HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRDA MINUTES 2000-02-17 (11,0 MINUTES OF THE 108TH REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLYMOUTH
ROAD DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF LIVONIA
The 108th Regular Meeting of the Plymouth Road Development Authority of the City of
Livonia, Michigan was called to order at 3:10 p.m., Thursday, February 17, 2000 at the Legacy of
Livonia restaurant, 34110 Plymouth Road.
Members Present: Mayor Jack E. Kirksey
Mr. Michael Polsinelli,Chairman
Mr.Jerry Wordhouse,Vice Chairman
Mr. Stan Anderson
Mr. Scott Grace
Mr. Dennis Kujawa
Ms. Toni Mette
Mr. Bill Pike
Mr. Adelard Raby
Mr. Duane Wolfgang
Mr. Rod Crider
Members Absent: Mr. Adelard Raby
Mr. Lowell Peterson
Mr. Marvin Walkon
Others Present : Mr. John J.Nagy, Director,P.R.D.A.
Mr. Mark Taormina,Planning Director
Mr. Joe Bars,Horizon Properties
Mr.Jack O'Reilly, SEMCA
Mr. Steve Schafer,Phoenix Development
Mrs. JoAnn Marshall,BRI
Mr. Scott Reinholt,BRI
Ms. Susan Annibal, Secretary
1. Roll was called.
2. Adoption of the February 3, 2000 Minutes: On a motion duly made, seconded and
unanimously adopted, it was
#2000-65 RESOLVED,that the Minutes of the 107th Regular Meeting held by the Plymouth Road
Development Authority on February 3, 2000 are approved.
Mr. Polsinelli,Chairman,declared the motion is carried and the foregoing resolution adopted.
3. Comments from Chairman: None at this time.
4. Horizon Properties: Mr. Joe Bars of Horizon Properties, 20400 Superior Road, Taylor, MI
48180, offered a presentation on the proposed SEMCA(Southeast Michigan Community
Alliance) Michigan Works! facility proposed to be located in the former Lasky
Furniture building. SEMCA's "One Call-One Stop" program provides job training and
placement opportunities for Wayne and Monroe County residents, with funding from
federal and state sources. Charlie Mahoney is the Vice Chair of the SEMCA's 43-
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member board. This location, however, will provide for residents of the northwest
quadrant of Wayne County, i.e., Livonia, Plymouth, and Northville areas. The proposal
consists of the renovation of the existing building at 29055 Plymouth Road, which will
be will be gray and white painted block and brick, with new double pane insulated glass
windows. This existing building is being renovated for a proposed educational/training
center and will be more costly to renovate than to build a new building. This is
SEMCA's first endeavor in Livonia, the building will feature complete renovation of the
north, west and east elevations of the building with a metal standing seam mansard roof
This material was selected for its durability. There will be a 3 ft. band of brick under the
windows, continuing along the sides. New brick will be incorporated on the building
front, new windows and accented with dryvit. Door locations would depend on the
tenant. There will be separate entrances for employees and customers. Discussion
included signage on the Garden side, as well as the Plymouth Road Elevation. Mark
Taormina, City Planning Director, reports that this item has been before the Planning
Commission and is scheduled to go to City Council this month. Landscaping will be
added, and will be coming back through the Planning process for review. The building
was already landscaped along the Plymouth Road frontage, and the petitioner proposes
to provide additional landscaping. Part of this proposal is the construction of a parking
lot on property located at 28905 Plymouth Road (across the street). Unfortunately, the
building is landlocked between Garden and a car wash along the side, with an existing
wall between the building and residential. There is existing space for 35 vehicles in the
parking lot on site. The request for additional parking across the street has been before
the ZBA and has been granted approval for 19 spaces. Although 9' spaces were
proposed, ZBA required 10' spots in its approval for the additional parking spots.
