HomeMy WebLinkAboutPLANNING MINUTES 2001-06-1218584
MINUTES OF THE 826ri PUBLIC HEARINGS AND REGFLAI
HELD BY THE CITY PLANNING COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF LIVONIA
On Tuesday, June 12, 2001, the City Planning Commission of the City ofLivoma held its
820 Public Hearings and Regular Meeting in Poe Livonia City Hall, 33000 Civic Center
Drive, Livonia, Michigan
Mr. James McCann, Chaim err. called the meeting to order at 7:30 pier
Members present James C. McCain Dan Piemecchi H. G. Shane
William LaPme Robert Alanslcw Elaine Koons
Members absent: Now
Messrs. Mark Taormina, Planning Director, AI Nowak, Planner IV, Scott Miller, Plainer IB,
Bill Poppenger, Planner I and Robby Williams, Program Supervisor, were also present
Chamnnn McCann informed the audience that if a petition on touglu4s agenda involves a
rezoning request this Commission makes arecormmendatim to the City Council who, in two,
will hold its own public hearing, 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 recomnmendation 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 we or site plan approval is denied taught, the petitioner has
ten days in which to appeal the decision, in writing, to the City Council. Resolutions adopted
by the City Planning Concussion become effective seven (7) days after the dater of adoption
The Planning Commission and the professional staff have reviewed each of these petitions
upon Poem filing The staff has furnished the Commission with both approving and denying
resolutions, which the Concussion may, or may not, use depending on the outcome of the
proceedings tonight
ITEM #1 PETITION 2001-04-01-05 Michael L. Soave
Mr. Piercecchi, Secretary, announced the for item on the agenda is Petition 2001-04-01-05
by Michael L. Soave requesting to rezone property located south of Seven
Mile Road east of Brookfield Aveaue in the N.W. 1/4 of Section 10 from
RUFC to R 3.
Mr. Taormina presented a map showing Poe property under petition plus the existing zoning
of the surrounding area.
Mr. McCain: Is there any correspondence?
Mr. Nowak There are three items of correspondence. The first letter is from the
Engineering Division, dated May 1, 2001, which reads as follows:
IF:i4:C
"Pursuant to your request, the Engineering Division has revietred the above
referenced petition. We have an objection to the proposal or legal
description contawed therein. We believe that the petitioner is aware that
there will be a substancialamount ofwork that needs to be done to bring the
sanitary sewer to the property. Also, the developer will need to meet the
Wayne County Storm Water Management Ordinance as well as Wayne
County's dewed pavement configuration at the entrance from Seven M1e
Road We trust that this wd1 provide you with the information requested"
The letter is signed by David Lear, P., Civil Engineer. The second lel&r is
from Richard C. and Maxine M Lahay, 19000 Mayfield, Livonia, which
reads as follows: 'Since we reside within 500 feet ofthe property invoke din
the referenced petition we recently receiveda notice ofhearing scheduled
for June 12, 2001. At this time since there is an sewer on 7M1e Road we
believe this matter should beput on hold The only access to sewer, at this
time, a through wetland andlor nature preserve which should not be
disturbed to effect a profit for anyone. It is hard to believe that the DNR may
have approved such action Only after the sewer on 7 Mde Road a installed
should this proposal be considered." Signed by Richard and Maxine Lahay.
The fiord letter is from Ralph D. Rabinovitcb, MD., 32325 West Seven Mile
Road, Livonia, MI 48152, which reads as follows: 'My wife and I are unable
to attend toniglifs meeting regarding Petition 2001-04-01-05, but we wish to
be recorded as approving the rezoning plan to R-3. We arethe owners of the
properties at 32325 and 32305 W. Seven Mile Road. Thank you for your
cartery." Signed by R. D. Ravivovitch That is the estent ofthe
correspondence.
Mr. McCain: Is the petitioner here this evening
Earles Tangos, 33300 Five Mile Road, Livonia I represent the petitioner, MIchael Soave.
I might say that I have nothing to add to what Ma Taomtina wenttlimigh
although I can state that what Mr. Soave intends to do with this property is
very similar to the development by his family of die Cross Winds Estates
Subdivision off of Farmington Road between Seven and Eight Mile Road I
think you are all aware of that That is the type of homes the petitioner
would like to put up there. They are in the category of $350,000 to
$450,000. 17meyarebelwem2600and2800sq.ft Theyconsistoftwostory
colonial type or story and a half. The homes will be constructed very shnilar
to Cross Wind Estates. They are mainly 80% brick and stone. I might say
fist we are aware of the sanitary sewer situation I have investigated this and
understand that it is in the Sewer, Water and Waste Committee. We have
not on this before and the committee has asked for reports from other
committees, namely, Parks & Recreation, which they have already received a
report They are also waiting fa a Public Works report regarding the cost of
the sewer and also the allocation of costs as historically has happened in fine
City of Livonia We are aware of that and the Couacd is also aware fimat this
petition is now pending before this body and fimey are waiting to get a
detemtination of a what Poe Planning Commission does and they will address
the question of the sewer along whit gnu rnims of the rezoning at the time
when everything comes together.
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Mr. McCann: Are there any questions from the Commissioners? If there are time, I have
some concerns regarding the adjoining properties. This is a little bit like spot
zoning here. We are taking an RUF area next to a nature preserve and
sticking in a R-3 zoning. As you recall, over on Merriman between Su and
Seven Mile Roads, there was an attempt to do a similar project. It was
denied by the Planning Commission and again by the City Cancel because
of the proximity of the nature preserve and the intent of trying to keep the
nual nature around the nature preserve. This is the City's largest nature
preserve and a cherished park Can you respond to if anybody has looked to
combining the other parcels or a solution to our problem?
Mr. Tangore: I think that the adjoining neighbors have been talked to. ThmehasnYbem
arty determination of that Leo Soave also already owns one of the parcels
over on Seven Mile Road that is furtherto the west. ILatismy
understanding As you know, all of these parcels are RUF and they are all
residential uses at the present time. About the fuhue of those things, I really
can'ttell you what the femmes of the other parcels. It is unknown at this time.
Recognize that Rotary Park is to the south of these parcels. I feel that there
is ahezdy residential. It isjust a little bit more intense residential thatwould
be going m there with a very quality type of a development
Mr. Alanskas:
Does Mr. Soave own the property or is this on a contingency?
Mr. Tangom
He owns it
Mr. McCann:
This particular property in question?
Mr. Tangom:
Yes. He owns that
Mr. Shane:
Could you explain to me, Mr. Tangora, why you chose the R-3 district?
Mr. Tangom
I think thatthese are the loll that will allow a very quality type ofhome with
an 80' frontage and 120 feet in depth Again. I call your attention to the
same type of zoning over there although it is without a waiver at Cross
Winds. It allows flat type of home to be built on a spacious lot
Mr. Shane:
Were you aware, Mr. Tangora, according to this drawing anyway, that there
is an ordinance violation with regard to the setback on Seven Mile Road?
Which would probably etiminste two dwelling mets.
Mr. Tango rt
No. I haven't been involved with the drawing.
Mrs. Koros:
I have two questions for the staff. Mr. Taormina, if that stays RUF, could
me or more homes be built on that?
Mr. Taormina:
The site is large enough b accommodate additional home sites even under
the camevt RUF zoning classification How the parcel would best be
divided. I couldn't answer that at this point
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Mrs. Koons: Are the curtain homes in that area served by a septic tank and well?
Mr. Taormina: Yes. I dont know the status of the water. I an assuming they are served by
public water. I do know that this parcel, as well as the adjoining parcels,
both to the east and to the west, contain private sewer systems.
Mrs. Koros: Thank yon-
Mr.
ouMr. McCann: If there are no further questions, I will go to the audience. Is there anybody
in the audience wishing to speak for or against this petition?
Richard Lahay, 19000 Mayfield. I as the one that sent the letter against it We think this is
an excellent idea, but we think the truing is very preniztnre. Until such time
as there is a sewer on Seven Mile, putting these houses in and going to a
sewer across the naturepreserve is an end Thereis not enough nature
preserve left A subdivision like Cross Winds would be very nice once we
have a sewer nn Seven Mile and until that time, I don't flunk it should be
considered Thankyou
Maly Brickford, 32285 Seven Mile. We are at the far east end by the river. I am not for this
proposal at all. The issue about the wildlife is a big concern of ours. Weare
one of the few who can say that we see deer in our backyard and we like
Haat There are all types of wildlife. I don't hike the way they come in and
theyjust shoehorn the houses in and they are small lots. Ifthey wereto build
homes under the RUT zoning, I guess that would be acceptable but I don't
like the way they want to push as many, houses iMo a small area as they can
and try to reap the profits.
Mr. McCam: Is there anybody else wishing to speak for or against this petition? Seeing no
one, I will close the public hearing. A motion is in order.
On a motion by Mrs. Koros, seconded by Mr. LaPine and unanimously approved it was
#6-90-2001 RESOLVED that, pursuant to a Public Hearing having been held by the
City Planning Commission on June 12, 2001, nn Petition 2001-04-01-05 by
Michael L. Soave requesting to no me property located south of Severn Mile
Road east of Brookfield Avenue in the N.W. 1/4 of Section 10 from RUFC
to R-3, the Planing Commissinn does hereby recommend to the City
(Aamcil that Petition 2001-04-01-05 be denied for the following reasons:
1) That Poe proposed change of zoning will change the character of the
subject area;
2) That the proposed arcing district is ivrunsishntwith adjacentzo ingin
the area;
3) That Poe proposed change of zoning will provide for an unacceptable
increase in Hie overall population density in the area;
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4) That the proposed change of zoning will provide for development that
would be detrimental to the adjacent public park which has been
designated as a nature preserve; and
5) That the proposed change of zoning is not necessary for the continued
use of the subject property for low density residential purposes in
conformance with the recommendation of the Future Land Use Plan.
FURTHER RESOLVED that, notice of the above hearing was given in
accordance with the provisions of Section 23.05 of Zoning Ordinance 4543,
as amended.
Mr. McCain: Is there any discussion?
Mrs. Koons: We often hear, as we sit up here, people like to see the dee ,bunnies and
everything. I understand the argument but often it is for an individual. I
view this as for individuals next to the property and also for the greater good
of the whole City. That name preserve is used by school groups, citizens at
large, scout groups and I would hate in do anything to impair the use of that
and make it less of a natural preserve.
Mr. Shane: While this project may indeed have some merit, it would bave more merit if
were a more holistic arrangement There are other properties, east and west
of this and if someday, all of these properties were all put together and there
could be a properly enhanced development put forth it would make more
sense. As it is A is sort of shoehorned in here. It is a kind of spot zoning
sihuatim so that is why I am not for it
Mr. LaPme: My reason for not supporting this is basically the same as Mr. Shane's. It
seems to me that we are constantly taking these small parcels and trying to
jam as much as we possibly can into them I can understand the reason. The
cost of land in Livonia, because there is so little land left, it is very expensive.
Then when you put in all of your roads and sewers and water line, before you
put one unit nn that property, the cost of all the improvements plus the land is
so high that to make a profit the developer mustjam as marry homes as
possible nn that land My firs[ opinion is that we should wait until all the
other parcels are either sold and we can combine A into one big parcel and
maybe keep it at one half acre lots to cut down the model homes that are
going to be built in there. We also have to look at a long term plan. Weare
reading in the papers about all of the mirashucGae being overloaded, the
sewer lines and water lines and everything else, why should we go ahead and
do something like this when, in my opinion when in the long urn we may be
better off with a better project That is why I am voting against it Thank
YOU
Mr. McCann, Chairman, declared the motion is carried and the foregoing resolution adopted-
It
doptedIt will go on to Council with a denying resolution.
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ITEM #2 PETITION 2000-10-02-31 Rite Aid of Michigan
Mr. Piemeechi, Secretary, announced the nextitemon the agenda is Petitim 2000-10-02-31
by Rite Aid ofMichigan requesting waiver use approval to utilize a SDD
liquor license in connection with it pharmacy business located an the south
side of Eight Mile Road between Merriman Road and Mithum Avenue in the
N.W. 1/4 of Section 2.
Mr.McCa®: We do have aletterfrom John J. Doyle, attorney representing Rite Aid of
Michigan, addressed to the Planning Commission which reads as follows:
'Demhb'.Taormina: Pleaseaccept this letter as Riw Aidof1dichman
Iac.'s request for an adournment of thepublic hearing regarding the above
matter which a currently setfor tonight, .rune 12, 2001 at 7:30. Thu is the
secondsuch request of this nature. I apologue for the timing of this request
however, Ihave nw into an unavoidable conflict in my schedule which
requires me to make this request. It is my understanding that your office
incurs expense associatedwith the advertisement of the items on the agenda,
as well as other items. Ofcourse, this office would be willing to reimburse
}vuforexpems msoewa dwithourrequestforanadournment. Thankyou
for your consideration in this matter andagam Iapolog¢e for any
mconvemence. Shouldyou have any questions in regards to this matter,
please do not hesitate to contact this office at your convenience." The letter
is signed by John J. Doyle. It is my recommendation that since we
published this item and the audience a invited m tonighfs hearing thazwe
need to go froward with the hearing.
Mr. LaPine: Mr. Cheating if could say one thing This is about his thud request I
Brink we are all awareofthe situation I dont knowwhaz he could say thaz
would change my mind I have no objection to the postponement bull am
willing to vote an it tonight quite fizvldy.
Mr. McCann What I will do is put it up for someone to make a motion to adjacent it,they
can. Otherwise, we will go forward with the hearing
Mr. LaPive: Very good-
Mr.
oodMr. McCann: I don't hear arty motions w adjourn this hearing I am going to go forward
with the hearing
Mr. Taormina presented a map showing the property under petition plus the existing zoning
of the surrwnding area.
Mr. McCann: Is there any correspondence?
