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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPLANNING MINUTES 2006-07-1123338 MINUTES OF THE 928° REGULAR MEETING HELD BY THE CITY PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LIVONIA On Tuesday, July 11, 2006, the City Planning Commission of the City of Livonia held its 928"' Regular Meeting in the Livonia City Hall, 33000 Civic Center Drive, Livonia, Michigan. Mr. John Walsh, Chairman, called the meeting to order a17:30 p.m. Members present: Robert Alanskas William La Pine R. Lee Morrow H. G. Shane Carol A. Smiley Ian Wilshaw John Walsh Members absent: None Messrs. Mark Taormina, Planning Director; At Nowak, Planner IV; and Scott Miller, Planner III; were also present. Chairman Walsh informed the audience that if a petition on tonight's agenda involves a rezoning request, this Commission makes a recommendation to the City Council who, in tum, will hold its own public hearing and make the final determination as to whether a petition is approved or denied. The Planning Commission holds the only public hearing on a request for preliminary plat and/or vacating petition. The Commission's recommendation is forwarded to the City Council for the final determination as to whether a plat is accepted or rejected. If a petition requesting a waiver of use or site plan approval is denied tonight, the petitioner has len days in which to appeal the decision, in writing, to the City Council. Resolutions adopted by the City Planning Commission become effective seven (7) days after the dale of adoption. The Planning Commission and the professional staff have reviewed each of these petitions upon their filing. The staff has furnished the Commission with both approving and denying resolutions, which the Commission may, or may not, use depending on the outcome of the proceedings tonight. On behalf of my colleagues and myself, I'd like to welcome Mr. Wilshaw, our newest Commissioner, to our meeting this evening. ITEM #1 PETITION 2006-05-0840 QUAIL CHASE CONDOS Ms. Smiley, Secretary, announced the first item on the agenda, Petition 2006-05- 08-10 submitted by Schafer Development, on behalf of Quail Chase Site Condominiums, requesting approval of the landscape plan for the open space lot on the northwest corner of Newburgh Road and Quail Chase Lane in connection with a proposal to construct a condominium development on property located at 9229 Newburgh Road in the Southeast''/. of Section 31. 23339 Mr. Miller: Al the May 30, 2006, Regular Meeting, the Planning Commission approved plans in connection with the development of the Quail Chase Site Condominiums. As part of the approval, it was conditioned that a fully detailed Landscape Plan for the open space lot on the northwest comer of Newburgh Road and Quail Chase Lane be submitted to the Planning Commission and City Council for their review and approval. This proposed condominium development is to be located on the west side of Newburgh Road between Joy Road and Ann Arbor Trail. Quail Chase would consist of 29 lots. On the approved plans, a vacant lot is shown between Lot 1 of the development and Newburgh Road. This lot measures 110 feel along Newburgh Road and 65 feel back in depth. The submitted landscape plan demonstrates that the lot would be landscaped with grass and a berm feature would be established across the middle of it. The berm would meander across the lot, parallel to Newburgh Road, and dimb to a height of three feet. Planted on the berm would be a variety of plant materials including evergreen trees (Norway Spruce), ornamental deciduous trees (Tuliptrees, Serviceberry), and a number of shrubs (Cranberrybush). Adjacent to the entrance next to the intersection of Newburgh Road and Quail Chase Lane would be a landscape area. This area would encircle the developments entrance marker. Perennials (Daylilies), and low-lying shrubbery (Spireas & Junipers) would be planted around the sign. As part of the approval of the condominium development, it was conditioned that only a conforming entrance marker is approved with this petition, and any additional signage shall be separately submitted for review and approval by the Planning Commission and City Council. The plans show a cutout profile and a location of a conforming entrance marker. Since the conforming sign does not need any additional approval, the review of it is for informational proposes only. The entrance marker would consist of a decorative wooden sign mounted on a brick base. The graphic "Quail Chase Subdivision" would be roulered in the sign panel. It was also suggested by one of the Planning Commissioners that the public walkway between Lots 8 and 9 that allows direct access to the adjacent park to the north be defined and outlined with landscaping. In order to accommodate this request, the landscape plan reveals that a row of lilac bushes would be planted along both sides of the pathway. To help further distinguish the public passageway, split rail fencing would also be installed. Mr. Walsh: Is there any correspondence? 23340 Mr. Nowak: There is no correspondence in connection with this item. Mr. Walsh: Is the petitioner here this evening? Steven J. Schafer, Schafer Development, LLC, 25800 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 720, Southfield, Michigan 48075. Good evening. I'm here tonight for the review of the landscape plan on the front lot and the walkway. There was some discussion at Council updating some kind of a hedge in there between the homeowners, so there was a nice divisional along that pathway, so we also added that in and that's what's before you tonight. We're just waiting for permits and we'll get started out there. Mr. Walsh: Are there any questions from the Commissioners? Mr. La Pine: On Lot 1 where you're going to have a bene and some landscaping? Mr. Schafer: Yes. Mr. La Pine: My question is, unfortunately, that's adjacent to Newburgh Road. With all the salt that's going to be poured on there, how will that landscaping be maintained? I have found over the years that when we have this type of landscaping on a main road, after a few years, all the landscaping is gone because the salt kills it and nobody takes care of it. The only way you can really take care of it, you have to burlap the shrubs and all that. Can that be somehow incorporated with you and the homeowners that they take care of that? Mr. Schafer: We can certainly recommend that, yes. But they would maintain that and, in this particular situation, it is setback pretty far. It's a pretty large lot. Typically you'd probably expect to see that a little bit closer to the nghtof-way. So it is setback fairly nicely, but we can talk to the management company that will managing this for us when we're complete and request that. Mr. Alanskas: On the post for the sign, are they going to be cedar posts? Mr. Schafer: No. Its actually a masonry bottom sign. All masonry. And then those posts that you see drawn through the sign, those will be wood posts but those will be back behind the actual sign that's going to be made out of wood. Mr. Alanskas: What kind of wood are you going to be using? 2aaa1 Mr. Schafer: Probably like a cedar or some type of an outdoor wood, redwood. The foundation is all masonry. Mr. Alanskas: Okay. Also the fence along the pathway, will that be also cedar? Mr. Schafer: Yes, that would be a split -rail cedar. Mr. Alanskas: I'm asking because cedar lasts longer in regards to rotting out. Who will be maintaining that fence along the pathway? Mr. Schafer: The association. Mr. Alanskas: All right. Thank you. Mr. La Pine: I assume the sign is not Id. Is that correct? Mr. Schafer: We'll probably have some just down light out in front of it, like fluorescent that just up -lights, not like spotlights or anything like that. Mr. La Pine: Okay. Mr. Morrow: It should probably be on the plan if you're going to put any type of lighting on it. Mr. Schafer: Yes. You know what? I'd put a note on it. I believe this is going to have to go in front of Council loo. So if we put that in the approval I'd make sure that I add that note on the Council's plans for final approval. Mr. Walsh: Is there anybody in the audience that wishes to speak for or against this petition? Seeing no one, a motion would be in order. On a motion by La Pine, seconded by Smiley, and unanimously adopted, ilwas #07-63-2006 RESOLVED, that the City Planning Commission does hereby recommend to the City Council that the request for approval of a landscape plan, submitted by Schafer Development, on behalf of Quail Chase Site Condominiums in connection with Petition 2006-05-08-10, which previously received Master deed, bylaws and site plan approval by the City Council on June 26, 2006 (Council Resolution #32406), to construct a condominium development on properly located at 9229 Newburgh Road in the Southeast % of Section 31, be approved subject to the following conditions: 23342 1. That the Landscape Plan marked Sheet LP -1 dated June 12, 2006, prepared by Creative Land Planning & Design, is hereby approved and shall be adhered to; 2. That the height of the planted trees shall be measured from the top of the root ball to the mid -point ofthe top leader; 3. That dl disturbed lawn areas shall be sodded in lieu of hydroseeding; 4. That underground sprinklers are to be provided for all landscaped and sodded areas and all planted materials shall be installed to the satisfaction of the Inspection Department and thereafter permanently maintained in a healthy condition; 5. That the conforming entrance marker, as shown on the plan marked LP -2 dated June 12, 2006, prepared by Creative Land Planning & Design, is hereby approved and shall be adhered to; 6. That if this entrance marker is to be illuminated, only up - cast ground mounted lighting shall be permitted; 7. That the specific plans referenced in this approving resolution shall be submitted to the Inspection Department at the time the building permits are applied for; and 8. That all conditions imposed by Council Resolution #324-06 in connection with Petition 2006-05-08-10, which permitted the construction of a site condominium development on the subject property, shall remain in effect to the extent that they are not in conflict with the foregoing conditions. Mr. Walsh: Is there any discussion? Mr. LaPine: We should add in there, that if the sign is to be lighted, it should appear on the final plans Mr. Walsh, Chairman, declared the motion is carried and the foregoing resolution adopted. It will go on to City Council with an approving resolution. 