HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRDA MINUTES 1996-10-17 MINUTES OF THE 43rd REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLYMOUTH ROAD
DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF LIVONIA
The 43rd Regular Meeting of the Plymouth Road Development Authority of the City of
Livonia,Michigan was called to order at 3:10 p.m., Thursday, October 17, 1996 in the 4th
Floor Conference Room of City Hall.
Members Present: Mayor Jack E. Kirksey
Mr. Mike Polsinelli
Mr. Stan Anderson
Mr. Donald Gelinas
Mr. Scott Grace
Mr. Dennis Kujawa
Mrs. Toni Mette
Mr. Lowell Peterson
Mr. Adelard Raby
Mr. Marvin Walkon
Mr. Jerry Wordhouse
Members Absent: Mr. Bill Pike (excused absence)
Others Present: Mr. Bob Bennett
Mr. Gerald Taylor, City Council
Stuart Fine, Architect for Allen Electric
James Albrecht, Professional Engineering Associates, Inc.
Larry Costakis, Crossland Inn
Todd Turner, Crossland Inn
Mr. John Nagy, Planning Director
Mrs. Jean Garvey, Secretary
1. Roll was called.
2. Adoption of October 3, 1996 Minutes: Ona motion duly made, seconded and
unanimously approved, it was
#96-44 RESOLVED that, the minutes of the 42nd Regular Meeting held by the
Plymouth Road Development Authority on October 3, 1996 are approved.
Mr. Polsinelli, Vice Chairman, declared the motion is carried and the foregoing resolution
adopted.
3. Comments from Chairman: No comments from the Chairman.
4. Stuart Fine-Allen Electric Supply Co.: Mr. Fine, architect for Allen Electric
(6.° Supply Co., was in attendance to present the plans for alterations to their building on the
north side of Plymouth Road west of Merriman. Their plans are to tear down the existing
storage building and replace it with a one-story office building for the use of their
salesmen. They also plan to upgrade the existing warehouse front and add landscaping on
the side. Mr. Allen stated they have already appeared before the ZBA for deficient
setback and have received approval from that board. They are to appear before the
Planning Commission and Mr. Allen stated they would appreciate support from the
PRDA. The members of the board were very pleased with the new building.
On a motion duly made by Mr. Peterson, seconded by Mr. Walkon and unanimously
approved, it was
#96-45 RESOLVED that, the Plymouth Road Development Authority does hereby
support Petition 96-9-8-17 by the Plymouth Investment Company to demolish
the existing one-story storage building of Allen Electric Supply Co. and replace
it with a new one-story office building in the same location.
Mr. Polsinelli, Vice Chairman, declared the motion is carried and the foregoing resolution
adopted.
5. Presentation on Crossland Inn: James Albrecht, Professional Engineering
Associates, Inc., and Larry Costakis and Todd Turner of Crossland Inns were in
attendance on behalf of the Crossland Inn. Mr. Costakis stated they had a proposal before
the Planning Commission and City Council to construct an extended-stay hotel called
Crossland Inn on Middlebelt Road behind the Office Depot that is located on the northeast
corner of Plymouth and Middlebelt. They then presented the plans for this hotel. The
board was interested in why this area was chosen for an extended-stay hotel. Mr. Todd
Turner, Vice President of Real Estate, responded the hotel was targeted for this area
because of the dense employment and they hope to have an 80%to 85% occupancy rate.
On a motion duly made by Mr. Raby and seconded by Mr. Anderson, it was
#96-46 RESOLVED that, the Plymouth Road Development Authority does hereby
support Petition 96-9-2-27 by Professional Engineering Association in
connection with the request to construct a Crossland Inns Hotel/Motel on the
east side of Middlebelt Road between Plymouth Road and the CSX Railroad in
the Southwest 1/4 of Section 25.
A roll call vote on the foregoing resolution resulted in the following:
AYES: Polsinelli, Mette, Gelinas, Raby, Peterson, Anderson,
Wordhouse, Kujawa
NAYS: Grace
ABSENT: Pike
ABSTAIN: Kirksey, Walkon
(kiri
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Mr. Polsinelli, Vice Chairman, declared the motion is carried and the foregoing resolution
adopted.
6. Reports from Committees:
George Burns Theater Committee: Mr. Raby reported that Bill Biddle of the
Macomb Community Theater was to be at today's meeting but had to cancel. Mr. Raby
will contact him again about appearing before the PRDA. Mr. Anderson reported at a
meeting of the committee it was suggested that a professional consultant be hired to
advise on the feasibility of operating the theater. Mr. Niedieck was working on an RFP to
present to the board. The committee felt the board should go this first step before taking a
position on the theater.
On a motion duly made by Mr. Raby, seconded by Mr. Peterson and unanimously
approved, it was
#96-47 RESOLVED that, the Plymouth Road Development Authority does hereby
authorize Rick Niedieck and/or John Nagy to prepare and send out RFPs on the
feasibility of operating the George Burns Theater, and then bring back the
proposals to the board for the purpose of executing a contract.