Mr. Nowak We have three items of correspondence. The fast one is a ]mer from the
Engineering Division, dated November 15, 2000, which reads as follows:
"Pursuant to your request, the Engineering Division has reviewed the above
referawedpention. The Engineermg Dmisionhmmobfectiom othe
18590
proposal or the legal description contained therein We trust that this wdl
provide you with the information requested." The letter is signed by David
Lear, P.E., Civil Fngiveer. The second letteris f can die hspection
Deparhnent, dated November 17, 2000, which reads as follows: "Pursuant
to your request of October 25, 2000, the above referenced petition has been
reviewed Thu Department has an objection to this petition" The lei is
sipped by Alex Bishop, Sector Building Inspector. The third lett is hom
the Livonia Fine & Rescue Division, dated November 22, 2000, which reads
as follows: "Thu office has reviewed the site plan submitted in connection
with a request to transfer a SDD liquor license and NE SDMllquor license
in sell alcoholic beverages in corb a encon with as pharmacy baseness located
on property Accidental the above referenced address. We have no objections
to this proposal." The letter is sipped by James E. Canyon, Fire Marshal.
That is the extent of the correspondence.
Mr. McCann: Is there anyone here representing the petition(? Seeing no one, I willgo to
Poe audience. Is there anyone in the audience wishing to speak for or against
Pols petition. Seeing no one, I will close the public hearing. Amotion is in
order.
On a motion by Mr. LaPine, seconded by Mrs. Koons and unanimously approved it was
#6-91-2001 RESOLVED that, pursuant to a Public Hearing having been held by the
City Planning Conmrission on June 12, 2001, on Petition 2000-10-02-31 by
Rite olid ofNhcctgan requesting waiver use approval to u bluce a SDD liquor
license in connection with its pharmacy business located on the soA side of
Eight Mile Road between Meaiman Road and Milburn Avenue in the N.W.
1/4 of Section 2, the Planning Commission does hereby recommend to the
City Council that Petition 2000-10-02-31 be denied for the following
reasons:
1. That the petitioner has failed to affirmatively show that the proposed use
N in compliance with all of the general waiver use standards and
requirements as set forth in Section 19.06 of the Zoning Ordinance 4543;
2. That the City is currently well served with SDD licensed establishments;
3. That there is no demonstrated need for additional SDD licensed facilities
in this area of the City;
4. That the proposed use is incompatible to and not in harmony with the
surrounding uses in the area
FURTHER RESOLVED that, notice of the above bearing was given in
accordance with the provisions of Section 19.05 of Zoning Ordinance #543,
as amended.
Mr. McCann: Is there any discussion?
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Mr. Alanskas: We have had Rite Aid and other drug stores asking for a SDD license. For
the people in the audience, a SDD is where you can sell liquor. SDM is
wbere you can sell beer and wine and asking each petitioner what percentage
of sales they have, itis always between 7 and 10%. But their biggest reason
is for the convenience of the customer. I1hmk it is for the convenience of
the petitioner. I wonderhow they would like it if all of these liquor stores
wanted to sell prescriptions, if it was reversed and the sboe was on the other
foot I think they can survive very well without liquor. You can take
another store, Walgrems, that does not sell either and they are doing free.
That is why I mm saying 'No" to this petition.
Mr. Piercerchi: I, too, mm going w support the denying motim because I think it bas been
ITEM #3 PETITION 2001-04-02-05 Badd Ymo (Plymouth Fmd Store)
totally demon trakd here in Livonia that a drug store can be successful
without selling my alcoholic beverages, as Mr. Almskas pointed ont For
the information of people sitting in the audience and watching this program
on televisim, Livonia currently, as of March 2000, has 35 locations, wbich
sell liquor. That is about me for every square ude of Livonia. We have 83
beer and wine locations and over 80 Class C locations where yon can buy
booze by the glass. By denying this we certainly are not depriving any
Livodans from alcohol.
Mr. LaPine:
Ivmddhketogive Rito Aidmepatontheback Icomplatnedabonthow
awful the dumpstmis openallthe time. The gates arebroke. I see they are
repaired and it has been closed the last few times I have been over there.
Mr. McCann:
Good
Mr. LaPine:
That is all I have.
Mr. McCann:
Ijust have a couple comments. First, with regard to the adjournment this
isn'tthe first adjournment for Rite Aid. The issues have been presented
before us on multiple occasions and this is their second request for an
adjournment I don't believe it is unreasonable for them to have me of their
other attorneys or someone else from the turn represent them this evening
Secondly, I have looked at this situation. I have concerns with regard to this
File Aid having an SDD license, especia0y since there is a new ice cream
parlor next door. It is a very nice me. We are looking forward to it opening
in the City ofLivonia I think RiteAid will experience a large increase in
thein business fromhaving all the traffic going next door to the ice mom
parlor. I don't think the uses mix. Therefore, I am going to vote for the
denying resolutim
Mr. McCam,
Chairman, declared the motion is carried and the foregoing resolution adopted
Mr. Tmmrina, would you notify the petitioner that it has been denied and
they have 10 days to appeal the decision to the City Council.
ITEM #3 PETITION 2001-04-02-05 Badd Ymo (Plymouth Fmd Store)
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Mr. Pieramehi, Secretary, announced the next item on the agenda is Petition 2001-04-02-08
by Badri Yono (Plymouth Food Store) requesting waiver use approval to
utilize a SDD license in an existing business located on property on the north
side of Plymouth Road between Cavell and Arcola Avenues in the S.P. 1/4
of Section 25.
Mr. Taormina presented a map showing the property under petition plus the existing zma g
of the surrounding area.
Mr. McCain: Is there any correspondence?
Mr. Nowak Them are four items of correspondence. The fust letter is from the Livonia
Fire & Rescue Ihvisiom dated May 10, 2001, and reads as follows: "Thu
office bas reviewed the site plan submitted in connection with a request to
ut$ba a SDD license in an eaasung building on property located at the above
referenced address. We have an objections to this proposaC" The letter is
signed by James I- Corcoran, Fire Marshal The sec red letter is a letter
from the Engineering Division, dated May 15, 2001, which reads as follows:
"Pursuant to your request, the Engvleermg Division bas reviewed the above
referenced petition. We have an objection to the proposal or the legal
description contained therein at this time. We trust that this will provide you
with the information requested" The letter is signed by David Lear, P.E,
Civil Engineer. Thetltird letteris from the Dmusen of Police, dated May 21,
2001, which reads as follows: "We have reviewed the site plan for the above
listedpeation and have in o recommendations to enhance creme prevention
for the property. (1) The lighting for the property does not appear to be
adequate with only two lights on the rear of the building located north of
the proposed storage area We would recommend additional fighting be
instaIIed (2) Installation ofa fence for the perimeter ofthe proposed
storage yard willhelp discourage larcenies and thefts ofthe vehicles stored
in the yard" The letter is signed by Wes McKee, Sergeant, Traffic Bureau.
The fourth letter is from the Inspection Deparhvent, dated May 29, 2001,
which reads as follows: "Pursuant to your request ofMay 3, 2001, the
above referenced pefifion has been reviewed. The following a noted (1)
This petition will need a variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals for
being less than the required 400 feet away from a church (2) The
Jahlowing site conditions are noted: (a) The parking area needs cense,
resealing and double sniping aril parking blocks realigned and secured
(b) The landscape needs maintenance. (c) There was a dumpster on site
without enGasure. (d) There is a fence on the north propertyline, which
needs repair and also has barbed wb, which is now prohibited there. Thu
Department has no further objection in this petition." The letter is signed by
Alex Bishop, Assistant Director oflnspectiom Thatistheextentofthe
correspondence.
Mr. McCann: Is the petitioner here this evening?.
Badri Yono, Plymouth Food Store, 27600 Plymouth Road, Livonia
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Mr.Alonskas: Howmanyyearshaveyoubeenthere?
Mr. Yorm Fiveyears.
Mr. Alonskas: Just roughly, on any given day, how many customers will come into your
facility? Fifty? Srxq A hum bed?
Mr. Yuno: Ahundred or more.
Mr. Alauskas: Of the hundred coming in there, how many ask for liquor.?
Mr. Yorm Between 20 to 30 customers.
Mr. Alonskas: The reason I ask is because in the State of Michigan and all over the United
States, liquor consumption is really down. The reason why is because of the
drunk driving effect, trying to stop people from drinking and driving and they
have lowered the rate on what is considered intoxication. People are not
drinking liquor. They will drink possibly beer or possibly wine. Have you
considered trying to put you efforts towards something else besides liquor?
Mr. Yorm There is no size for something else because the size of the building, I cam only
put the hard liquor an it because of the size of the building you can expect
more for that
Mr. Alonskas: What percent do you think you would increase you sales if you had liquor
sales?
Mr. Yuno: Maybe 25%.
Mr. Alonskas: Thank you
Mr. LaPme: Ib you own the property or do you rent it?
Mr. Yuno: I own the property.
Mr. LaPine: That fence that is behind you, is that your fence, or whose fence is it?
Mr. Yuno: Do not sure exactly because I bought the building fou years ago and the fence
was there. I can check: on this.
Mr. LoPme: On the dumpster, was there ever an enclosure around that dumpstefl
Mr. Yorm No. I can do this too.
Mr. LaPine: It surprises me because I was on the board when we approved that building
there, when A was an ice crema parlor and then the little store, which you have.
I coal believe that we allowed a drumpster without an enclosure. The
landscaping was nothing I was out there today and talked to you. Along
you east property line of the building the weeds are sky high and the City is
18594
planting all of this nice shrubbery along the road and if it is not going to be
taken care of, taxpayers are wasting money.
Mr. Yono: The City did a lot of landscaping and they changed the whole thing. I got
somebody to take care of thelandscaping. What happened, the City got
somebody to cut the grass for the City of Livonia, after I hired somebody to do
thejob.
Mr. LaPive: There was one other thing that upset me when I was m your store today, quite
frankly. You are selling magazines in there and you have right in the open,
right where any kids can look at them, Playboy, Hustler and some other
magazines. Youhavearightwsellthem,brtifymaregoingwdothatym
should leave be covered or behind the counter. We try to bring out kids up in
this world and webe got all kinds of problems and to leave them in the oper. I
think isjust very bad Thankyou
Mr. McCann: Is there anybody in the audience who wishes to speak for or against this
petition?
Jeff Collins, 11663 Arcola, Livonia I am the pastor ofLivotia Tabemade, which is the
aforementioned church located behind the Plymouth Food shore. My wife and
I moved up here a year ago. The church we took over had no people in it so
we began with nothing and have developed that We've gotten to know the
area quite well and we find A to be a very nice neighborhood In fact, I really
enjoy Livonia. I have never been over to the Plymouth Food Store. I deal
even know the folks there but I must say I enjoy the environment of the
neighborhood right now, what is happening there. I dual wart to get into a lot
of spiritual things. I am a pastor and this is not the place for it The
atmosphere isjust fine right now. Bull knowif you introducebardfiquor,
when you introduce that rum an emaromnent things are going to shat
happening. I am in the people business. I am not in sales and I am sure there
are a lot of things, as you mentioned, that can be sold to increase business and
profit other than hard liquor. My main concent is the young people in that area
and I am concevned for them because they will all have access to that and you,
sir, were merNoning the pornography issue. We had, just a few weeks ago, an
out reach for some of the young people in the neighborhood and we had over
35 show up. Just reaching out to them Just loving on them basically but we
have seen some of the young people of the business across the way. They
have been congregating and they have been smoking and there has been an
altercation with one of the business owners and these young people and I was
there to help step in and kind of help talk through things. But I realized that,
all of rudder, if they are going to have access to the cigarettes and things like
that, if there is a shore providing liquor right there in thein own neigbborhood,
you, as well as I, do know the peer pressure is very intense and still very strong
and the access is there. So, I guess what I am saying is that I am not for that I
appreciate them having then bsmess and I encourage them in then efforts in
doing a good business but Ijust feel that bard liquor is not the avenue to go,
especially in the area where we live right now. I thank you for your time.
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Mr. McCann: ]Lank you sir. Good luck with your chinch
Robert Puling, 11564 Cavell, Livonia I amjust across the street on the other side of
Plymouth Road from the store and I am a frequent customer of the Plymouth
Food Store. He has a nice little neighborhood store there but because there are
numerous established retail liquor outlets just a few blocks away in both
directions, 35 in Livonia and 88 other establishments as you heard earlier.
Including the Livonia Liquor Castle and the CVS and the me stop party store,
Farmer Jack and all of those have a commercial atmosphere for selling
packaged liquor other than a little family store. I am afraid that the only
market that he is going to go after here with this change is a few walk-in
customers purchasing small bottles of liquor in brown paper bags and that is
what we wanto avoid A large majority of the commit customers are local
neighborhood chi dren buying randy and hanging out on their bicycles. Our
neighborhood does not want to rix our children with this walk- in adult liquor
purchases when the CVS and Farmer Jack has that more commercial set-up for
just such a purchase. In the past, the Plymouth Food Store was not cooperative
in the neighborhood's request for discretion in displaying the adult magazines
that you mentioned earlier. Now they are back a couple of rows. In the past
they were right by the from door at the same level. We had to confront him
andask Inatomwethen. Left anhis own, hewould have left themright
there and I am afraid that he proved that he was not responsible or tmstworthy
in being sensitive to the neighborhood children's best interest. We had to
actually work to get that changed. Also the Royal Motor Hotel across the
street and the tattoo establismment next door has a majority of customers being
yang adults and I am afraid that this will just add to that walk-in cam out
sales of small bottles and brown paper bags for immediate cons caption and
that is exactly again what we aretrying to avoid. Ijust wanted to state again
that we feel the area is saturated with establishments that sell beer, wine and
liquor. Both directions down Plymouth Road, we've got a Former Jack, CVS.
Livonia Liquor Castle, a one stop party store and of course non -packaged
Mets such as Mama Mia's, The Finnish Line, The Crestwood, Wonderland
Lanes and Chin's. So again, there is no shortage for finding alcohol up and
down the road in both drectums. I am afraid expanding packaged hard liquor
sales to a small neighborhood store like that is not a good idea for the
ommmnty.
Mark Scharf, 11677 Arcola, Livonia. Everything that has hem said I agree wilh. I am
against it I like my City. I wart to keep it clean. It is the gateway right there
at Plymouth and Inkster.
Mr. Yono: Regarding the attack nn the magazine, a couple of years ago I did some
constmctinn inside the store and there was only one aisle for the magazines. I
could only put it nextto the papers. The magazines arenow withh the same
items that are the adult aisles. The yang people cannot go in these aisles.
