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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPLANNING MINUTES 1953-09-15 - 143 MINUTES OF A PUBLIC HEARING AND THE THIRTY-SEVENTH REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY PLANNING COMMISSION A public hearing and the thirty-seventh regular meeting of the City Planning Commission were held on Tuesday, September 15, 1953 at the City Hall, Livonia, Michigan. The Chairman, Dallas Hay, called the regular meeting to order at approximately 8:05 PM. Members present: Edwin Conway Irving Geer Robert Greene H. Paul Harsha Dallas Hay William Newton Rufino Salinas Members absent: *Clarence Jahn Also present: Mr. Donald Wilson, Chief Building Inspector Mr. F. Perry, Livonia Fire Department Mr. Malcolm Waring, Planning Consultant Mr. William Brashear, City Attorney Approximately 150 persons were present. The Chair announced that in view of the large agenda of the public hearing that the regular meeting should be tabled. Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Newton and seconded by Mr. Conway, it was RESOLVED, that the regular meeting be adjourned until after the public hearing. A roll call vote on the foregoing resolution resulted in the following: AYES: Newton, Conway, Greene, Geer, Harsha, Hay and Salinas NAYS: None The Chair called the public hearing to order and requested that the secre- tary read the letter of transmittal received with the proposed plat of Merijoy Subdivision located on the north side of Joy Road between Merriman Road and Henry Ruff Road. Waring and Johnson's recommendations were also read, suggesting that more study be given to the plan. The secretary read a letter from Chief Calvin Roberts of the Livonia Fire Department inre the size of water mains and the number of hydrants to be installed in new subdivisions, etc. The Chair called on Mr. David Goldman, 908 Penobscot Bldg., Detroit 26, representing the Merijoy Subdivision. Mr. Goldman explained the Company's intentions regarding the subdivision, i.e., lot size, number of houses, type of houses, also the intent to erect a drug store on the southwest corner of Section 35. The Chair recognized Mr. G. Fuston, of the Grandon Woods Civic Association who said that the Association was against the parcel of land on the SW I[: corner of Section 35, being set aside for a commercial building. They desire to keep it all residential in there and felt that a commercial zoning would lower the value of the surrounding property. O - i45 Mr. Brashear advised that the residential zoning on the SW corner of Section 35, would prevent the use of the land for commercial development. There was a discussion between members of the association and Mr. Goldman. After due consideration a motion was duly made by Mr. Conway and seconded by Mr. Newton, it was RESOLVED, that Mr. Goldman and Waring and Johnson, Planning Consultants, meet with the Grandon Woods Civic Association to reach an agreement, and it was FURTHER RESOLVED, that the proposed Merijoy Subdivision be tabled until the next regular meeting of the Commission, October 20, 1953. A roll call vote on the foregoing resolution resulted in the following: AYES: Newton, Conway, Greene, Geer, Harsha, Hay and Salinas NAYS: None The secretary read the location and description of the proposed Lightstone Subdivision located on the north side of Joy Road approximately 330 feet west of Henry Ruff Road, SW 4 of Section 35. Waring and Johnson's recom- mendations were also read stating that the over-all arrangement of the sub- division should be considered. The Chair asked Mr. Harry Lightstone of the Lightstone Building Company, 7609 Puritan, Detroit 21, if he wished to speak on the proposed subdivision. Mr. Lightstone said that he is in the same position as the Merijoy Sub- division and their plat is laid out similar to that. Mr. Fuston suggested that Mr. Lightstone could meet with them and Mr. Goldman at the same time. The Chair advised that time would be saved by the sub- dividers meeting first with Waring and Johnson and then with the Civic Association. *Mr. Jahn arrived at 8:35 PM. Following a discussion, a motion was duly made by Mr. Conway and seconded by Mr. Newton, it was RESOLVED, that Mr. Lightstone meet with the Grandon Woods Civic Association and Mr. Goldman of the Merijoy Subdivision and Waring and Johnson, Planning Consultants to reach an agreement, and it was FURTHER RESOLVED, that the proposed Lightstone Subdivision be tab]e d until the next regular meeting of the Commission, October 20, 1953. A roll call vote on the foregoing resolution resulted in the following: AYES: Newton, Conway, Greene, Geer, Harsha, Hay and Salinas NAYS: None Not Voting: Mr. Jahn g 147 '/// Next on the agenda was the Valley View Subdivision. The secretary gave the location of same and read Waring and Johnson's recommendation, stating that some of the lots are under the minimum required size and the fact had been called to the attention of Mr. Orr, the engineer. Mr. Luvisch was present and claimed that he was unaware of the recommenda- tions of Waring and Johnson, thus the reason for the plat not being changed to conform with said recommendations. Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Jahn and seconded by Mr. Conway, it was RESOLVED, that the proposed Valley View Subdivision, located on the west side of Farmington and north of the Parkway Sec- tion 33, be tabled until the next regular meeting on October 20, in order to obtain further recommendations from Waring and Johnson. A roll call vote on the foregoing resolution resulted in the following: AYES: Newton, Conway, Jahn, Greene, Geer, Harsha, Hay and Salinas NAYS: None The secretary read Petition #23, Best Block Company requesting a change of zoning from RUFB to M-i, and the recommendations of Waring and Johnson. Waring and Johnson recommended that no enlargement be permitted. Mr. Wm Ponder, Attorney, representing Best Block Company, replied to the recommendations of Waring and Johnson, based on the fact that the Best Block Company has been operating for many years in Livonia and prior to the new Zoning Ordinance. Mr. Ponder requested that the change be granted. Mr. Jack Spanich was present and supported Mr. Ponder. Mr. Spanich pre- sented photos of his property (adjacent to the Best Block Co.) and said that he objected to the criticism about the appearance of the buildings. Mr. Spanich was of the opinion that if the Best Block Company is restricted they will never have a nice place. He also stated that he was not aware of any noise from the block company and felt that it was being unfair to the people who came to Livonia years ago, to restrict any expansion. Mr. L. B. French, 15186 Bainbridge, said that he had submitted his letter objecting to the change of zoning. He stated that the block plant was put in a non-conforming district and should not be enlarged. Mr. French thought the property should be C-2. Mr. Ponder said that he did not think it was possible to store material in a C-2 district. A lengthy discussion followed. Mr. Brashear said that Petitions Z-26 and Z-29 were coincidental to petition Z-23 as they concerned an error made on the zoning map near this location. The secretary read petition Z-26, Bernie V. Binkley requesting that parcels of land on the south side of Five Mile between Bainbridge and Henry Ruff Road be changed from RUFA to C-2. 149 Then petition Z-29 was read. This petition was initiated by the Planning Commission on its own motion that a parcel of land situated on the south side of Five Mile Road commencing at the east boundary of Merriman Road and run- ning east for a distance of approximately 950 feet be changed to C-2. The petition was submitted as a result of an error on the zoning map. Mr. Ponder was representing Mr. Binkley also and stated that Mr. Binkley's property (2 parcels) were adjacent to the Best Block Company, and he did not feel that Mr. Binkley should be defeated by an error. The Chair asked if anyone was present against petitions Z-26 and Z-29. A motion was made by Mr. Salinas to deny petition Z-23. No support. A motion was made by Mr. Conway to grant petition Z-23. No support. A discussion followed re possible compromises. Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Salinas and seconded by Mr. Greene, it was RESOLVED, that Petition Z-23, Best Block Company, be denied insofar as a change to M-1 zoning is concerned, but that the petition be granted under a C-2 zoning classification. A roll call vote on the foregoing resolution resulted in the following: AYES: Greene, Geer, Harsha, Hay and Salinas NAYS: Newton, Conway and Jahn The secretary read a portion of a letter from the Livonia Fire Department insofar as it related to the Best Block Company concerning fire hydrant requirements. Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Jahn and seconded by Mr. Harsha, it was RESOLVED, that petition Z-26, Bernie V. Binkley, requesting that parcels on south side of Five Mile between Bainbridge and Henry Ruff be changed from RUFA to C-2 be granted. A roll call vote on the foregoing resolution resulted in the following: AYES: Newton, Conway, Jahn, Greene, Geer, Harsha, Hay and Salinas NAYS: None Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Jahn and seconded by Mr. Geer, it was RESOLVED, that petition Z-29, requesting that a parcel of land situated on the south side of Five Mile Road commencing at the east boundary of Merriman Road and running east for a distance of approximately 950 feet be changed to C-2, be granted. A roll call vote on the foregoing resolution resulted in the following: AYES: Newton, Conway, Jahn, Greene, Geer, Harsha, Hay and Salinas NAYS: None R '- 151 44/3 The secretary read petition Z-21i, George Roth. Mr. Waring said that the change of zoning was not desirable at this location inasmuch as they were of the opinion that there is more business on Plymouth Road than is required. Mr. Johnson, W. Chicago, said that this petition was up before in June and pointed out