23343 YI=l,4Eib'M9=k ik IU] 7 E'ADI--EQDErR45E�y=1 i! Y1=1 i! Ii! I/_10:2 t►ph,111 Ms. Smiley, Secretary, announced the next item on the agenda, Petition 2006- 06-08-11 submitted by TACS, LLC, on behalf of Centennial Plaza South, requesting approval of all plans required by Section 18.47 of the Zoning Ordinance in connection with a proposal to construct an office complex on properties located at 14821 and 14829 Farmington Road in the Northeast I/ of Section 21. Mr. Miller: The petitioner is requesting approval to develop a three -building office complex on property located on the west side of Farmington Road between Lyndon Avenue and Five Mile Road. The proposed property is in the process of being rezoned (Petition 2004-10-01-12) from R2 (One Family Residential) to OS (Office Services). The Planning Commission, after holding a public hearing on November 16, 2004, recommended approving the requested rezoning. Following a public hearing, the City Council referred the item to the Committee of the Whole (CR -138-05) for its report and recommendation at its March 30, 2005, Regular Meeting. Review of this petition is based on the assumption that the subject property will be rezoned to R-2. The proposed development would be known as "Centennial Plaza South." The subject site consists of two adjoining parcels, 14821 and 14829 Farmington Road. Presently there are single- family homes on each parcel. Much of the back half of each parcel is currently covered with trees and other natural vegetation. The combined area of both parcels equals 1.79 acres with a total frontage of 132 feet along Farmington Road by a depth of approximately 588 feet. The subject site is just south of the two -building office development currently known as "Centennial Title." Centennial Plaza South would be developed very similar to this existing complex. So similar, in fact, that the temporary identification sign out in front of Centennial Title would be replaced with a permanent sign that reads "Centennial Plaza North." Meandering between the two sites is a driveway known as Luther Lane, which is the entrance drive for the Livonia Woods Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Livonia Woods is an eldedy-living facility that is located behind both Centennial Plaza North and South. The front building, Building "A", would sit close to Farmington Road about 40 feel back from the right -0f -way line. This building would be one-story in height and a total of 5,888 square feel in size. According to the site plan, Building "A" would be occupied by general office type uses. Building "B", the next building back, would be located almost directly behind Building "A", with a separation gap of approximately 125 feel. This building would be one-story in 23344 height and slightly smaller then Building "A" at a total square footage of 5,780. According to the site plan, Building "B" would be occupied by medical type users. Building "C' would be located the farthest back, approximately 20 feel from the rear or west lot line. This building would be one-story in height and the largest of all the buildings at a total of 6,336 square feet in size. According to the site plan, Building "C" would be occupied by general office type uses. The reason for pointing out the type of users occupying each building is because the required amount of parking is based on it. Medical requires more parking spaces. The Zoning Ordinance requires 92 spaces and 96 spaces are proposed, so they meet the parking requirement. The proposed landscaping scheme for Centennial Plaza South would be very similar to what exists throughout Centennial Plaza North. They are required to have 15% landscaping, and they show 22% landscaping, which meets the landscape requirement.. Because this site abuts residential along the south and west, a screening wall or greenbelt would be required along these property lines. Along both property lines, the petitioner is requesting approval to substitute a permanent greenbelt in lieu of the prolective wall. The proposed greenbelt along the south property line would be 10 feel in width and planted with a continuous row of Austrian Pine trees. The proposed greenbelt along the west or rear property line would be on the average of 20 feet in width and screened with a row of Austrian Pine trees. As stated before, behind this property is the Livonia Woods development. Adjacent to the property line, on the Livonia Woods side, is a natural wooded area and the continuation of Luther Lane. The Livonia Woods building itself is located a considerable distance away. A portion of the property line, at the southwest corner, does abut Silver Village, the City owned elderly -living complex. Natural woods also screen this corner area. The architecture of all three proposed buildings would be basically the same. In order to coordinate and be in harmony with Centennial Plaza North, they would also appear very similar to the buildings of that development. All three proposed buildings would be constructed out of brick on all four sides. The comers of the buildings would have pre -cast stone quoins and a stone sill would divide the buildings just under the windows. A peaked feature in the roofline would highlight each entrance. A shallow structural canopy, supported by decorative columns, would also stick out and define the entrances. The roof would be multi -peaked and shingled. Mr. Walsh: Is there any correspondence? 23345 Mr. Nowak: There are four items of correspondence. The first item is from the Engineering Division, dated July 10, 2006, which reads as follows: "Pursuant to your request, the Engineering Division has reviewed the above -referenced petition. We have no objection to the legal description contained therein. There are no additional right-of-way requirements for this site and we have no other objections." The letter is signed by James Zoumbaris, Superintendent of Public Service. The second letter is from the Livonia Fire & Rescue Division, dated June 20, 2006, which reads as follows: "This office has reviewed the site plan submitted in connection with a request to construct an office complex on property located at the above -referenced addresses. We have no objections to this proposal." The letter is signed by Andrew C. Walker, Fire Marshal. The third letter is from the Division of Police, dated July 6, 2006, which reads as follows: 'We have reviewed the plans in connection with a proposal for Centennial Plaza South located at 14821-14829 Farmington Road. We have no objections or recommendations to the plans as submitted." The letter is signed by David W. Sludl, Sergeant, Traffic Bureau. The fourth letter is from the Inspection Department, dated June 30, 2006, which reads as follows: "Pursuant to your request of June 19, 2006, the above - referenced petition has been reviewed. The following is noted. (1) This petitioner will need to satisfy the Assessing Department as to buildings, property division, tax ID numbers and so on. (2) The parking spaces must all be double striped. (3) A picture provided to us showed steps into all buildings. All buildings must meet the barrier free code and all accessible parking must be property located. This Department has no further objections to this petition." The letter is signed by Alex Bishop, Assistant Director of Inspection. That is the extent of the correspondence. Mr. Walsh: Are there any questions for the staff? Mr. Alanskas: Scoff, how high is that berm going to be? You said it's 10 feet wide, but how high is it going to be? Mr. Miller: The plans do not indicate a ny type of berm. Mr. Alanskas: Will it be irrigated where the Austrian Pines are going to be? Mr. Miller: You have that as a condition of approval. Mr. Alanskas: All right. Thank you. Ms. Smiley: Is it the same architect? You said they're using the same pictures. 23346 Mr. Miller: Yes, DiMattia was also the architect for Centennial North. Ms. Smiley: Thank you. Mr. LaPine: I'm just curious about something, Scott. On the letter from the Planning Commission to Council that approved this on November 17, 2004, and then it went to the Council and apparently on March 30, 2005, the petition for rezoning was withdrawn. Now, I thought I heard you say it was still in the Committee of the Whole. If the petition was withdrawn, have they resubmitted a new petition? Mr. Miller: I don't think it's been withdrawn. Mr. LaPine: It says here, that "submitted by Thoroughbred Properties, LLC, on behalf of the Margaret Holley Estate and Vincio Bonn and Angela Bonn, for a change of zoning of properly located ... on the west side of Farmington Road ... be withdrawn" I note it says from "R-2 to OS, be withdrawn, the Council does hereby determine to refer this Petition to the Committee of the Whole" I dont know what that means. Does that mean it was withdrawn and or did it go to the Committee of the Whole and it's still in the Committee of the Whole? Mr. Miller: I believe they tried to withdraw it but the Council decided to place it in the Committee of Whole. Mr. LaPine: So it hasn't been withdrawn as far as you know? Mr. Miller: No, not as far as I know. Mr. La Pine: Okay. Thank you. Mr. Walsh: Is the petitioner here this evening? Please step forward. Carl V. Creighton, Brashear Tangora PLC, 14881 Farmington Road, Livonia, Michigan 48154. Good waning. I'm appearing on behalf of TACS, LLC. I apologize. The manager of TACS, LLC is not present tonight. She is otherwise engaged in the building as a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals, Ms. Tonia Aloe. With me tonight, however, is Frank DeMattia, the architect, for this project as well as the original Centennial Plaza. He served as the construction manager on that project. He will serve as the construction manager on this project as well. He is intimately involved and informed as to all of the technical aspects of the site plan, so he can answer any questions for you. With regard 2a 7 to Mr. La Pine's question, there was a letter (March 3, 2005) submitted asking for a withdrawal and then a letter (March 25, 2005) asking for the withdrawal of the March 3 letter, and the matter was then sent to the Committee of the Whole. In the interim, from the time that the original petition was submitted, approved and the initial reading on the rezoning, Ms. Aloe acquired the property, instead of the owner of Thoroughbred Properties, and they have taken over the petition by assignment from the original petitioner. Thoroughbred Properties is out and TACS, LLC is in, and the rezoning will have to be brought back out of the Committee of the Whole to catch up with the site plan, which is where we are. Mr. Walsh: Are there any questions for the petitioner? Mr. Shane: I presume this question has been discussed before but just for my own information, it is absolutely necessary to have outside dumpsters? Is there no other way you can handle your trash? Mr. Creighton: No, because on the original parcel, we have two separate owners. TACS actually owns the rear parcel and another LLC owns the front parcel. There is a long waiting list of prospective tenants and/or purchasers for these buildings, so they may not be all the same users, and with three buildings or two buildings, its very difficult to have a central compaction site if you wanted to try to do that. Some of our commercial neighbors do use curbside pickup by the City of Livonia, but we have our own commercial service, and unlike many of the dumpster enclosures around, ours is still in tact. Mr. Shane: Okay. Thank you. Mr. La Pine: Mr. Creighton, to the south there are two lots still vacant. Has your client ever tried to purchase those lots? Mr. Creighton: I don't know if there is actually two or one. We've attempted on numerous occasions, and the individual who owns the lots is completely unrealistic and unreasonable with respect to their acquisition. Mr. LaPine: Okay. Mr. Creighton: We would have loved to have incorporated those in, but he's simply not interested in selling at any price that is in any relationship to market conditions. Mr. La Pine: Okay. Thank you. Mr. Morrow: Going back to the dumpster enclosure, what type of gates will you have on it? Mr. Creighton: Presumably, very similar to those that we have on the existing dumpster. It's a brick structure with a stockade fence, painted cedar stockade fence, painted a green slain to match the green shingles on the roof. Mr. Morrow: Okay. I was watching the Council meeting last night and there were a couple of dumpster issues. They were looking forward to getting some sort of steel or metal gales as opposed to the wood. Mr. Creighton: These cedar posts actually are mounted on a steel rod assembly, so it's just the material that is on the face ofthat. Mr. Morrow: Okay. But it matches what you have to the north? Mr. Creighton: Absolutely. And it's green and illies in with the shingles. Mr. Morrow: That might come up at the Council level. Thank you. Mr. Wilshaw: My question is regarding signage. Right now it looks like you're just looking to have a general sign that says Centennial South. Are you anticpating any additional signage to be submitted to us in the future or tenant signage? Mr. Creighton: Actually, there is no signage yet. It would be coming in as a separate petition on this parcel. The sign that is shown is actually for the buildings immediately to the north. Mr. Wilshaw: Okay. Mr. Creighton: 14881 and 14891. And that sign, I believe, is simply a masonry structure. It just has Centennial Plaza and the addresses of the two buildings on it. Mr. Wilshaw: Is that what you anticipate for this facility as well? Mr. Creighton: Probably something very similar. Mr. Wilshaw: Okay. Because certainly that building in the back is quite a ways back there. Mr. Creighton: We would love, again, very much to incorporate some kind of a centralized driveway, but we haven't been able to convince our 23349 #07-64-2006 RESOLVED, that the City Planning Commission cbes hereby recommend to the City Council that Petition 2006-06-08-11 submitted by TACS, on behalf of Centennial Plaza South, requesting approval of all plans required by Section 18.47 of the Zoning Ordinance in connection with a proposal to construct an office complex on properties located at 14821 and 14829 Farmington Road in the Northeast''/. of Section 21, be approved subject to the following conditions: neighbors to the rear that it's a wonderful idea, yet, but maybe someday. Mr. Wilshaw: Okay. Mr. LaPine: If I could follow up on signage. We brought this up at our study session. One of the problems I have with the building in the rear, any sign you have out in front there, the guy in the rear is not going to be able to see it. If you have a doctors office or a dentist office or something back there, its going to be rough for people to know that's where they're located. I just want you to understand, I'm not in favor of having any big sign out there that's going to list every tenant you have in every building. I mean, one sign with the whole name of the complex is fine, but a list of a lot of names, I think, is not nice. The one next door is perfect. It looks good. Mr. Creighton: That is the concept of the sign that is being erected on the properly to the north, and undoubtedly the paroel to the south will have a matching sign. It wouldn't make sense to have matching architecture and then have two different kinds of signs. Mr. LaPine: Very good. I'm glad to hear that. Thank you. Mr. Walsh: Anyone else? I see no further questions. Thank you, Mr. Creighton. Mr. Creighton: Thank you. I appreciate it. Mr. Walsh: Is there anybody in the audience that wishes to speak for or against this petition? Seeing no one coming forward, a motion is in order. On a motion by Shane, seconded by Morrow, and unanimously adopted, it was #07-64-2006 RESOLVED, that the City Planning Commission cbes hereby recommend to the City Council that Petition 2006-06-08-11 submitted by TACS, on behalf of Centennial Plaza South, requesting approval of all plans required by Section 18.47 of the Zoning Ordinance in connection with a proposal to construct an office complex on properties located at 14821 and 14829 Farmington Road in the Northeast''/. of Section 21, be approved subject to the following conditions: 23350 1. That the Site Plan marked S-1 dated June 14, 2006, as revised, prepared by DiMattia Architects is hereby approved and shall be adhered to; 2. That the Landscape Plan marked L-1 dated June 14, 2006, as revised, prepared by DiMattia Architects is hereby approved and shall be adhered to; 3. Thal the height of the planted trees shall be measured from the lop of the root ball to the mid -point oflhe lop leader; 4. That all disturbed lawn areas shall be sodded in lieu of hydroseeding; 5. That underground sprinklers are to be provided for all landscaped and sodded areas and all planted materials shall be installed to the satisfaction of the Inspection Department and thereafter permanently maintained in a healthy condition; 6. That the greenbelts along the south and west property lines, as shown on the approved plans, are hereby accepted and shall be substituted for the prolective wall required by Section 18.45 oflhe Zoning Ordinance; 7. That any change of circumstances in the area containing the greenbelts resulting in a diminution of the greenbelts' effectiveness as a prolective barrier, the owner of the property shall be required to submit such changes to the Planning Commission for their review and approval or immediately construct the protective wall pursuant to Section 18.45; 8. That the Exterior Building Elevation Plans marked AA, A-5 and AE, all dated June 14, 2006, as revised, prepared by DiMattia Architects is hereby approved and shall be adhered to; 9. That the brick used in the construction shall be full face 4 inch brick; 10. That all rooftop mechanical equipment shall be concealed from public view on all sides by screening that shall be of a compatible character, material and color to other exterior materials on the building; M51 11. That the three walls of the trash dumpster area shall be constructed out of the same brick used in the construction of the building, or in the event a poured wall is substituted, the wall's design, texture and color shall match that of the building, and the enclosure gates shall be maintained and when not in use closed at all times; 12. That the petitioner shall secure the necessary perils, including storwater management permits, wetlands permits and soil erosion and sedimentation control permits, from Wayne County, the City of Livonia, and/or the Slate of Michigan Department of Environmental Quality; 13. That all light fixtures shall not exceed twenty (20') feet in height and shall be aimed and shielded so as to minimize stray light trespassing across property lines and glaring into adjacent roadway; 14. That the petitioner shall correct to the Inspection Department's satisfaction the items outlined in the correspondence dated June 30, 2006; 15. That only conforming signage is approved with this petition, and any additional signage shall be separately submitted for review and approval by the Planning Commission and City Council; 16. That no LED lighlband or exposed neon shall be permitted on this site including, but not limited to, the building or around the windows; 17. That the specific plans referenced in this approving resolution shall be submitted to the Inspection Department at the time the building permits are applied for; and, 18. Pursuant to Section 19.10 of Ordinance #543, the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Livonia, this approval is valid for a period of one year only from the date of approval by City Council, and unless a building permit is obtained and construction has commenced, this approval shall be null and void at the expiration of said period. Mr. Walsh, Chairman, declared the motion is carried and the foregoing resolution adopted. It will go on to City Council with an approving resolution. 23352 It 1=1Ai Ei$=9=kik If)] LlL'ALI£S Erf 15 D411111&19=1 =11]1A7_\'(HTZS-1 EVI 1[0] Ms. Smiley, Secretary, announced the next item on the agenda, Petition 2006- 06-08-12 submitted by Lewandowski Engineers, on behalf of Marathon Petroleum Company, requesting approval of all plans required by Section 18.47 of the Zoning Ordinance in connection with a proposal to demolish and reconstruct the gas station (Speedway) located at 33405 Plymouth Road in the Northeast % of Section 33. Mr. Miller: This petition involves a request to demolish and reconstruct the existing gas station located on the southwest corner of Plymouth Road and Farmington Road. The proposed rebuild would also include the repositioning of the gas pumps. The subject site has 193 feet of frontage along Plymouth Road and measures 200 feel along Farmington Road. Abutting the property to the west is a Big Boy Restaurant. Behind this site to the south is an office building. To the east, across Farmington Road, is the Sheldon Commercial Center. Directly to the north, across Plymouth Road, is another gas station. Kitty comer to the northeast is a Walgreens Pharmacy that is part of the Fountain Park development. The new proposed convenience store/gas station would be positioned more towards the southwest comer of the site and would face Plymouth Road. The building would be one-story in height and 3,936 square feet in size. Vehides would enter or exit using one of the four driveways, two off Plymouth Road and two off Farmington Road. The plan meets the parking space requirement of 18 spaces. The Zoning Ordinance requires all parking spaces to be a minimum len (10') feet in width by twenty (20') feel in length. All the proposed parking spaces for this Speedway are striped at only nine (9') feet in width by eighteen (18') feel in length. Because the spaces are deficient in size, a variance would be required from the Zoning Board of Appeals. The submitted site plan shows that all of the gas pumps would be moved and lined up along the Plymouth Road side. No gas pumps would be located on the Farmington Road side. One large canopy, measuring about 120 feet along Plymouth Road, would cover all 20 gas pumps. Metal beam type columns would support the proposed canopy. In the past, the City has required these support columns to be brick. When this was explained to the petitioner, he stated that he believed that having brick columns would take away from the building. This site falls in the Plymouth Road Development Authority's jurisdiction. The landscape plan shows that the PRDA's