Another flung, Former Jack does not sell hard liquor, only CVS. I am not
CVS. I am only a small business owner. At CVS they have beer, wine and
liquor. Willi me I will only have beer. That is why I tried to bring in some
more business. I have been here for five years. You can check my record and
18596
never have been given a ticket I always watch what I do. I never sell
anything the magazines Or cigarettes to anyone under age.
Mr. MrCam: I am closing the public hearing. A motion is in Order.
On a motion by Mr. Piercecchi, seconded by Mr. Shane and unanimously approved it was
#6-92-2001 RESOLVED that, pursumtto aPublic Hearing having been held by the City
Planing Commission on June 12, 2001, on Petition 2001-04-02-08 by Badri
Yono (Plymouth Food Store) requesting waiver use approval to utilize a SDD
license in an existing business located on property on the north side of
Plymouth Road between Cavell and Arcola Avenues in the S.P. 1/4 of
Section 25, the Planning Commission does hereby recommend to the City
Council that Petition 2001-04-02-08 be denied for the following reasons:
1) That the petitioner has failed to affirmatively show that the proposed use
is in compliance with all of the special and general waiver use standards
and requirements as set forth in Sections 11.03 and 19.06 of the Zoning
Ordinance4543;
2) That the subject use fails to comply with the standard set forth in Section
11.03(x)(2) which requires at least a 400 foot separation between a
proposed SDD licensed establishment and a church;
3) That the City is currently well served with SDD licensed establishments;
4) That there is an demonstrated need for additional SDD licensed facilities
in this area of the City: and
5) That the proposed use is incompatible to and not in Larmory, with the
surrounding uses in the area
FURTHER RESOLVED that, notice of the above hearing was given in
accordance with the provisions of Section 19.05 of Zoning Ordinance #543,
as am®ded.
Mr. McCann: Is there any discussion? Hearing none, I have a couple of comments. I
appreciate the neighbor imolveme rt in coming here tonight and I also
appreciate the petitioners situation. However, expanding the sale of liquor in
the area is not a reflection that we have anything against what you are doing
in the storecurremly. Itis more ofthe problem of expanding the use of liquor
in the area and that is the concern Therefore, I am going to vote for the
denying resolution
Mr. McCann, Chairman, declared the motion is carried and the foregoing resolution adopt-&
The motion is denied. You have 10 days in which to appeal the decision to
the City Commit.
18597
ITEM #4 PETITION 2001-05-02-09 A & S Minute Mart
Mr. Piencecebi, Secretary, announced the nest item on the agenda is Petition 2001-05-02-09
by A & S M nif Mart requesting waiver use approval to operate a track
rental facility on property located on the south side of Plymouth Road
between Garden Avenue and Harrison Road in the N.W. 1/4 of Section 36.
Mr. Taomtinz presented a map showing the property under pettion plus the es ifing zoning
of the surrounding area.
Mr. McCann: Is there any correspondence?
Mr. Nowak TLereew hreeitcmsofcorrespondence. ThefrstitemisaletterGomthe
Livonia Fre & Rescue Division, dated May 14, 2001, which reads as
follows: "Thu office has reviewed the site plan submitted in connection with
a request for waiver use approval to operate a U-Haulfacility behind the
parking lot at the A & S Minute Harket and to store U -Haul trucks in the
adjacent field located on the south side of Plymouth Road between Garden
Avenue andHanison Road in the N.W. 114 ofSection 36. We have an
objections to this proposal" The lett is signed by James E. Corcoran, Fire
Marshal- The second lethi is from the Engineering Division, dated May 15,
2001, which reads as follows: "Pursuant loyour request, the Engineering
Division has reviewed the above referenced petition. Thefollowing legal
elascriiation should be used in connection therewith 'The South 95.00 feet
ofthe,hulowbng Parcel: Thatpartof the N.W. 114 of Section 36, T. IS., R.
9E., City ofLivonia, Wayne County, Michigan morepar icularly described
as beginning ata point distant Nedh 89 42' East, 2772.65 feet from the
Northwest corner ofSection 36 and proceeding thence North 89 42' East
along the North section line 14500 feet; thence South 01033'30" West,
300.00 feet,; thence South 89033'30" West, 300.00 feet,; thence South 890420
West, 745.00 feet; thence North 0133 30"East, 300.00 feet to the point of
beginning.' Local ordinances require parking areas to be hard surfaced
not the gravel surfaceproposed by the developer. Due to the surfacing of
the parking lot, storm water will need to be addressee{ and detailed drainage
plans will need to be submitted Other than these items, we have an
objections to the proposal. We trust that this will provide you with the
information requested" The lelA3 is signed by David Lear, PE., Civil
Engineer. The third letter is from the Inspection Deparhnent, dated May 30,
2001, whichreads as follows: "Pursuant lo your request of May 9, 2001, the
above referenced petition has been reviewed The following is noted: (1)
There is no zoning compliancefor an A & SMinute Market The current
zoning compliance is for Richard's Auto Service issuedio Richard%ing.
(2) The exterior of the main building needspand. (3) There were two (2)
unenclosed dumpsters in theparking lot (4) There were four Winne
unlicensed vehicles in the lot, some in a state ofdisrepair. (5) At the rear
ofthe building was outside storage ofmaterials, equipment, used oil and
used pads (6) The parking lot needs maintenance and repair and double
striping. (7) The east access around the building was blocked with
vehicles. (8) There is an abandoned fence enclosure in the mar area
18598
(formerly used for storage). (9) This petCion will need a variance from the
Zoning Board ofAppeals for a gravel parking area indeed ofthe required
hard surface area (10) We would recommend that this petition be
returned to the petitioner to enable the plan to be properly drawn and
properly detailed The lack of detailprohibib ths Department from
completing the review. This Department has no further objection to this
petition." The letter is signed by Alex Bishop, Assistant Director of
Inspection. That is the extent of the correspondence.
Mr. McCain: Is the petitioner here this evening?
Samiher Nassar, 28651 Plymouth Road The letter from the engineer that suggested the
parking lot was to be hard surfaced instead of gravel, I agree with that We
will install stone water, which will be for drainage. I will submit plans to
the Councilforthat The letter firm the Chief of Police about the lighting
for the property, we will install a light pole. Also, the fence, I agree with the
fence. We will install a fence. The City Inspector has several notations here.
Number two, the exterior of the budding needs paint On the backside,
needs painting WeTI do that But downstairs, we talked to the company to
remove one of them and we are having a hard time getting A removed
Several times we called them to remove one of them because we cancelled
their service and they havenlremoved it I will send a letter again to them
and call them to remove one of the downstairs. For the unlicensed vehicles,
this has to do with Richard Ring He has a lease with us to repair cars over
there and several times we have a nm in with the inspector and with Mr.
Km& The vehicles that were unlicensed or damaged, they were removed
Also, Mr. Ring has a license to repair cars there and he is allowed to store
cars in the parking lot For the used oil, that should be addressed to Mr.
King. He should remove that oil in the back He has barrels of used oil that
should not be there. I agree with that It shouldn't be there and it should be
addressed to Mr. Ring
Mr. McCain: Do yon own the property?
Ms. Nassar: Yes, I do with my husband
Mr. McCain: You made a lease to Mr. King who is retiring the property?
Ms. Nassar: He is renting the repair three bay garage and he is allowed to park cars behind
the building. There is a parking lot He is allowed to do that
Mr. McCann: Is there allowance for overnight storage of vehicles, Mr. Taormina, on that
property?
Mr. Taormina: I am not aware of any. We would have to look into that
Ms. Nassar: Also, behind the parking lot there is the lot that I am requesting for car rental.
It is empty, just sitting there. It was approved by L -Haul. The
18599
recommandation by the inspectors and the engwers and the police chief, we
will agree with those.
Mr. McCain:
Do you understood that as the landowner you are responsible to see that the
oil is removed and that you are responsible for the maintenance of your
Property and to see that it conforms to all of the City ordinances? It is not
your tenant's. It is your responsibility to see that that is done.
Ms. Nassar:
I have talked to Mr. King about the cars and he removed them. I willtally to
him again about the oil But also, the inspector should address that to him
since he is the one who put them there.
Mr. McCann:
Unfortunately, you are the one who is going to get the ticket, not him.
Ms. Nassar:
I will address that with ban too and he should remove them
Mr. Shane:
To the staff, the letter fiom the Inspection Deparhnent, did I understand that
to read that they don't have a valid zoning compliance permit?
Mr. Taormina:
The indication from the Inspection Deparawrit is Hort the current zoning
compliance certificate is for Richard's Auto Service, issued to Richard King
and that there is no zoning compliance for the A & S Monte Mart
Ms. Nassar:
The parking lot is a different parking lot Mr. King has his lot to score the
cars. What I am asking is the other space that is available for the empty lot
for the truck rental.
Mr. McCain:
Can you 0 us why you need truck rental there?
Ms. Nassar:
It is a good idea to have it The neighbors know we are going to have a truck
rental. We get calls all the true. They want to rent trucks and we told them
we are not set up with the City yet, to increase the business, of course. The
area is industrial.
Mr. Pien ecchi:
How many trucks were you planning an storing back there?
Ms. Nassar:
It depends on the business. How it picks tlp and it is large enough to fit 5 or 7
trucks.
Mr. Pienecebi:
Would these trucks be visible from Plymouth Road?
Ms. Nassar:
Probably not
Mr. Piemecchi:
You can't say for sure?
Ms. Nassar:
It is behind the building. They wool be visible.
Mr. Piemecchi:
They will not be parked between, if remember right, those bays.
18600
Ms. Nassar:
No. We wed a sign so the public will know.
Mr. Alanskas:
How long have you had this propel}? How many years?
Ms. Nassar:
Since 1996.
Mr. Alanekas:
Wbat are your hours thee?
Ms. Nassar:
We are open from 6:00 am to 10:00 p.m.
Mr. Alayskas:
Seven days a week?
Ms. Nassar:
Yes.
Mr. Alanskas:
In regards to the auto repran that you have there, that has been my business for
over 31 years and right now, auto repair Facilities is at an all time kilgh for
revenue because there is such a high demand How many mechanics do you
know that Mr. King has at that facility?
Ms. Nassar:
He has three mechanics.
Mr. Alanskas:
Ihen you justcharge him by the morRh a flat note for the property?
Ms. Nassar:
It was a lease agreement between him and us for five years for $1,500.00 a
moron.
Mr. Alanskas:
I would think that with the price of gasoline where A is right now, I would
think all you would have to do is sell gasoline to make a Pretty good hvmg.
Tell me, in regards to the U -Haul rental, is this a lease agreement that you
want to do with that and for how long, with U -Hail?
Ms. Nassar:
We would like to keep them there.
Mr. Alanskas:
But are they wanting to sign you to a contract for two years, three years?
Ms. Nassar:
There was no dismssian about that Thee was discussion that they liked the
site and that it is apprco ed and we will work with then.
Mr. Alanskas:
Are you aware that wejust are in the processing of approving another me not
a mile down the road frown you, a U -H"?
Ms. Nassar:
No.
Mr. Alanskas:
The thing is, with U -Haul truck renals on Plvmoudn Road, we have one here,
then we give you one there and there is another one dove the road, we have
so many tacks on Plymouth Road now and do you know what size these
trucks ore going to be? Hm you are going to be renting?
Ms. Nassar:
DiffereR sizes.
18601
Mr. Alanskas: Butyoudontknowwhatsiss? Caildtheybe20fatlwgor25feetlong!
Couldthey be abactor-trailer! Coilditbeju auhlityvehicle?
Ms. Nassar: We would tarty aural types. If we get a call and we dont have the hud5 we
will get it barn their home base.
Mr. Alanskas: Where is their home base?
Mr. Nassar: There is one in Redford
Mr. Alanskas: It sounds to me like you are very vague abort what you are trying to do. Like
you are tying to get into this and you dont know really how many, you are
goingm have, howlongyour contract is going brbe. Whathourswouldyou
have for the rental business?
Ms. Nassar: It is basically how our business comes, farto seven bucks. Peoplewill
bring in tacks and customers will take out bucks.
Mr. Alanskas: Let me ask you a question Leis say you are going to have five trucks there,
O.K? Leis say on Monday you lease ten bucks. It is a good day and in the
meant®e another ten people warrt to rehnn bucks from other facilities.
Where would you put all of these bucks?
Ms. Nassar: There is enough space.
Mr. Alanskas: Yon said you were only going to have five to seven.
Ms. Nassar: To start with The parking lot is more than that.
Mr. Alanskas: This business will depend m how customers bring in bucks and take out
trucks. If a tack is not available, we will call in the centerwherethey usually
have buem. That is how it will work-
Mr.
orkMr. Alanskas: How about signage? Would you want a sign out there that says, "U -Hail
Tnuck Rental"?
Ms. Nasse: Yes.
Mr. Alanskas: Wherewoldyouwantto pert it?
Ms. Nasser: On the Sumoco gas sign, at the bottom
Mr. Alanskas: Tbakyou.
Mr. LaPine: You covin the wbole parcel, is that correct?
Ms. Nassm: Yes.
18602
Mr. LaPine: You mentioned a few rmnutes ago that you have this empty parcel behind you
but it is still part of the general parcel.
Ms. Nassar:
Yes.
Mr. LaPine:
You also mentioned that the old cars are stored away. I was out there tonight
I counted 24 cars behind the budding. Thee or four of them looked like they
werejunk cars. They had flat tires on them and things like that They didn't
look like they had been pulled away. What were these cars that you said had
been taken away you saidjust lately?
Ms. Nassar
Those couple of weeks he brought in more cars. Idon't know which ones he
is repairing. 10 him which ones are for repay. If there are any dismantled
cars he was suppose to remove them and they were removed.
Mr. LaPine:
Are you there every day?
Ms. Nassar:
Basically, yes.
Mr. LaPine:
Then you tmowwhat is going on. Don'tyouhavemycontroloveryour
tenant! You can tell him you want those cars removed with one day or two
days or I am going to cancel you lease.
