HomeMy WebLinkAboutPLANNING MINUTES 2009-09-22MINUTES OF THE 986TH PUBLIC HEARINGS AND REGULAR MEETING
HELD BY THE CITY PLANNING COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF LIVONIA
On Tuesday, September 22, 2009, the City Planning Commission of the City of
Livonia held its 986" Public Hearings and Regular Meeting in the Livonia City
Hall, 33000 Civic Center Drive, Livonia, Michigan.
Mr. Lee Morrow, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Members present: Deborah McDermott R. Lee Morrow Lynda Scheel
Ashley Vartoogian Carol A. Smiley Joe Taylor
Ian Wilshaw
Members absent: None
Messrs. Mark Taormina, Planning Director; At Nowak, Planner IV; and Ms. Marge
Watson, Program Supervisor; were also present.
Chairman Morrow informed the audience that if a pefifion 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 pefifion is approved or denied. The Planning
Commission holds the only public hearing on a request for preliminary plat and/or
vacating pefifion. 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 pefifion requesting a waiver of use or site plan approval is denied tonight, the
petitioner has ten days in which to appeal the decision, in writing, to the City
Council. Resolutions adopted by the City Planning Commission become
effective seem (7) days after the date of adoption. The Planning Commission
and the professional staff have reviewed each of these pefifions upon their fling.
The staff has furnished the Commission with both approving and denying
resolutions, which the Commission may, or may not, use depending on the
outcome of the proceedings tonight.
ITEM#1 PETITION 2009-08-01-01 MASOUD SHANGO
Ms. Smiley, Secretary, announced the first item on the agenda, Petition 2009-08-
01-01 submitted by Masoud Shango requesting to rezone
property at 13820-13840 Merriman Road and 31281 Schoolcraft
Road, located at the south side of Schoolcraft Road east of
Merriman in the Northwest 1/4 of Section 26, from OS to C-2.
Septamber 22, 2009
25104
Mr. Taormina presented a map showing the property under petition plus the
existing zoning ofthe surrounding area.
Mr. Morrow: Is there any correspondence?
Mr. Nowak: There is one item of correspondence from the Engineering
Division, dated September 14, 2009, which reads as follows: 7n
accordance with your request, the Engineering Division has
reviewed the information received associated with the above -
referenced petition. The legal description submitted is incomect.
There is a 1.18' error in closure, which will have to be resolved
by a licensed surveyor. In reviewing his, the surveyor should
also check the legal description for the adjacent comer parcel to
the west, 13820-13840 Merriman Road. The description for this
parcel is also in conflict with the description provided by the
petitioner. This rezoning involves two addresses. The address
range for the comer parcel is 13820 through 13840 Merriman
Road. The adjacent parcel to the east is 31281 Schoo/craft. To
assist the surveyor in preparing a correct legal description, the
City of Livonia website has property information including legal
descriptions for parcels. The City web site address is
www.ci.livonia.mi.us. We trust that this will provide you with the
information requested." The letter is signed by Kevin G. Roney,
P.E., Assistant City Engineer. That is the extent of the
correspondence.
Mr. Morrow: Do we have any questions for the staff? Before I call the
petitioner up, as the Director indicated, the zoning is the only
thing before us tonight, and he is sharing his future site plan
with us. I have no problem with the Commission sharing their
thoughts on the site plan and the proposed waiver use, but we
are going to try to confine it as much as possible to the zoning
portion of it. On that, I'll ask is the petlioner here? If we could
have your name and address for the record.
Brian Devlin, 31736 West Chicago, Livonia, Michigan 48150.
Mr. Morrow: Thank you. Is there anything you'd like to add to the
presentation thus far?
Mr. Devlin: No, I think Mark did a very nice job. We just believe that this is
a good use for this particular building. It's a small building. It's
not suitable really for a large office, and it does comply with the
Master Plan for the City of Livonia. So that's why we're trying to
place a retail development there. Also, the site plan tries to
address the concerns that City Council had previously.
Mr. Morrow: Thank you. Commission, any questions of this petitioner?