Existing parking spaces will be restriped. Board members were happy to see the
prospect of a revitalized building on this site Pursuant to a Clements Circle
Homeowners Association meeting recently, a real concern is the parking space proposed
for across the street. Presently, it was a grass area which is reasonably well maintained;
the well-maintained lawn was most appreciated in the neighborhood. If that area is to be
used for a parking lot, it should be something the residents can be proud of Parking on
the additional lot would be used strictly by employees; existing parking would be for
customers. There are a lot of pedestrians in this area, and many will be walking to catch
the bus there. Related to a buffer between the facility and the residential neighborhood,
a 5' to 6' wall was presently in place. Mr. Jack O'Reilly, Director of SEMCA, was
introduced as the new tenant for the former Lasky property and described the entity as
the work force development board for all of Wayne and Monroe Counties, except for the
City of Detroit. Residents from Redford and Livonia would qualify for this program.
No Detroit residents are served by this location. SEMCA offered coordination of
training and placement via a statewide system and job registry targeted for the physically
disabled, the developmentally disabled who have to work, as well as others who are
unemployed, utilizing the internet and available computers to search out available jobs
and job qualifications with funds provided by federally and state sources for tuition.
Professionalism is stressed by SEMCA for all employees. No wages are paid; no checks
issued on site. Mr. Anderson is the representative of the homeowners along the Corridor.
Due to a recent article in the Livonia Observer on this proposal, many calls have been
received from residents on Karen, Garden and Oxbow. Apparently, phraseology is
quoted to include, "remedial education" and "paroled felons." The concern was that
"paroled felons" might be parking next to the adjoining residential area. Mr. O'Reilly
quickly responded that the program involving paroled felons was very limited and only
run in Monroe and Monroe County, with the clarification that people in trouble with the
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( courts would not be serviced at this facility. Mr. Pike had been on a similar board in
fir+ Livingston County administering a similar type program which, in his opinion, works
well. It provides jobs for a lot of people and is also doing a tremendous amount of good.
Business owners are to be commended for hiring these employees. Mr. O'Reilly invited
Mr. Anderson to bring some of the residents in for an overview of the facility and
resources available to those qualified for the program,they can get on the internet,too to
see what skills are required for a particular position. SEMCA already belongs to the
Livonia Chamber of Commerce. Employers were desperate for workers, but at present it
is a job seeker's market. This is an Office Services use and a federal program. The
government could redirect how the program works. Although some changes could be
made this July, Mr. O'Reilly didn't expect any change, at all. In the next four years,
we'd know. Ongoing training, a remediation program and an office skills type training
program were in existence at two other facilities. Nothing was offered in the industrial
line of work. Currently there were no paroled felons in the Monroe County program; in
two years, there might be. The first motion was to approve the concept, as long as it
complies with the rules and recommendations of the Planning Commission. There was a
question as to whether the motion before the Board was appropriate, even though he
didn't have a problem with the building as much as the proposed use. The building's
use, however, can change, although it has been stated that it wouldn't do so for four(4)
more years. It will be pivotal that Mr. O'Reilly would provide whatever is necessary to
improve comfort levels of the Board and that those comfort levels would greatly increase
if the board received something in writing regarding no paroled felons type programs. A
statement was requested from Mr. O'Reilly assuring that there will be no paroled felons
at this facility, whether they are Livonia citizens or not. The Mayor stated that we owe it
to Stan [Anderson] and his neighbors that the facility fully complies with all applicable
standards of the ordinance with regard to the site and its use. A statement on the record
regarding no services for paroled felons would result in a more comfortable feeling , and
also that we will look forward to the use of this building. An endorsement would result
in a more comfortable feeling, and also that we will look forward to the use of this
building. Mr. O'Reilly went on record as stating that a corrections program would not
go on at this center. He could not say that such a program will never be run like that by
SEMCA but will guarantee that a similar program will never come into this facility.
SEMCA's current year budget is $49 million. The Mayor suggested that the Board
approve the concept of the building and site improvements related to parking and
condition the approval, based on their guarantee for restricted use. Mr. Anderson
commented that he wants the motion to say,"Approve the plans as submitted but that the
use would be limited to that as represented by SEMCA to the effect that no programs
would take place regarding rehabilitation of paroled felons."
On a motion by Mr. Pike, seconded by Mr. Wordhouse,and approved, it was:
#2000-66 RESOLVED,that the Plymouth Road Development Authority does hereby
approve the plans for the building renovation and site development as proposed
by Horizon Properties, subject to the added condition that the use of the property
shall be restricted to any agreement made between the City of Livonia and SEMCA,
the tenant,with respect to a prohibition of any corrections programs from being
administered at the property located at 38905 Plymouth Road in the N.W. 1/4 of
Section 36.
