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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPLANNING MINUTES 1953-02-19 423 MINUTES OF THE THIRTIETH REGULAR MEETING C-=<r OF THE CITY PLANNING COMMISSION 5-4 The thirtieth regular meeting of the City Planning Commission was held on February 19, 1953 at the Court House Building, Livonia, Michigan. The meeting was called to order by Chairman, Dallas Hay, at approxi- mately 8:10 PM. Members present: George Bentley Helen Byers H. Paul Harsha Dallas Hay Elmore McNiece Members absent: Edwin Conway Clarence Jahn Robert Maclntyre Walter Russell Mr. Malcolm Waring, Planning Consultant, was present. Upon a motion duly made by Mr. McNiece and seconded by Mr. Harsha, it was RESOLVED, to accept the minutes of the 32nd special meeting held on February 5, 1953 as received. A roll call vote on the foregoing resolution resulted in the following: AYES: Bentley, McNiece, Harsha, Hay and Byers NAYS: None The secretary read a letter of thanks from Mr. Bentley ince the testi- monial dinner of February 7, 1953. Mr. Edwin Conway arrived at approximately 8:15 PM. The secretary presented invoices from Waring and Johnson and from the Michigan Book Binding Company. Michigan Book Binding invoice in the amount of $10.40 was not complete enough to be accepted. Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Bentley and seconded by Mr. McNiece, it was RESOLVED, to accept the two invoices submitted by Waring and Johnson dated 2/1/53 in the amounts of $91.05 and $349.09 along with miscellaneous invoices totalling $377.52 and that they be referred to the City Council for payment. A roll call vote on the foregoing resolution resulted in the following: AYES: Bentley, McNiece, Conway, Harsha, Hay and Byers NAYS: None Mr. Don Wilson, Chief Building Inspector, was present and requested in_ formation as to the manner in which the Commission wished problems of the Zoning Ordinance referred back to them. Mr. Wilson advised that the Zoning Board of Appeals has a printed form that is used for this purpose. After due consideration, a motion was duly made by Helen Byers and seconded by Mr. Bentley, and it was RESOLVED, to refer the matter of the possibility of having a printed form for application of hearing before the Com- mission to Messrs. Brashear and Waring for study. A roll call vote on the foregoing resolution resulted in the following: AYES: Bentley, McNiece, Conway, Harsha, Hay and Byers NAYS: None 4215 There was a discussion regarding the new Zoning Ordinance - Section 10.15 Size of Buildings, (first floor area 600 square feet in compar- ison with 400 square feet (minimum size) in C-2 in Section 11.15). Mr. Waring advised that he would have to check the original information that was submitted for the Zoning Ordinance before making any comments or recommendations. Miss Byers reviewed the information on Cooper-Spoon Subdivision #2. A preliminary plat was presented of Bellaire Gardens Subdivision. After a discussion, a suggestion was made to table Bellaire Gardens Subdivision subject to working out street names. Further discussion included multiple dwellings. Mr. Green was advised that the zoning reclassification from M-1 to residential would be necessary and it would be necessary to file a petition in the usual manner. Upon a motion duly made by Mr. McNiece and seconded by Mr. Harsha, it was RESOLVED, to refer the plat of Bellaire Gardens Sub- division to the Plat Committee. A roll call vote on the foregoing resolution resulted in the following: AYES: Bentley, McNiece, Conway, Harsha, Hay and Byers NAYS: None There was a prolonged discussion regarding the length of blocks per- mitted in the new Zoning Ordinance. Mr. Harsha suggested that the Commission arrive at a certain plan of streets for the City, so that they could function as a whole when it becomes necessary to make decisions concerning streets in Livonia. Upon a motion duly made by Mr. McNiece and seconded by Mr. Conway, it was RESOLVED, that tentative approval is hereby given on the preliminary plat of Cooper-Spoon Subdivision #2 in Section 35, of plan #1, showing only one north and south street, named Louise, insofar as it relates to planning. Mr. Harsha questioned the legality of the approval of the Subdivision without cross-walks. Mr. McNiece and Mr. Conway withdrew the above motion and second regarding Cooper-Spoon Subdv. #2, pending a legal viewpoint on cross walks. Mr. Green presented a sketch showing "wings" that he wished to get approval on, to show the subdivision off as residential. At 9:25 PM, the Chair called a recess. The meeting was again called to order by the Chair at 