September 22, 2009
25105
Mr. Taylor:
You say that you think that this plan will satisfy he Council. It
didn't do it before, and there's no passing lane. You're short on
parking, and I just dont quite understand that much difference in
this plan other than the driveway. I have no problem with the
zoning. I have to clear that out, with the C-2 zoning. I have no
problem with that, but I think you're trying to gel a little too much
on this site for that particular zoning and that particular site
because you're actually going to be asking to waive parking.
You're going to be asking to waive the outer lane so if
somebody gels in that lane, the backup lane, they can't gel out.
They'd have to go all the way around. I would hope that the
Council would maybe give this first reading and lake a look at a
better plan than what you have as far as I'm concerned. I just
dont think your site is big enough for what you want to do here.
The C-2 zoning is not a problem. I understand that. Its a
connection and it's a step down. Normally zoning is C-3, C-2 or
C-1 and then down into either residential or M1. I have no
problem with that, but I don't think your plan is what I could
approve on the Planning Commission. Thank you.
Mr. Morrow:
Thank you, Mr. Taylor. Any other comments or questions?
Mr. Wilshaw:
Just a quick question for Mr. Taormina. Is the petitioner correct
in staling that the Future Land Use Plan calls for this to be
commercial?
Mr. Taormina:
Actually, the Future Land Use Plan shows it as being industrial,
which is intended to be general and not necessarily follow
property lines. What existed there previously was an office use.
The commercial designation on the Future Land Use Plan
basically ends at the parcel description for the Merriman Road
address, which is 13820 Merriman.
Mr. Wilshaw:
Okay. Thank you. That's what I thought but it's a minor point. I
just wanted to mention that. I agree with Mr. Taylor, just so you
know where I stand, Mr. Devlin. I think the zoning is fine. I think
C-2 makes sense, but the conceptual plan as presented to us
has a lot of flaws and I think needs some work. If this happens
to go forward, I hope we can work together and come up with a
plan that makes sense. Thank you.
Mr. Devlin:
Thank you
Mr. Morrow:
Any other questions or comments? So basically what we're
doing is, we will be acting on the zoning. My comment would be
with the C-2 zoning, it opens up a lot of other uses, plus it
affords him the possibility of requesting a waiver in conjunction
September 22, 2009
25106
with the restaurant that he has there. So if there's no other
comments or questions, I'm going to go to the audience to see if
there is anyone that would like to speak for or against the
granting of this petition? Seeing none, Mr. Devlin, do you have
any other comments on that?
Mr. Devlin: No. Just that we understand that this is still a conceptual plan,
and we would like to work with the City to make something work
at this Iocafion.
Mr. Morrow: We understand that. On that note, I will close the public hearing
and ask for a motion.
On a motion by Taylor, seconded by Scheel, and unanimously adopted, it was
#0936-2009 RESOLVED, that pursuant to a Public Hearing having been
held by the City Planning Commission on September 22, 2009,
on Petition 2009-08-01-01 submitted by Masoud Shango
requesting to rezone property at 13820-13840 Merriman Road
and 31281 SchoolcraR Road, located at the south side of
SchoolcraR Road east of Merriman in the Northwest 1/4 of
Section 26, from OS to 02, the Planning Commission does
hereby recommend to the City Council that Petition 2009-08-01-
01 be approved for lhefollowing reasons:
1. That the proposed change of zoning is consistent with the
existing zoning on other similarly situated properties in the
vicinity of the SchoolcmR Road and Merriman Road
intersection;
2. That the proposed change of zoning will not be detrimental
to the surrounding land uses in the area;
3. That the proposed change of zoning will provide for the
orderly and efficient development and use of the subject
property in a manner that will be complementary to the
existing development on the adjacent property to the west;
and
4. That the proposed change of zoning will provide
opportunities for a greater variety of uses to serve the area
as well as the City as a whole.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that notice of the above hearing was
given in accordance with the provisions of Section 23.05 of
Zoning Ordinance #543, as amended.
September 22, 2009
25107
Mr. Morrow, Chairman, declared the motion is carded and the foregoing
resolution adopted. It will go on to City Council with an
approving recommendation.
ITEM#2 PETITION 2009-08-06-03 DISTRICT REGULATIONS
Ms. Smiley, Secretary, announced the next item on the agenda, Petition 2009-
08-06-03 submitted by the City Planning Commission, pursuant
to Council Resolution #338-09, and Section 23.01(a) of the
Livonia Zoning Ordinance, as amended, proposing to amend
Section 3.08 of Article III of the City of Livonia Zoning Ordinance
so as to prohibit any uses that are contrary to federal, state or
local laws or ordinances.
