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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL STUDY - 2008-01-09 CITY OF LIVONIA— CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF STUDY MEETING HELD JANUARY 9, 2008 Meeting was called to order at 8:00 p.m. Present: Terry Godfroid-Marecki, James McCann, Joe Laura, Brian Meakin, Tom Robinson, Don Knapp, and Laura Toy. Absent: None. Elected and appointed officials present: Mayor Jack Kirksey; Sean Kavanagh, City Attorney; Paul St. Henry, Superintendant of Public Service (Operations); Mark Taormina, City Planner; Kevin Roney, City Engineer (Utilities & Engineering); Shadd Whitehead, Fire Chief; Captain Curtis Caid, Police Department; and Maureen Cosgrove, Assistant City Clerk. Terry Godfroid-Marecki wished her son Andre a Happy 15th Birthday on January 10, 2008. Council President Laura Toy mentioned that donations to Walter Reed Army Hospital later this month can be made through the DAV, Chapter 114. They need cash donations, DVD players, games, movies, backpacks, and razors for disabled American veterans who are immobilized. The Council office has a phone number where the DAV can be contacted. Mayor Jack Kirksey is very happy to be back in City Hall being part of the team to represent the citizens and do what he can to keep the City magnificent. He thanked Mayor Jack Engebretson and Senie for their great work they did the last four (4) years to position the City and remain a very viable governmental unit. He appreciates their efforts to make that possible. On a very sad note, the Mayor recognized the death of Thomas Pichler, Jr. who died in an explosion at Zug Island on January 5, 2008. Thomas was the son of long-time residents Wanda and Thomas Pichler. Hearts and prayers are with the family. A moment of silence was observed. AUDIENCE COMMUNICATION: None. NEW BUSINESS: 1. PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE LIVONIA CODE OF ORDINANCES, AS AMENDED, TO ALLOW PARKING OF A VEHICLE ON NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS FOR MORE THAN 48 HOURS AT A TIME: Jerry L. DeNooyer, re: Same. Petitioner Jerry DeNooyer, 35946 Roycroft, was present to discuss his parked car. The vehicle keeps getting ticketed for abandonment because it is an extra car and is parked on the side street for periods of sometimes a week to ten (10) days. In the winter, the car gets driven twice a week (Wednesday and one day on the weekend) to keep the car's fluids active. In the summer, it could sit up to two weeks. 2 He stated that he lives north of Five Mile Road and three (3) blocks east of Levan and resides on the corner of Parklane and Roycroft. He has turned in information before and has photos of where he parks his extra car on the side of his house. He feels that since the vehicle is registered, licensed and in running condition that it does not affect anyone or block anything. He cannot see the problem of an extra car that is not driven on a daily basis. He would like to see some type of amendment or something else to allow a properly licensed, plated and running vehicle to be able to be on a City street longer than 48 hours. He has four (4) other vehicles and a garage. Mr. DeNooyer stated that he came to the City, and they told him the person who called was a Mr. McGarr (under the Freedom of Information Act), whose address is directly behind him on Parklane, and when he went to the house to speak to the person (who he knows), Debbie, she denied the call. Neither Ordinance Enforcement nor Inspection was present at the Study Meeting. It was suggested that this be referred to the Administration for its report and recommendation to decide if there is a need to change the ordinance. Mr. DeNooyer loves the City and has been a resident almost 25 years and does not want to see abandoned vehicles either. He felt that if there is a call on an abandoned vehicle, it should be inspected every time there is a call, and see if the vehicle checks out. This would save the City vehicles time and money. The resident will be contacted when it comes before Council. McCann offered the resolution referring to the Administration for its report and recommendation, and possibly the Inspection Department and Ordinance Enforcement could give additional information. DIRECTION: REFERRING TO THE CONSENT ADMINISTRATION 2. ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSE TO COUNCIL RESOLUTION 375-07: Office of the Mayor, re: request to rename a private road in the On the Pond Condominium Complex from an Eight Mile Road designation. Martha Saum, 32930 Briar Court, on behalf of Marcus Management and On the Pond Condominiums, was present and stated they came to the Study Meeting in August requesting to rename a private road either Pondview Circle or Pondside Drive. There was an Administrative review, and they were invited to tonight's Study Meeting. Council stated that no department has had any objection to changing the name. She will double-check with their Board of Directors to make sure before they commit to the name, and the name will be chosen by Friday, January 11, 2008. Knapp offered the approving resolution on the Regular Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING REGULAR 3 3. COLLECTION OF LIVONIA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT TAXES FOR THE YEAR 2008: Office of the City Clerk, re: forwarding a communication from the Secretary of the Board of Education requesting the City to continue to collect one-half of their district's taxes with the summer tax collection and the remaining one-half with the winter tax collection, commencing July 1, 2008. Knapp offered the resolution to receive and file the communication from the Office of the City Clerk dated December 10, 2007. DIRECTION: RECEIVE & FILE CONSENT 4. ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSE TO COUNCIL RESOLUTION 518-07: Inspection Department, re: the complaint from Mr. Russ Smith about the condition of various businesses located on Middlebelt Road between Six Mile Road and Eight Mile Road. At the direction of the Chair, the communication from the Inspection Department, dated December 4, 2007, was received and filed. DIRECTION: RECEIVE & FILE CONSENT 5. REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION TO PURCHASE 28 REPLACEMENT POLICE VEHICLES UTILIZING THE STATE OF MICHIGAN, OAKLAND COUNTY, AND MACOMB COUNTY BID PRICES: Division of Police, re: budgeted funds. Mayor Kirksey and Captain Curtis Caid, on behalf of Robert Stevenson, Chief of the Police Department, were present. The Mayor stated that the Police Department replaces one-half of the marked fleet of vehicles every year, so there is not a vehicle that is more than two (2) years old. They run 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The group of cars for replacement is a combination of marked and unmarked cars. He stated that Captain Curtis Caid and Chief Stevenson have been very helpful in preparing additional information which the Mayor has been able to get to the Council to expand what is in some of the packages. Captain Caid thanked Council for their support on the 2008 budget request and stated that sixteen (16) vehicles would be for the Uniform Division and seven (7) marked vehicles for the Traffic Bureau. These include the Ford Crown Victoria's and Dodge Chargers. Both models are equipped as police packages, and the remaining are unmarked vehicles. There was a freeze on Capital Outlay the last two (2) years with the exception of marked police vehicles. 2007 pricing is temporarily extended on the Chevrolet Impala's. They are awaiting the 2008 bid from the State. There is a list of the vehicles to be auctioned in the package on Page Three of the letter to Council. 4 Robinson stated that there was quite a bit of a debate several years ago in Council chambers regarding the evaluation of Crown Victoria's vs the Dodge Chargers, but a final decision was never made by the Police Department or any feedback either way. He felt there should be an evaluation in the next couple of weeks since the Police have had the Dodge Chargers for a few years. Knapp offered the approving resolution on the Regular Agenda and amended by McMann to replace five (5) Dodge Chargers with less expensive Ford Crown Victoria's for marked cars only, and two (2) unmarked Ford Fusion or Taurus vehicles at the discretion of the Police Department. Godfroid-Marecki offered the approving resolution on the Regular Agenda as is. DIRECTION: (1) APPROVING — EXCEPT REGULAR REPLACE CHARGERS WITH CROWN VICS (2) APPROVING —AS IS 6. REQUEST TO DISCHARGE COUNCIL RESOLUTION 494-05 FROM FURTHER CONSIDERATION OF THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE: Councilmember Brian Meakin, re: subject of Fire Department 1976 Sutphen Aerial Tower replacement. Meakin offered the approving resolution on the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 7. REQUEST TO APPROVE PURCHASE AND ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATION: Fire and Rescue, re: An aerial ladder tower to replace the 1976 Sutphen Aerial Tower with 80% of funding from DHS assistance to Firefighters Grant for 2007 and the City's share being approximately 20% of the total cost. Shadd Whitehead, Fire Chief; was present and stated they received a grant award through the DHS Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG). This Federal Government grant comes right down to local government and does not go through the State. There have been five (5) or six (6) attempts at this competitive process. Typically there is about 20,000 requests across the country for grants, and there are about 8,000 — 9,000 awards a year. The replacement is long overdue for Station #3. The funding is an 80-20% split. 20% is the City's share. Since a new aerial ladder tower would take 18 — 22 months for specs. and to build, they can actually purchase a vehicle that is used as a demo unit instead that has been built and showcased around the U.S. with low mileage. The specs. are also very close and meet our needs. It would be about the same height of 100 feet as the old unit and typically 4 — 5 stories in height. 