitted
on this site including, but not limited to, the building or
around the windows;
5. That the specific plan referenced in this approving resolution
shall be submitted to the Inspection Department at the time
the building permits are applied for; and
6. 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.
Mr. Wilshaw: Is there any discussion?
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 PETITION 2019-12-02-16 Center Mgt. Services
Mr. Caramagno, Secretary, announced the next item on the agenda, Petition 2019-
12-02-16 submitted by Center Management Services, Inc.
requesting waiver use approval pursuant to Section 19.06 of the
City of Livonia Zoning Ordinance #543, as amended, to operate
a full -service restaurant (Chipotle Mexican Grill) at 13900
Middlebelt Road, located on the northeast corner of Middlebelt
and Schoolcraft Roads in the Southwest '% of Section 24.
Mr. Taormina: This is a request to create afull-service restaurant, Chipotle
Mexican Grill, at the northeast corner of Middlebelt and
Schoolcraft Roads. This site is the westerly half of the Aldi site,
which was developed in 2018. The overall parcel area is about
3.5 acres with 286 feet of frontage on Middlebelt Road and about
500 feet of frontage on Schoolcraft. The entire parcel, as you can
see on this map, is zoned C-2, General Business. The Aldi store
measures about 22,000 square feet overall and is on the easterly
part of the site. Located closer to Middlebelt Road on the west
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29507
part will be a 5,050 square feet multi -tenant retail building. This
building has not yet been constructed. The proposed Chipotle is
classified as full -service restaurant because it would have more
than 30 customer seats. The proposed restaurant would have 44
interior seats, as well as a small outdoor dining patio with 12
customer seats. Chipotle would occupy two units, which are at
the south end of the building. The space measures
approximately 2,486 square feet and represents about one-half
of the leasable area of that retail building. No other tenants have
been identified at this time for the remaining part of the building,
which could accommodate either one or two tenants. The floor
plan submitted with the application shows the layout of the
seating, kitchen, food preparation area, storage, and restrooms.
Parking is based on both the Aldi store as well as the multi -tenant
retail center. The site was designed to operate under a cross -
access and shared parking agreement. Aldi requires a total of 99
parking spaces, and for the restaurant, the required parking
would be 28 spaces. For the remaining space, we are estimating
14 parking spaces. This brings the total required parking spaces
to 141 spaces. The plan shows 144 spaces. There would be no
modifications to the building. This is the site plan that was
approved previously. Chipotle would occupy what would be the
right side of the building. In terms of signage, the restaurant
would be allowed one wall sign based on one square foot of area
for each lineal foot of store frontage. They would also have the
opportunity to locate on the monument sign that was approved as
part of the site plan. With that, Mr. Chairman, I can read out the
departmental correspondence.
Mr. Wilshaw: Yes, please.
Mr. Taormina: The first item is from the Engineering Division, dated December
195 2019, 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 overall parcel is assigned the address
of #29330 Schoolcraft Road, with the subject building being
assigned the address range of #13900 to #13950 Middlebelt
Road. The proposed building pad is currently serviced by public
water main and sanitary sewer, as well as private storm sewer.
The submitted drawings do not indicate any calculations for the
proposed construction, but the development was planned for with
the original ALDI construction. A full review of the proposed
development will be completed when plans are submitted for
permitting. It should be noted that should the developer need to
do any work within the Middlebelt Road right-of-way, permits will
need to be obtained from the Wayne County Department of
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29508
Public Services." The letter is signed by David W. Lear, P.E.,
Assistant City Engineer. The next letter is from the Livonia Fire &
Rescue Division, dated December 23, 2019, which reads as
follows: " This office has reviewed the site plan submitted in
connection with a request to operate a full- service restaurant on
property located at the above referenced address. We have no
objections to this proposal."The letter is signed by Greg Thomas,
Fire Marshal. The next letter is from the Division of Police, dated
December 20, 2019, which reads as follows: "/ have reviewed the
plans in connection with the petition. I have no objections to the
proposal." The letter is signed by Scott Sczepanski, Sergeant,
Traffic Bureau. The next letter is from the Inspection Department,
dated January 7, 2020, which reads as follows: " Pursuant to
your request, the above referenced Petition has been reviewed.
1. A variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals would be
required for the deficient number of parking spaces proposed. 2.
No signage has been reviewed at this time. This Department has
no further objections to this Petition." The letter is signed by
Jerome Hanna, Director of Inspection. The next letter is from the
Finance Department, dated December 19, 2019, which reads as
follows: "I have reviewed the address connected with the above
noted petition. As there are no outstanding amounts receivable
(general or water and sewer), I have no objections to the
proposal." The letter is signed by Connie Kumpula, Chief
Accountant. The next letter is from the Treasurer's Department,
dated December 23, 2019, which reads as follows: "In
accordance with your request, the Treasurer's Office has
reviewed the name and addresses connected with the above
noted petition. At this time there are taxes due, but they are not
delinquent, therefore I have no objections to the proposal." The
letter is signed by Lynda Scheel, Treasurer. That is the extent of
the correspondence.
