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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPLANNING MINUTES 1953-05-26 Secy Init)‘ page 25. MiiflJTi S OF A PUBLIC HEARING HELD BY TBE CITY PLANNING COMMISSION A public hearing was held by the City Planning Commission on Tuesday, May 26, 1953 at the Court House Building, Livonia, Michigan. Chairman, Dallas Hay, called the meeting to order at approximately 8:20 PM. There were approximately 175 persons in attendance. Members present: George Bentley Helen Byers H. Paul Harsha Clarence Jahn Robert Maclntyre Elmore McNiece Dallas Hay Walter Russell Members absent: Edwin Conway Members of Parks and Recreation Department present were: Clarence Hoffman, Dave Meinzinger and Mr. Mahalek. Mr. Johnson of Waring and Johnson, Planning Consultants, was present. The Chair asked the secretary to read the petition inre a proposed park site to be located on 25 acres west side of Merriman Road just north of Bell Creek, between Five and Six Mile Roads. The secretary then read a petition signed by 21 property owners who opposed the park in Section 15. The Chair announced that everyone wishing to speak would be given the opportunity to do so, but that no decision would be made by the Planning Commission tonight. Mr. J. D. McLeish, 31660 Myrna: Mr. McLeish gave a lengthy talk on why he was opposed to the park area. Be said in part, "I bought property on Myrna Road when Livonia was a township. It offered enough room for us as it wasn't crowded like in the city. There was no mention of a park when I bought the property and therefore, I think that we should be able to exercise our inherent rights as citizens of Livonia. I don't think it is a good American policy to try and shove something down our throats by having a public park at the back door of our property. Had I known there was going to be a park I never would have bought my property in the first place. I don't think the people in the area have been told the entire truth about the park and I tbtrk they should be told the en- tire truth tonight." Mr. McLeish said that a while back he had attended a meeting with some of the city's groups and quite by accident he dis- covered a map in the"back room" that showed the proposed park area for Livonia and it extended from one end of the city to the other. Mr. McLeish read a quotation from the Livonian, published on 4/10/53 inre the April 2nd School Board Meeting. He also pointed out that the Edward Hines Parkway runs thru Livonia for a matter of two or three miles and said that everyone in the Bell Creek area has a park in their back yards. Mr. Edward Steiner, 31600 Myrna: "After we had a hearing here with the Parks and Recreation Commission and the Mayor and Harry Wolfe, they told us if we didn't want the park it wouldn't be shoved down our throat. I inquired as to whether there was any land available in Livonia for a park and there is a 40 acre plot around Fairlane and I understand this park was to be given back to Livonia. I also inquired if there were any building permits being issued around there, and there are none. Why then should they issue building permits around Bell Creek? A friend of mine Secy Inildpage 27. came out and built a beautiful house on Bell Creek and all of a sudden found there was going to be a park right behind him. We were told to keep it quiet. The Livonian stated that the Mayor's Advisory Committee had accepted the park area. I went back to see Mr. Wolfe who said there was nothing he could do about it now. We formed an association along Bell Creek which we were forced into. Statements were made about how we were destroying certain property which we bought. I came from the city to get away from the noise. There are seven or eight parks within 15 minutes from all of us and I don't believe we should have a park." Mrs. Tom Watts, 31610 Myrna: "I think most of us moved out here to raise our families in a quiet place. We have vacant space behind us, and we find that people come roaming through there hand in hand. If you wanted to live on a park you would buy property on the park. A park is beauti- ful Just after dark and before dawn. Young people want to see the creek, and what can we do, what will it be like if a park is put in there? Re- member, that if a park is put in, your taxes and mine will pay for these parks and shrubs and improvements." Mr. Dan C. McCauly, 17146 Appoline, Detroit: "I own vacant property on the creek. I haven't made improvements on my property like the rest of you have, but I am opposed to the park. I have been condemned before, and I hired an attorney to check my property on Bell Creek and he as- sured me everything was alright and no park had been mentioned. When I find out there is going to be no park, I will build a home." Mr. Ova Hanson, "I own land on Bell Creek and I was not notified. Why didn't you notify me? Others were asked to come, but not me." The Chair advised that a letter would be sent to Mr. Hanson to explain why be had not been notified. Mr. Dan Mendelsohn, 31490 Myrna: "I am very, very much against the park. I feel that they are needed in more congested areas. There is no ques- tion but what there are many things much more urgent than a park." Mr. George Paurie, 16125 Merriman Road: "I wanted some breathing space. I have spent a considerable amount of money here in Livonia. I would like to know where the parkway is. I own on both sides of the creek as most of these people do. May I see the map or have it shown to this group?" The Chair advised there is no official map, and he then asked Mr. Meinzinger to show the boundaries of the proposed park on an aerial pic- ture brought to the meeting for this purpose. The following stated they had not received notice of the hearing: Bertha Krogh, 29161 Grove Earl Harrington, 31340 Puritan J. D. McLeish, 31660 Myrna E. C. Wild, 31560 Grove Mr. E. C. Wild, 31560 Grove: "The people who oppose the park have lived in Livonia quite a while. They have helped the community in many ways. 1[10 We agree that the recreation areas should first be located where there is the greatest demand. This particular area isn't even being considered by the School Board for a school at the present