Mr. Nassar:
I don't ask het which car he is working on or how long it is going to take him
w work on it
Mr. LaPine:
At this point, I don't think you can give us enough information for me to
really vote on this thing because for number one, I don't know how many
wicks you are going to have. I don't know the lengths of the frocks. I door
particularly like the idea of the wicks being parked back there where you
want to park them because of the fact that there are residents right behind you
and starting tracks up early in the morning, I think is wrong. If we do go
along with you, A would have to be paved it all. I am not going to wait for
twoyearsforittogetdone Another problemI have, to getw theback of
your property you can only come in from the west side. I went in from the
west side. I though I could go around your budding and I can't go around A
because there was a pickup wrack back there. There was a motor hanging on
chain lift there so they would have to come out and go up one direction and I
think the whole scheme of the way it is setup is wrong. You haven'tshowo
us a plan the way you intend to line the trucks or how you intend to get the
trucks in and out I don't know if you are going to do repairs on tracks there.
Idon'tknowhowmanytmcksaregoingwbemt ed. ILereisjustnot
enough infnu ation, m my opinion Mr. Clumman Thank you
Mr. McCain:
One of the concerns that Mr. LaPme brought up was the fact ofthe neighbors.
How close will these trucks be parked to your rear property line?
18603
Ms. Nassar: There is enough space to park on both sides. The parking lot can be split m
the middle. They can park closer on the northern side instead of the southern
side.
Mr. McCann:
Is there anyway to do something for the neighbors?
Ms. Nassar:
There is a wall there between us and the neighbors.
Mr. McCain:
But A is a five foot wall, correct?
Ms. Nassar:
Yes.
Mr. McCann:
Dart doesn't stop the noise or the fight or the traffic coming in at night
dropping trucks off, does it?
Ms. Nassar:
The light is for security. The neighbors hike that
Mr. McCain:
I meant the lights of the trucks.
Ms. Nassar:
The wall blocks the lights.
Mr. Shave:
The only difficulties that we are having is the drawing that you submitted to
us. It gives us absolutely no information. And all of the questions we have
asked you, that information is generally furnished to us with an accurately
drawn plan and the information, which Mr. LaPme is looking for, is usually in
written form That is some of the problem we are having here. We have
petition before us with almost no rumination We are kind of at a loss to
know exactly what you are going to do.
Ms. Nassar:
I measured the parking lot and I drew basically where A is located in the back
of the station.
Mr. McCain:
I am going to go to the audience. Is there anybody in the audience who
wishes to speak for or against this petition?
Michael Dwyer, 28472 N. Clements Circle. On yourchart there, I would be property 136. I
am directly behind the proposed site. I have some concerns as m how this is
accomplished. I want it (mown first that I moved into Livonia to stay. I don't
believe in the concept of a starter house so if you approve Ibis, I will be
looking A it for 20 years. Bearing in mind that I am pro-business. I would
like to see them succeed but not on the back of the property owners. If they
are going to accomplish this, I believe it should be done in such a way that I
wont see it Like Wonderland Lanes makes noise, for about 10 minutes.
That is all right I moved into that neighborhood and I understood that he was
there and fine, and people come out and whoop A up a little bit and I can live
with that But I dont think I am going to like to see a truck backed up to my
wall. I haven't heard anything and you ve asked the question, "Where are you
going to park the trucks?' There is nothing in this that would say that the
park could not be parked up directly to my wall which means I, and my
18604
neighbors, would have to see it So, I have an issue with that I also have an
issue with U -Haul users diesel trucks in addition to gasoline trucks and my
child's play set is 25 feel on the other side of that wail. It really depends on
how this is accomplished. Basically, in a nutshell, I dual want to hear it If
do hear it, it needs to be minimal. The horns of operation are 6:00 a.m. to
10:00pm. Would the U -Haul be able to operate then? WouldI have a diesel
truck starling u>p at 6:00 am directly behind my wall? I am opposed at this
time, based on what I have heard I took a walk through the neighborhood
and generally speaking, the neighbors have some grave concerns. I am a
member of the Clement Circle Civic Association and will be reporting back to
them They at this time do not have a position. They dual have enough
infomommn to have a position But wa have some grave concerns as to how
this is accomplished Thank you
Mr. McCain:
Seeing that there is no one wishing to speak for or against this petition, I am
going to close the public hearing. Ms. Nassar, do you have any last
co®erds?
Ms. Nassar:
Tocomment on the operating hours. It wool be like the gas station hours.
We have to open early. The operating hours will be not that early.
Mr. McCann:
A motion is in order.
On a motion by Mr. Alanskas, seconded by Mr. LaPme and unanimously approved it was
#6-93-2001
RESOLVED that, pursuant to a Public Hearing having been held by the
City Planning Commission on June 12, 2001, on Petition 2001-05-02-09 by
A & S Mantle Mart requesting waiver use approval to operate a truck rental
facility on property located on the south side of Plymouth Road between
Carden Avenue and Harrison Road in the I.W. 1/4 of Section 36, the
Planning Commission does hereby recoranend to the City Council that
Petition 2001-05-02-09 be denied for the following reasons:
1) That the petitioner has failed to affirmatively show that the proposed use
# to compliance with all of the special and general waiver we standards
and requirements as set forth in Sections 11.03 and 19.06 of the Zoning
Ordinance 4543;
2) That the proposed use is incompatible to and not in harmony with the
snrounding uses in the area, particularly with respect to the residential
uses in the area to the south,
3) That the petitioner has failed to affirmatively show that the site has the
capacity to accommodate the proposed use;
4) That the outdoor stmage/parking of rental trucks on the subject property
will be detrimental to the cautioned mo atewame of the site to an orderly
and satisfactory condition and would be a deterrent to the long temp
stability of Us area; and
18605
5) That the proposed use will adversely affect the sunamding uses by
means such as dust, wise, fares, vibrations and lights.
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. McCaw: Is them arty discussion?
Mrs. Koons: In additive to this being a sketchy plan other than a thorough plan, I think
the regard for neighbors has been very sketchy, at best Ms. Nassar, when
she did her po serdation, talked about this is an industrial area, which it is
when you look at the map but right behind you are homes. I flunk more
consideration has to be made for the neighbors and that is why I will
support the denying resolution.
Mr. McCaw, Chairman, declared the motion is carred and the foregoing resolution adopted
You have ten days in which to appeal Pols decision in writing to the City
Canted- It has been denied tonight but you have ten days in which to
appeal to the City Council. Thank you
ITEM #5 PETITION 2001-05-02-10 Value World, hrc
Mr. Piercecchi, Secretary, armamced the next item on the agenda is petition 2001-05-02-10
by Value World, Inc. requesting waiver use approval to operate a second
hand store on property located on the south side of Five Mile Road between
Middlebelt Road and Beatrice Avenue in the N.E. 1/4 of Section 23.
Mr. Trunnion presented a map showing the property under petition plus the existing zoning
of the surrounding area.
Mr. McCain: Is there any correspondence?
Mr. Nowak Them are far ids ofoonespondence. The first iterst is from the Lorrain
Fre & Rescue, dated May 17, 2001, which reads as follows: "This office
has reviewed the sursp[an submitted in connection with a request to operate
a second hand store on property located at the above referencedaddress.
We have no objections to this proposal." The letter is signed by Snores E
Comomn, Fre Marshal. The second letter is from the Engineering Division,
dated May 17, 2001, which reads as follows: "Pursuant to your request, the
Engbreerbig Dwislon has reviewed the above referenced peh0on. We have
noobjectrons to theproposalat this how Thefollowmg approxonate legal
description should be used in connection therewith: 'Thatpart ofthe N.E.
114 of Section 23, T. IS, R 9R, City of Livonia, Wayne County, Afichigan
mare particularly described as beginning at a point distant due West,
210.00 feet,; thence South 00023 011 Or Eas; 170.00 feet and due West,
313J7feet Jiom the Northeast corner ofSection 23 and proceeding thence
18606
due West, 154.00 feet,; thence due South, 64.00 feet,; thence due West,
31.00 feet,; thence due South, 34.00 feet,; thence due Eau, 31.00 feRp
thence due South, 85.00 feet,; thence due Eas;154.00 feet,; thence due
North, 50.00 feet,; thence due Eas;10.00 feet,; thence due North, 80.00
feet,; thence due Wed, 10.00 feet,; thence due North, 53.00 feet to the point
ofbegimnng.' We trust that this will provide you with the information
requested" The letter is signed by David Lear, PE., Civil Engineer. The
third letter is from the Division of Police, dated May 21, 2001, which reads
as follows: "We have reviewed the proposed site plan for the listed property
and have no objections to the proposal as submitted." The lelteris signed by
Wes McKee, Sergeant, Traffic Braeaa The fourth letter is from the
Inspection Department, dated May 29,200 1, which reads as follows:
"Pursuant tb our request of May 13, 2001, the above referenced petition has
been reviewed. The following is noted: (1) The parking area around this
site needs repair, resealing and doubt- striping. (2) Barrier free/accessible
parking needs to be provided and properly marked (3) There was some
debris and hash in the parking lot (not connected with sile operations).
Thu Department has no fiother objeclrom to the petition." The letter is
signed by Alex Bishop, Assistant Director of Inspection. That is the extent
of the correspondence.
Mr. McCann: Is the petitions here this evening?
James Harrington, Attorney, 24101 Novi Road, Novi, Michigan. I have been corporate
counsel for Value World for 19 years now. I have some knowledge of thew
operations to some degree, thein marlmting strategy and why it is they wish
to bring thein store to Livonia- I also have with me the President of the
Michigan Value World, Richard Trebblecock who has also been with the
company for 20 to 25 years. I will also defer to Mr. Cournoyer who
represents the owner of the shopping center that they wish to come into. I'll
keep my comment brief. You've seen the photographs of comparable
stores. The stores that you see in the photographs are, which include Oak
Park, East Po me and particularly the Ann Arbor store, which is thejewel of
the chain, at this point, indicates what A is that Value Wodd will bring to the
community. They have 400 employees lhro ghaII the State of Michigan -
Ten of their 11 stores are in the suburban areas as we know and there is not a
store here in Livonia and they beheve there is a need for this store. They
will employ somewhere between 30, 40 and 45 employees. In the Arm
Arbor location, which was opened in March of this year, they are next to a
Duvuham's, a K -Mart and a Secretary of State office, all of which supported
the opening of the Value World store. In the Wesfland store they are next to
a Farmer Jack and a Frank's Nursery, who did not oppose the application
Value World, in essence, is a long tem employer for the communities they
come to. The proposal is for tau, five year primary lease and lease options
for 20 years here in the City. They had a 15 year lease, one for primary and
two more fives in Dembom Heights that would still be there if they hadn't
decided te put a court house and a police station there. They arelong term
m.mbers of the community with which they serve. The stature of their
market has changed from what it was in the past and if you've seen the stores
18607
and had an opportunity to see what they bring to the cormmmity, I think they
will be solid employers of solid citizens. The conditions on Poe site would be
remedied They are beyond our control at this point You have a vacancy at
that location in the City of Livonia Ithas been empty for a year. Value
World sees that as an opportunity to serve the citizens within zero to five
mile radius maps. That is whom they appeal to. They have consistently
been busy Imams where they have come into the They will
serve that zero to five mile area here m Livonia and I think we will be a
valuable addition to the community. Mr. Commeyer, will you say a few
words about your perspective?
Matt Kommeier, I represent the ownersbip of the Mid -Five Shopping Cent. I am the
director of property management for A and K Enterprises. I spoke briefly to
some ofyou before about our attempts to put a new tenant arm this spot
We've worked hard over the last year, even longer, to try to get this space
shored up with a teman that we believe would be good for the co mnuvily
and good for the other tenaNs m the cents. We've looked long and hard and
we initially were approached by Value World shortly after the Farmer Jack
left Willi" doing any research mm them business, our initial reaction was,
'Tho' and we moved on and have had several other opportunities which we
subsequently have turned down. Wethenrevisitedthisandwereabit
surprised enough to change our minds. We were impressed by the
management at Value World Weare impressed by the number of stores that
have been in business for so many years. We are impressed by their
financial stability and I am at the center all the time. This is wbat I do. I go
an and talk to the tenants and I help them make then businesses viable so
that they can add to the community and pay then rent I went to a] of the
stores for Value World when we began to revisit this and I clanged my
mind We think that it will be a good addition to the center. The other
tenaNs m the center feel the same way. They are struggling a bit although
the health of the canter is pretty good surprisingly without Farmer Jack. I
thought I would have a bunch of crying tenaNs at my door. They have
managed to do fairly well but they have requested to me, time and again, we
did have a clothing store at one time before but ladies are always wanting a
ladies store. I am assuming because ladies go and spend more money at
Hallmark and shop and have lunch and there is a bridal saloon there. But
this fids with what the tenands think would be good for the center. I visited
the other stores. I talked with other tenants who were in those centers and
the tenards that I spoke to said it had been a good addition to their
community and a good addition to their shopping center. They seem to do a
nicejob on them buildings. They take care of their property which that is
wbat I do is to take care of the property and to make sure my tenants, I
enforce the rules and codes and that they take care of the property as well.
They seem to have proven to me from the other stores that they have done
well. In fact, the City of East Pointe submitted a letter regarding their Ten
Mile and Kelly store and the City had commended them or given them some
award, I'm not really sure, for the improvements they had done with the
building.
18608
Mr. McCann:
Thank you Are there any questions Goo the Commissioners?
Mrs. Koons:
I have a question for Mr. Harrington. With you long history with Bre
company, could you please tell me, has the store been called something other
than Value Workl?
Mr. Harrington:
Yes. For a number of years when they fast started in Michigan 37 years ago,
they were called Value Village. Approximately 5 years ago, they simply
changed their corporate name and corporate logo to Value World, which is
also consistent with then presence in other states. They have locations in
Indiana, Ohio, Texas, Pennsylvania and other areas, as well.
Mrs. Koons:
"Hank you
Mr. Piemecchi:
I would like to talk to Mr. Commeyex, the gentleman who runs the plaza Is
there my new information regarding scaling back the footage. As we talked
about in our study meeting about scaling back the footage for the second
hand store operation and including another operation in the end unit Is there
my new information on that?