Mr. Polsinelli, Vice Chairman, declared the motion is carried and the foregoing resolution
firof adopted.
It was further determined that a list of potential users in Livonia and the
surrounding communities should be provided to the consultant.
Public Relations Committee: The possibility was brought up that possibly
Beckett&Raeder could put out some type of newsletter that could go to all businesses
along Plymouth Road or be inserted in the Observer. The Mayor also mentioned that the
City is working on two one-half hour cable shows on the Plymouth Road Development
Authority. This will start as a panel discussion and then the last 8 to 9 minutes there will
be interviews with people on Plymouth Road. The first showing will be on Wednesday,
November 6, at 7:00 p.m. on Channel 8.
Vacant Building Committee: Mr. Grace passed out a list of 16 vacant buildings
along Plymouth Road the committee has been collecting information on. He reported
some of the buildings have been partially leased leaving about 10 to 11 buildings the
committee will pursue and hopefully come back to the board with some type of proposal.
Update on current Plymouth Road projects:
The Mayor reported that the realignment of Milburn Avenue is a dead issue at this
fhle time. The City is negotiating a purchase of a portion of the property belong to Archie's
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Restaurant for future use. The Mayor stated the City would like to come back to the
Authority at a later date to see if the PRDA would help purchase this property.
Mr. Nagy reported on the following:
An offer is to be made to the City by Alan Tanski of the"New Car Alternatives"to
purchase the City-owned property at Laurel and Plymouth Roads. Mr. Tanski will be
making an offer of$200,000 for the property.
The Lutheran Homes of Michigan appeared before the Planning Commission
requesting approval to construct a nursing home on the property formerly occupied by the
Livonia Nursing Home. The Planning Commission made a recommendation to the City
Council that this petition be approved.
A new contract is being worked out with Beckett&Raeder for Phase II, and the
committee hopes to report back to the full board at the next meeting.
8. Polling of Board Members:
Mike Polsinelli read a copy of a letter written to City Council from the attorney
representing Al Tanski offering to purchase the property at 34602 Plymouth Road for the
sum of$200,000. Mr. Polsinelli also read a resolution passed by the City Council, #918-
96, whereby the City Council urges their elected representatives to support House Bill
(be 4821 which would allow up to fifty additional tavern liquor licenses to be issued for full-
service restaurants located in DDAs, TIFAs and shopping center districts. He then read
various letters written on behalf of the PRDA in connection with the Lutheran Homes of
Michigan petition to construct a nursing home on Plymouth Road.
Toni Melte asked if the Wendy's Restaurant at 28701 Plymouth Road was up for
sale. Scott Grace replied there was no sign on the property but his committee would write
a letter to the landlord.
Scott Grace stated in looking at the signage study he noted there was no signage
for Ann Arbor Road which he considered a major entrance. Mr. Grace further suggested
the PRDA could possibly co-sponsor special events such as ones taking place at the
Wilson Barn. Mr. Anderson replied he would work on that as part of the Public Relations
Committee and will take it up with the Wilson Barn Board, as he also sits on that board.
Mr. Grace further inquired as to what had happened with the letter that the PRDA had
written in connection with having left turn signals installed at Newburgh and Amrhein
Roads. Mr. Nagy responded the letter went to the Traffic Commission and there was no
action taken.
Lowell Peterson felt the PRDA should send a letter to the Wonderland Auto Wash
kle thanking them for upgrading their property. Mr. Nagy will send them a letter.
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Stan Anderson remarked that the Office Depot parking lot is finished and looks
good. He also stated that Media Play was doing a good job on their building.
9. Public Comment: Bob Bennett stated he had been at the showing at Mama
Mia's Restaurant and liked a lot of the ideas. One area of disappointment he wanted to
call to the attention of the board was the elimination at the southeast corner of Plymouth
and Middlebelt of the right turn island and also the possible addition of one at the
northwest corner. He believes it would help the traffic flow and open up the area. Mr.
Bennett felt the Authority should require Beckett &Raeder to at least examine it and put
it out for their comments and evaluation.
On a motion duly made by Mr. Walkon, seconded by Mr. Peterson and unanimously
approved, it was
#96-48 RESOLVED that, the Plymouth Road Development Authority does hereby
request Beckett&Raeder to further study the elimination of the right turn
island at the southeast corner of Plymouth and Middlebelt Roads and also the
possibility of adding a right turn island at the northwest corner of the same
intersection.
Mr. Polsinelli, Vice Chairman, declared the motion is carried and the foregoing resolution
adopted.
�✓ 10. Adjournment: On a motion duly made, seconded and unanimously adopted,
the 43rd Regular Meeting held by the Plymouth Road Development Authority of Livonia
on October 17, 1996 was adjourned at 5:02 p.m.
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JeaiGarvey, Secretary
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