Mr. Taormina: Council Resolution #338-09 refers to and requests that the
Planning Commission conduct a public hearing regarding a
proposed amendment to Section 3.08 of the Zoning Ordinance.
The proposed language is at the request of the City Law
Department and is intended to clarify and strengthen the
regulations that are applicable to all zoning districts. The law
would prohibit any uses that are contrary to federal, stale or
local laws or ordinances. Section 3.08, in part, would now read:
"Each district, as created in this article, shall be subject to the
regulations contained in this ordinance. Uses not expressly
permitted are prohibited." And then the new language would
read: "Uses for enterprises or purposes that are contrary to
federal, state or local laws or ordinances are prohibited." Thank
you.
Mr. Morrow: Thank you. Mr. Nowak, is there any correspondence?
Mr. Nowak: There is no correspondence associated with this petition.
Mr. Morrow: No correspondence. Because the Planning Commission is the
petitioner, I'll go straight to the audience. Is there anybody in the
audience that wishes to speak for or against the granting of this
petition? Seeing no one coming forward, I will close the public
hearing and ask the Commission for a motion.
On a motion by Wilshaw, seconded by Vartoogian, and unanimously adopted, it
was
#0937-2009 RESOLVED, that pursuant to a Public Hearing having been
held by the City Planning Commission on September 22, 2009,
on Petition 2009-08-06-03 submitted by the City Planning
Commission, pursuant to Council Resolution #338-09, and
September 22, 2009
25108
Section 23.01(a) of the Livonia Zoning Ordinance, as amended,
proposing to amend Section 3.08 of Article III of the City of
Livonia Zoning Ordinance so as to prohibit any uses that are
contrary to federal, stale or local laws or ordinances, the
Planning Commission does hereby recommend to the City
Council that Petition 2009-08-06-03 be approved for the
following reasons:
1. That the proposed language amendment will expressly
prohibit uses for enterprises or purposes that are contrary
to federal, stale or local laws or ordinances;
2. That the proposed language amendment will clarify and
strengthen the district regulations of the Zoning Ordinance;
and
3. That the proposed language amendment is in the best
interests of the City and its residents.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that notice of the above hearing was
given in accordance with the provisions of Section 23.05 of
Zoning Ordinance #543, as amended.
Mr. Morrow, Chairman, declared the motion is carried and the foregoing
resolution adopted. It will go on to City Council with an
approving recommendation. Let me add that this concludes the
public hearing portion of our agenda. We will now move on to
the miscellaneous items.
ITEM #3 PETITION 2009-08-08-06 PLYMOUTH PLACE PLAZA
Ms. Smiley, Secretary, announced the next item on the agenda, Petition 2009-
08-08-06 submitted by API - Plan Design Build, L.L.C.
requesting approval of all plans required by Section 18.58 of the
Zoning Ordinance in connection with a proposal to remodel the
exterior of the commercial center (Plymouth Place Plaza)
located at 34706-34730 Plymouth Road, on the north side of
Plymouth Road between Stark Road and Belden Court in the
Southwest'''/ of Section 28.
Mr. Taormina: This properly is located in the Southwest 1/4 of Section 28,
which is a square mile that is bounded in part by Plymouth Road
to the south, Farmington Road to the east, and SchoolcraR
Road and 1-96 Expressway to the north. This is property
located on the north side of Plymouth Road between Stark
Road and Belden Court. Its actually right at the northwest
September 22, 2009
25109
corner of Pnscilla Lane and Plymouth Road. The parcel is
currently zoned G1, Local Business. Immediately adjacent to
the site to the north are single family homes located within the
Alden Village subdivision. Immediately to the west is a vacant
retail building that was formerly occupied by Aaron's Lease
Furniture, and further to the west of that is a FedEx Kinko's
building. Both of those properties are also zoned G7, Local
Business. To the east across Priscilla Lane is a Budget Rent-A-
Car facility, which is zoned G2, General Business. Directly to
the south across Plymouth Road is the former New Car
Alternative dealership. The petitioner is proposing a number of
changes mostly to the exlenor of the south facade which faces
Plymouth Road. As you can see from this photograph, the
existing exterior finish consists of bnck on the lower portion of
the building, as well as standing seam metal awnings on the
upper part of the building. These metal awnings would be
completely removed and the upper one-half of the building
would be replaced with an EIFS or a dryvit. This is a rendering
of what the new building would look like. There would be five
split -face block columns that would be added to the front of the
building that would mostly be used to accent some of the offsets
on the building. These five columns, which you can see here,
would project about 8 to 10 inches from the building and be 16
feet in height. They would contain a decorative cap somewhat
similar in design and color to a decorative cornice that would be
installed along the lop portion of the parapet. The lower portion
of the building, which currently is brick, would remain. The west
side of the building, which is painted block, would be repainted
to match the color of the brick. There are no improvements
proposed for the back side of the building or the north elevation.