Mr. Kommeier
We have been approached by another user for the end spot, approximately
7700 square feet Our indication Goo Value World is that they would like
all of the space and do not want to scale back their operations. We have not
negotiated a lease yet We have not gotten that far but I did submit to them
in wring the possibility of scaling back their operation and their initial
reaction has been, "No."
Mr. Piervecchi:
As of now, the 30,000 sq. ft budding will be exclusive for Value World?
Mr. Kommeier:
Yes. This variance speaks to the whole 30,000 sq. Jr. I am not personally
opposed and we may re -visit Poet bat at this point, we are looking at the
30,000 sq. It.
Mr. Piervecchi:
What is the size of the facility on Ford Road, which I spent a considerable
amount of time in today. By the way, I found it to be a very clean operation;
wide aisles, courteous people and you certainly have a lot of merchandise in
there, everything up to major appliances.
Rick Trebllcock,
770 South Gardner, Milford and I am the President of Value World.
Mr.Piemecchi:
Howbigisthatbildmg?.
Mr. Trebllcock:
That building is 38,000 sq. 8
Mr.Piemccchi:
Soitwillbesmallerthanthatone?
Mr. Trebllcock
Correct.
18609
Mr. Piemeechi:
In your merchandise, can peoplejust take it off the shelf, take it home and
wear it or does it have to be cleaned or processed?
Mr. Trebllcock:
Most of our merchandise is processed from the back room and we put out
nothing but the best merchandise an the floor.
Mr. Piemeechi:
In other words you have a cleaning and processing plant in that section in the
back?
Mr. Trebllcock
No, we do not We buy all of our merchandise from Purple Heart and the
majority of the people that donate then merchandise clean it before they
dooak it The stuff that is not cleaned we dispose of it
Mr. Piemeechi:
I was very nervous about this type of store until I went to Ford Road
Frankly, I am much relieved mw. Thank you.
Mr. Alanskas:
Sir, you said that you would have 35 to 40 employees.
Mr. Trebllcock
Correct
Mr. Alanskas:
What percent would be part time?
Mr. Trebllcock:
There is no part-time.
Mr. Alanskas:
It is all filumne?
Mr. Trebllcock
Correct
Mr. Alanskas:
Ib you employees belong to the union?
Mr. Trebllcock:
No.
Mr. Almskas:
Itis anon -union store?
Mr. Trebllcock
Coned.
Mr. Alanskas:
What would you hours be?
Mr. Trebllcock
Monday through Saturday, from 9:00 am. to 9:00 pm. and on Sunday, from
10:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Mr. Alanskas:
You say you buy most of your used material from Purple Heart?
Mr. Trebllcock:
That is correct
Mr. Alanskas:
And 80% to 85% is new and your employees are non-union. Are they on a
commission?
Mr. Trebllcuck:
No, they are not They get paid by the hour.
18610
Mr. Alanskas: Are most of your employees y0ung people?
Mr. Trebllcock: We have a variety of employees, young and old
Mr. Alanskas: What I am saying by young, betwam 20 and 25?
Mr. Trebllcock No, we have younger employees than that
Mr. Alanskas: Thank you
Mr. LaPlne: The Oak Park stere which I visited, which I was told by the manager has
been open since December of last year, how many square feet is that
buldmg`.'
Mr. Trebllcock That budding is 30,000 sq. ft It is exactly the same as the one in Livonia-
Mr.
ivonia
Mr. LaPine: I, too, found it clean and the aisles wide. the racks the clothes arehanging
on are notnewracks. They look like old used racks, at least that is my
opinion. All of the clothing was hung nice except in the back of the budding
you have allowed pots and pans and computers and other things that weren't
slacked very nicely. They weren't, in my opinion, displayed in a way that
would make me warn to buy them But then I happened to look in the back
room and l saw the tables and they were sorting things. What do they wear
masks far when they are sorting?
Mr. Treblloock: Probably the dust in the back mom. Maybe that person has allergies.
Mr. LaPine: Are you telling me, when Purple Heart picks up this stuff, they take it back
to the warehouse, they call your people, you cone out and look at it and you
just pay them XX number of dollars, then you take this merchandise and
send it to the different stores and the people at the stores sort it and they
determine what merchandise should be displayed and what merchandise
should not be displayed Is that correct?
Mr. Trebllcock That is correct It doesn't go to a main warebouse. It goes m each particular
store.
Mr. LaPine: I have a question for your attorney. You mentioned in your presentation that
you thought that Livonia was a prone location for one of these stores.
Livonia is, we consider ourselves, an upscale community and I amjust
wondering how many people you lhmk in Livonia are going to buy used
memhavdise?
Mr. Harrington: I lhmk you would be surprised. I was surprised when they put the stere in
Ann Arbor, which is also an upscale commonly, and the Ann Arbor store, I
understand from Mr. Trebblecock, is going gangbsters. I think the
demographics are changing and I actually think the quality of the
merchandise tbat is being donated to organizations, like Purple Heart Service
18611
Foundation, like Salvation Army and others, the quality of the stuff that is
coming off our racks at home and donated to charitable organizations over
the last five to ten years has dramatically changed If the Livonia
community does not support the store, the store is not going to be in
business. They are in business to make a profit like all the other stores here
in Bre community. They have targeted then customer base to zero to five
nodes and this iml the last store they will be opening here in the suburban
Detroit area They hope to penetrde other communities where there is a
genuine need for it and they have been successful.
Mr. LaPine: You hit on a sore point with me when you say, "If it is not surcessfn" then
yon walk away and I om nghtbwk with m empty store. We have a number
of empty stores along Plymouth Road corridor and I dual warn to start
caving it northward up that way. That bothers me.
Mr. Harrington:
Let me try and address that I have knowledge of the stores. They have
never walked away from the store. They were most unwilling vacaters of the
Dearborn Heights store. They wanted to be in that store for the 15 years and
that property was condemned for the courthouse and police station down
there. They have sophisticated marketing studies. They look at the areas
that they are going to put a store. They never walked away or closed a store
that I am aware simply because they made a bad decision about the
community and the need there. Itjust hasnl happened.
Mr. LaPive:
A contrarily like Livonia, how many of these type of operations do you
think a continually of our size could support?
Mr. Harrington:
That I coal answer. I am then attorney. I am not their marketing person, as
such I would be surprised if a corrrarnity like this could support anymore
than tea Butthat is a guesstimate, anymore than five. That is a guesstimate.
That is notmy field of specialty but I do know that communitieshave many
similarly situated clothing stores, retail stores and the like.
Mr. LaPive:
We have one other one in town, a large one, that is the Salvation Army. We
have a number of small stores that they take clothing on comigenent and
things ofthatnature. They are small. What do you do that gives you an
advantage over Salvation Arrw
Mr. Trebllcock
It is the way we merchandise our merchandise. East store does its own
production where Salvation Army has a warehouse and then they divide the
merchandise up to different stores and they ship that merchandise to their
stores and they may have favorite stores and they might have not so favorite
stores predicated on what merchandise goes to what stores. In our way, each
store gets the same amount of trucks, the same area and each store has its
own production.
Mr. LaPive:
How do you draw people to your store?
Mr. Trebllcock:
Advertising and word of mouth.
18612
Mr. LaPine:
Advertising by newspaper!
Mr. Trebllcock:
Newspaper advertising and coupons. We advertise in the Detroit News and
we advertise in the Ann Arbor News, in the Heritage and these tapes that K -
Mart and Farmer Jack gives you in the store when you buy merchandise.
Mr. LaPine:
Is this privatoly owned?
Mr. Trebllcock
Yes it is. We've been in business for 37 years.
Mr. LaPine:
You dual have any annual reports?
Mr. Trebllcock:
No.
Mr. LaPine:
Thank you
Mr. Harington:
Mr. IaPme, to the extent that your questions may not have been adequately
addressed, we've got the real estate person who has been representing the
various entities and various store locations in terms of leasing for the last 25
years. I think he can give you some mfnarmam about the stability of them
as a commercial tanam and their preserve in the various cormnonities, if that
question was not adequately answered
Mr. LaPine:
Pll accept your answer. If could ask the owner of the center, when Farmer
Jack moved out was their lease expired?
Mr. Korr®eier:
Yes. Itwas the end of their lease term and they terminated all of their rights
to the lease.
Mr. Lupine:
Think you
Mr. Alarskas:
To the President, how many states are you in?
Mr. Trebllcock
I coal answer that offhand but I know we have Indianapolis, Houston,
Baltimore, Chicago and Detmt
Mr. Alarskas:
In those cities, have you ever tried putting one of your stores into a mall?
Mr. Trebllcock
No. We dual Elm to go into malls.
Mr. McCann:
I have a couple of questions. For the record, Mr. Trebblecock and I are old
friends. I provided security guard service to the Purple Heart/Value Village
Stores in the early 80's. Are you involved in the collection of the goods or
are you nowjust involved in the retail end of it?
Mr.Trebllcock:
Weaejwtmvolvedwththemt daspectofit Webuyourmemhandise
from the Purple Heart.
18613
Mr. McCann:
Are there still the Purple Heart Villages around?
Mr. Trebllcock
Just Value World
Mr. McCain:
Yon corporation has no association with Rupp Heart then?
Mr. Trebllcock
Just within the contract of being able to buy the merchandise hour them
Mr. McCain:
What is it you are iMeodng to sell at this particular location besides,
clothing, pots and pans and household goods?
Mr. Trebllcock
That is it No large appliances. We are not in the large apphance business.
We are not in the fortunate business. We arejust in the apparel business and
jewelry. We selljewehy in oorjewehy cases and small appliances.
Mr. McCann:
What about lawnmowers and rakes?
Mr. Trebllcock
Yes. We sell a few, lawnmowers and bikes.
Mr. McCain:
So pretty much everything that is donated?
Mr. Trebllcock:
Right
Mr. McCain:
Wold you have any objection for this location to Ieritmg it to apparel items
and maybe some housebold items?
Mr. Trebllcock:
I would have to check wAh the corporate office but we are basically in the
apparel business but the small household items are an our misrzllaneons
shelves and we do sell bikes and lawnmowers but that is very far and few.
Mr. McCann:
Iftbere are no further questions from the Commissioners, I will go to the
audience. Is there anybody in the audience who wishes to speak for or
againAtbis petition?
Harty Pierre, 29620 Oakview. Wejust learned about this petition from the 27ie May
Observer. We didnR know who this company was and we looked on the
inhunet to find out who they are and I appreciate the inforntation that I have
gotten hereIbis evening. Some of us on our block on Oak View are
interested in whether this would affect the value of our homes having this
type of store on such a large scale. This seems to be the largest score in that
stripemall. Wearejustwonderingifthatis good forourneigbborhood
The people who leased that strip mall to the different business owners have
stated that all the people presently there are in favor of Ibis. I would
question whether that is entirely tore. Theconey,wheremywifeamilgo
quite often has been purchased by a new couple who have improved the
scale of that We restaurant and they didnl know anything about this when I
talked to them about this last week The nunor is that the CVS store in that
ship mall is going to move across the strip when thea lease is up. I dual
knowwhetherthatislmeornmbutitissomethingthatIhaveheazd Thais
18614
going to leave another vacant store in that strip mall. I wonder if it isn't
teetering on the edge of going down rather than going up or holding ifs ower
We were sorry to see the Farmer Jack go. We had a lot more reason to
patron a that strip mall at that time when it was there but wouldjust ask
you if some of us could have a chance to look at some of their other stores
and make our own opinion as opposed tojust listening to those that wart to
make their business there and those that lease that area Could this be at
least tabled for a while so we will have a little more chance to look into that
as neighbors of the location?
Jmm Dugan29826Lmda,Livoma I believe that this type of business forthislocative
sharlduYbethattypeofaFusiness. Also, easten Livonia has several retail
shops already. I think all the neighbors in my section would like to see some
other type of business. ILank you.
Tad Makoiec, 29661 Five Mile, Livonia, a few houses away Gam the proposed establishment
In Livonia I see two things happening I see western Livonia where yoube
got a lot of new businesses, a lot of nice upscale housing going in and I see
eastern Livonia, where I live, I see vacancies and I don'tsee property values
escalating hire I thought they would a few years ago when I moved here. I
certainly dont think there is a positive correlation between a used clotting
store and housing values. I also think thein analogy with the Arm Arbor store
is worthless because Ann Arbor is a college town where kids don't have a lot
of money and that is a reason they might bury used clothing. I amjust not in
favor ofttis at a1L I don't feel itwould help my property value and ffttis
did go through, I would seriously considermoving and I have lived here
three years and thought it would be a community where I would see a lot of
equity in my house go up and I not very close to this estabhshmerR I know a
lot about real estate and I am very confident that this, as a matter of fact,
world not help me army financial situation. ILat is my opinion.
Lulher Williams, 29651 Five Mile, Livonia I am here tonight to voice my opposition to this
proposal I believe bringing a Value Village into our neighborhood is not in
the best interest of the community. I have been to the Value Village on
Wayne Road in Westland and it frankly was a pit I couldn't believe when I
read this, Value World, and when I found out they were associated, I couldn't
believe that this was even being proposed A couple of weeks ago I was
watching TV and I understand a Hootefs Restaurant was shot down because
ofLivonia's image. Ijust wanted to say I think you are jeopardizing
Livorm!s image by bringing a store hike this into our neighborhood. Thank
YO[L
Joseph Devriendt, 29660 Five Mile. I have been there for 15 years and I kind of live at ACO
because of all the stiff have done to repair that house on that corner. I live
right on Hidden Lane and I go up there all the time. I don't know where he
looks but A is not always real neat and clean and Value World, they do have
a lot of stuff donated and even if they are not there, leis say if someone
wants to bring a couch that may be good enough for someone else and they
are not there or they are not open, it will just be dropped off and that is
18615
something we dont want to see there. I knowit cant bring the property
valve up at all, especially if it doesn't work out, I do a lot of work around
Brighton but I do work for car places in Am Arbor. I knowjust the place he
is talking about and that is what it is. It is a lot of kids, college kids, yes they
would go buy clothes or at least go there and look around I dm't know if
they are spending big money there. We go to ArtVanand I didn't know he
wasn't going to have Cwndure. Ina lot ofthose therewas fumalme and there
always was. Thank you
Mr. Piercecchi: Mr. Taormina, about how many people received notices of the waiver use to
that 500 diameter! There is about a half dozen here tonight
Mr. Taormina: Considerably more than that I can't give you a number. I can tell you
generally where the radius extends mtward from the shopping renter
property, north across Five Mile and includes all of those commercial
properties as well as the residential properties. There is only a small portion
of Hidden Lane, then to the west it includes several homes west of Beatrice
Avenue as well as the north and south sides of Hoy Road and a fittle farther
south of that it would include the commercial property to the south obviously
and additional residences on Beatrice, east across Middlebelt that world
cover several of the homes along Cavor Avenue extending south born Five
Mile for a distance of about two blocks, altogether, probably 50 0 60
residences.