decorative slreelscape would remain untouched and incorporated into the site's landscaping theme. Proposed landscaping equals 24% of the zaasa site, which exceeds the landscape requirement of 15%. The proposed station would be constructed out of brick on all four sides. A band of windows would run along the front elevation and wrap around partway across the east elevation. The main entrance would consist of a two -door system surrounded by full- length windows. The front elevation, as it is shown on the elevation plan, would have two ice containers and two propane exchange cages setting out in front of it. Ice containers are permitted if they are located within 10 feet of the building. The propane apparatus would require a separate waiver use approval. The building would have a shingled peaked roof. The back of the roof would have a roof well. The petitioner is also requesting approval for wall signage. This site already has two existing ground signs that are incorporated in the PRDA's streetscape walls. These two signs would remain as is. They are allowed to have 100 square feet of wall signage, which would include the building and the pump island canopy. They are proposing five wall signs at 156 square feet. They would have a 40 square fool electric reader board on the building, which is shown on the plans, a Speedway sign on the west and east elevation of the canopy, and then two logo signs would be located on the south and north facade of the canopy. They exceed the sign ordinance by 56 square feel; therefore, a variance would be required from the Zoning Board of Appeals. Mr. Walsh: Is there any correspondence? Mr. Nowak: There are four items of correspondence. The first item is from the Engineering Division, dated July 10, 2006, which reads as follows: 'Pursuant to your request, the Engineering Division has reviewed the above -referenced petition. We have no objection to the legal description contained therein. There are no additional right-of-way requirements for this site and ws have no other objections." The letter is signed by James Zoumbaris, Superintendent of Public Service. The second letter is from the Livonia Fire & Rescue Division, dated June 21, 2006, which reads as follows: "This office has reviewed the site plan submitted in connection with a request to demolish and rebuild the gas station on property located at the above referenced address. We have no objections to this proposal." The letter is signed by Andrew C. Walker, Fire Marshal. The third letter is from the Division of Police, dated July 6, 2006, which reads as follows: We have reviewed the plans in connection with a proposal for Speedway located at 33405 Plymouth Road. The intersection of Plymouth and Farmington is a high traffic crash location in our city. Some of the crashes are as a result of vehicles making a left tum from this location onto westbound Ma Plymouth Road. We would request that Speedway install 'No Left Tum 3 p.m. — 6 p.m.' at both exits onto Plymouth Road. This will assist in reducing crashes." The letter is signed by David W. Studl, Sergeant, Traffic Bureau. The fourth letter is from the Inspection Department, dated July 10, 2006, which reads as follows: "Pursuant to your request of June 19, 2006, the above -referenced petition has been reviewed. The following is noted. (1) This site in the past provided 'free air' per Council direction but currently does not. We suggest that if Commission and/or Council wish this to continue to add the cunent fee air stipulation. (2) This site will need a variance for deficient number of parking spaces. They are lacking the required spaces for employees. The spaces must also be redrawn to the required 10 feet wide by 20 feet deep dimensions and double striped. (3) It appears that this site was granted two ground signs by virtue of several zoning variances from the 1970's (710350, 740657, 7410-113, 7807-104). One of the conditions from 7807-104 is that 20 square feet of window signage is allowed or 60 square feet of wall area for incidental advertising. What is now proposed exceeds the sign ordinance and conditions of the previous grant. By cunent standards, this petitioner would be allowed 100 square feet maximum of wall, window, canopy and fascia signage; however, they are now limited to 60 feet by the previous grant. This petitioner needs to seek a variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals to have signage as proposed. This Department has no further objections to this petition." The letter is signed by Alex Bishop, Assistant Director of Inspection. That is the extent of the correspondence. Mr. Walsh: Is the petitioner here this evening? Good evening. Troy Barman, Lewandowski Engineers, 234 North Erie Street, Toledo, Ohio 43624. Good evening. I'm representing Speedway. This site will be requesting the two variances and we have made changes in the plan to provide free air for the site, addressing those issues brought to our attention. The variances that we would like to move forward with are parking variance and the signage variance. Mr. Walsh: Are there any questions forthe petitioner? Ms. Smiley: Are you talking about making the parking spaces 10 feet by 20 feet and then being short on parking spaces? Mr. Barman: Yes. Ms. Smiley: Okay. Thank you. 23355 Mr. Walsh: Are there any additional questions? Mr. LaPine: Could you tell me what the reader board is? Mr. Barman: The reader board is just a backlit sign. It's not an electronic sign. It's just a backlit sign with manual changed letters that you put in to say, milk on sale, $1.42 a gallon, or something. Mr. LaPine: Is this sign on the outside and you open up the glass and you change the letters or is it done from the inside? Mr. Barman: Itwould be done from outside oflhe building. Mr. LaPine: And why do you need that? I mean is it that important? Mr. Barman: Its for the customers that are fuelling at the pumps to know what's going on inside the store, to remind them if they need milk on the way home. Mr. LaPine: Okay. The next question I have is, the ice machines you have outside. You have very large refrigeration on the inside of the building. Why can't that ice be kept on the inside? Why does it have to be on the outside and clutter up the outside of the building? Mr. Barman: We Ike to have our ice containers on the outside for a couple issues. One, a safety issue. Typically, if you go into a gas station and you're buying ice, you're buying six bags, not one bag. And people dragging six bags of ice through a C store is going to make the floor wet. We like to keep any of the dripping ice outside if at all possible. The other thing is convenience for the customers. You pull up right to the ice chests. You can unload the ice right into your vehicle, so there's the convenience factor also there. We do fill up the refrigeration units inside with different merchandise. Mr. LaPine: Okay. Lel me ask you this now. They go into the convenience store; they purchase the ice. Correct? Mr. Barman: Correct. Mr. LaPine: And most of the stations I've been to, these outside ice containers are locked. So somebody has to come out and unlock them and take out the ice. Is that correct? Is that the way it operates? 23356 Mr. Barman: Yes. We have Bred here with Operations. Mr. Walsh: Sir, ifyou could please step forward, that would be great. Mr. Barman: This is Brad with Speedway. He's Operations Manager for this area. Bred: We do lock them in areas where there's high theft issues, but we do not require them to be locked. Mr. LaPine: So honest is your policy. Is that right? Brad: I'm sorry? Mr. LaPine: Once he buys his bags of ice, he goes out and picks them up. You assume the guy is going to take six bags, and 99 percent of the people, that's all they will take, is six. Brad: Yes, sir. Mr. LaPine: Now the propane bottles you want to sell. You have to gel a special permit for that. Now, why do you need that? Brad: Just another convenience to the customer. They can easily come up to grab propane for their barbeque grill. We haw an exchange program where we will take empty bottles and provide them with full ones. Mr. LaPine: Let me ask one more question about the reader board. If we allow the reader board, will you agree to not have any signage at all of any kind on the windows? Mr. Barman: We have another gentleman here from Marathon. Travis Moore, Marathon Petroleum Company, LLC, 539 South Main, Findlay, Ohio 45840. You say get rid of all the signage other than the reader board, torted, on the windows? Mr. LaPine: On the windows. Mr. Moore: I think that would be a decision for the Regional Director and Regional Manager to decide on. That's something definitely we can take back to them and see if they would consider that. Mr. LaPine: Because I'm inclined not to allow the reader board if you're going to have signs in every window like most gas stations 2335] have. If we are willing to give you the reader board, eliminate all the signage in the windows. Mr. Moore: Isn't the window signage limited to like a certain percentage though? Isn't it like 20 percent or something? Mr. La Pine: You're absolutely right, but the reader board is not a permitted sign. So we would eliminate the reader board and then you can have your 20 percent in the windows. That's my thinking. Maybe the rest of the members don't think that way. Mr. Moore: We definitely can take it back to management and see what they say about that. Mr. La Pine: Okay. Mr. Alanskas: To the gentleman in the while shirt, in the last few years when we've had new stations come up, we make sure the columns are all made out of brick. Have you had a chance to address that yet? Mr. Barman: Yes. We've discussed that with Scott. We have two issues with a brick canopy. We want to make the canopy columns as invisible as possible. As you're driving past the site, we want you to see through the canopy columns and see the building. We note that on sites with large brick canopy columns at the front, it looks like a secondary building at the front, as opposed to what we try to achieve as something to look through. The other item that we have with brick canopy supports is vehicle damage, cars hitting them doing damage now to brick masonry, whereas the steel posts are much smaller. You can protect them quite a bit easier than the full brick canopies. Mr. Alanskas: But they look so much better. Question number two is, why don't you want to have any pumps on the Farmington Road side like you used to have? Mr. Barman: Just layout for getting cars in and out of the site and gas stations take on quite a bit of traffic. You cant overcrowd them. You want to get cars in and out smoothly. You've got to get a tanker in and out smoothly. You've got to get pedestrians in and out smoothly. There are a lot of dynamics. Mr. Alanskas: But don't you believe that having the pumps strictly on Plymouth Road would give you more traffic? zaasa Mr. Barman: Having the pumps strictly on Plymouth Road gives us more traffic? Mr. Alanskas: Yes. Right now, you have pumps facing Plymouth Road, but if you had some on the side on Farmington Road, that would be less traffic, wouldn't it? Mr. Barman: We don't have quite the depth on the Farmington side that we have on the Plymouth Road side. We definitely need extra depth to gel between the centerline of a pump and the next parking space by the building and the cenledine of a pump to the curb. Gas stations, we have to keep those things nice and large. We want nice and easy maneuvers for cars, easy maneuvers for tanker vehicles. We want to get the people in and out as easily as possible. Mr. Alanskas: The question I have is, because you're so close to Plymouth Road, if you have people putting gas in their vehicles, there is no room for stacking cars, is there? Mr. Barman: Typically, we like to design the pumps so you aren't stacking cars. Mr. Alanskas: You've got two on each side. Correct? Mr. Barman: There is a pump on each side, correct. Mr. Alanskas: All right. Thank you very much. Mr. Morrow: I just want to comment on the ice machines. 