9:35 PM. Mr. Jack Hickox, Chairman of the Traffic Commission, was present and introduced the members of the Commission as follows: Mrs. K. Dubpernell, Secretary; V. 0. Lothman, George Marston, Stephen J. Ford, Nicholas Vandersloot, Harold Johnson, George E. Harmon and James Hagen. Mr. Hickox said that several problems were confronting the Traffic Com- mission and the two most important were angle parking and the proposed 427 underpasses on Plymouth at Middlebelt and Plymouth at Farmington. The reason for the underpass at Farmington is obvious because of the shopping center to be developed there. The underpass at Middlebelt is being mentioned at this time to call to the attention of the Plan- ning Commission the fact that there are three vacant corners at pres- ent and it would be less expensive to set these aside now. Mr. Hickox further advised that the angle parking problem should be dealt with as quickly as possible. The Traffic Commission has had several meetings and among these was a meeting with professional men who are planning to buy property on Plymouth near the PenMar for a parking lot. Miss Byers advised Mr. Hickox that those same men were the ones who objected to the city having a parking lot in the Civic Center. Chief Harmon advised that traffic lights cannot be obtained at Merriman or Stark Roads until the roads are hard-topped or paved. He then gave some statistics on the traffic accidents and fatalities on Plymouth Road. Mr. Hagen advised that the Traffic Commission has talked with merchants throughout the city regarding angle parking and he then asked if the Planning Commission is going to come up with the answer to the problem. Mr. Hagen explained that pressure is being received from the state inre angle parking. Mr. Hickox advised that the merchants are all willing to cooperate and he said that the Traffic Commission's problems and ideas will be presented to the Planning Commission in the form of a letter. He said that with the help of the Planning Commission, they may be able to get something started on it. Miss Byers asked Mr. Hickox if the Traffic Commission had done any studying on the problem where the parking lot might have to extend into residential property, and if not, perhaps they would be willing to give some thought and study to the problem. At 10:10 PM, a film was shown regarding the hazards of angle parking, etc. A second film was shown inre the training available in schools to teach students how to drive automobiles. At 10:45 PM, the Chair called the meeting to order. Following a discussion, a motion was duly made by Mr. McNiece and seconded by Mr. Conway, and it was RESOLVED, that tentative approval is hereby given on the preliminary plat of Cooper-Spoon Subdivision +2 in Section +35, of plan +1 showing only one north and south street, named Louise, insofar as it relates to planning. A roll call vote on the foregoing resolution resulted in the following: AYES: Bentley, McNiece, Conway, Harsha, Hay and Byers NAYS: None 42f) At approximately 11 PM, Mr. Brashear, City Attorney, arrived. Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Harsha and seconded by Mr. Conway, it was RESOLVED, to refer to the City Attorney for legal opinion Section 4.06 of the Zoning Ordinance in regard to a cross- walk in blocks longer than 1/4 mile and how far the Plan- ning Commission can use its discretion in making changes. A roll call vote on the foregoing resolution resulted in the following: AYES: Bentley, McNiece, Conway, Harsha, Hay and Byers NAYS: None Mr. Brashear advised the Commission that regulations provide for a public hearing on plats - Section 15 of the Planning Commission Act under which the Planning Commission was created. He also advised that an amendment might be added to deviate from the present ruling on cross-walks because of a hardship case, etc. There was a discussion regarding the need of a person to help the Planning Commission by means of making thorough investigations and obtaining more complete information on matters that require more time than any of the Commission members would be able to give. The City of Detroit maintains a staff for this purpose. Mr. Brashear advised that the problem should be brought before the City Council for their consideration. At 11:30 PM, Messrs. Bentley and Harsha left. At approximately 11:40 PM, Mr. Conway made a motion and it was seconded and unanimously carried, it was RESOLVED, that this meeting be adjourned. Thereupon, the Chair declared that this meeting is adjourned and an- nounced that the next regular meeting will be held on March 19th. • Helen E. Byers, S etary ATTESTED: Dallas F. Hay, C man