A roll call vote was taken on the foregoing resolution with the following result:
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AYES: Polsinelli, Wordhouse, Grace, Wolfgang,Kujawa,Crider and Pike
NAYS: Mette
ABSTAIN: Anderson
Mr. Polsinelli, Chairman, declared the motion is carried and the foregoing resolution is adopted.
5. Walgreen's Drug Store — Plymouth and Middlebelt Roads Site: Steve Schafer presented a
proposal for a Walgreen's drug store on property located on the corner of Plymouth and
Middlebelt Roads. He had been working on the purchase of this site with Walter Samuels,
owner of the property. The former bank building would be town down, and a new standard
prototype Wallgreens constructed on that corner. Elevation plans were displayed, including
additional landscaping for the property for all four corners of the intersection. Drainage is to be
located away from the building, and movement of the curb cuts further to the east. The piece
behind the bank is a separate tax parcel; the petitioner will stay with the boundary of the current
bank site. The Walgreen's proposed occupancy is to be based on a 60-year lease with
Walgreen's having a 20-year primary term, granted this development, for the first 20 years. At
their option, renewal of the lease can be renewed for two more 20-year terms for a total of 60
years, during which time the cost will be well below going rent. According to Mr. Schafer,
Walgreen's said to be a very superior operator (compared to CVS and Rite Aid), and very
competitive. It was Walgreen's goal to come into a market and stick to a target purchase of a
prime corner, after which they'd negotiate that 60-year lease. There was more mention of
additional landscape to that required. Drug store density in the City was discussed. Mr.
Schafer commented on Livonia's demographics as being excellent and the type of area
Wallgreens elected to be a part of. He believed this site was two miles away from another
Wallgreens facility. Mr. Schafer has been working with Mr. Samuels, also regarding the Shelden
Center property. On another subject regarding the George Burns property, there was an
objection from EPA, and there is a continued waiting period. Lou George won't sign off until
EPA's objection time is over. Presently, it looked like a little more than four(4) acres would be
preserved on the seven(7)acre site. Mayor Kirksey pointed out that Mr. Schafer has come to the
City for three (3) super pharmacies. He could go along with two because those drug stores are
part of a total package for the site; however, he didn't think favorably on this proposal because
of lack of benefit to the overall center. Wallgreens is a good pharmacy, but the last thing we need
in Livonia was more drug stores. The Mayor then asked his P.R.D.A. colleagues to not support
this proposal. What does this proposal at Plymouth-Middlebelt corner do for the balance theory?
The petitioner was just buying the corner and knew that it was just the corner itself. Mr.
Samuels wouldn't budge on that, and was quite unreasonable. Parking issues were addressed.
There was communication with the current tenants regarding parking and subsequent parking
calculations would be obtained. There were 700 spaces required with only 610 existing. Some
action regarding parking will be required. Concerning the Walgreens location at Six Mile and
Middlebelt, the lot was never full, with only about half the spaces filled. The City really didn't
have any drug store facility east of there, and north of the site is an industrial area. One mile
from the proposed site there was another drug store (Rite Aid). Going west there isn't anything
at all until you get to Farmington Road. A comment was made that there might not be a Rite
Aid at that location a few months from now. Many large chains, i.e., Meijers, Kmart, etc, had
their own pharmacies and all on Plymouth Road. A traffic concern was voiced, in that this was a
difficult site location to access. The target date for Walgreens certificate of occupancy was after
the first of the year, considering a construction period estimated to be 90 to 120 days.
Mr. Anderson offered a motion in favor of support, but the motion failed for lack of support.