1, as one commissioner, would liked to see the ice machines inside the building, but I will defer to your experience as the best service to your customers and you can manage it on the outside. As far as the propane sales, I only know of one request that we've had by a prior service station to have the propane sales, and we denied that. As one commissioner, I would like to see that not part of your operation. It may be something you will have to lake back to your people in Findlay. Mr. Barman: If its a strong feeling of the Commission to have outside propane sales removed, that is something we can agree to tonight, as opposed to the ice. But the propane, if it is the Planning Commission's desire to have that removed from the site, we can remove the propane. Mr. Morrow: Well, that would be my desire. There is precedent for it and I guess what I'm saying is, you cant predict the future but it could 23359 begin to open up Pandora's box all around the city. Pretty soon every gas station is competing for propane in addition to their normal product sales. Thirdly, I didn't see the inside of the building. I'm assuming you have restrooms that are available to your customers. Mr. Barman: Yes. Mr. Morrow: Is that a unisex? Mr. Barman: Men and women. Mr. Morrow: Men and women. Thank you. That's what I was hoping. Mr. Wilshaw: I have a number of concerns, too, with the clutter in general around the building. You have a very attractive looking building and then you see the ice container, the propane cages, you're going to have a free air pump, which is good. I also see on the site plan there was mention of a coin operated vacuum. Is that still in the works? Mr. Barman: That is still in the works to have a coin-operated vacuum. Noise levels of them nowadays are down to basically your natural urban background noise. I brought along a couple handouts here regarding the vacuums. They roughly run about 58 decibels at a distance of 30 feet away. If you look on the chart I passed out, 58 decibels is close to a busy office sound. Mr. Wilshaw: Are you concerned about clutter from traffic? You're going to have someone at the free air pump, someone at the vacuums. Mr. Barman: We can put those off to the side. And that would be at the top of the site plan away from the building so it's not cluttering up the building area. Mr. Wilshaw: Okay. I also see on this particular site plan over by the dumpsters, it looks like there's three doors there. Is this two dumpsters and a storage or what is this third door? Mr. Barman: Yes, two dumpster and a storage. For landscape we need some yard tools and that kind of stuff out there. Mr. Wilshaw: So that's going to be a shed? Mr. Barman: Yes. za3so Mr. Wilshaw: Okay. I also have a number of questions about the canopy. I, like Mr. Alanskas, tend to like the brick pillars on the canopies. I think ft's a IifUe more attmctive than just a metal pole. But I do have a number of questions in regards to the canopy. There is a stripe that goes around the lop of the canopy and also around the lop edge of your building at the roofline. Are those illuminated stripes or are theyjust red stripes? Mr. Barman: Just stripes. Mr. Wilshaw: Okay. And also with the canopy, is there going to be a fire suppression system hanging from the canopy that's visible to the naked eye or is that all on top of the canopy? Mr. Barman: Lel me check with my design person. Mr. Moore: First of all, I have a question for you all. Is fire suppression required here in the City of Livonia? Mr. Walsh: Mr. Taormina, can you address that? Mr. Taormina: I don't know what the requirements are in terms of any external fire suppression systems, but I know what Commissioner Wilshaw is referring to and we don't see those around. I'm guessing that its not a requirement throughout the community. I think his question was whether or not d was the practice of Speedway or Marathon to include that with your new facilities. Mr. Moore: We hadn't intended on it. Mr. Wilshaw: Okay, because I see some gas stations that have all these red tanks hanging down there and, again, it clutters up the view. The other question I had then was, you don't have any problems with the "no left turn" signs that the Police Department suggested? Mr. Barman: No. The "no left turn 3 to 6"? We can comply with that without a problem. Mr. Wilshaw: Okay. And I do see the brick sample. Is that a building sample there? Mr. Barman: This is the Speedway standard brick colors that we have. Mr. Wilshaw: The roof would be a dark gray shingle or something along those lines? 23361 Mr. Barman: Yes. Mr. Walsh: Are there any otherquestions? Mr. Shane: You intend to ask for a variance for the parking space numbers? Mr. Barman: Yes. We will go to the 10'x 20'. Mr. Shane: How many parking spaces will you be short? Mr. Barman: The mostwe will lose is one. Mr. Shane: Oh. Okay. Mr. Barman: On the side we can make up that space. Just in the front of the building, we may lose one there. So it would be just a variance of one. Mr. Shane: Okay. The other issue I have is, I would like to see the pump island supports in brick. I heard what you said. I know what Marathon's position is, but my position is that I would like to see those brick and that's what I would approve if I were to make a resolution. Mr. La Pine: Just one more question. The convenience store - are you just selling pop and milk? Do you sell any alcohol beverages of any type? Mr. Barman: I would have to refer to Operations. Brad: We will notbe selling any alcohol. Mr. LaPine: Do you sell sandwiches and things of that nature? Brad Yes, we have hot breakfast and lunch sandwiches. We have a deli case with prepackaged sandwiches. Mr. LaPine: Do you have sealing inside where people can eat inside? Brad No. Mr. LaPine: Okay. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Alanskas: Al this particular location, whalwould the hours be? Mr. Barman: 24 hours a day. 23362 Mr. Alanskas: Seven days a week? Mr. Barman: Yes, sir. Mr. Alanskas: Okay. You want to put these vacuum stations in and you want to put the propane in and you want to put the ice outside. You're trying to put a lot on this particular site. I would think that if you didn't have those vacuum stations, you wouldn't have a parking problem as far as parking spaces. You might consider removing that. Mr. Chairman, if there's no more questions ... Mr. Walsh: I do want to take an opportunity to go out to the audience. Mr. Alanskas: Okay. Mr. Morrow: Just one question as it relates to the brick columns. If you were to put the brick colors in there, were you saying that it could be a problem as it relates to turnings? I don't know the space requirements. Mr. Barman: It's not so much of a problem, but it's easier to protect the smaller steel columns from getting hit. The larger brick, when those gel hit, they do some pretty decent damage to them. You have to get a brick mason out there to repair them. That is something that if the Planning Commission desires to add as a condition of this approval ... Mr. Morrow: I guess where I'm coming from, like I say, I can't really see the space and how it relates to cars, but I guess I wouldn't want the pillars damaged and people wouldn't want their cars scraped either. That was just my thought on that. Mr. Barman: Its just maneuvering. As cars comes in and out, like I say, we try to make it as big as possible for the cars to maneuver in and out without any interference. But no matter how big you make it, somebody is always going to swing wide or do something, and eventually the column is going to gel lapped. Mr. Morrow: Okay. Thank you. Mr. Alanskas: I just have one more question. The lights under the canopy - are they recessed? Mr. Barman: They are flat lens lights. Mr. Alanskas: They dont protrude? 23363 Mr. Barman: Correct. Mr. Taormina: Mr. Chairman, if I may? Mr. Walsh: Yes. Mr. Taormina: I have a question for the petitioner through the Chair. Have you investigated the requirement for a stormwater management detention system on site? It is a requirement of the County for redevelopment. Mr. Barman: We will meet any requirements for stormwater. Our engineers will review that with the county engineers. Mr. Taormina: Even if it requires a buried stormwater detention system ... Mr. Barman: Any stormwater quality or stormwater volume that is required by the engineers, that is what we will meet. Mr. Taormina: Itwould be required in this instance. Mr. Walsh: Okay. Thank you. Thank you for your presentation. Is there anybody in the audience that wishes to speak for or against this petition? Seeing no one come forward, a motion is in order. Mr. Alanskas: Because we have five different issues that we are still looking at, I think we should table this and have the petitioner come back with a revised site plan at a determined date. Mr. Walsh: We have a motion to table. Is there support? There is support by Mr. Wilshaw. Under Robert's Rules of Order, under which we operate, there is no further discussion. I have to go straight to a vote. On a motion by Alanskas, seconded by Wilshaw, and unanimously adopted, it was #07-65-2006 RESOLVED, that the City Planning Commission does hereby table Petition 2006-06-08-12 submitted by Lewandowski Engineers, on behalf of Marathon Petroleum Company, requesting approval of all plans required by Section 18.47 of the Zoning Ordinance in connection with a proposal to demolish and reconstruct the gas station (Speedway) located at 33405 Plymouth Road in the Northeast % of Section 33. Mr. Walsh, Chairman, declared the motion is carried and the foregoing resolution adopted. This will be tabled until a point when you contact our 23364 Planning Department and work out an opportunity to come back onto our study session to address these issues. Mr. Barman: I appreciate your time this evening. Mr. Walsh: Thank you. kill ViFa l 9 =k 0Y0[QkJlpjljlj r II9�QrS�K�]AJ�:7[K.1 Ms. Smiley, Secretary, announced the next item on the agenda, Petition 2006- 06Sh401 submitted by Euko Design, on behalf of the Comerica