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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRDA MINUTES 1995-03-16 MINUTES OF THE 14TH REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLYMOUTH ROAD DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF LIVONIA, MICHIGAN The 14th Regular Meeting of the Plymouth Road Development Authority of the City of Livonia, Michigan was called to order at 4:00 p.m. , Thursday, March 16, 1995 in the 4th Floor Conference Room of City Hall . Members Present: Mr. Bill Pike Mr. Scott Grace Mrs. Toni Mette Mr. Conrad Carson Mr. Marvin Walkon Mr. Adelard Raby Mr. Stan Anderson Mr. Dale Summers Members Absent: Mayor Robert D. Bennett Mr. Mike Polsinelli Mr. Ed Brown (unexcused absence) Mr. Joe Laura Mr. Lowell Peterson Others Present: Mr. John Nagy, Director Mrs. Jean Garvey, Secretary Mr. Richard Niedieck, Livonia Economic Development Office Mr. Michael McGee, City Council The first item on the agenda was the adoption of the minutes of the Regular Meeting held by the Plymouth Road Development Authority on March 2, 1995. On a motion by Mr. Carson, seconded by Mrs. Mette and unanimously approved, it was #95-14 RESOLVED that, the minutes of the 13th Regular Meeting held by the Plymouth Road Development Authority on March 2, 1995 are approved. Mr. Pike, Chairman, declared the resolution adopted. The next item on the agenda was an update on the George Burns Theater. Mr. McGee reported that nothing has happened since the board's last meeting. The meeting that was scheduled with Kirko Company had been cancelled and hadn't been rescheduled as of this date. The next item on the agenda was an update on current Plymouth Road projects. Mr. Nagy reported on the following: The request for expansion of Archie's Restaurant was on a study meeting before the City Council where they ran into a few problems, therefore, Mr. Nagy felt their petition would probably be sent to the Committee of the Whole. K-Mart's request to construct a new enclosed garden shop area also was on the study meeting before the City Council and everything went very well so (1, Mr. Nagy felt it would be approved. Marshall's Furniture Store will be moving into a vacant building between Inkster and Middlebelt Roads on the south side of Plymouth Road. This building was previously occupied by Copenhagen Furniture. They will have to go to the Zoning Board of Appeals because they are requesting an additional 82 square feet of signage. They would like to be supported by the PRDA. They feel they need the signage for their store to be visible and to attract customers. Discussion followed regarding the signs for Marshall 's Furniture Store. The board members agreed they could support their request. On a motion made by Mr. Grace, seconded by Mr. Raby and unanimously approved, it was #95-15 RESOLVED that, the Plymouth Road Development Authority supports in part the request by Marshall Furniture Store with respect to the two opposite facing signs proposed for the extended roof parapet only, and that the proposed wall sign facing Plymouth Road shall be eliminated. The Plymouth Road Development Authority urges the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Planning Commission to approve this request as modified. Mr. Pike, Chairman, declared the resolution adopted. Chairman Pike informed the board that letters had been sent to the Planning Commission and the ZBA stating the PRDA supported the request by Eastside Mario's to add an outdoor patio dining area to their existing restaurant. Also letters had been sent to five taxing units informing them of the fiscal and economic implications of the proposed development area. Chairman Pike then informed all members of the authority that the public hearing on the Development Plan and Tax Increment Financing Plan for the Plymouth Road Development Authority will be held on April 12, 1995 at 8:00 p.m. in the auditorium of Livonia City Hall. He urged all members of the PRDA to be sure to attend this meeting. The next item under discussion was the article on the Revolving Loan Fund Program. Mr. Niedieck felt this was a good idea to help smaller businesses because banks aren't willing to give them financing. He thought it might be something for the PRDA to look into. This was followed by a general discussion. Mr. Summers passed out an article showing the National Bank of Detroit was working with the City of Southfield on a commercial rehabilitation loan program for existing businesses in the Eight Mile corridor. Possibly NBD would consider this for Livonia. The board asked Mr. Niedieck if he could work up a proposal and they should be sure to make reference to it in the Development Plan. It was suggested that Don Gross, Southfield's Development Director, be invited to a meeting of the PRDA to answer questions on this program. On a motion by Mr. Raby, seconded by Ms. Mette and unanimously approved, it was -2- #95-16 RESOLVED that, the Plymouth Road Development Authority has an interest in adopting a Revolving Loan Fund Program and therefore would like such a Program added to the Development Plan of the Plymouth Road Development Authority. Mr. Pike, Chairman, declared the resolution adopted. The next item on the agenda was the report by Toni Mette on a possible color theme for Plymouth Road. Ms. Mette reported this was a larger undertaking than she had expected because of the various colors presently used along Plymouth Road. She felt they could maybe use a fieldstone or a multi-color theme something like the colors that were presently used at the Plymouth Plaza. This could possibly be used for the landscape wall that was previously discussed. Ms. Mette asked the board members to check out the multi-color theme at Plymouth Plaza and see what they thought. There was then a discussion regarding the park at Inkster and Plymouth Roads. The board felt there should be a sign at the park letting people know they were entering Livonia. They felt that possibly having smaller versions of the sign at the main intersections such as Farmington/Plymouth, Merriman/Plymouth, Middlebelt/Plymouth might also be a good idea. The next item under consideration was a further discussion of possible themes for Plymouth Road. Ms. Mette suggested that rather than an ethic theme, etc. maybe they should have a landscape theme to make it a tourist attraction. She suggested pick a theme tree and have them planted along Plymouth Road using them as a theme to tie everything together. They could coordinate this with business themes. It was suggested possibly having small parks with park benches along Plymouth Road. It was agreed the theme would be trees. They felt with the tree theme they needed a catchy phrase that they could start using, even possibly printing in the paper. Examples that were offered were "Beyond the Beautiful Trees", "The Trees That Make the Road", "Greening of Plymouth Road" . The members are to think about this and come back to the next meeting with their ideas. The board agreed the first items to be taken care of under the development plan would be lighting, trees and benches, brick landscape wall and signs. The next subject under discussion was traffic flow and control. It was agreed they would attempt to have an engineer from the County attend the next meeting to discuss this matter. Mr. Nagy is to contact the County and possibly a City traffic engineer to see if they could attend the April 6, 1995 meeting. Chairman Pike stated the following items would be discussed at the next meeting of the authority: The public hearing to be held by the City Council on April 12, 1995 on the Development Plan and Tax Increment Finance Plan. Possible logo to be used by the PRDA. Chairman Pike would like the new Council person, Maureen Miller Brosnan, to be invited to the next PRDA meeting. ,r -3- Mr. McGee felt it would be a good idea for the group to meet with the homeowners in the area. The members agreed that a joint meeting between the PRDA and the homeowners' groups in that area should be held. Mr. Walkon offered to host this meeting. A location and date will be discussed at a future meeting. Mr. Summers stated the National Bank of Detroit has offered to come to this board and speak to the PRDA at their request. On a motion duly made, seconded and unanimously adopted, the 14th Regular Meeting held by the Plymouth Road Development Authority of Livonia on March 16, 1995 was adjourned at 6:02 p.m. 1 :✓ SecrJean Garvey,-'SecretTty L -4-