This proposal involves additional work within the Plymouth Road
nghlof way mainly to improve the visibility of the shopping
center. The Plymouth Road nghl-0f-way, adjacent to not only
this site but the adjoining sites both to the east and west,
extends approximately 86 feel from the centerline of the road,
as opposed the customary 60 feet. So there is an additional 26
feet of area between the sidewalk and the parking lot that is part
of the public right-of-way. This area presently contains a 4 foot
high berth as well as several mature trees. What the petitioner
would like to do is lower the berm and remove the trees. This is
a profile view that shows how the improvements would be
undertaken. This is the existing berm here. This vehicle
represents the location of the parking lot of the shopping center.
This is the berm that is located within the public nghlof way,
and this is the sidewalk. This is the additional grass area
between the sidewalk and then the curb for Plymouth Road. So
this is Plymouth Road on the left hand side of the illustration,
with the parking lot for the shopping center located on the right
September 22, 2009
25110
hand side. You can see the berm and trees and the impact that
area has on visibility of the shopping center. So what the
petitioner would like to do is lower that berm and remove those
trees. In its place, he would install two PRDA-style entrance
monuments. These would consist of brick piers and ornamental
fencing, and they would be installed adjacent to the two
driveway approaches off Plymouth Road. He would also
propose certain changes to the existing monument sign by
incorporating the PRDA brick pier elements. There would be
landscaping added around the entrance to the monuments as
well as the sign. The PRDA maintained trees, which are
between Plymouth Road and the sidewalk, would remain. So
while you see this grouping of trees here located on the bene,
there is another row of trees that are located between Plymouth
Road and the sidewalk. Those trees would remain as is. The
PRDA has reviewed this petition. They reviewed it last
Thursday. They are supportive of the project, provided that the
petitioner pursues vacating the excess right-of-way. They have
also recommended that the parking lot be fixed. They are
suggesting that if there is any work to be done within the area
between the sidewalk and Plymouth Road with respect to those
trees, that it only involve trimming and that it be done under the
direction of the Executive Director of the PRDA or his designee.
Lastly, they want to make sure that the brick piers and fencing
matches that of what has been undertaken throughout much of
the corridor by the PRDA. Thank you.
Mr. Morrow: Is there any correspondence?
Mr. Nowak: There are several items of correspondence. The first item is
from the Engineering Division, dated September 14, 2009,
which reads as follows: "In accordance with your request, the
Engineering Division has reviewed the above -referenced
petition. It should be noted that the landscaping work shown is
adjacent to the Plymouth Road right -0f -way. Should any of your
work encroach upon the Plymouth Road right-of-way, a permit
will need to be obtained from the Michigan Department of
Transportation (MDOT). They are located at 6510 Telegraph
Road, Taylor, Michigan 48180. (313) 375-2400. The color
rendition of the landscape plan, which was included in the
packet, indicates a small future addition to the existing building.
It is my understanding that this future addition is not being
addressed as a part of this approval. Should the petitioner wish
to pursue this building expansion in the future, plans should be
sent to the Engineering Division for review. The range of
addresses for this parcel is 34706 through 34730 Plymouth
Road. We trust this provides you with the requested
Information." The letter is signed by Kevin G. Roney, P.E.,
September 22, 2009
25111
Assistant City Engineer. The second letter is from the Livonia
Fire & Rescue Division, dated September 9, 2009, which reads
as follows: 'This office has reviewed the site plan submitted in
connection with a request to remodel the exterior of the
commercial center on property located at the above -referenced
address. Me have no objections to this pmposal." The letter is
signed by Donald F. Donnelley, Fire Marshal. The third letter is
from the Division of Police, dated August 31, 2009, which reads
as follows: "We have reviewed the plans in connection with
Plymouth Place Plaza located at 34706,34730 Plymouth Road.