Operations Center, requesting approval of wall signage for the high-rise office building located at 39200 Six Mile Road in the Southwest % of Section 7. Mr. Miller: The Comerica Operations Center is requesting approval of two wall signs for their four-story office building located on the north side of Six Mile Road between Haggerty Road and Fox Drive. This facility is Comerica Bank's critical intersection for electronic and paper transfer of all transactions conducted throughout Comerica's 500 -plus customer service locations. Immediately to the north is the Marketplace commercial center, which is part of the ongoing College Park development. Right in front of this site, adjacent to the intersection, is a gas station. To the east, across Fox Drive, are the Marriott Residence Inn and the Laurel Park West Assisted Care facility. One of the proposed wall signs would be located on the south elevation near the southwest corner of the building. This sign would face Six Mile Road. The other wall sign would be located on the west elevation near the southwest comer of the building. This sign would face Haggerty Road. Both signs would be attached to the very top edge of the elevation's fourth floor, just under the roofline. Both signs would be 146 square feet each for a total of 292 square feet. This building is allowed one wall sign at 100 square feet. So they are one wall sign and 192 square feet over what they are allowed by the sign ordinance. Therefore, a variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals would be required. The petitioner has explained that the reason behind the oversize signs is visibility and perception. They believe that signage needs to be extra large in order to be seen. They also believe if the signs were made smaller they would look out of balance and not in scale with the building. Mr. Walsh: Is there any correspondence? 23365 Mr. Nowak: There is one item of correspondence from the Inspection Department, dated June 30, 2006, which reads as follows: "Pursuant to your request of June 6, 2006, the above - referenced petition has been reviewed. The following is noted. (1) This site is allowed one wall sign with a maximum of 100 square feet. Any additional number of signs and any excess square footage will require a variance(s) from the Zoning Board of Appeals. This Department has no further objections to this petition." The letter is signed by Alex Bishop, Assistant Director of Inspection. That is the extent of the correspondence. Mr. Walsh: Are there any questions for the staff? Seeing none, would the petitioner step forward? Thomas Chubb, Project Manager, Comenca Incorporated, 3501 Hamlin Road, MC2220, Auburn Hills, Michigan 48326. And Euko Signs ... Eugene Diachenko, Euko Design Signs, Inc., 24849 Hathaway, Farmington Hills, Michigan 48335. Mr. Walsh: Is there anything you'd like to add? Mr. Chubb: We're passing out a handout. There was discussion as far as us proposing a 100 square fool sign versus the 146 square fool, and there is a photograph illustrating the comparison between the two to understand the increase in square footage does not actually affect the readability. Mr. Diachenko: If you don't mind, I would like to go through what the purpose of Comerica is in going forward with this request for variance. Basically, this is a four-story building. It is a large office building as you are very aware. It is at the corner of Six Mile and Haggerty. This building has different angles to the elevations and as we were trying to look at this, we realized that none of the faces face directly towards Haggerty or face directly towards Six Mile. Comerica is undergoing a program trying to identify their buildings right now. Because of the setback, because of the amount of space that it has along Six Mile and along Haggerty, because of the gas station that sits at the corner, and as we all know, that's a very busy corner and it seems to be getting busier and busier. They would like to properly identify the building as people drive by. Are we getting feedback? Mr. Walsh: Yes, I'm not sure why. They might be adjusting it in the back. Mr. Diachenko: Basically, again, it's because it somewhat faces Six Mile and somewhat faces Haggerty. As people are trying to come to this 23366 building, and there's a lot of business meetings here, there's a lot of people pulling in there, and you know that there's things going on with traffic lights and left turns and the parking and the shopping center across the street to be able to identify the building. Aesthetically, we have found that the 146 square fool is more readable. It is not as readable with the 100 square fool as you are driving by as you are trying to see that. We do want to assure that people can identify the building. I think another point to be made, which I think cannot be overlooked, is that there is a number of other banks now in the area. They are now building the high rise office on 275, TCF is. And they're building a Franklin Bank just to the north of us. There's the bank across the street. There's a bank just down Six Mile, I think on the Northville side. And I think it's very important to Comerica to identify itself and that's what they are doing in a number of the communities. I think the bottom line, though, is to realize the way this building sits and the setbacks and the angles, which I think are attractive, that it requires a little bit larger sign. You can see it aesthetically fits on the building. Again, if you're driving down Six Mile, there is not a side that faces directly on Six Mile and there is not a side that faces directly on Haggerty. I think its aesthetically pleasing for the building. Its just more difficult for us to do signage, and that's why we're asking for the variance. Mr. Wilshaw: You're correct that there are a number of banks in the area, and there's certainly Rock Financial. As you mentioned, there are ones right on the comer, that type of thing. None of which has a sign that is over 100 square feet in size. Is that something that you could accept or is thatjust completely out of the question? Mr. Diachenko: I cant speak for the bank in that it's out of the question. There has been a lot of discussion over this building. Its a very busy building. I think you know that. And it is very important to the bank to try and aesthetically put the appropriate signage on there. We do understand that Livonia's requirement is 100 square fool. I think it would be more difficult. I don't think it would be as readable, and I think it would be very difficult especially if it were only one sign. Mr. Wilshaw: I certainly don't begrudge the fact that because this is on a corner with two major roads that two signs is not unreasonable, but in looking at buildings in the area, such as Rock Financial over in Laurel Park on the other side of the freeway, they have a 95 square fool sign that is over almost 100 feet further away from the roadway than your building is and it's quite readable. The other Quicken Loans facility up in Victor Park is 80 some 2aas7 square feel and is very readable. And we have, of course, TCF Bank, which is going to be coming to the city once their building is complete looking for signage. So this would set something of a precedent for them to also decide what signs they like. So I kind of like the 100 square foot, and I think 100 square fool per sign, giving you a total of 200 square feet, seems reasonable. Mr. Diachenko: Itseems reasonable. Mr. Wilshaw: Okay. Mr. Morrow: I guess I'm familiar with the signs that Mr. Wilshaw was talking about. I guess where I was coming from was I see you're adding "bank" to your sign and maybe the fella from Euko Signs could address this. Perhaps one of the reasons for having a larger sign is the number of letters and the readability of the bank because now you've added four more characters plus space, which I can't recall what Quicken looks like or Rock, but they dont seem to have the same number of characters in that sign. I know you're trying to stress that you're a bank. In the old days, we used to have NBD, Manufacturers, you know a couple savings and loans, and that was it. And we all know that NBD became Comenca and then you incorporated Manufacturers. So now you've got a lot of competton and I think you're trying to say now you're a bank. Our younger generation would probably wonder what Comerica is. Mr. Diachenko: Actually, part of the signage program is in the Metropolitan Detroit but it's also in the out state. As the bank moves further out, not everybody knows that Comerica is a bank, and also it is to try and have something across the nation. I always bangs up the fact that if you watch Dallas hockey, you're going to see the trapezoid on the boards. And basically, all of the signage moving forward is having the word "bank" put on it, which does make the Comenca letters become somewhat smaller. There is that balance between readability from a distance and the importance of putting "bank" and this comes down from a CEO after a lot of discussion meetings with marketing and the determination. It is because of competition and it is as they're expanding. Obviously, in Livonia, I live very near here, is that we're all very familiar with the trapezoid, the blue trapezoid and the Comerica bank. Mr. Morrow: I think you kind of anchored the growth along 275 when you made your first expansion out here. 23368 Mr. Diachenko: Yes. I was involved moving the people in originally into the building before they added the other addition. Mr. La Pine: Doyou know how many square feetthis building is? Mr. Diachenko: I certainly should. But I realize that I don't want to be incorrect, but I do believe that each floor of the two floors of the addition are in excess of 70,000 square feet and each floor is 50,000 square feel of the four floors that there are there. Mr. La Pine: So it's one of our largest buildings in the city. Mr. Diachenko: I think it's the largest. Mr. La Pine: Probably one of the top taxpayers in the city and you've been here for many years and never came in and asked for anything as far as I know except for that addition you put on before you had the underground. The only argument that somebody could say, well, why does it have to say "Comerica Bank" because you're not really dealing with the general public because it's not a banking facility where people go in to draw out money and take out loans. But you do have a lot of people that come here, like you say, for meetings from different parts of the city, different parts of the stale even. Mr. Diachenko: Different parts of the country. The operation center, there's more and more obviously corporate meetings that take place here. Mr. La Pine: So I don't think it's unreasonable for a taxpayer who has been with the city as long as you have and as big a building you have, it's all occupied by one firm, to ask for what you're asking for and 1, as one commissioner, have no objection to it. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Wilshaw: How many employees do you have working at that facility? Mr. Diachenko: There are multiple shifts there. In corporate America, they're constantly changing. I do believe there is approximately 1,300, but the thing is that there are different shifts there. Mr. Wilshaw: Okay. And you do get a fair number of visitors each day as well. Mr. Diachenko: Yes. The visitors are, again, mostly corporate meetings. It is primarily employees. And that is correct, this is not a regular banking institution but there is a lot of business there that takes place, people coming from the airport, people coming from 2aass different parts. And again, living here, that's a very busy comer. You don't want to drive by the driveway and be slowing down putting your foot on the brake looking for the building. Mr. Wilshaw: You do have two monument signs as well that identify your building. Mr. Diachenko: Yes. Mr. Wilshaw: Which are quite visible. Mr. Diachenko: They're obviously lower. They could be enlarged in size, but we did not even think of asking for that because it was more important, I think, to have the signage on the building so that as you're coming down Haggerty and as you're coming down Six Mile in either direction you can identify the building. Mr. Wilshaw: Okay. Mr. Alanskas: I tend to agree with Mr. LaPine. Look at 100 square feel and 146. There's a big difference in looking at that sign, and like Mr. LaPine said, its a big building. It's one of our best, and I have no problem with 146 square feet. Thank you. Mr. LaPine: Can the one sign facing Six Mile be seen from traffic coming south on the expressway? I don't think so, can it? Mr. Diachenko: No. Not at all. Mr. LaPine Not at all. Mr. Diachenko: No. It cannot be seen from the expressway at all. Mr. LaPine: Thank you. If I may say, that's one of the advantages TCF is going to have. They're right along the expressway. They'll probably have a sign that will be visible from the expressway. Thank you. Mr. Walsh: Is there anybody in the audience that wishes to speak for or against this petition? Seeing no one, a motion would be in order. On a motion by Morrow, seconded by Alanskas, and adopted, it was #07-66-2006 RESOLVED, that the City Planning Commission does hereby recommend to the City Council that Petition 2006 -06 -SN -01 submitted by Euko Design, on behalf of Comerica Incorporated, Myo requesting approval of wall signage for the highrise office building located at 39200 Six Mile Road in the Southwest %of Section 7, be approved subject to the following conditions: 1. That the Sign Package submitted by Euko Design — Signs, as received by the Planning Commission on June 5, 2006, is hereby approved and shall be adhered to; 2. That no LED lighlband or exposed neon shall be permitted on this site including, but not limited to, the building or around the windows; 3. That any additional signage shall come back before the Planning Commission and City Council for their review and approval; 4. That this approval is subject to the petitioner being granted a variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals for excess signage and any conditions related thereto; and, 5. That the specific plans referenced in this approving resolution shall be submitted to the Inspection Department at the time the sign permits are applied for. Mr. Walsh: Is there any discussion? Mr. LaPine: You do have a 24 hour operation there, do you not? Mr. Diachenko: Yes. I obviously picked up on the hour after closing. Mr. La Pine: Yes. Mr. Diachenko: Typically, that would be lit once it is dark, and it is regular fluorescent tubes in there and this is a lit sign. We would have to address that with the appropriate people in Livonia on how you would like us to proceed with that. Mr. LaPine: So you would prefer to have it lit up 24 hours a day? Mr. Diachenko: Basically, yes. Mr. LaPine: Especially in the wintertime with people coming in early. Mr. Diachenko: People come in early. People also come in there on the midnight shift loo. M71 Mr. LaPine: Well, I have no problem with it lit 24 hours, but I don't know what the other members think. Mr. Walsh: Are there any comments from the maker and supporter? Mr. Morrow: I guess this is something that didn't come up before. I knew it was a 24 hour operation but I wasn't aware that the people that would be coming there .... but I guess there's no difference during the day or night, you still want it seen. I guess I would not have a problem with that. Mr. Alanskas: We always say that the signs must be turned off one hour after closing, but if it's 24 hours a day, you wouldn't turn it off. So I have no problem with it being on all the time. Mr. Walsh: So it is acceptable to Mr. Morrow and Mr. Alanskas that we delete condition 2. Mr. Morrow: Right, that we don't make reference to the hours. Mr. Walsh: Then the motion would stand with all items mentioned with the exception of item 2. Is there any further discussion? I would like to just add that I'm going to join what appears to be a majority and support this. I pass this building every day. I work at Schoolcmft College. Its a beautiful building. We're proud to have you here in the city and having your name up in lights just adds, I think, to the fact that we show we're hospitable to businesses and we're proud to be a partner with you. Mr. Diachenko: Comerica does understand that. They really do. It is appreciated, and I will carry that back to the appropriate people. Mr. Wilshaw: I just wanted to comment that I will not be supporting the resolution just because of the size of the signs. I do think that two 100 square fool signs would be reasonable, although in no way does that reflect my views of Comerica. I think you're an excellent employer, an excellent corporate citizen, and Ithink the signs will look nice on the building one way or another. Mr. Diachenko: Thank you. Ms. Smiley: I just want you to know that I dont want you to feel pressured to move the Tigers out here. We'll lake a vole? Mr. Walsh: Yes. A roll call vote on the foregoing resolution resulted in the following: M72 AYES: Morrow, Alanskas, LaPine, Shane, Smiley, Walsh NAYES: Wilshaw ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: None Mr. Walsh, Chairman, declared the motion is carried and the foregoing resolution adopted. It will go on to City Council with an approving resolution. ITEM #5 PETITION 2006-05-0241 VAN MASTERS (KFC) Ms. Smiley, Secretary, announced the next item on the agenda, Petition 2006- 05-02-11 submitted by Van Masters requesting waiver use approval to construct a full-service restaurant (Kentucky Fried Chicken) with drive -up window facilities at 29060 Plymouth, located on the north side of Plymouth Road between Haller Avenue and Camden Road in the Southwest''/. of Section 25. Mr. Taormina: Mr. Chairman, do we first need a motion to remove this from the table? Mr. Walsh: Yes, we do need a motion. On a motion by Alanskas, seconded by Shane, and unanimously adopted, it was #07-67-2006 RESOLVED, that the City Planning Commission does hereby recommend that Petition 2006-05-02-11 submitted by Van Masters requesting waiver use approval to construct a full service restaurant (Kentucky Fried Chicken) with drive -up window facilities at 29060 Plymouth, located on the north side of Plymouth Road between Haller Avenue and Camden Road in the Southwest'''/ of Section 25, be removed from the table. Mr. Walsh, Chairman, declared the motion is carried and the foregoing resolution adopted. Mr. Taormina: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As you remember, we tabled this item at the June 13" meeting to allow the applicant to address a number of issues that were raised at the public hearing. A couple of those items were operational issues, for example, the hours of operation as well as the time that the trash removal would occur at the site. In addition, there were a number of site plan issues. Many of these were items brought to our attention by a representative of the Lutheran Homes of Michigan, which is 233]3 immediately adjacent to this site to the north. The petitioner has responded to those concems. We had a chance to review those changes at the study session. I believe your packet this evening also includes a letter from the nursing home representative thanking the applicant for making those changes, and I will go over them quickly. The two issues that were addressed in the letter included the hours of operation and the trash pickup, but it also included widening the landscape area at the north end of the property and the addition of a fence that would go along the property line and wrap around the corner slightly that would match the fence that's already at the nursing center. This would provide additional screening and buffering for the residents that are relatively close to the rear property line in this area. Additionally, there was some landscaping provided along that side of the property and along the west property line. In fact, some of the nice pine trees that exist along the front of this site, which is vacant, will be transplanted and moved to the back of the property to supplement the buffering along the north side adjacent to the residential area. The speaker volume will be restricted. There will be an opportunity to adjust that volume so that it does not provide any nuisance to the adjoining residents. The light fixtures will all be shielded and the height of the pole -mounted lighting along the north end of the property has been lowered. The maximum height there will be 16 feet as opposed to our normal standard of 20 feet. The lighting fixtures closer to Plymouth Road will be 20 feet, but the ones to the rear again would be 16 feet. Additional landscaping would be provided along Plymouth Road frontage that would be consistent with the streetscape design formulated by the Plymouth Road Development Authority. Also, the wall sign has been modified. There were two images, one facing east and one facing south. The one facing east has been removed so the wall sign now complies with the ordinance. And lastly, the ground sign was altered to conform to the ordinance. However, I think it was understood that because this petitioner was willing to voluntarily construct the design piers and fencing along the frontage of the property, that there would be an exception by the Planning Commission allowing for one additional foot of height for the ground sign. Thank you. Mr. Morrow: You might also add, I didn't hear Mark say it, but we did also request input from the Plymouth Road Development Authonty and we have a letter to that effect. Mr. Taormina: Yes, that is correct. 