time. We have respect for our Parks and Recreation Department, but why would they want a park there? This should be given more consideration and the recommendation Secy Init '�.:•age 29. given in our favor. People have told me that they would not have their children playing in the park during the day without supervision. There are other places in Livonia just as desirable for a park." Mr. Herbert Winegarden, 29181 Grove and S. W. Hancock, 16350 Hubbard, claimed they were not notified of the hearing. James Cable, 30115 Munger: "Does the City own any property along the creek?" Chairman Hay advised that the Commission knows only about the 25 acres that are being discussed this evening. James Gray, 32567 Greenland Court: "Will we be able to settle this tonight?" The Chair advised that no decision would be reached by the Commission tonight. Mr. R. Harmon, 16871 Fairfield: "How many notices were sent out about this meeting?" Chairman Hay announced that it was unknown as the Commission does not mail the notices. This is done by a stenographer at the City Hall. Mr. McLeish: "Who sold that property to the City?" The Chair advised that the Commission was not aware of who sold the property to the City. Mr. J. B. Folsom of the Parks and Recreation Department joined the other members of the Department and Commission. At this point, the Chair called on Mr. Meinzinger to explain why the Parks and Recreation Department favored this location for a park site. Mr. Meinzinger made a genuine effort to explain the proposed plan for schools and parks to the group. He displayed the map that had been pre- pared, showing the proposed citywide plan and explained same in detail. Be told the people that Livonia has to look forward to and plan for a population of 300,000 and that the city took care of 50,000 youngsters last year in the parks. The population of Livonia as of now is 32,000. The proposed park area will be developed as semi-picnic area and small ball diamonds. The over-all city plan is three-fold, i.e. , playgrounds, playfields and parks. After he concluded his explanation to the people, Mr. Meinzinger said he would be very glad to answer any questions. In answer to a question, Mr. Meinzinger said that the park did not take in any presently improved property. He said, "We are trying to prepare for the future now, before improvements have been made." He also ex- plained to the group the workings of the Joint Study Committee. It was discussed that all of the proposed park area is flooded every year. It will take lots of money to fill in that property. Mr. McLeish said that approximately 12i acres are absolutely worthless and the cost of a greenbelt through there would be tremendous. He 1[4w siad., "Why not let the County do it? Why not do like Dearborn did - go out and buy acreage outside the city?" Secy Init 'vi .age 31. Mr. Cable: "Clean out the area and let the small children and their teachers come in there and study nature. They can see birds and trees and pheasants or anything they want to, but if you pat a park in there you won't have all these things. " Mr. Steiner: "Last year they had to close Lola Valley because the river was polluted. How could Livonia control pollution?" Mrs. Mitts, 20020 Salem, Detroit: Mrs. Mitts owns property on Bell creek and is opposed to the park. Mr. David McCotter, 15232 Auburndale: "I am President of the Livonia Gardens Civic Association and at our last meeting Mr. Meinzinger presented this plan to our group. We were not able to take a vote about the feeling on the park area due to our agenda being filled, bat I heard no objection to the proposal. We have no creek near us, and would favor a park as we have nothing bat sand." Mr. E. J. Best, 16710 Fairfield Drive: "We are the ones whose toes are being stepped on. We came out here about a year ago. We have our life savings into it and maybe went in too deep because of the beauty of the place. I take exception to Mr. Meinzinger's statement that we would rain the property. I am opposed to the park." Mr. Wm Ponder, Attorney for Mr. Jack Spanich, 32910 Myrna: "Mr. Spanich is out of town. I just want to state that Mr. Spanich is in agreement with the persons who have spoken so far." There was a discussion regarding the notification of all interested parties about the Commission's recommendation to the City Council. A list was made up of all persons present for notification. At approximately 11:30 PM, a motion was duly made by George Bentley and seconded by Walter Russell, and it was RESOLVED, that the public hearing be adjourned until a later date. A roll call vote on the foregoing resolution resulted in the following: AYES: Jalm, Russell, Maclntyre, McNiece, Harsha, Bentley, Hay and Byers BAYS: None The Chair called a special meeting to order and the following were present: Bentley, Byers, Harsha, Hay, Jahn, McNiece and Maclntyre Absent: Russell and Conway The Chair announced the purpose of the short meeting was to determine when the park question would be taken up and upon a motion duly made by Mr. Bentley and seconded by Mr. Jahn, it was RESOLVED, that the proposed Merriman Park be taken under 1[1w consideration at the regular meeting to be held on June 18th, 1953 at the City Hall. Secy Init. gage 33. A roll call vote on the foregoing resolution resulted in the following: AYES: Maclntyre, McNiece, Harsha, Jahn, Bentley, Hay and Byers. NAYS: None Messrs. Bentley and McNiece left the meeting. There was a discussion regarding the regular meeting night and after due consideration, a motion was duly made by Mr. Maclntyre and seconded by Mr. Jahn, and it was RESOLVED, that the regular meeting scheduled for Tharsday, June 18th be changed to Tuesday, June 16, 1953, and it was FURTHER RESOLVED, that Waring and Johnson be requested to submit their recommendations in writing if it is not pos- sible for one of their representatives to attend Tuesday night meetings, until such time as other arrangements can be made. A roll call vote on the foregoing resolution resulted in the following: AYES: Maclntyre, Harsha, Jahn, Hay and Byers NAYS: None The Chair adjourned the meeting at approximately 12:10 PM. Helen E. Byers, S=. etary ATTESTED: Dallas P. Hay, Chairman