Mr.Piercecchi: Thankyoa
Mr. McCann: If there are no further questions, do you have my last comments?
Mr. Harrington: I would ask Mr. Strauss to address the valuation issue because that is always
a touchy me about how we will be affected about what may happen in the
future. There is a practical difficulty here with this space in the shopping
renter. If we had options, Lord & Taylor, Sacs whatever, fined up
competing for the business, we wmldnt be here. Ymbe got a parcel that has
been vacant for me year. No other commercial tenants wish to rent this
space. It dozsn'tseem to me to help property values to have it be vacant for
a longer period of time. Itdoes help the conmm ily to have an employer in
place providiagjobs to the community although itmmy not be m ourwisb
listbeexactlywhatwewantedifourhousewererigbtne door.
Rudy Strauss, 7080 Bnchway, West Bloomfield We own a property in East Pointe m the
comer of Ten Mile and Kelly. It is a very well established community and I
am familiar with this community. Ihave worked to that area for numerous
years and since Value World leased that area eight months ago and since that
time, I have talked to various neighbors. They have all been satisfied with
the way the people have conducted them business. We've gotten a letter boat
the Chamber of Commerce boon East Pointe and into= that Value World
has hem selected by the East Pointe Chamber of Commerce to receive the
2001 Capitol Improvement Award for the improvemerd to the building and
property. They have contributed to the image of East Poinde and the
18616
cormanoty. It goes on and so forth I have worked with these people as a
broker. I am also a real estate broker fm the past 30 years. They have never
left a site that they have leased until their lease expired and 99% of them that
I am aware of, that I have leased to them, have continued to stay in business
close to 40 years. I have worked with Value World over 25 years and have
leased a majority of their locations and we have never had a bad report with
arty neigbborhood and we have never created a detriment to any property
that they have occupied and we have not done anything detrimental to the
values of the property either.
Mr. Alanskas: I have ore question fm the gentleman that lives in Milford Do your stores
have drop off ponds where people can drop off whatever they want?
Mr. Trebllcock:
No, they do not We have our main office in Westland It is a drop off point
and all of the stores there is no drop off. If somebody does drop off
merchandise in the back it is taken inside the building or disposed of
immediately. A lot of our new stores have wish compactors that are indoors,
the compactors outside so that the trash is never exposed on the outside of
the building and we do not accept donations at the stores, no.
Mr. Alamskas:
Do you give people written receipts fm tax write offs?
Mr. Trebllcock:
No.
Mr. LaPive:
Can you 0 me from your smallest store to what your largest store is, square
feet?
Mr. Trebllcock
Our smallest store is in Warren on Eleven and Dequmdre and that is store is
15,000 sq. ft We have a store in Roseville that is on Twelve and Gratim and
that is approximately 12,000 sq. It. and that has been in business fm
probably 25 years and we are planning on moving them
Mr. LaPine:
The merchandise that you buy from Purple Heart, do you know if
merchandise was donated from Bloomfield Hills, Livonia, Troy to Oak Park
is there anyway that you know where that merchandise is picked up at and
who gets what merchandise?
Mr. Treblleock
On a daily basis. We know where it is getting picked up at and we know
where it goes too.
Mr. LaPive:
Do you have arty particular areas where you make sure that that particular
area, because it is an upscale neighborhood, gets different types of clothing?
Mr. Trebllcock
CorecL We know that Livonia is an upscale areajust like East Pointe
would be or Ann Arbor and we try to keep all the stores with the same
amount ofinerohandise from different areas but know where you are going
with this but "yes" we do. We have been here operating in the Metropolitan
areafor37areas. Wenmthebestsecondhandretail establishmemin the fit -
county area Anybody that ever tries to come near our operation never
18617
succeeds because we nm a very neat and clean operation and our
merchandise speaks for itself.
Mr. McCain: Thank you Is there a motion?
Mr. LaPine: The residents around there asked for an opportunity to go out and check out
some of these stores and I think it might be a good idea for maybe us to table
this and we can give you a list of the four stores that we have and maybe you
would like to take to some of your neighbors. I would also like to have an
opportunity to go over to the shopping center and check with the other
tetters that are in that shopping cater. I would like to get thew opinion of
this operation coming im Therefore I will make amotiun to table this.
On a motion by Mr. LaPme, seconded by Mr. Almskas, and unanimously approved it was
#6-94-2001 RESOLVED that, pursuant to a Public Hearing having been held by the
City Planning Coumussion on June 12, 2001, on Petition 2001-05-02-10 by
Value World, Inc. requesting waiver use approval to operate a second hand
store on property located on the south side of Five Mile Road between
Middlebelt Road and Beatrice Avenue in the NE. 1/4 of Section 23, the
Planning Commission does hereby recommend that Petition 2001-05-02-10
be tabled to July 10, 2001.
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. McCann, Charman, declared the motion is carred and the foregoing resolution adopted
Mr. Trebblecock, if you could keep in coractwith Mr. Harrington with the
staff am sure there will be some questions from the local residents and if
there is any information you can give to the local residents before that time
would be helpful so that we can go through this. Everyone in the audience
should be aware that we had the public hearing tonight It would require
unanimous consideration from the Planning Cornrmssion to have the audience
participate.
ITEM#6 PETITION 2001-03-06-05 City Planning Commission
(R-9, housing/elderly districts)
Mr. Pierrecchi, Secretary, announced the nest item on the agenda is Petition 2001-03-06-05
by the City Planning Commission, pursuant to Section 23.01(b) of Ordinance
#543, the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Livonia, as amended, to amend
Section 2.07 of Article II of the Zoning Ordinance, Definitions Pedammg to
Types of Dwellings, and Section 29.04 of Article 3Lt4Y of the Zoning
Ordinance, Uses permitted in the R-9, Housing for the Elderly districts.
Mr. Taommoc This proposed language amendment is intended to better define and limit the
types of housing pemutted in the R-9, Housing for the Elderly zoning
1F.0 i
districts. It was initiated by the Planning Commission, pruriently in response
to their concern that the ordinance, as it exists today, is somewhat vague, and
may pemut development options that would not meet the intern of the R-9
district, which is to provide a range of housing opportunities for persons 55
years of age and older. Staff has prepared an amendment to Section 2.07,
Definitions Pertaining to Types of Dwellings, wberein a definition ofthe
term"Housing for the Elderly" would be provided TLedefmNonwould
include the various fomes of seniorhousing that have already been
established, and would exclude other types of dwellings that, by their very
nature, would limit the City's ability to implement the ordinance as it was
intended.
Mr. McCann: Is there anyone in the audience wishing to speak for or against this petition?
Seeing nobody, are there any comments firm the Commissioners? Hearing
none, I will close the public hearing. A motion is in order.
On a motion by Mr. Alanskas, seconded by Mr. Shane and unanimously approved it was
#6-95-2001 RESOLVED that, pursuit to a Public Hearing having been held on June
12, 2001 on Petition 2001-03-06-05 by the City Planning Cornntission, to
determine to amend Section 2.07 of Article H of the Zoning Ordinance,
Definitions Pertaining to Types ofDwel Ings, and Section 29.04 of Article
= of the Zoning Ordinance, uses permitted in the R-9, Housing for the
Elderly districts, the Planning Commission does hereby recommend to the
City Council that Petition 2001-03-06-05 be approved for the following
reasons:
1) That the proposed language amevdmerd will better define and regulate
land uses permitted in the R-9, Housing for the elderly District and
2) That the proposed language amendment would exclude firm the R-9
District, other types of dwellings that by their very nature, would final
the City's ability to implement the ordnance as it was intended
FURTHER RESOLVED that, notice of the above hearing was given in
accordance with the provisions of Section 19.05 of Zoning Ordinance 4543,
as amended.
Mr. McCann, Charman, declared the notion is carried and the foregoing resolution adopted
It will go on to City Council with an appanvmg resolution Ibis concludes
fine public hearing portion of our agenda. We will now, begin the
Miscellaneous Site Plan section of our agermda Members of the audience
may speak in support or opposition in these items.
ITEM #7 PETITION 2001-05-08-18 Dave Hood (Wintergarden Tavern)
Mr. Piercecchi, Secretary, aunouoced the next item on the agenda is Petition 01-05-08-18 by
Dave Hood, an behalf of Wintergarden Tavern, requesting approval of all
18619
plans required by Section 18.47 of the Zoning Ordinance in connection with a
proposal to renovate the exterior of the commercial building located at 33320
Seven Mile Road in the N.E.1/4 of Section 3.
Mr. Mille: This site is located m the northeast comer of Seven Mile and Farmington
Roads. The petitioner is requesting approval to renovate the exterior
elevations of the Wintergarden Tavern This establishment was recently
before the Planning Commission and City Conned in correction with the
expansion of their parking lot and liquor license. Wintergardev Tavem is
planning m expanding and taking over the vacant unit that was once Dalley's
Carpets. The submitted floor plan shows flet a game mom, complete with
pool tables, dartboards and shuffleboard court, would occupy the new area.
The subritted flom plan dimers slightly from the sketch that was presented
during the waive use process for the expansion of the liquor license.
Whereas tables were shown along the wall of the bar area, booths are now
illustrated. Also the shuffleboard area and bathrooms have also been
repositioned. The existing building is brick m three sides with the rem, or
north elevation, conslmcted out ofblock. The brick of the west elevation and
the block of the rear elevation are painted a maroon color. The brick of the
other two elevations (south and east) have not been painted A metal seam
mansard roof runs around the top of the three brick elevations in a sort of"U"
shape with the rem elevation lett open exposing the structure's flat roof. The
petitioner is planing on remodeling all four exterior elevations of the tavern
The south elevation, which faces Sever Mile Road (misidentified m the plan
as the north elevation), would have its brick painted a dark green color and
highlighted or maimed in a burgundy color. APoree-foot wide band of
dryvit, topped with a cornice style cap, would ma along the top of the
elevation and replace the mansard roof A new wooden door and large
picture windows would also be inaugurated Over the new wood doorway the
dry�u band, framed by the cornice, would project up into an arch. The west
elevation (identified m the plan as the east elevaticer, which faces Farrington
Road would be remodeled in a sander fashion as the south elevation The
brick would be painted in the dark green and burgundy colors and the dryvit
band and cornice would run along the rootline. An arch design, smnilar to
what is shown over the entranceway of the south elevation, would also be
incorporated. A large dry"t panel would extend down from the arch and
cover the middle section of the wall. New windows, similar to what is
proposed for the south elevation, would replace the existing windows and tie
in the two elevations. The east elevation would have the dry"t band and
comate along the top of it but, according to the plan, would only be painted
the dark gem colo. Replacement windows would also be installed. The
north or rear elevation would have its block repainted the dark green and
burgundy colors. The dryvit and comice would extend only over half of the
muflme of this elevation, with the remaining portion left open Asmall
dryvit arch would be positioned over the side enhance of the east elevation.
In each of the dryvit arches the plan shows a wall sign The plans do not
define the measurements of these signs so no square tonnages have been
calculated. Signage permitted for this site under Section 18.50H is one (1)
wall sign The south elevation is not to exceed 60 sq. ft in sign area A
18620
ground sign is not permitted for this site because of deficient front yard
setback. Signage proposed is three (3) wall signs, the scu5r elevation=
"WINTERGARDENTAVERN". The westelevation =
"WATERGARDEN TAVERN" & Graphic sign to be provided by owner
and the north elevation = "WATERGARDEN TAVERN." The
Wintagmdm Tavern does have an existing large pole sign. This sign is 28 ft
in height and is 48 sq. 11 in size.
Mr. McCa®: Is there any correspondence?
Mr. Taormina: There are two items of correspondence. The first item is a letter from the
Division of Police, dated May 31, 2001, which reads as follows: "We have
reviewed the plans in regards th the proposal to renovate the exterior and
submit thefollowtnng concerns: (1) The aisle along the north parking lot is
required to he 22 feet wide. The pLans indicate an Ih foot aisle. (2) sic
parking spaces are 20 feet by 906" and are required to be 20 feet by 10 feet
(3) parking space #1 b is directly in front ofthe enhance ofthe building and
parking space #13 is m front ofa door on the north side of the building.
The concern with these hvo parking spaces is the safe ingress or egress of
patrons or emergency penonnelfor any kind ofemergency situation that
could occur and which might be hampered by a vehicle being parked on
those spaces. (a) "Orth" (R6-2) signs should he installed at the
driveway ofthe parking lot at Westmore Ave. A "Do Not Enter" (RS -1)
sign and a supplemental "Wrong Wan" (RS -hr) sign should be installed on
the west end ofthe north parking lotto indicate one-way haRia" Ibe letter
is signed by Wes McKee, Sergeant, Traffic Bureau. The second letter is from
the Inspection Department, dated June 4, 2001, which reads as follows:
"Pursuant to your request of May 21, 2001, the above referenced petition has
been reviewed The following is noted: (1) The parking space denoted as
number 15 is a gravel surface and is not on the subject property. (2) This plan
will requne the following variances fromthe Zoning Board of Appeals. (a)
Six (6) parking spaces with deficient width - 10 feet required, 9'6" provided
(b) Fou (4) parking spaces with deficient length - 20 feet required, 187'
provided The petitioner should clarify why the proposed north protective
wall jogs in off the property line creating this length deficiency. (c) Deficient
number of spaces. 42 spaces required (with maximum 3 employees, 5 game
tables, 48 seats), 36 provided (#15 not courted), deficient 6 spaces. (3) This
plan will also require the following variances from the Zo mBoard of
Appeals: (The existing nonconforming pale sign is not mentioned nor
detailed so the revtewis conducted as though it is tube removed.