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6. Beckett & Raeder — Construction Progress Report: Updating the situation with
Holophane, replacement banner arms will be installed by February 21st, and the shipment
of additional banner arms for Phase III will follow. A meeting was being set up on the
addresses and color coding for the banners for each mile. Those results would come back
to the board. Both wood and metal poles will be removed. A certified arborist would be
coming in on the 26th, and it was requested that BRI provide comments on the arborist's
recommendations. Design word is underway for Phase V. It has to go to MDOT for G.I.
review, because ISTEA funding is involved. The review results should be back in three
to four weeks (about the end of March). It could go to bid without the permit, but it can't
go for the permit without the review. G.I.'s are typically faster than other reviews. If we
get approval, we can go to bid right after that and start construction. Phase IV-A was
discussed relative to bus plazas and curb repair. Bids are out and are due back next week.
Bids for grounds maintenance are going out next week and are due back the second week
in March. Mr. Nagy stated that in the Construction Committee meeting, one of the items
discussed was the surplus MDOT right-of-way at the southeast corner of Middlebelt and
Plymouth. If we want the property, we need to buy it, and we have to have it appraised.
The rate for appraisal with a local appraiser, Charlie Allen, was $1800.00 for the right-of-
way to be used for landscape here. With regard to bus shelters, six options were
presented to the board. The present discussion was for four shelters with one double-
sized one at Wonderland, all custom built to the SMART shelter type. Solid areas will be
clear Plexiglas. A three-sided shelter was illustrated, with also showed benches. A
couple are pretty close to the curb edge with the opening on the interior side. SMART's
shelters feature tempered glass. Scott Reinhold of BRI said a shelter with tempered glass
could be provided. Also, logos can be customized for the City. Among features
proposed in the shelters was a hip roof design, which basically we could pick and choose.
Cost for a custom shelter would run between $20,000.00 and $30,000.00, depending on
size and design. Could we bid that out or have somebody fabricate it. Mr. Reinhold said
that it probably could just go out for bid; a lot of these things coming off the shelf aren't
really much different. SMART's price for their shelter is $8,000.00 to $10,000.00 with
(or without) advertising. Something off the shelf would be ready to go for $15,000.00.
SMART's shelter is like one of those off the shelf but for less money. This discussion focuses
on only about four(4) plazas at this time: One at Wonderland, one at Farmington Road, one in
front of Senate Coney Island, and one at Plymouth and Middlebelt. The SEMCA site might be
another spot to consider. Of shelter illustrations presented to the board, #1 and #3 received the
most favorable reception. Discussion touched on double shelters for designated areas.
7. Reports from Committees:
Public Relations: It was agreed by the board to do a full, all-City mailing for the Spring issue of
the P.R.D.A. Newsletter. Mr. Anderson hoped to educate the residents of P.R.D.A.'s
involvement on Plymouth Road. Various bids were noted for the printing and mailing of the
Newsletter and broken down for the board. Bidding was arrived at using a 44,000 addresses for
a mass printing estimate, with mailing costs estimated from 20 cents per copy to 13 cents per
copy. The Spring issue would be distributed shortly after Easter.
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On a motion by Mr. Wordhouse, seconded by Mr. Pike, it was:
#2000-67 RESOLVED,that the Plymouth Road Development Authority does hereby
unanimously approve a one-time full City mailing of the Spring issue of the
P.R.D.A.Newsletter.
Mr. Polsinelli, Chairman, declared the motion is carried and the foregoing resolution is adopted.
Vacant Buildings: The old Dragon Garden restaurant has been sold.
Development Assistance Committee: Redford Township is interested in our seasonal banner
program and want to use our design for their banners. The board was asked to comment on
whether this was acceptable for Redford to use our design. After some discussion, the board
approved the release of banner designs to Redford. Mr. Nagy would write a letter to Redford
advising of the board's decision.
Construction Committee: Nothing to report.
.Inspection: Nothing to report.
8. Director's Report: Nothing to report
9. Polling of Board Members
Cre Mr. Wordhouse: Passed.
Mr. Crider: Passed.
Mr. Pike: Passed.
Mr. Wolfgang: Passed.
Mr. Grace: Passed.
Mr. Kujawa: Passed.
10. Adjournment: On a motion duly made, seconded and unanimously adopted,the 106th Regular
Meeting held by the Plymouth Road Development Authority on February 17, 2000 was
adjourned at 5:15p.m.
The next meeting of the Plymouth Road Development Authority will be held on March 2, 2000
in the 4th Floor Conference Room at 3:00 p.m.
Susan Annibal, Secretary