5 Buying a demo unit instead of a new unit saves between $75,000 and $100,000. After reviewing four (4) manufacturers that meet the needs of the Fire Department, they are requesting to award the lowest bid to Emergency Vehicles Plus (American LaFrance), a Michigan based company. The drivetrain is the same as the previous vehicle which makes maintenance easier. Out of a million dollar project, the cost to the City of Livonia would only be $198,336.00 which is the City's share of 20%. Previously the request for a grant was denied, so persistence pays off. It is recommended by the DHS guidelines that the old unit be removed from service and put up for auction. The unit could be used as an aerial, but this unit is not up to current safety standards and is very old. Knapp congratulated the Fire Department and Councilman Meakin for their hard work and persistence for so many years and felt that the City got their money's worth out of the old unit and hoped the next unit will last as long as the 1976 unit. Meakin offered the approving resolution on the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 8. AWARD OF BID: Water and Sewer Board, re: for water main repair clamps. Paul St. Henry, Superintendant of Public Service (Operations), was present and stated that the Water & Sewer Board has approved the recommendation to award low bidder S.L.C. Meter Service, Inc. to supply water clamps to repair water mains throughout the City. McCann offered the approving resolution on the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 9. AWARD OF BID: Water and Sewer Board, re: for water service parts and fittings. Paul St. Henry, Superintendant of Public Service (Operations), was present and stated that the Water & Sewer Board has approved the recommendation to award low bidder HD Supply to supply incidental parts and fittings for the service lines that are attached to the water mains. McCann offered the approving resolution on the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 10. WAIVER PETITION: Planning Commission, re: Petition 2007-10-02-39 submitted by H & A Ventures, L.L.C. requesting to utilize SDD and SDM liquor licenses at property located on the southeast corner of Six Mile Road and Middlebelt Road (29241 Six Mile Road), in the Northwest '/4 of Section 13. 6 Scott Najor, Attorney for H & A Ventures, 21745 W. Eight Mile Road, Detroit, MI 48219, was present and stated that this is only a transfer of a license and they are not adding any new licenses. This will not conflict with the harmony in the neighborhood or be hazardous or inconvenient. It will not devalue property in any way. There will not be any dust, fumes, noise, vibration or smoke during construction. The parking facility will well accommodate the store and will not be inconsistent or contrary to any ordinance and be within the principals of sound planning. A professional engineer would construct the store occupying 2,457 square feet. The shop would be over a mile away from the nearest SDD license which is well beyond the City's ordinance requirements. H & A Ventures, L.L.C. has not come up with a name for the store. They are considering including "wine shop" in the name. They plan to sell liquor (only accessible by the employees of the shop) and fine wine plus breads, cheeses, etc. The owner has another store in Royal Oak that has been in business for four (4) years. Mark Taormina, City Planner, stated that the building would be located on the southeast corner of Six Mile and Middlebelt Roads in a multi-tenant commercial building that was constructed in 2005. Immediately east of the property is Advance Novelty. Further east is Sacred Heart Byzantine Catholic Church. South of the property is Manns-Ferguson Funeral Home. The multi-tenant commercial building is 11,411 square feet, of which the party store would occupy two units that are approximately 2,500 square feet and about 20% of the existing facility. Currently the tenants are L. A. Insurance, Mobile One, Fanatic U Sports Apparel, Checksmart, Metro PCS and an Army Career Center. The party store would occupy the current Fanatic U Sports Apparel shop as well as one vacant unit. The license would allow the retailer to sell packaged beer and wine as well as spirits. All of the liquor would be behind the closed off display area, so it would not be available to the public. This does comply with all the separation requirements with respect to other SDD licensed businesses in the area, as well as church and school, which is in full compliance. Laura requested that Planning submit an informal scatter chart showing other liquor stores that are around the area to see how the area is served and that the store would be complying with the ordinance that they be at least 1,000 feet away from the nearest liquor establishment. Laura offered the approving resolution on the Regular Agenda. McCann offered the denying resolution on the Regular Agenda because of the large number of liquor establishments in the area. Robinson offered the resolution referring to the Committee of the Whole for its report and recommendation. DIRECTION: (1) APPROVING REGULAR (2) DENYING (3) COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE 7 11. WAIVER PETITION: Planning Commission, re: Petition 2007-11-02-40 submitted by Nudell Architects requesting approval to provide a food court within the existing Laurel Park Place Mall located on the north side of Six Mile Road between Newburgh Road and Laurel Park Drive (37700 Six Mile Road), in the Southeast '/4 of Section 7. Mark Taormina, City Planner, stated that the proposed food court would have seven (7) multiple food service vendors and would be located adjacent to the north/south concourse of the southerly portion of the shopping area, north of Bar Louie and Max & Erma's and east of the Marriott hotel space. The open dining area with tables, seats and private areas would be in the existing portion of the Mall, will adjoin the common concourse area and have a seating capacity of 250. The petitioner would like to increase the seating to 300. The food court would consist of approximately 22,000 square feet