Furthermore, proposed signage size is not specified so the allowable amount
is provided). (a) Excessive number of signs - 7 proposed, 1 allowed. (b)
Excessive signage square footage. This petitioner is allowed one wall sign of
74.33 square feet (c) The wall sign may be only located on the south
elevation. The plans have incorrectly labeled the elevations. A variance
world be required for placement on other locations. (4) The landscaping does
not appear to meet the 15% requirement but may be waived This
Department has no further objection to this petition." The letter is signed by
18621
Alex Bishop, Assistant Director of Inspection. Ibat is the extent ofthe
correspondence.
Mr.McCam: Isthepetitionerheretbiseve ing?
Dave Hood, 33320 Seven Mile Road, Livonia, Michigan.
Mr. McCam: Thatis quite a dramatic change. Do yon want to illus a little bit about it
Mr. Hood: We spent about six mentis with the architect concerting the exterior and the
best design. On the west side m Fammngton Road there are windows that
were blocked in and there are still panes m the inside of the budding so we
figured we would just reinstall the windows that are existing and paint the
existing brick and take off that mansard that is up there, the steel, and dress
up the whole building.
Mr. McCann: Are there my questions him the Commissioners?
Mr. Alanskas: On you west elevation it says logo sign. What is your logo?
Mr. Hood: Our logo is the one that is currently m the pole sign
Mr. Alanskas: The bolding that you are going to do now looks very good but I have a
problem with all of the signage. Is there my way we can cot this signage
down? Yoube got 18 feet, 35 squarefeet, 25 and 25. Ym have south and
wast You have two west locations, me for the logo and me for your
Wirrtagarden Tavern sign, which is actually 60 sq. Rjust for those two on the
wes[loration. CouldnRyoujusthave m thewestyorlogo only andnotdhe
sign that says Wintergarden Tavern or vice versa? I would like to see the signs
knocked down a little bit You are only allowed 60 sq. It and you want to go
40 sq. ft. over that That is quite a bit
Mr. McCam: Mr. Piercecchi had a question for the staff because he would be allowed 60 sq.
It. on the main road way would he be allowed an additional 30 sq. It on the
other side?
Mr. Taormina: Actually, seeing as though this is a corner establishment it was announced
earlier at the study meeting that the City did own property right at the comer.
I did discuss this issue with Mike Fisher of the City Law Department today
and given the fad that that property, if it has not yet been dedicated to Wayne
Canty, is certainly being used as right-of-way. As such, this would be
considered corner property and they would be entitled to 60 sq. tt of signage
facing Seven Mile Road and an additional 60 sq. tt facing Farmington Road
inasmuch as they are not allowed to have a ground sign at this location
because of their deficient setback They are allowed 120 sq. tt total of what
he is showing now ifyou add all of the four primahy signs, I Conk totals 100
sq. tt I have discussed with Mr. Hand the possibility of reducing the signage
starting possibly with the size of that logo along the west elevation of the
budding facing Farmington Road
18622
Mr. Almskas: From 35 sq. It. to a little smaller!
Mr. Tamnama: Yes.
Mr. LaPme: Mark on the plan SP -1, I just want to make sire that you checked it out that
Pols parking is correct We went through I anal know how many dillerent
plans on this and that this is the one that we approved. It has been so long now
but we weatthrough so many plans. I do have a problem wiPo the handicap
parking ngbt near Seven Mile Road and them is only one exit in the Seven
Mile Road, which means the handicapped people have to walk across there.
You have a rear door in the back, and parking space 410 and #11, can the
handicapped people park there and go in the back door!
Mr. Hood: No. The back door has stairs and the ramp will be in the front ofthe building.
Mr. Lanne: So the sums that you have there now, you are going to have a ramp gomg up
there?
Mr. Hood Noton the extenor, in the very front of the building on Seven Mile.
Mr. Lanne: To me, the handicap being right there with the traffic coming in is a little bit
dangerous. I an accept that Dart is all I have.
Mr. McCann: If there are no further questions from the Commissioners, I will go to the
audience. Is there anybody in the audience wishing to speak for or against this
petition? Seeing no one, a motion is in order.
Mrs. Koons: In or study session we talked abut eliminating the pole sign. You are still
agreeable to that?
Mr. Hood: Yes. Our concem is that we need some exposure on Farmington Road but yes,
A was not or intent to keep it ifwe can do this plan.
Mr. McCann: If there is nothing further, a motion is in order.
On a motion by Mr. Sbane, seconded by Mr. Piercecchi and unanimously approved, it was
#6-96-2001 RESOLVED that, the City Planning Commission does hereby recommend to
the City Council that Petition 01-05-08-18 by Dave Hood, on behalf of
Wimergarden Tavem, requesting approval of all plans reamed by Section
18.47 of the Zoning Ordinance in connection with a proposal to renovate the
exterior of the commercial building located A 33320 Seven Mile Road in the
N.E.1/4 of Section 3 be approved subject to the following conditions:
1. That the ExtenoBudding Elevation Plan marked Sheet A-2, dated
5/08/01. as revised, prepared by Stocky Vitale Architects, is hereby
approved and shall be adhered to;
18623
2. That the existing maconfrming pole sign shall be taken down and
removed from the site;
3. That the Sign Package submitted by Stucky Vitale Architects, as received
by the Plawing Commission on June 7, 2001, is hereby approved and
shall be adhered to;
4. That these wall signs shall not be illuminated beyond one (1) hour after
this restaurant closes;
5. That any additional signage shall come back before the Plarm ng
Commission and City Council fort her review and approval;
6. That this approval is subject to the petitioner being granted a variance
from the Zoning Board of Appeals for excessive signage and arty
conditions related thereto;
7. That the speck plans referenced in this approving resolution shall be
submitted to the Inspection Department at the time the building pennants
are applied for.
Mr. McCann, Chairman, declared the motion is carred and the foregoing resolution adopted
It will go on to City Council with an approving resolution
ITEM #8 PETITION 99-02-08-08 Phoenix Land Development
Mr. Piemerchi, Secretary, announced the next item on the agenda is Petition 99-02-08-08 by
Phoenix Land Development requesting to amend the landscape plan
previously approved for the Rosedale Town Square development located on
property on the northeast comer of Plymouth Road and Famangton Road in
the S.W. 1/4 of Section 27.
Mr. Miller: This site is located onthe northeastcomerofPlymaDh and Farmington
Roads. The petitioner is requesting approval of revise the Landscape Plans
for the Rosedale Town Square development This development originally
called Fountain Park, consists of both residential and c rnmercial elements.
Because of wetlands on the property, the entire project had to be
reconfigured from what was ongmally presented during prelmurmy
meetings. The site plan for the commercial was approved an March 23,
1999. Shortly thereafter, the City Council placed this item in committee
which was recently brought out for discussion and is scheduled for action at
the July 2,2001 Regular Meeting On February 27, 2001, the Planning
Commission granted waiver use approval for the residential portion of the
project. As part of the approval it was conditioned: "That the Lmr&cape
Plan shall come back to the Planning Commssion for further review and
recommendation before going to the City Coancd" In compliance with that
requirement Phoenix Land Development Corporetiw has submitted revised
landscapeplansfortheentireproject. Theplantmgschemesofthenew
18624
plans are very similar to what was presented initially, but aremore
definitive. Trees, shrubs and flowering plants are to be installed throughout
the comme tial portion of the site. The dumpster areas behind the
corm emel buildings would be screened fromview from the residential
buildings using a variety of plant materials. A note on the plan explains flua
the frontage along Plymouth Road and a portion of Farmington Road would
be landscaped in accordance with the Plymouth Road Development
Authority's plans. The residential portion of the site would be landscaped
with a wide variety of trees and shrubs. The frontage along Farmington
Road would be plardedwithtwenty-firm(24) White Ash trees. Thenorth
property line would have a dense line of deciduous trees, evergreens and
shrubs buffering this site from the adjacent industrial district to the north.
The applicant is also requesting approved to substitute a greenbelt in lieu of
the protective wall that is required between the commercial zoned property
and the residentially zoned property. Instead, the two (2) uses would be
separated by a service road that will provide several points of access to both
the commeroial and residential sides of the project In addition, the site has
been designed as an integrated, mixed-use development, connected by a
series of pedestrian walks and shared parking.
Mr. McCann: Is there any correspondence?
Mr.Taormina: There is one item of correspondence. It is a lefts from the Inspection
Department, dated June 4, 2001, which reads as follows: "Pursuant to your
request of day 21, 2001, the above referenced pehhon has been reviewed
The following is noted Thu Department has no objection to this petition in
regard to landscaping only." The letter is signed by Alex Bishop, Assistant
Director of Inspection That is the extent of the carespondence.
Mr. McCann: Is the petitioner here this evening?
Mark Perkoski, Phoenix Land Development, 32000 Northwestern Hwy., Suite 145,
Farmington Hills, MI 48344.
Mr. McCain: Is there anAing additional you would litre to tell us?
Mr. Perkoski: No, nothing frill can think of
Mr. McCain: It looks like a pretty good project Are there any questions from the
Commissioners? Hearing none, a motion is in order.
On a motion by Mrs. Koons, seconded by Mr. LaPme and unanimously approved, it was
#6-97-2001 RESOLVED that, the City Planning Commission does hereby recommend
to the City Council that Petition 99-02-08-08 by Phoenix Land Development
requesting to amend the landscape plan previously approved for the
Rosedale Town Square development located on property on the northeast
comer of Plymouth Road and Farmington Road in the S.W. 1/4 of Section
27, be approved subject to the following conditions:
18625
1. That the Landscape Plans marked Sheet L-1 and I`2 both dated 4/12/01,
as revised, prepared by Galvin Hall & Associates, are hereby approved
and shall be adhered kr;
2. That all disdnbed lawn areas shall be sodded in lieu ofbydroseeding;
3. 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 m eratemed in a
healthy condition;
4. That the landscaped greenbelt along the zoning ]me that separates the
residential and commercial components of this development, as shown on
the approved landscape plans, shall be substituted for the protective wall
required by Section 18.45 of the Zoning Ordinance;
5. That any change of circurnstances in the area commung the greenbelt
resulting in a diminution of the greenbelt's effectiveness as a protective
barrier, the owner of the pnopeny shall be required to construct the
protective wall pursuant to Section 18.45.
6. That the street trees to be planted in the area between the sidewalk and
curb of both Plymouth Road and Farmington Road shall be in accordance
to the Ed of"Suggested Tree Species' provided by the City ofLivonia's
Department of Public Service;
7. That the specmfc plans referenced in this approving resolution shall be
submitted to the Inspection Department at the time the building permits
are applied fm.
Mr. McCann: Is thereany discussion?
Mr. LaPine: On the landscaping, they are coordinating this with the Plymouth Road
Development Authority. Is that right?
Mr. Taormina: That is correct
Mr. McCain, Chairman, declared the motion carried and the foregoing resolution adopted.
This concludes the Miscellaneous Site Plan portion of our agenda We will
mwproc d with the Pending Item section of our agenda ILese dews have
been discussed at length in prim meetings therefore, there will be limited
discussion tonight Audience participation will requme unanimous consent
Earn the Commission.
ITEM#9 PETITION 2001-03-02-05 Haggerty Road Investments
18626
Mr. Piencecehi, Secretary, announced the nest item on the agenda is Petition 2001-03-02-05
by Haggerty Road Investments requesting waiver use approval to remodel
and expand an existing budding in correction with a proposal to operate a
fiu0 service restaurant on property located on the east side of Haggerty Road
between Seven Mile Road and Eight Mile Road in the S.W. 1/4 of Section 6.
On a motion by Mr. Piemecebi, seconded by Mr. Alanskes and unanimously approved, it was
#6-98-2001 RESOLVED thaypmsuantto apublic hearinghaving beenheld by the City
Planning Commission cn May 8, 2001, on Petition 2001-03-02-05 by
Haggerty Road Investments requesting waiver use approval to remodel and
expand an existing building in connection with a proposal to operate a frill
service restaurant on property located on the east side of Haggerty Road
between Seven Mile Road and Eight Mile Road in the S.W. 1/4 of Section 6,
the Planning Commission does hereby recommend that Petition 2001-03-02-
05 be taken from the table.
Mr. McCann: Is there anything additional?
Mr. Taomnim: There is no new correspondence pertaining to this item butve have received
a new set of plans. Each of the Commissioners should have a copy of Poem
this eve" ^g I would suggest at this t e thatwe allow the applicant w
discuss the new information that has been supplied.
Mr. McCann: Is the petitioner hem this evening?
Art Carmichael, general partner for Haggerty Road Investments, 7830 Bamsbury, West
Bloomfield The updated elevations, which you have in front of you, are in
response to what is required and also at our work session one of you asked
for the grade in front ofthe property. The smallerprint shows the property
the best. We did it at an eight scale, the last sheet there. You can see that
where we have a great big hump of land out in front to the west of that
property it is gone. We will have to remove A and you can see the centerline
of the road which is the extreme left and then you can see the curve and then
you can see the land gradually comes up to the building and ultimately we
have a bemn around and if you refer back to that landscaping plan that we
submitted quite a while ago, it has plantings on it and sbaild be attractive.
We tried to show you that we have to do quite a bit of grading out in front of
that property to follow along the contour of the centerline, or the crown of
the road. Just like the property to the nordn and south of us is 9 inches above
the centerline of the road and we have to be too. Then we gradually shape
the whole land and right now, our existing parking lot, right now, is m high
rxx acNally rannp down into our entrance. In this case it isjust the opposite.
There is a barrier free requirement from the proposed newvestibile out to
the parking lot with a very gradual gradation and the parking then follows
the contour that would be required for barrier free. So the whole site is being
reshaped fromwhat it is today. I failed to show it properly lasttime or at
least convey to you what was occumng as far as elevation and grading.