We have no objections or recommendations to the plans as
submitted." The letter is signed by David W. Studl, Sergeant,
Traffic Bureau. The fourth letter is from the Inspection
Department, dated September 16, 2009, which reads as follows:
"Pursuant to your request of August 24, 2009, the above -
referenced petition has been reviewed. The following is noted.
(1) The existing monument sign has a Zoning Board of Appeals
grant (8712-204) that allows for it to be located 12 feet into the
right-of-way for a deficient setback of 22 feet. The existing sign
appears to be located property in relation to the sidewalk. The
width of the right-of-way on the north side of Plymouth Road
changes in many different places to create this deficiency. (2)
The proposed right-of-way landscaping must be submitted and
approved by the Plymouth Road Development Authority. This
Department has no further objections to this petition." The letter
is signed by Jerome Hanna, Assistant Director of Inspection.
The next letter is from the Plymouth Road Development
Authority, dated September 18, 2009, which reads as follows:
"At the 212'" Regular Meeting of the Plymouth Road
Development Authority of the City of Livonia held on September
17, 2009, the board members reviewed the plans for the above -
referenced project. The Plymouth Road Development Authority
does hereby support the proposed plans as presented by API -
Plan Design Building L.L.C. in connection with a proposal to
remodel the exterior of the retail plaza (Plymouth Place) located
at 34706,34730 Plymouth Road, on the north side of Plymouth
Road between the Stark Road and Belden Court in the
Southwest X of Section 28, subject to compliance with all City
codes and ordinances and the Plymouth Road Development
streetscape components, as such may be modified by the action
of the Planning Commission and/or City Council." The letter is
signed by John J. Nagy, Executive Director. That is the extent
of the correspondence.
Mr. Morrow: Does the Commission have any questions of the staff?
September 22, 2009
25112
Mr. Taylor:
Through the Chair to Mr. Taormina. Mark, do we have an east
and a west end of the buildings that they're doing anything to?
A rendering? I didn't locale any in my packet.
Mr. Taormina:
I'll look to see ifwe have it on file.
Mr. Taylor:
Both of these ends are exposed to the public, and I would
suspect they probably are going to do something to them.
Mr. Taormina:
It is my understanding they are going to paint those already
painted block sections of the building to match the color of the
brick. So there's going to be some maintenance work to the
sides of the building, but I think that's limited only to painting.
The architect can address that. I'll check to see if we have any
plans that note that.
Mr. Taylor:
And they said that they're going to take down the berth for
exposure to the building, and I can understand that. They're
going to lake those trees down also.
Mr. Taormina:
Correct.
Mr. Taylor:
And they're going to plant other trees. What kind of trees are
those? I couldn't read them. It was loo small.
Mr. Taormina:
I want to say they were a variety of Honey Locust, but I'm going
to verify that and gel back to you.
Mr. Taylor:
Okay. Thank you.
Mr. Morrow:
Is the petitioner here this evening? We will need your name and
address for the record.
Keith Lutz, API
- Plan Design Build, L.L.C., 8445 Saginaw Street, Grand Blanc,
Michigan 48439. 1 am here on behalf of the owner of Plymouth
Plaza. The owner acquired this properly approximately five
months ago with the intent of revitalizing the properly to make it
more viable in lodays time. One thing I should mention, at the
PRDA meeting several of the members had comments just prior
to the meeting saying, where is this located? And that is one of
the main problems that this site has, that it is not very visible
and it's not very recognizable. Our petition is to not only
renovate the building and update the look, but also the
importance of redeveloping the rightof-way, so to speak, so that
the building is more viable and we bring new tenants, possibly
national tenants, to this development. In regards to Mr. Taylors
question about the east or west elevations, we did not submit
any other elevations. On the further outer ends, we have a new
September 22, 2009
25113
attached column that will be there. The column itself will wrap
the corner approximately three feet. Beyond that will be a
painted surface that's there now. There is a small area there
right in the center where the building does ... could we go to
the elevation rendering? On the feature area where I have the
KSI Kitchen, I know it's difficult to see, but it's approximately in
the center. That area there, the building actually goes back
another 20 feet, and the intent is to have that same look go back
on that east side towards Tubby's. So what you're looking at
there on the right side of where that column is where it says
KSI, that is a wall that's part of the building existing that will go
back an additional 20 feet with that same similar look with what
you see there on that arched feature.