that the commercial zoning was unnecessary. Mr. Vantura was present and said that he backed up Mr. Johnson and wanted the area left residential. After due consideration, a motion was duly made by Mr. Jahn and seconded by Mr. Conway, it was RESOLVED, that petition Z-21i,, George Roth, requesting to change a parcel located on the southeast corner of Middle- belt and W. Chicago from its present classification of RUFB to C-2, be tabled until the next regular meeting. A roll call vote on the foregoing resolution resulted in the following: AYES: Newton, Conway, Jahn, Greene, Geer, and Hay NAYS: Harsha and Salinas The secretary presented preliminary plats of the proposed David Lewis Sub- division located on the east side of Middlebelt Road between W. Chicago and Joy Road. Waring and Johnson's recommendations were also read, suggesting 111:1 that the petitioner prepare a new study and submit a new plan and stating that no consideration had been given to street pattern or planned access or traffic flow to school or access to Middlebelt Road. Mr. Vantura and Mr. Johnson and Mr. Polston were present and were opposed to the subdivision. Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Jahn and seconded by Mr. Newton, it was RESOLVED, that the David Lewis Subdivision be tabled until the next regular meeting of the Commission 10/20. A roll call vote on the foregoing resolution resulted in the following: AYES: Newton, Conway, Jahn, Greene, Geer, Harsha, Hay and Salinas NAYS: None The Chair called a recess at 10:10 PM. The Chair again called the meeting to order at 10:20 PM. The secretary read petition Z-25, Mrs. Donald R. Stover, et al, and Waring and Johnson's recommendation. The petition requested that zoning classifi- cation of the parcels of land located between Seven Mile Road and Pembrook and between Seven Mile Road and Pembrook and between Sunset Blvd. and Purl- ingbrook Road be changed from RUFB to RUFA. Mr. Brashear said that a lot of time has been spent on this and these homes are large homes and plans were made for this type of development. The plat was not recorded, however and the subdivision restrictions were not recorded. The city cannot make up the restrictions. � �- 1511 4/, Mr. I. Remley, 30650 Bretton, gave a detailed explanation of what has taken place in the subdivision, and said that the property owners stand to lose if builders are allowed to put more than one house on each lot. Mr. Garchow, Sr., Seven Mile Road, was present and said that he didn't have much to say. Mr. Garchow said that he told these people that he would go along with them if they would put up a house on 80 foot lots. A lengthy discussion followed. Mr. Spaulding, 19351 Hillcrest, said that Mr. Hund them them that there would be one house on the lot and no chance to cut them up. Mrs. Sprinkler said she thought the classification should be RUFA instead of RUFB. Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Salinas and seconded by Mr. Greene, it was RESOLVED, that Petition Z-25, Mrs. Donald R. Stover, et al, requesting that zoning classification of parcels of land lo- cated between Seven Mile and Pembrook and between Sunset Blvd. and Purlingbrook Road be changed from RUFB to RUFA, be granted. A roll call vote on the foregoing resolution resulted in the following: AYES: Newton, Conway, Jahn, Greene, Geer, Harsha, Hay and Salinas NAYS: None The secretary read petition Z-27, Adolph Boh, 33900 Plymouth. Mrs. Bahl was present and explained that all of the property owners ad- jacent favored the change as indicated by their signatures on the petition. Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Conway and seconded by Mr. Greene, it was RESOLVED, that petition Z-27, Adolph Bohl, 33900 Plymouth, requesting that a parcel of land situated on the north side of Plymouth Road between Farmington and Stark Roads be changed from RUFB to C-2, be granted. A roll call vote on the foregoing resolution resulted in the following: AYES: Newton, Conway, Jahn, Greene, Geer, Harsha, Hay and Salinas NAYS: None The secretary read petition Z-28, Newman Farms, Inc., and Waring and Johnson's recommendations, stating that the request was not unreasonable, but that this would mean a change of zoning to C-2 on Farmington Road and introduce more traffic at this busy intersection of Farmington and Plymouth. Mr. Leslie Stoll, 11360 Merriman, was present representing Newman Farms, Inc. and presented a sketch of the proposed change. asp. 155 i4, After due consideration and discussion, a motion was duly made by Mr. Harsha and seconded by Mr. Conway, it was RESOLVED, that petition Z-28 Newman Farms, Inc., requesting that a parcel of land situated on the northeast corner of Farmington and Plymouth Roads be changed from RUFB to C-2, be tabled until information is given as to what use is to be made of the site and brought up again at the next regu- lar meeting. A roll call vote on the foregoing resolution resulted in the following: AYES: Newton, Conway, Jahn, Geer, Greene, Harsha, Hay and Salinas NAYS: None The secretary read the petition submitted by the Gaylord Baptist Church for permission to erect a church on the southwest corner of Inkster and Curtis. Waring and Johnson's recommendation was also read. Rev. Chester Cones, Pastor, of the the Gaylord Baptist Church was present and discussed the matter with the Commission. The secretary read a letter from Chief Calvin Roberts of the Livonia Fire Department inre the regula- tions governing the building. Rev. Cones had no detailed plans to submit as he was interested in getting permission to erect the building before drawings were made up. The dis- cussion covered the size of the lot and the potential expansion of the building and the off-street parking. Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Conway and seconded by Mr. Newton, it was RESOLVED, that the petition of Gaylord Baptist Church for permission to build a new church at the southwest corner of Inkster and Curtis, be granted, on the condition that the site of such church shall have a minimum frontage on Inkster of 200 feet and a minimum frontage on Curtis of 1400 feet, excluding the land necessary for the street dedications. A roll call vote on the foregoing resolution resulted in the following: AYES: Newton, Conway, Jahn, Greene, Geer, Harsha, Hay and Salinas NAYS: None The secretary presented the topsoil removal application of the M & B Topsoil Excavating Company requesting permission to remove topsoil on a 40-acre parcel located between Schoolcraft and Lyndon and between Inkster and Middlebelt Roads. Letters had not been received from the Department of Public Works or from the Police Department. The Chair referred the application to Mr. Jahn, Chairman of the Topsoil removal committee. I[: Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Conway and seconded by Mr. Newton, it was RESOLVED, that the public hearing be adjourned until the next regular meeting, October 20, 1953. (- 157 4 A roll call vote on the foregoing resolution resulted in the following: AYES: Newton, Conway, Jahn, Greene, Geer, Harsha, Hay and Salinas NAYS: None Thereupon, at approximately 11:25 PM, the Chair declared the public hearing adjourned. Chairman, Dallas Hay, called the regular meeting to order at approximately 11:30 PM, with the following members present: Edwin Conway Clarence Jahn Robert Greene Irving Geer H. Paul Harsha Dallas Hay Rufino Salinas Absent: Mr. Newton* The secretary presented invoices from the City of Livonia and from Waring and Johnson, for approval. Upon a motion daily made by Mr. Jahn and seconded by Mr. Harsha, it was RESOLVED, that invoices from the City of Livonia in the amount of $3.61 and Waring and Johnson in the amount of $334.74 be approved for payment. A roll call vote on the foregoing resolution resulted in the following: AYES: Conway, Jahn, Geer, Greene, Harsha, Hay and Salinas NAYS: None *Mr. Newton returned at 11:35 PM. Mr. Slavik was present and presented preliminary drawings of a proposed sub- division (Slavikis Merriman Subdivision) a 37-acre parcel located on the northeast corner of West Chicago and Merriman. Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Jahn and seconded by Mr. Conway, it was RESOLVED, that the plat of Slavik's Merriman Subdivision be referred to the Plat Committee. A roll call vote on the foregoing resolution resulted in the following: AYES: Newton, Conway, Jahn, Greene, Geer, Harsha, Hay and Salinas NAYS: None Mr. Edwards was present regarding the removal of topsoil, and the Chair called on Mr. Edwards. Following a discussion, a motion was duly made by Mr. Conway and seconded by Mr. Jahn, it was RESOLVED, that the topsoil application of H. E. Edwards, on the east side of Merriman between Schoolcraft and Lyndon, be rejected. 159 � i7 A roll call vote on the foregoing resolution resulted in the following: AYES: Newton, Conway, Jahn, Greene, Geer, Harsha, Hay and Salinas NAYS: None There was a discussion regarding the fact that the Police Department, the Department of Public Works, the City Attorney and the Planning Commission should have copies of the permits that are issued for the removal of topsoil. There was a discussion regarding the dirt removal by Mr. Cummings. There was also a discussion regarding the recommendations of the Fire Department and upon a motion duly made by Mr. Jahn and seconded by Mr. Newton, it was RESOLVED, that the City Attorney and Waring and Johnson, Planning Consultants, submit recommendations on the Fire Department1s requirements for the City of Livonia. A roll call vote on the foregoing resolution resulted in the following: AYES: Newton, Conway, Jahn, Greene, Geer, Harsha, Hay and Salinas NAYS: None At approximately 12:05 AM, a motion was duly made, seconded and unanimously carried, and it was RESOLVED, that this meeting be adjourned. Thereupon, the Chair declared the meeting adjourned and advised that the next special meeting would be held on October 6, 1953. Rufin4 Salinas, Secretary ATTESTED: Dallas F. Hay, Chairman