18627
Mr. Alanskas:
At the study meeting we discussed or asked m regards to havmg the
bildingnotbemelal. Didyougiveanythoughttothat?
Mr. Camochael:
I am getting meed messages. Ongmally we had shown chy"t and we were
getting signals fmmtwo people that sit on the City Council that the City
didn't particularly, like dr v t Ironically, my bolding was the first me m
southmstam Michigan to have dryvit, way back when, 22 or 23 years ago.
When I first talked to Mark about the building, he also said that dryvit was
not a desirable thing. We changed the brick around. That was dryvR Ym
never saw that, I dm'tthink and then when I got back and I let the architect
have free range because I no longer had the idea of havmg a fall position of
havmg an office bolding race we were to agreement with the people from
the Bone Yard that he came rip with the concept that it was a tank at one
Irma why not man with that theme and he tried to make the building to some
degree or another, look like a tank again and that is part of the marketing
mdthefmofit Itisafunbuddingwhenyougetrightdownwit The
evolution of the building becoming a look becouuing an engineer office and
then becoming a restaumnt and trying to capture that mood again I think is
part of the fun of the budding. It is a durable product It is much more
durable than dryvit We think that is the solution and we kind of like it
Mr. Shave:
Have you "ed at the problem of trying to provide a second driveway?
Mr. Carmichael:
In all my cmversatiras with the Wayne County Road Cmmossim, I dont
Poivk it is possible.
Mr. Shave:
What I am getting at is a new, driveway entry to the adjacent property.
Mr. Carmichael:
All of the correspondence we have had in the past with the condmmimum
development, it has been to the point where they don't even want to talk to
us. Theywratedlobuyus. Wecouldn'tcomewanyagreement Ithasn't
been a cordial situation. I hesitate to even talk to them after the rebuff got
from the last guy from Kansas City and it is really counting from AMC
Theater, where the dominate players in that whole condominium
association
Mr. Sbane:
I'll be honest with you, I don't think this is going to work without a second
means of access to and from this site. The ordinance requires that
Mr.Camochael:
Would that then be a Zo a^g Board of Appeals type tang?
Mr. Slime:
Yes but from a practical standpoint, a traffic standpoint, I would hate to see
me driveway in and out of there at that location from Haggerty Road If
you had a secondary access, I would feel a lot more comfortable with this
plan. Ibat isjust me.
Mr. Camnchael:
I don't flunk that is realistic for me to get that from Wayne County Road
Commission
18628
Mr. Sbane: I am not suggesting that you do. I Pomk the only solution, if there is one, is
the adjacent property. It sounds like the solution iml there either.
Mr. Carmichael:
Now, having said this, the Bone Yard people, they dont have the same
conflict and history that have with them and they might be able to develop
a dialogue where I can't It would be the new kid on the block and there
might some solutions.
Mr. Shane:
You know where I am coming from.
Mr. Carmichael:
I understand but I know I curl do it I really know I cant do it They might
be able to do it
Mr. McCain:
If there are no limber questions, I have a couple questions. One of them, I
did go back to the new drawings. I think von are getting mixed messages
butycu are not really hs[ening. One ofthe things we do have concerns
about is the dryvq especially at lower levels because of maintenance
problems of carts rvRh food supplies hitting it, people's car bumpers hitting
it Duyvil can break. Brick doesn't We hike brick because of its durability,
it lasts long and, the look is timeless. When I was looking atyour property
the other day, I agree, by cutting down the from elevation to 9 inches ower
the road level will improve the looks of the property but it does look Lice a
machine or pump house of some type. It has that quality to it I am sure
that is part of the original building. I am not sure that that is appropriate to
use as a continuing restaurant. Again, that is my personal point of view.
What I am more concerned with is what we discussed the last time is if the
Bone Yard goes in there, they admit they are going to need 10 to 12
employees to operate that business. That creates about 9 to 12 shortages of
parking spaces. Correct?
Mr. Taormina:
Correct
Mr. McCain:
Twelve spots short which the only way to remedy that is to reduce the
seating capacity.
Mr. Nowak
The site plan shows 56 parking spots and with 12 employees that would
knock it down to 44 parking spaces other than for employees.
Mr. McCann:
I thought it was 100 seating capacity.
Mr. Nowak
It would be a total number that they could have of seats of 88 if A were being
in comphance with the Zoning Ordinance.
Mr. McCain:
My problem is you would have a real problem with shared parking in that
area It is separated. There is a hill there. Anybody, especially in the
wintertime, trying to climb up and down those hills between the parking lots
could get killed. You really dual have a shared parking situation as many,
restaurants do. Is this going to create a problem for the Bone Yard, having
handed seating?
18629
Mr. Carmichael: Is this an item that can be appealed?
Mr. McCain: AbsohIDly.
Mr. Carmichael: Basically, what you are saying is that with the number of cars here there are
about 88 seats available. I have to ask them
Geoerge Pwcaris,
43333 Windmill Court Nwi. I representthe Bove Yard Corporation.
Mr. McCann:
We had this discussion A a prior meeting regarding my cwcems about
operating aresburmrtwithin the limited confines. Haveyoutakenacloser
look at that?
Mr. Pascaris:
We have. Based on our history in the restaurant business, I believe we did
start originally with appro unmely 80 seats. A good share of our business is
carryout business. I think you said you frequented our stores.
Mr. McCann:
Yes, I do.
Mr. Pascaris:
Then you must be aware of the type of business we operate and how it is
operated and the traffic that goes through there. I understand your concern
for how much the seating is and how the parking will be. Again, Iknow we
will probably have to go in front ofZBA if we want to offset that or bring up
the number of seats.
Mr. McCann:
I doubt you would get much more of an allowance for seating beyond the 88
seats. Partly became everybody agrees, we do like the carry out and you are
not pr dmg any pulang for the cavy mt people. Tine?
Mr. Pascaris:
You mean in excess to what is there?
Mr. McCain:
Yes. If you had 88 seats and you had a full house and you had maybe four or
five families waiting to be seated, there are no spots left There is no way
somebody can come in can get the carry out will" parking their car and
blocking other people in, is there?
Mr. Pascans:
As youjust said, frau house. Full house, in my experience, wouldn't mean a
frill 88 people. For example, other stores each seat about 140 people. Our
Farmington Hills store has 59 parking spots and has been in business there
for 20 years and I don't know of any instance where it has been a problem
Again, A may have and it guess A would be something bad against us if we
were frau and there wasn't anywhere to park, then obviously they would
leave and go somewhere else, if there was the case. Again, going back to the
full house that you said, at any point I don't think every seat is ever entirely
fall. I would say maybe 60% to 70%maximum I dual know if that makes
A any clearer.
18630
Mr. McCann: I understand what you are saying. You have one couple sitting at a four top
table. But the parking lots tend to get filled. That is my problem and that is
the problem in this situation. The ordinance is based on averages taking that
into consideration.
Mr. Pascaris: I understand you have a formula to go by.
Mr. McCann: I visited your reslaunanis and there was a find] house and this location, with
Bahama Breeze there, they have two hour waits. When you go over to
Champps, you have to wait, you go over to J. Alexanders, you have to wait
It is a very popular eating location right now, especially with the thews and
I think you are going to see a situation, or hope that you would, that you
have a lot of people waiting to enter. I am concerned that it will not only be
a problem for the City and the traffic congestion m that area with people
trying to pull in and all of a sudden people are backing out because there is
no room to go into it because there is only one enhance and if people have
problems like that A will hurt your reputation. Those are my concerns.
Mr. LaPme: The Champps and J. Alexanders and the theater, they dont have shared
parking? Each one of those has their own individual parking. Is that
correct? I am relating this to the Costco, Target and the hospital there where
they have shared parking. To me, there are people who go to the theater,
park in the theater parking lot and go over to Cbampps or J. Alexanders. I
unjust wondering if we are worrying about 12 parking spaces here, there
may not really be a real problem if this is a shared parking and to me I have
been m there many tunes and you coal tell me there areal people parked m
Champps parking lot that go in there to eat and then walk to the theater
mstmd of moving their car. There seems to me to be a conflict there. About
the one entrance, the many times that I have been over there I have never
come m off of Haggerty. I always come m from Seven Mile Road I come
from the west. I go in the back way and I never have a problem I never
have a problem getting in and out of the place. I am not saying there is not
going to be a problem but I do think there is going to be a tremendous
problem on Haggerty Road Iamjustwondermgifwearemakmganissue
here our of the 12 parking spaces. I doral know if that is shared parking or is
A not shared parking? I dont know how you can say this belongs to you and
this belongs to you, etc.
Mr. Taormina: It is all part of a planned development For practical purposes the parking is
shared between the different uses at the entertainment center and I will tell
you that there have been variances granted in the past with respect to the
parking. To the extent that the different uses do rely on each others parking
areas, I guess A would extend to the entire site in terms of the overall parking
deficiency.
Mr. McCann: I think you do have a pout and I think that may be the rase. My concern
more is with this site is that it really doesnl have access. If people are going
In go to the restaurant they can walk around to Haggerty Road and come up
the sidewalk. I guess that would be the best way of getting in there. If they
18631
wanted to go see a movie and then go to the resturard and that may be the
case.
Mr. LaPine:
Are you saying from the back side of there, from the east side that there is no
way you can get up there?
Mr. McCann:
No. If you add snow m ice, it wi➢ be ]iima➢y impossible.
Mr. LaPine:
I hadnl looked at it from that perspective.
Mr. Piercecchi:
It doesnl mean thatyou couldnR build a stairway there but there is none
there.
Mr. Alanskas:
What percent of your clientele for the Bone Yard are younger people? I
would say from 26 on down.
Mr. Pascaris:
From my experience, I would say under 10%.
Mr. Alanskas:
I was just thinking that the younger people, they will park anywhere to go to
the restaurant Iwas just wondering if you had a percentage to compare the
younger to Sue older. I would say in the theaters, you would get more young
people going to the movies than the older people. In the summertime there
should be no problem for them to park anywhere and walk to your
restaunmut. But I'm sore m the wirrtertime A is going w be a problem.
Mr. Pascaris:
You have a good point Although, I dea'tknow if we can consider AMC's
parking lot m not My family and I do frequent there and it is notjust
people. There are families that go there and we are a family business.
Mr. Alanskas:
I have parked for the theater and walked to Chamupps to go to dinner because
I had a good puking spot for the theater. I am sure that does happen.
Mr. McCann:
If there are no further questions, a motion is in order.
Mr. Shane:
I move that we table this to give the petitioner some more time to deal with
some of the problems we are having here.
Mrs. Koons:
Wilh the tabling resolution I deal think we talked enough about the exterior
of the building I, in addition to some of the other Commissioners, really did
peter the dryvit look for all the reasons Mr. McCann stated. Please take that
info your consideration
Mr. LaPine:
I have no objection to the tabling motion but what additional infnnumon do
you think we wed at this point!
Mr. Shane:
I would like to give the petitioner a chance to respond. Can he get a second
driveway? Can he do a separate parking?
18632
Mr. LaPme: I thought he told us at the study meeting that he has a letter, which we have
never seen, from Wayne Camay, that they have been denied the parking.
Mr. Sbane: I'mnot tallong about Wayne County. I am tallong about homthe adjommg
property.
On a motion by Mr. Shane, seconded by Mrs. Koons and unanimously agreed, it was
#6-99-2001 RESOLVED that, pursuant to a public hearing having been held by the City
Plarm ng Co mrission on May 8, 2001, on Petition 2001-03-02-05 by
Haggerty Road Investments requesting waiver use approval to remodel and
expand an existing bolding m connection with a proposal to operate a hill
service restaurant on property located on the east side of Haggerty Road
between Seven Mile Road and Eight Mile Road in the S.W. 1/4 of Section 6,
the Planning Commission does hereby recommend that Petition 2001-03-02-
05 be tabled to July 10, 2001.
A roll call vote was talon with the mflowmg result:
AYES:
Shane, Koons, LaPme, Piercecchi, McCann
NAYS:
Alanskas
ABSENT:
None
FURTHER RESOLVED that, votive of the above bearing was given in
accordance with the provisions of Section 19.05 of Zoning Ordinance #543,
as amended
Mr. McCann: Keep in contact with the staff. I flunk you have four votes right now fora
dryvA but we would like for you to check on the possibility ofgmnmg access
post tenant gaining access or through the cent. I think thatwould solve a lot
of problems.
Mr. Piercecchi: We did a lot oftalking on parking tomgbt, sir, and I was looking very closely
at Sheet L-1 today. You have four spots that are located an that morth wing
where it appears w me like m order w get m and out of Orae, it is going to be
backing up.
Mr. Paskeris: We will have a double loaded driveway. It is single loaded-
Mr.
oadedMr. Piercerchi: But you have a big dumpster there too. It is really four in a row.
Mr. Carmichael: The concept we have for that is for the employees because they are the least
desirable spots. We saw the employees plus it is closer to the rear door so
they could get m there whereas the people themselves would be crculahng
m the general parking lot
Mr. McCa®, Chairman, declared the motion carried and the foregoing resolution adopted. It
has been tabled to July 10, 2001.
18633
ITEM#10 APPROVAL OFMINLTES 820 Regular Meeting
Mr. Pierrecchi, Secretary, announced the nest item on the agenda is Approval of Poe Minutes
of the 824th Public Hearings and Regular Meeting held on May 8, 2001.
On a motion by Mr. Shane, seconded by Mrs. Koons and unanimously approved, it was
#6-100-2001 RESOLVED that, the Minutes of the 824th Public Hearings and Regular
Meeting held by the City Planning Commission on May 8, 2001, are hereby
approved.
A roll call vote was taken with the following result:
AYES:
LaPine, Alanskas, Koons, Sbane, McCann, Piercecchi
NAYS:
Now
ABSENT:
Now
Mr. McCann, Channam, declared the motion is carried and the foregomg resolution
adopted.
On a motion duly made, seconded and unanimously adopted the 820h Public Hearings and
Regular Meeting held on June 12, 2001, was adjourned A 10:12 p.m.
rfl I Ilk 'a J W-WICIIMOD16161 kvAI[IN
Dan Piemecchi, Secretary
A=ST:
James C. McCann, Chairman
/nv