which is pretty well evenly divided between the customer seating area and the food vending areas. The floor plan shows that some existing demising walls will be removed and new walls constructed. The food court would be served by a common hallway along the back. There will be an area available for the removal of trash in an existing compactor area just off the site to the north which will adequately serve the proposed food service area. The Planning Commission has reviewed and is recommending approval. It was stated that no additional parking is needed, just the general parking area that was originally approved for the site. The Mall always operated under a deficiency of parking which has been the case. Melinda Graulau, General Manager of Laurel Park Place Mall, 770 Deer Street, Plymouth, MI, was present and said that the bulk of the proposed property was an old health club that closed around 1991 shortly after the Mall opened. This area has always been challenging to lease even when Schostak Brothers owned the property. A food court will help increase traffic flow from one end of the mall to the other which will help increase sales and leasing in the area and make the area much more viable. Max & Erma's and Bar Louie have voiced concerns and are not very happy about the proposed food court, but they are different because the two restaurants are sit down and the proposed food court would be fast food. These have peacefully co-existed in malls across the country. So far, three (3) tenants have signed for spaces; Bistro X (currently one in Somerset Mall); Asian Too, an upscale sushi and Asian cuisine tenant; and Sbarro. There is also a sub sandwich shop that has not signed yet, so they cannot name them at this time. They are also in discussion with several others. Their goal is to try to keep the food court upscale. They would have to maintain the criteria and standards set for the Mall. They are also targeting a soup/salad vendor and a healthier burger option. Max & Erma's would like a better lunch crowd, but they are doing great on the night business. They are reaching the numbers on their goals. Bar Louie is going through some management changes and is currently working with the Mall Manager. They have a new District Manager and are working with charities. Their sales are doing alright. Bar Louie is almost 7,800 square feet and Max & Erma's is about 6,300 square feet. 8 They want to start demolition for the food court April 1, 2008 for a holiday 2008 opening. Bombay Co. is closing nationwide, Talbot's just announced they are closing their kids and mens' division nationwide, and Williams-Sonoma has made a corporate decision to close their classic stores so this store closes January 13, 2008 and will be out of their space by January 31, 2008. The Disney Store also plans on leaving. Two stores will be going into the Disney Store which will be announced after they sign their leases. The anchors in the mall are positive about the changes. It has been a real challenge trying to lease spaces in the Mall with the Michigan economy. They will announce which tenants will go in at the next Regular meeting on January 16, 2008. Meakin offered the approving resolution on the Regular Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING REGULAR 12. WAIVER PETITION: Planning Commission, re: Petition 2007-11-02-41 submitted by Firearm Exchange requesting approval to operate an indoor gun range on property located on the south side of Schoolcraft Road between Middlebelt Road and Merriman Road (30305 Schoolcraft Road), in the Northeast '/4 of Section 26. Mark Taormina, City Planner, stated that the proposed gun range would be located on the south side of Schoolcraft Road approximately 2,000 feet west of Middlebelt Road. It is just under an acre (.94) and includes 99.42 feet of frontage on Schoolcraft Road and has a depth of 413.08 feet which is zoned M-1 light industrial. It is surrounded by similar zoned properties. The existing building is 14,793 square feet including 1,280 square feet of small office space at the front of the building and 13,513 square feet divided into two (2) separate warehouse units. One warehouse unit is 9,200 square feet and one is 4,313 square feet. The petitioner proposes to lease the 1,280 square foot existing office building plus the larger of the two (2) warehouse units for a Firearm Exchange. This would be within the provisions of Section 16.11 which would allow for indoor recreation of the facilities. The building areas would comprise of about 10,480 square feet. This would consist of the office, shooting range, two (2) classrooms, a retail area, as well as an access hallway. The retail sales component would occupy 1,475 square feet, which is 14% of the total floor area. The shooting range area would have eight (8) lanes measuring 35.67 feet in width by 115.5 in length and enclosed on all sides by walls. Patrons would shoot from compartments in the firing area at the north end towards targets which are in the trap area on the south end of the building. Twenty two (22) parking spaces would be provided at the rear of the building and six (6) spaces near the office area at the front for a total of twenty eight (28) spaces which the petitioner feels are adequate for the needs of the facility as well as the future warehouse. Landscaping complies with the minimum requirement of 50%, and the existing landscaping comprises of 67% which was reviewed in detail by the Planning Commission at a Public Hearing in December and is recommending approval with certain conditions attached. 