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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPLANNING MINUTES 1954-03-02 345 MINUTES OF A SPECIAL STUDY MEETING OF THE CITY PLANNING COMMISSION A Special Study Meeting of the City Planning Commission was held on Tuesday, March 2, 1954 at the City Hall, Livonia, Michigan. The Special Study Meeting was called to order by Acting Chairman Rufino Salinas at approximately 8:10 p.m. Members present: Rufino Salinas Edwin Conway Peter Ventura William Newton Irving Geer Members absent: *Robert L. Greene *Clarence Jahn *Dallas F. Hay H. Paul Harsha Mr. Malcolm F. Waring, Planning Consultant was present. The Chair stated that this was a special study meeting with the Traffic Commission and that open discussion would be had relative to off-street parking, over-passes and under-passes. The following were present representing the Traffic Commission. Jack Hickox, Chairman Harry Curtner, Vice-Chairman L James Hagen, Director of Public Safety Victor Lothman Dr. George Marston *Mr. Robert L. Greene arrived at approximately 8:13 p.m. It was brought out that a program must be completed regarding angle parking in the City of Livonia in view of the State Highway Department's request that angle parking be prohibited on Plymouth Road. In the opinion of the Director of Public Safety and the Chief of Police angle parking should be prohibited throughout the entire city. The Traffic Commission submitted nine areas in which the prohibition of angle parking might create a hardship on the merchants. 1. Middlebelt and Joy Road 2. Plymouth and Inkster Road 3. Middlebelt and Six Mile Road 4. Grand River and Eight Mile Road 5. Seven Mile and Floral 6. Plymouth Road - Arden to Hubbard (Seven blocks) 7. Plymouth and Stark Road 8. Seven Mile and Farmington 9. Five Mile and Farmington Mr. Hickox stated that it was not their intention to put the merchants out of business. Mr. Salinas asked if a change of zoning would be necessary. 347 i/ Mr. Hagen stated that it would not be necessary to change the zoning in any case, but that there may be condemnation. Mr. Lothman stated that in most cases the Traffic Commission has discussed angle parking with the merchants. A problem would arise where some of the merchants want a parking lot and some do not. Mr. Curtner stated that the merchants would be willing to pay the extra cost of a parking lot in their rent. It was his opinion that the owner and the renter should split the cost. *Mr. Clarence Jahn arrived at approximately 6:27 p.m. Mr. Ventura stated that the mercnants should buy their own lots for parking if at all possible. He suggested that the stores as a group buy lots. Mr. Hagen agreed that the merchants should buy their own lots for parking, but that those merchants that rent do not want to invest money in parking lots. The type of parking would be up to the Planning Commission. Parking lots would be paid for by special tax assessments over a period of years, against the property in the immediate area which would receive the benefits of such parking lots. The city would keep the lots in condition. Mr. Curtner stated that there should not be interference if the merchants wanted to make their own parking lot. Mr. Lothman recommended that a procedure be set up whereby the merchants could apply for a Municipal Parking lot in their area and that the Planning Commission could act upon it. Mr. Waring stated that parking meters regulate persons using parking space and that it makes the space available to more customers. The funds could be used for the maintenance of the lot. There should not be more than 300 feet from the nearest store to the parking lot and the lots should be in series of 60 feet strips. Mr. Conway stated that meters would have to be checked by the Police Depart- ment and that the merchants are not in favor of meters. Mr. Hickox stated that the merchants are not in favor of parking lots across the street from their stores. Mr. Salinas suggested that before the Planning Commission support the recommendation of the Traffic Commission the Master Planning Committee study the situation. *Mr. Hay arrived at approximately 9:12 p.m. Mr. Waring submitted a drawing showing the typical surface interchange at main intersections to avoid left-hand turns. To put this plan into effect it would take approximately one acre of land. The Planning Commission and the Traffic Commission agreed that this was a good plan. 34 Mr. Jahn suggested that an emergency ordinance be put into effect that would prohibit the Building Department from issuing permits in the areas where a clover-leaf similar to Waring and Johnson's plan would be necessary. Mr. Hay appointed the Master Planning Committee (Messrs. Jahn, Harsha and Newton) to study Waring and Johnson's clover-leaf plan in relation to Middlebelt Road and Plymouth Road and Plymouth Road and Farmington Road and report back to the Planning Commission on March 16, 1954 at which time a date could be set for the Public Hearing. Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Conway, seconded by Mr. Newton and unanimously carried, it was RESOLVED, that a copy of the minutes of the Special Study Meet- ing, March 2, 1954 and a copy of Waring and Johnson's clover-leaf plan to avoid left-hand turns be forwarded to the Building De- partment. The Chairman declared the foregoing resolution adopted. Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Greene, seconded by Mr. Geer and unanimously carried, it was RESOLVED, that Waring and Johnson be authorized to proceed with further study and preparation of the clover-leaf plan to avoid left-hand turns at the intersections Middlebelt at Plymouth and Farmington at Plymouth, and FURTHER RESOLVED, that further study be given the recommendation and drawing submitted by the Traffic Commission dated February 12. The Chairman declared the foregoing resolution adopted. The Chair appointed a committee of three (Messrs. Salinas, Greene and Geer) to give further study to the recommendation dated February 12, 1954 and the drawing submitted by the Traffic Commission. At approximately 10:00 p.m. the Chair declared the Special Study Meeting adjourned. R o inas, Secretary ATTESTED: Rufin Salinas, Acting Chairman Dallas F. Hay, Chair