Mr. Morrow: Are there any questions from the Commissioners for Mr. Lutz?
The one question I might have is relative to the sides of the
building, will that cornice go around in addition to the brick or will
that just be painted?
Mr. Lutz:
No. The cornice will stop at the column, and the rest will be
painted.
Mr. Morrow:
I just wanted to verify that. Thank you
Mr. Taylor:
Can you answer the question about the trees? I know you're
going to lake some down so you get exposure. Are you going
to plant more trees and then pretty soon your exposure is going
to be gone again?
Mr. Lutz:
Can we go to the site plan, please? The berm itself has
approximately 8 to 10 large trees.
Mr. Taylor:
I'm very familiar with that.
Mr. Lutz:
Those will all be removed. We were proposing two trees in
between Plymouth Road and the sidewalk be removed.
However, we discussed that at the PRDA meeting and those will
remain. There are five or six trees that are appropriate in size
that will still be there. As far as the berm goes, the only trees
that we are proposing will be at the two entrance gateways, one
each, which will be three inch Honey Maple trees, three inch
caliper. So we are significantly reducing what we can here to
obtain the visibility. However, there is still a significant amount.
Mr. Taylor:
I would like to tell you that from the first plan that we saw, this is
a 150 percent improvement. I mean at least it has some
architectural features to it where it's a much nicer looking plan.
Mr. Taormina: Yes. Actually, the letter from the Inspection Department I don't
believe referenced the parking lot improvements. It was the
PRDA discussion last week, and I think some of that was based
on their review of the photographs that were submitted. In
these photographs, you can see the condition of the parking lot
here. It's since been improved. Now, are there other areas that
may need patching? I dont know. That's something that will be
determined by the Inspection Department.
Mr. Morrow: Well, thanks for clearing that up because I was under the
impression that was found in the notes of the Inspection
September 22, 2009
25114
Mr. Lutz:
Thank you.
Mr. Taylor:
I congratulate you on that. Thank you
Ms. Vartoogian:
One of the correspondence mentioned the repaving of the
parking lot. Do you have any issues with that?
Mr. Lutz :
In fact, since acquiring the property, the owner has re -striped
the parking lot and made some improvements. The existing
condition, if it does not meet the acceptance of the Planning
Commission, we are open to revitalizing that as well. That's not
currently in the formal submittal in this petition though.
Ms. Vartoogian:
Okay. Thank you.
Mr. Morrow:
Do you know if the Inspection Department saw it before or after
you did some work on the parking lot?
Mr. Lutz :
I'm not aware of that. I don't know. Is there an issue?
Mr. Morrow:
They did make reference to it in their letter, and I was wondering
ifthey saw it before you did the actual work on it.
Mr. Lutz :
Okay.
Mr. Morrow:
Which if they saw it before, that would account for possibly
going along with it. If they saw it after, they still have some
concerns.
Mr. Lutz :
Okay. Most likely, they saw it after because I believe that it was
done a couple months ago. So they would have made that
comment after the owner made their improvements.
Mr. Morrow:
I have a question. Mr. Taormina, would this be something that
would be worked out when the Inspection Department looks at
the final plans?
Mr. Taormina: Yes. Actually, the letter from the Inspection Department I don't
believe referenced the parking lot improvements. It was the
PRDA discussion last week, and I think some of that was based
on their review of the photographs that were submitted. In
these photographs, you can see the condition of the parking lot
here. It's since been improved. Now, are there other areas that
may need patching? I dont know. That's something that will be
determined by the Inspection Department.
Mr. Morrow: Well, thanks for clearing that up because I was under the
impression that was found in the notes of the Inspection
September 22, 2009
25115
Department. But you point out it was the PRDA that was
Mr. Lutz: The lighting along the building will light the sidewalk out front
and the adjacent parking that is along there. It will be adequate.
