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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPLANNING MINUTES 1953-08-25 131 i7La.3 MINUTES OF THE FORTIETH SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY PLANNING COMMISSION The fortieth special meeting of the Planning Commission was held on Tuesday, August 25, 1953 at the City Hall, Livonia, Michigan. The Chair called the meeting to order at approximately 8:05 PM. Members present: William Newton Clarence Jahn Edwin Conway Robert Greene Irving Geer H. Paul Harsha Dallas Hay Rufino Salinas Members absent: None Mr. Herzberg, a representative of Waring and Johnson, Planning Consul- tants, was present together with approximately 30 people. The Chairman, Dallas Hay, announced that the minutes of the last meeting would not be read at this time, and the agenda would be changed to bring up the proposed Merriman Park site. The Chair called on Mr. J. D. McLeish, 31660 Myrna, and asked if he wished to add anything regarding the proposed park site. Mr. McLeish said that he had nothing to add but wished to recall to the minds of the Commissioners the public hearing that was held on this matter earlier in the year. The Chair called upon the Chairman of the Park Committee, who had nothing to add. Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Salinas and seconded by Mr. Hershel it was RESOLVED, that the Planning Commission recommends to the City Council that the park site known as the 25 acres of land situ- ated on the west side of Merriman just north of Bell Creek and between Five and Six Mile Roads be developed as planned by the Parks and Recreation Commission. A roll call vote on the foregoing resolution resulted in the following: AYES: Newton, Greene, Geer, Harsha, Salinas NAYS: Jahn, Conway and Hay Mr. McLeish asked for the floor and stated that he was of the opinion that the vote should be protested because of the number of new members on the Planning Commission, plus the fact that the new members voted aye. There was a discussion and Mr. Hay advised the people who were present that the Commission had made a study on the project. The secretary presented invoices for approval. The invoice that had been tabled for investigation because of postage was explained in that the notices sent out for public hearings held by the Commission were sent via registered mail and accounted for the postage figure. Also an invoice was presented from the Livonian for advertising and envelopes and letterheads. 133 V Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Jahn and seconded by Mr. Conway, it was RESOLVED, that the invoices be apprcved as submitted. A roll call vote on the foregoing resolution resulted in the following: AYES: Newton, Jahn, Conway, Greene, Geer, Harsha, Hay and Salinas NAYS: None The Chair called upon Mr. Edwards inre his application for a permit to re- move topsoil at Merriman and Schoolcraft. Mr. Edwards claimed that he had invested $12,600. in this deal and had tried every way he knew how to get out of it. He was now appealing to the Commission for some way out so that his investment would not be a total loss. There was a discussion regarding Mr. Edward' problem. Mr. Jahn made men- tion of the fact that Mr. Green had made a statement to the fact that he would move sand from a hill across the street (on Merriman) to replace the topsoil removed by Edwards. The Chair tabled the matter until the arrival of the City Attorney. The secretary read Waring and Johnson's recommendation inre the dedication of Thorpe Drive, wherein it was suggested that certain things should be worked out with the adjacent Livonia Estates #2 subdivider before dedica- tion is approved. Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Jahn and seconded by Mr. Conway, it was RESOLVED, that the dedication of Thorpe Drive be tabled. A roll call vote on the foregoing resolution resulted in the following: AYES: Newton, Jahn, Conway, Greene, Geer, Harsha, Hay and Salinas NAYS: None At 8:35 PM, the Chair called a recess. At 8:55 PM, the Chair called the meeting to order again. Mr, Hay advised that Mr. McLeish had requested the floor, to again speak about the proposed Merriman Park site. Mr. McLeish said that he was of the opinion that in order to make this a fair decision, and considering the fact that there are four men on the Commission who were not present at the public hearing regarding the matter, that the new members should be excluded from voting. He said that the Mayor had stated that a park would not be crammed down the people's throats who did not wish a park, and therefore the new members' votes should be thrown out. He went on to say that it was his understanding the Commission would help any group of persons secure a park, but why should they insist on endorsing a park where it is not wanted. He asked that the vote be