9 Surrounding the area is the Detroit Water & Sewer Authority property and a UPS distribution facility (the larger site), and other industrial buildings. Advantage Logistics facility is on the south side of Industrial Road. The proposed gun range borders Schoolcraft Road and 1-96 Expressway on the north side. Access to the property would be off the Schoolcraft service drive. Mark stated that the gun range will require a license from the City Clerk with the Chief of Police's approval. The Police Chief will review security measures and Inspection Department will follow up. Shooters Service on Six Mile Road has lots of security. There will be security measures on the new facility. There was only communication with the petitioner regarding the warehouse facility and not the retail shop. There has been no objection to the gun range facility. Petitioner Wah Wong, owner of Firearm Exchange, 36311 Avondale, Westland, MI, was present and stated he has another retail gun shop just south of Town & Country Bowling Alley on S. Wayne Road near Hazelwood between Cherry Hill and Michigan Avenue, and they have been there for the past 2-1/2 years and also he had a shop on Cherry Hill and Wayne Road for two (2) years. The reason he would like to move is to have a retail shop and a gun range. He explained that the trap system has a retrieval system, a target system, the trap and ventilation for the system. It would have a newer modern computerized system and would be on a track. It is a self-contained unit made of armored steel contained in steel with clean filtered air, and there would be no stray bullets. He has invested about $400,000 in the trap system. The gun range would cater to different agencies; the Reserves, the Police Department, any other departments that would like to use the range, and the public as well. The military have their own range. He stated the building is very secure. The front windows are glass but they have steel shutters that come down on all windows. The bathroom and side windows are all block glass. The back door is plate glass but has steel shutters coming down. The hours at the Westland facility is Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. If the new facility is approved, he would like the hours of 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. seven days a week. Mr. Wong previously was in the restaurant business for the last eighteen (18) years but always did firearm sales too. He is a shooting instructor also. The reason they picked Livonia as the location was because they found this building had the right structure and amount of space, wide open with no pillars, and was in an industrial area away from residential properties and nothing else around them. Mr. Wong has met with the Director of Inspection. Knapp offered the approving resolution on the Regular Agenda. McCann offered the resolution referring to the Committee of the Whole for its report and recommendation and concurrence of the Police Department prior to the next regular meeting. DIRECTION: (1) APPROVING REGULAR (2) COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE 10 13. WAIVER PETITION: Planning Commission, re: Petition 2007-11-02-42 submitted by Lowe's of Livonia requesting approval to construct a new home improvement store located on the west side of Middlebelt Road between Schoolcraft Road and Industrial Road (13507 Middlebelt Road), in the Northeast '/4 of Section 26. Mark Taormina, City Planner, stated that the proposed store would be located on the southwest corner of Middlebelt Road and Schoolcraft Road which was formerly a Wal-Mart. This requires waiver use approval since the square footage exceeds 30,000 square feet. The total site area is 14.65 acres, and the existing building (formerly Wal-Mart) and a bookstore totals 136,265 square feet which includes 15,000 square feet of lawn and garden area. The building would be completely demolished and replaced with a new Lowe's home improvement store. Lowe's would contain 137,933 square feet in the main building and an enclosed garden center totaling 31,179 square feet which includes a covered area of 9,273 square feet and an open area of 12,643 square feet that is larger than the existing store. 690 parking spaces are required and 50 spaces for the garden center totaling 740 parking spaces. The site plan provides a total of 577 spaces including 485 standard spaces measuring 10' x 20', 80 employee spaces measuring 9' x 20, and twelve (12) handicapped spaces. There would be a deficiency of approximately 163 parking spaces that would require a variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals. A traffic study was submitted. The site plan originally proposed a height of 38 feet on the lighting which will be lowered to 35 feet high similar to the Wal-Mart, Target and Meijer stores that were recently constructed in the area. Changes have been made to the plan. There will be three (3) accesses to the store off Middlebelt Road, Industrial Drive, and Schoolcraft Road. Middlebelt Road formerly had two entrances but will be replaced by a single entrance. There will be right in and right out signs with no left hand turns from the driveway onto Middlebelt. There is a traffic signal at Industrial Drive which would allow for left