Ms. Smiley: Okay. That was my question. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Mr. Wilshaw: I think Mark was already anticipating my question. Do you have
any material samples, color samples, that you can show us?
Mr. Lutz: This is it ughl here.
Mr. Wilshaw: Okay. Can you hold that up for the camera, and then tell us
whaleach color represents?
Mr. Lutz: The two samples on top here are the EIFS dry>it samples. The
lop one would be the EIFS hum, which is represented in the top
crown, comice portion, then also down at the arched feature
areas. Then this color would be the wall surfaces, the primary
color. Then these are the two proposed split -face block colors
that would be on the five attached columns.
looking at it. So I think that we resolved that issue.
Mr. Lutz:
That photograph is not representative of the existing condition.
That photograph was taken prior to ....
Mr. Morrow:
When I went out there to look at it, the parking lot didn't jump
out at me, and I noticed it had been re -stuped.
Mr. Lutz:
Yes.
Mr. Morrow:
So thanks for clearing that up.
Ms. Smiley:
I had a question about what kind of lighting or you're putting
lighting on the columns. Is that what the plan is?
Mr. Lutz:
Yes. I don't know if there's a slide for that, but we had
submitted a presentation board that had the light that we are
proposing on there. It is a wall scone -style.
Ms. Smiley:
The visibility is my big concem, that people know you're there
and that its safe in the evening, that its propedy lit but not
obnoxious or intrusive, but it would be good for you to have
some lighting.
Mr. Lutz:
There is ample parking lot site lighting.
Ms. Smiley:
Okay.
Mr. Lutz: The lighting along the building will light the sidewalk out front
and the adjacent parking that is along there. It will be adequate.
Ms. Smiley: Okay. That was my question. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Mr. Wilshaw: I think Mark was already anticipating my question. Do you have
any material samples, color samples, that you can show us?
Mr. Lutz: This is it ughl here.
Mr. Wilshaw: Okay. Can you hold that up for the camera, and then tell us
whaleach color represents?
Mr. Lutz: The two samples on top here are the EIFS dry>it samples. The
lop one would be the EIFS hum, which is represented in the top
crown, comice portion, then also down at the arched feature
areas. Then this color would be the wall surfaces, the primary
color. Then these are the two proposed split -face block colors
that would be on the five attached columns.
September 22, 2009
25116
Mr.Wilshaw:
Okay. That looks good. Thank you.
Mr. Lutz:
Do you want me to pass this around so you can see it closer?
Mr. Wilshaw:
I think you can give it back to Mark. That's fine.
Mr. Morrow:
Are there any other questions of the Commission? If you'll just
wail there a minute, Mr. Lutz, we'll see if anybody wants to
speak for or against the grenfing of this petition. Seeing no one
coming forward, if there are no other comments that you haw,
I'll ask for a motion.
On a motion by Scheel, seconded by Smiley, and unanimously adopted, it was
#0938-2009
RESOLVED, that the City Planning Commission does hereby
recommend to the City Council that Petition 2009-08-08-06
submitted by API — Plan Design Build, L.L.C. requesting
approval of all plans required by Section 18.58 of the Zoning
Ordinance in connection with a proposal to remodel the exterior
of the commercial center (Plymouth Place Plaza) located at
34706-34730 Plymouth Road, on the north side of Plymouth
Road between Stark Road and Belden Court in the Southwest
% of Section 28, be approved subject to the following
conditions:
1. That the Site Plan marked C1.1 dated September 15,
2009, as revised, prepared by API Plan -Design -Build,
L.L.C. is hereby approved and shall be adhered to;
2. That the modificafions to the right -0f way of this property,
including the landscaping, brick piers and ornamental
fencing elements and the lowering of the berm, shall be
resolved to the satisfaction of the Plymouth Road
Development Authority Executive Director;
3. That no trees shall be removed from the greenbelt area
located between the sidewalk and Plymouth Road;
4. That all disturbed lawn areas shall be sodded in lieu of
hydroseeding;
5. That the parking lot will be improved and re -striped to the
satisfaction of the Inspection Department;
6. That underground sprinklers are to be provided for all
landscaped and sodded areas and all planted materials
shall be installed to the safisfacfion of the Inspection
September 22, 2009
25117
Department and thereafter permanently maintained in a
healthy condition;
7. That the Exlenor Building Elevation Plan marked A1.1
dated September 10, 2009, as revised, prepared by API
Plan -Design -Build, L.L.C. is hereby approved and shall be
adhered to;
8. That all rooftop mechanical equipment shall be concealed
from public view on all sides by screening that shall be of a
compatible character, malenal and color to other exterior
materials on the building;
9. That only conforming signage is approved with this petifion,
and any additional signage shall be separately submitted
for review and approval by the Zoning Board of Appeals;
10. That no LED lighlband or exposed neon shall be permitted
on this site including, but not limited to, the building or
around the windows;
11. That the specific plans referenced in this approving
resolution shall be submitted to the Inspection Department
at the time the building permits are applied for; and,
12. Pursuant to Section 19.10 of Ordinance #543, the Zoning
Ordinance of the City of Livonia, this approval is valid for a
period of one year only from the dale of approval by City
Council, and unless a building permit is obtained, this
approval shall be null and void at the expiration of said
period.