reconsidered. Mr. Steiner was in accordance with Mr. McLeish and added that the Parks in his opinion were to be established in critical areas, and did not I[: think they were in a critical area. He pointed out that the 40 acres that belongs to the County and can be purchased by the City, should be pur- chased instead of putting a park in an area where the people have built beautiful homes. ��- 135 Mr. Donahue, 32190 Myrna, stated that he did not think the Planning Com- mission used good judgment to plan parks over in their area when the City has access to a 40-acre plot for park purposes. Mr. E. E. Wild, 31562 Grove, expressed the same opinion as the previous men, and thought the area around the Transmission plant would be con- sidered an area that needs a park. Mr. Mendelsohn, 31590 Myrna, expressed the same opinion and added that the City needs other things worse than a park, also that he thought the park would depreciate the value of their property. Mr. Best, 16710 Fairfield, was in accord with Mr. McLeish that the new members of the Board were not familiar with the situation and thought that another public hearing should be held to hear the expressions of the people. The Chair called upon Mr. Greene of the Planning Commission, who said, in part, that he felt that the people who have voiced their opinions were accusing the new members of not knowing what the score is. He said that much study and consideration have been given on the matter, also that he has friends who live in the park area, but that would not change his vote. Mr. Greene said that the people talked as though the city was going to put in a city dump next to them which is not the case. "The Commission, he explained, "represents a lot of people who don't have the beautiful grounds that these people were not notified to come to the meeting." Mr. Greene said that there is a park and a school planned for the area directly back of his house and he welcomes it. He concluded that he was voting the courage of his convictions for the City of Livonia, and would not change his vote. Mr. Jahn left at 9:15 PM. Mr. Geer said that he lives on a park and doesn't object to it. He said that he felt the same as Mr. Greene about the situation. Mr. Salinas said that he agreed with Mr. Greene and would not change his vote. Mr. Salinas said that he has taken trips to other cities to study the park situation, and further that he does not feel that the presence of a park lowers the value of the property. Mr. Salinas said that he did not feel that the objections to the park were substantial. Mr. Edwards was again called upon and a discussion took place in the presence of the City Attorney. Mr. Brashear agreed that he would be violating the Zoning Ordinance if he were to remove any soil in view of the information received from the Department of Public Works. Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Harsha and seconded by Mr. Salinas, it was RESOLVED, that the topsoil removal application of Mr. Edwards be tabled until Monday, 8/31/53 and prior to that time the Chairman and Vice Chairman will inspect the property in question. I[: A roll call vote on the foregoing resolution resulted in the following: AYES: Newton, Conway, Greene, Geer, Harsha, Hay and Salinas NAYS: None 137 44% The budget was brought up for inspection and discussion. After due con- sideration, a motion was duly made by Mr. Harsha and seconded by Mr. Geer, it was RESOLVED, that the budget for the coming year, as prepared by the Chairman and, the Secretary, be accepted and forwarded to the auditors for approval, and it was FURTHER RESOLVED, that the final budget, as approved by the City Council, be included, in detail, in the Commission's minutes. A roll call vote on the foregoing resolution resulted in the following: AYES: Newton, Conway, Greene, Geer, Harsha, Hay and Salinas NAYS: None There was a discussion regarding the suggested change of the Zoning Ordinance whereby exceptions would be made in the removal of soil, i.e., large construction projects and pavements, et. The Chair appointed Mr. Harsha to meet with the City Attorney before the next regular meeting, September 15, 1953, to draw up an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance to be brought on for public hearing. After the secretary read the minutes of the thirty-sixth regular meeting, a motion was duly made by Mr. Newton and seconded by Mr. Greene, it was RESOLVED, that the minutes be accepted as read. A roll call vote on the foregoing resolution resulted in the following: AYES: Newton, Conway, Greene, Geer, Harsha, Hay and Salinas NAYS: None A motion was duly made by Mr. Salinas and seconded and unanimously carried, it was RESOLVED, that this meeting be adjourned. Thereupon, at approximately 10:05 PM, the Chair declared the meeting adjourned. Rufino alinas, Secretary ATTESTED: Dallas F. Hay, Chairman