hand turn movements to enter and exit the site. The egress on Schoolcraft will end up almost directly in line with the overpass over 1-96. Landscaping would constitute 19.3% of the site with the majority on portions of Middlebelt Road within landscaped islands on the parking lot as well as along Schoolcraft Road and Industrial Drive. The storm water detention pond would be enclosed by a four (4) foot high fence because of the steepness of the landscaping. There will be a decorative fence along with considerable landscaping. The exterior of the building would have some peaked portions and would have integrated, colored concrete masonry which is split- faced brown block with a tan colored efface. Canopy and canopy support structures at the main entrance and lumber areas would feature peaked sections of E.I.F.S. and masonry. The canopies would consist of standing seam metal. C.M.U. would be on all four (4) sides of the building. Deliveries would be handled from the rear of the store similar to the setup of the former Wal-Mart. The highest points of the building are about 48 feet. The ordinance limits the height to 35 feet within a commercial zone and will require a variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals. 11 The height of the building is very similar to the dimensions of Target that was recently constructed at Wonderland Village. The difference is because this is not part of a major business center and is a single business. The proposed signage is for three (3) wall signs on the east elevation that identifies the indoor lumber yard, the sign for the main entrance, and the garden center on the north of the building which altogether would be less than what would normally be allowed for two (2) signs. One would be permitted on the east elevation facing Middlebelt Road and the other at half the square footage located on the north elevation facing Schoolcraft. They originally proposed three (3) monument signs, two of which were approved by the Planning Commission. One would be located on Schoolcraft and one would be on Middlebelt Road. It was suggested that there should be some identification on Industrial Road for directional purposes, and they recommended they be placed at that location. Council is glad to see a new addition in that location. John Gaber, Attorney with Williams, Williams, Rattner & Plunkett, 380 N. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham, MI 48009, stated that he represents Lowe's, and said it has been a long process, but they have had a good relationship with the City. They are taking a vacant store in a somewhat blighted area and redeveloping it with high standards of the City. The contaminated soil will be removed, and they are offering substantial upgrades to the architecture of the building and the facade. The site improvement will be aesthetically pleasing. They feel the store will be very functional and operate very well. Lowe's will be a long term ground lease, but they will have complete control of the management and maintenance of the site. They will be leasing directly from National Realty who was Wal-Mart's landlord as well. The primary lease agreement will be for twenty (20) years with several years of options. The oil change shop and bank own their property and will remain on the parcel. Lowe's has 45 stores in Michigan and 1,450 nationally. Council is happy to see that the property will be developed. Tom Ebels, Lowe's Site Development Manager, 1952 McDowell Road, Suite 101, Naperville, IL 60563, was present and added that there will be additional pilasters on two (2) sides of the building, added piers to the garden center, masonry screen-wall to the compactor at the rear, and extensive upgrades to all four (4) sides of the building. They have added decorative glass windows to give the building a two-story effect. They plan to raise the rear wall and paint it white to blend in with the color of the rooftop. Cost is 2.5 million dollars beyond the base costs. Each Lowe's store has its own economics, and this store will not look like the Westland store. They have made several upgrades to the site plan and also engineering upgrades as well. It will be comparable, in terms of costs, to the store in Rochester Hills and the proposed store in Auburn Hills. Each store has its own set of economics, and here in the Midwest region, this store would be the top of the line. 12 Greg Tannar, Atwell-Hicks Civil Engineers, 50182 Schoenherr, Shelby Township, MI 48315, stated that they will focus on the drives to make the store an easier access, and the storm water basin will take care of the water that City drain #19 is taking care of now. They will treat the water. There will be a 1,500% reduction on what passes through now. They have a consultant looking into a traffic signal to get approved before the starting date. They would like to start late spring or early summer and then be completed and opened by the end of 2008 or the beginning of 2009. Meakin offered the approving resolution on the Consent Agenda for three (3) signs. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT AUDIENCE COMMUNICATION: None. Meakin congratulated Council President Laura Toy on her first meeting. She did an outstanding job. As there were no further questions or comments, Council President Toy adjourned the Study Session at 9:47 p.m. on Wednesday, January 9, 2008. DATED: January 16, 2008 LINDA GRIMSBY, CITY CLERK