Mr. Morrow: Is there any discussion?
Mr. Taylor: Mark, do you think it would be a good idea to put in an item that
said the parking lot will be improved and striped to the
satisfaction of the Inspection Department?
Mr. Taormina: That would be appropriate.
Mr. Taylor: I'd like to improve that if we could.
Mr. Morrow: Does the maker and supporter of the motion have any objection
to that?
Ms. Scheel: I have no objection.
Ms. Smiley: No objection.
September 22, 2009
25118
Mr. Wilshaw: I hate to keep picking at this approving resolution, but I noticed
that there is no condition that stales that any landscape areas
shall be sodded instead of hydroseeding and irrigated, which
would be typical of us to have in our approving resolutions.
Ms. Scheel: I have no objections to that. I'm fine with that.
Mr. Morrow: Do you have any objections?
Ms. Smiley: I have no objection.
Mr. Morrow: Thank you, Mr. Wilshaw. We'll add that.
Mr. Wilshaw: Thank you.
Mr. Morrow, Chairman, declared the motion is carded and the foregoing
resolution adopted. It will go on to City Council with an
approving recommendation. Thank you for coming and
improving the City.
Mr. Lutz Thank you.
ITEM#4 APPROVAL OF MINUTES 397TM SPECIAL MEETING
Ms. Smiley, Secretary, announced the next item on the agenda, Approval of the
Minutes of the 397"' Special Meeting held on August4, 2009.
On a motion by Taylor, seconded by Scheel, and unanimously adopted, it was
#0939-2009 RESOLVED, that the Minutes of 397"' Special Meeting held by
the Planning Commission on August 4, 2009, are hereby
approved.
A roll call vote on the foregoing resolution resulted in the following:
AYES: Taylor, Scheel, McDermott, Vartoogian, Wilshaw,
Smiley, Morrow
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Mr. Morrow, Chairman, declared the motion is carried and the foregoing
resolution adopted.
Sepkmber 22, 2009
25119
ITEM#5 APPROVAL OF MINUTES 985TM REGULAR MEETING
Ms. Smiley, Secretary, announced the next item on the agenda, Approval of the
Minutes of the 985"' Public Hearings and Regular Meeting held
on August 11, 2008.
On a motion by Scheel, seconded by Smiley, and unanimously adopted, it was
#09-60-2009 RESOLVED, that the Minutes of 985" Public Hearings and
Regular Meeting held by the Planning Commission on August
11, 2009, are hereby approved.
A roll call vote on the foregoing resolution resulted in the following:
AYES:
Scheel, Smiley, McDermott, Varloogian, Wilshaw,
Taylor, Morrow
NAYS:
None
ABSENT:
None
ABSTAIN:
None
Mr. Morrow, Chairman, declared the mo8on is carried and the foregoing
resolution adopted.
On a motion duly made, seconded and unanimously adopted, the 986" Public
Hearings and Regular Meeting held on September 22, 2009, was adjourned at
7:46 p.m.
CITY PLANNING COMMISSION
Carol A. Smiley, Secretary
ATTEST:
R. Lee Morrow, Chairman