233]4 Mr. LaPine: Mark, in the motion, condition 12 says that two parking spaces shall be designated for drive-lhru usage. What does that mean? Mr. Taormina: That's a special requirement. Mr. LaPine: I thought we had a line where they could pull in and pull out. Is that right? Mr. Taormina: Yes, and that's what that is. Two additional spaces are available for that purpose on the site plan. Mr. La Pine: I wasn't sure what that meant. Thank you. Mr. Walsh: Are there any other questions for the staff? Then we'll go to the petitioner. I know they are in the audience. They wailed throughoutthe other items. Good evening. Troy Chonlos, DCJA Architects, Inc., 30600 Northwestern Highway, Suite 102, Farmington Hills, Michigan 48334. Good evening. I really would just like to go to any questions you may have. Mr. Taormina touched on everything I was going to say. Mr. Walsh: Are there any questions for the petitioner? No questions? Mark, before we move on, I have recollection that there was a request for a seven day waiver but I didn't see anything in the material. Mr. Taormina: I'm glad you remembered that. If we could include that as a separate resolution this evening, lhalwould be appreciated. Mr. Walsh: All right. We will do so. There was no objection from the Council on that request, but I didn't see any material and I wanted to make sure of it. Mr. Taormina: I apologize for that. Mr. Walsh: No problem. Well, if there is no discussion, is there anybody in the audience wishing to speak for or against this item? Okay. We have a representative from Lutheran Homes. Mr. LaPine: I just have one more question. I'm looking through the resolution. Did we establish any time limit on when they open in the morning and how late they're open at night? Mr. Taormina: I don't believe the approving resolution includes any conditions relative to the hours of operations. That was something that was indicated in our discussions previously, and was 233]5 understood by the Commission and the adjoining property owner as being acceptable, but we did not incorporate that into a special requirement. Mr. LaPine: Is Mr. Masters here so he can tell us what the hours of the operation will be? Jay Brown, Facilities Director, Van Masters Management, Inc., 22114 Telegraph, Southfield, Michigan 48034. Initially, the first meeting when we were up here, there were hours asked of what our current operation was, and that we closed at 10:00 p.m. We're looking at 11:30 p.m., midnight for closing, opening at 1030 in the morning. Mr. LaPine: 11:30 p.m. to midnight. Mr. Brown: 10:30 in the morning. Mr. LaPine: You open at 10:30 a.m.? Mr. Brown: And close at midnight. Mr. LaPine: Is that going to be seven days a week? Mr. Brown: Yes, and close at midnight. We had talked to Patti at the Lutheran Home next door and she was quite happy to hear that because she has a shift change that comes in at, I think, 11:30 or quarter to 12, that they would have the opportunity to get some dinner before their shift started. So she was kind of glad to hear that also. Mr. LaPine: Well, what are the hours of operation of the one on Farmington Road? Mr. Brown: Right now I believe the Plymouth Road restaurant is closed at 10:30 p.m. Mr. LaPine: They close at 10:30 at night? Mr. Brown: Yes, but that is not a drive thru. Mr. LaPine: So the drive thru is open or the whole operation is open? Mr. Brown: No, normally the drive thru would only be open until midnight. Mostly standard procedures are that the lobby is open until probably around 10:00 p.m. depending on the time of the year, and then the drive-thru would remain open until midnight. 23376 Mr. LaPine: Okay. Thank you. Mr. Walsh: Are there any other questions? Then a motion would be in order. Mr. Wilshaw: I would be happy to make an approving resolution. This is a nice looking building and you've done a nice job of meeting the requests that we've had and that the Lutheran Homes have had and the PRDA, so I'd be happy to make this approving resolution. On a motion by Wilshaw, seconded by Alanskas, and unarimously adopted, it was #07-68-2006 RESOLVED, that pursuant to a Public Hearing having been held by the City Planning Commission on June 13, 2006, on Petition 2006-05-02-11 submitted by Van Masters requesting waiver use approval to construct a full service restaurant (Kentucky Fried Chicken) with drive -up window facilities at 29060 Plymouth, located on the north side of Plymouth Road between Haller Avenue and Camden Road in the Southwest % of Section 25, the Planning Commission does hereby recommend to the City Council that Petition 2006-05-02-11 be approved subject to the following conditions: 1. That the Site Plan marked Sheet 1 of Job No. 0542 prepared by DCJA Architects, dated June 27, 2006, as revised, is hereby approved and shall be adhered to; 2. That the landscaping shown on the above -referenced Site Plan, including the brick piers and simulated wrought iron fencing as depicted on the Pier/Iron Fencing Detail, is hereby approved and shall be completed in accordance with said plan; 3. That all planted materials required in connection with this waiver use approval shall be installed to the satisfaction of the Inspection Department and thereafter permanently maintained in a healthy condition; 4. That all disturbed lawn areas shall be sodded in lieu at hydroseeding; 5. That underground sprinklers shall be provided for all landscaped and sodded areas regardless of size; 23377 6. That the maximum number of customer seats shall not exceed 60 seats; 7. That the Exterior Elevation Plans marked Sheets 4 and 5 of Job No. 0542 prepared by DCJA Architects, both dated June 27, 2006, as revised, are hereby approved and shall be adhered to; 8. That the brick used in the construction shall be full -face 4 -inch brick, no exceptions; 9. That all rooftop mechanical equipment shall be concealed from public view on all sides by screening that shall be of a compatible character, material and color to other exterior materials on the building; 10. That the refuse enclosure shall be constructed of brick to match the building and shall have steel gates which, when not in use, shall be closed at all times; 11. That all parking spaces shall be double striped and all accessible spaces shall be marked and signed properly; 12. That two (2) parking spaces shall be designated for drive- thru usage; 13. That light pole heights shall be as specified on the above referenced Site Plan and all light fixtures shall be aimed and shielded so as to minimize stray light trespassing across property lines and glaring into adjacent roadway; 14. That the approval of wall signage, subject to the granting of any needed variances by the Zoning Board of Appeals and any conditions related thereto, includes the following. - One (1) wall sign at 35 square feel with the "Colonel's face" graphic; - Illuminated cupola lower; 15. That no LED lighlband or exposed neon tubing shall be permitted on the building nor shall the awnings be backlit; 16. That the ground sign depicted in the detail provided on the above -referenced Exterior Elevations Plan marked Sheet 5, to be at a height no higher than seven (7) feet, is hereby approved, subject to the granting of a variance M78 by the Zoning Board of Appeals for excessive ground sign height and any conditions pertaining thereto; 17. That any additional signage beyond that which is permitted under Conditions #14 and #16 above, either freestanding or wall mounted, shall be separately submitted for review and approval by the Planning Commission and City Council; 18. That the landscaped greenbelt along the westerly 40 feel of the north property line, as shown on the above - referenced Site Plan, is hereby accepted and shall be substituted for the prolective wall required by Section 18.45 of the Zoning Ordinance; provided, however, that any change of circumstances in the area containing the greenbelt resulting in a diminution of the greenbelts effectiveness as a protective barrier, the owner of the property shall be required to submit such changes to the Planning Commission and City Council for their review and approval or immediately construct the protective wall pursuant to Section 18.45; 19. That the specific plans referenced in this approving resolution shall be submitted to the Inspection Department at the time of the application for the building permits; 20. That this approval shall incorporate the stipulations and requirements contained in the letter dated June 27, 2006 from the Executive Director of the Plymouth Road Development Authority; 21. That a six (6) fool high vinyl fence shall be installed on the northerly portion of the subject property as depicted on the above -referenced Site Plan; 22. That the hours of operation shall be limited to the time period between 10:30 a.m. and midnight, seven days a week; and 23. Pursuant to Section 19.10 of Ordinance #543, he Zoning Ordinance of the City of Livonia, this approval is valid for a period of one year only from the date of approval by City Council, and unless a building permit is obtained and construction has commenced, this approval shall be null and void allhe expiration ofsaid period. 23379 Subject to the preceding conditions, this petition is approved for the following reasons: 1. That the proposed use complies 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 Ordinance #543; 2. That the subject site has the capacity to accommodate the proposed use; and 3. That the proposed use is compatible to and in harmony 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 amended. Mr. Walsh, Chairman, declared the motion is carried and the foregoing resolution adopted. It will go on to City Council with an approving resolution. Mr. Wilshaw: Mr. Chair? Mr. Walsh: Yes. Mr. Wilshaw: I'd also like to make a motion for a seven day waiver. On a motion by Wilshaw, seconded by Shane, and unanimously adopted, itwas #07-69-2006 RESOLVED, that the City Planning Commission does hereby determine to waive the provisions of Section 10 of Arficle VI of the Planning Commission Rules of Procedure, regarding the effectiveness of a resolution after the seven-day period from the dale of adoption by the Planning Commission, in connection with Petition 2006-05-02-11 submitted by Van Masters requesting waiver use approval to construct a full service restaurant (Kentucky Fried Chicken) with drive -up window facilities at 29060 Plymouth, located on the north side of Plymouth Road between Haler Avenue and Camden Road in the Southwest % of Section 25. Mr. Walsh, Chairman, declared the motion is carried and the foregoing resolution adopted. 23380 ITEM#6 APPROVAL OF MINUTES 926'" Regular Meeting Mr. Walsh, Chairman, announced the next item on the agenda, Approval of the Minutes of the 926"' Regular Meeting held on May 30, 2006. On a motion by La Pine, seconded by Smiley, and unanimously adopted, ilwas #07-70-2006 RESOLVED, that the Minutes of 926" Regular Meeting held by the Planning Commission on May 30, 2006, are hereby approved. A roll call vote on the foregoing resoluton resulted in the following: AYES: LaPine, Smiley, Alanskas, Morrow, Walsh NAYS: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: Shane, Wilshaw Mr. Walsh, Chairman, declared the motion is carried and the foregoing resoluton adopted. On a motion duly made, seconded and unanimously adopted, the 928" Regular Meeting held on July 11, 2006, was adjourned at 9:05 p.m. CITY PLANNING COMMISSION Carol A. Smiley, Secretary ATTEST: John Walsh, Chairman