Mr. Wilshaw: Are there any questions of the Planning Director?
Mr. Wilshaw: The petitioner is here. We will need your name and address for
the record please. Is there anything you would like to add to what
Mr. Taormina has presented?
Thomas Guastello, 34120 Woodward, Birmingham, MI, 48009, I think it is an
accurate representation. We like Chipotle's. They are a great
use. It is kind of a mark for the former Chi Chi's that was there.
We still kept a Mexican restaurant flavor. It is a good use. A solid
tenant. That is what we would like to be able to do. We enjoy
working with the people of Livonia. It is a great city that is doing
a good job. I just looked at the other developments coming in
and it is nice to see. My first time in Livonia I sat next to Ed
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29509
McNamara who drove me around and showed me all the good
developments and said these are the type of things that we want
to see in the city and if you do that you won't have any problem.
I think that has carried through with the life of the city and the able
people that have been here.
Mr. Wilshaw: Thank you. I appreciate that. It is nice to hear McNamara's name
again. I haven't heard that in a while. Thank you. I don't think
Chipotle is going to be serving Chi Chi's famous margaritas
though, are they?
Mr. Guastello: No.
Mr. Wilshaw: Okay. Do we have any questions for our petitioner? Any
questions, comments?
Mr. Caramagno: Just a comment. Thank you for the illustration of the tables and
chairs in the outdoors with the railing around it. That is something
we asked for at the study session, and this helps me understand
the concept of what it will look like so, thank you.
Mr. Wilshaw: Thank you, Mr. Caramagno. Any other questions or comments?
I don't hear any. Is there anybody in the audience that wishes to
speak for or against this item? Seeing no one coming forward, I
will close the public hearing and ask for a motion.
On a motion by Ventura, seconded by Carmagno, and unanimously adopted, it
was
#01-08-2020 RESOLVED, that pursuant to a Public Hearing having been held
by the City Planning Commission on January 14, 2019, on
Petition 2019-12-02-16 submitted by Center Management
Services, Inc. requesting waiver use approval pursuant to Section
19.06 of the City of Livonia Zoning Ordinance #543, as amended,
to operate a full -service restaurant (Chipotle Mexican Grill) at
13900 Middlebelt Road, located on the northeast corner of
Middlebelt and Schoolcraft Roads in the Southwest'/4 of Section
2, .the Planning Commission does hereby recommend to the City
Council that Petition 2019-12-02-16 be approved subject to the
following conditions:
1. That the Site Plan identified as SP dated January 6, 2020
prepared by Desine Inc., is hereby approved and shall be
adhered to.
2. That the Petitioner provide the City with appropriate
documentation verifying the existence of a cross parking
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29510
and cross access agreement between the ALDI store and
the retail building.
3. That the Landscape Plan identified as L-1 dated January 3,
2020, as revised, prepared by Vert Verde Landscape
Architecture, is hereby approved and shall be adhered to.
4. That the maximum number of customer seats shall not
exceed a total of forty-four (44) interior seats and twelve (12)
outdoor patio seats.
5. That no advertising shall be permitted on any of the seating
or table apparatus within the outdoor patio area.
6. That unless approved by the proper local authority, any type
of exterior advertising, such as promotional flags, streamers
or sponsor vehicles designed to attract the attention of
passing motorists, is prohibited.
7. That only conforming signage is approved with this petition,
and any additional signage shall be separately submitted for
review and approval by the Zoning Board of Appeals.
8. That no LED light band or exposed neon shall be permitted
on the site including, but not limited to, the building or around
the windows.
9. That the plans referenced in this approving resolution shall
be submitted to the Inspection Department at the time of
application for the Certificate of Occupancy.
10. 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.
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?
Mr. Wilshaw, Chairman, declared the motion is carried and the foregoing resolution
adopted. It will go on to City Council with an approving resolution.
January 17, 2020
29511
ITEM #6 APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1052"d Public Hearings and
Regular Meeting
Mr. Caramagno, Secretary, announced the next item on the agenda, Approval of
the Minutes of the 1,152"d Public Hearings and Regular Meeting
held on December 10, 2019.
On a motion by Smiley, seconded by Long, and unanimously adopted, it was
#01-09-2020 RESOLVED, that the Minutes of 1,152"d Public Hearings and
Regular Meeting held by the Planning Commission on December
101 2019, are hereby approved.
A roll call vote on the foregoing resolution resulted in the following:
AYES: Long, Smiley,
Wilshaw
NAYS: None
ABSENT: McCue
ABSTAIN: None
Ventura, Bongero, Caramagno,
Mr. Wilshaw, Chairman, declared the motion is carried and the foregoing resolution
adopted.
On a motion duly made, seconded and unanimously adopted, the 1,153rd Public
Hearings and Regular Meeting held on January 14, 2020, was adjourned at 8:25
p.m.
CITY PLANNING COMMISSION
�am� u-
Sam Caramagno, cre ary
ATTEST:
Ian Wilshaw, Chairman