HomeMy WebLinkAboutSTUDY - 2018-08-08
CITY OF LIVONIA – CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES OF STUDY MEETING HELD AUGUST 8, 2018
Meeting was called to order at 8:00 p.m. by President Toy. Present: Jim Jolly,
Brandon Kritzman, Scott Bahr, Cathy White, Kathleen McIntyre, Brian Meakin and Laura
Toy. Absent: None.
Elected and appointed officials present: Scott Miller, City Planner IV; Todd Zilincik,
City Engineer; Paul Bernier, City Attorney; Susan M. Nash, City Clerk; Ted Davis,
Superintendent of Parks and Recreation; Brandi Isaacson, Housing Department; and
Dave Varga, Director of Administrative Services.
AUDIENCE COMMUNICATION: None.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. BLOCK PARTY: Amanda Duke, re: to be held Saturday, September 22, 2018,
from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Louise Street, from 17200 Louise to Bobrich, with
no rain date requested.
McIntyre offered an approving resolution, requesting that it be put on the Regular
Agenda due to some conflicts that have occurred recently regarding block parties
and street closures that neighbors were not aware of and requested the Applicant
to notify her neighbors of the event.
DIRECTION: APPROVING REGULAR
2. REQUEST TO WAIVE THE CITY’S NOISE ORDINANCE: Chris Hibner,
SuperNatural Brewing & Spirits, re: to host an Oktoberfest event with live music
in their parking lot located at 36685 Plymouth Road on Friday, September 21, 2018
through Sunday, September 23, 2018.
Jason Hill, General Manager of SuperNatural Brewing & Spirits, 36685 Plymouth
Road, presented this request to Council. He stated they are the only brewery in
Livonia and very happy to be doing business in the City. He indicated they would
like to host an Oktoberfest with a tent, and would like to have the Noise Ordinance
waived for live music from German bands and perhaps a DJ within the tent.
President Toy asked for clarification of the times and Hill responded that Friday
night they would like to stay open until midnight or 1:00 a.m., Saturday noon to
midnight, and Sunday noon to 8:00 p.m.
2
Bahr asked if Hill anticipated music to be playing during the entire time and Hill
responded yes, that they would like to fill in the gaps in between the bands with
some kind of music to fill in the space, not all dance music but ambience music.
Bahr clarified that the ambience music would be playing during the fill-in time and
Hill responded yes, in between the bands, yes. Bahr stated that there are some
homes nearby that would be affected and asked Hill if those homeowners were
contacted and spoken to about the event. Hill stated they had spoken with Kush,
who owns the Days Inn, and the owner of the Rentaloop Hotel who supported the
event and is giving a special rate for their guests. He also said they have a shared
parking lot agreement for their facility. The skating rink was also contacted
regarding overflow parking if needed. Bahr asked if there were other locations of
the brewery and Hill responded no, that this is the first time they are hosting this
event since they recently opened in November.
Bahr stated he had concerns about the length of time but would allow it to run to
midnight and see how things go.
Bahr offered the approving resolution with the condition that it be only to midnight
on Friday and Saturday.
Vice President Jolly asked the Applicant how their craft beer is doing in the State
of Michigan and the foot traffic in their establishment.
Hill stated that last week was a big one for the brewery, as they got accepted as
full members into the Brewer’s Guild, who do all of the beer festivals, and attendees
of those festivals are the beer enthusiasts that spread the word through the
community. He indicated Chris Hibner is the head brewer and is doing some
fantastic stuff in the brewery. He said in building a clientele, the biggest thing is to
build a solid clientele with solid products that the community can be proud of in
that SuperNatural will be a beer destination and beyond as a gathering place. He
went on to say the response from the community has been fantastic.
Meakin stated this sounds like a great idea and asked Hill to expound on the
security involved with this event.
Hill said one of the entrances to the establishment will be closed off and they would
like to utilize barricades to block off the one entrance and one side of the tent. The
tent will have sides on it so it will be enclosed. There will be one entrance point
that will be manned with people checking I.D.s as it’s a 21 and over event, and
after proper identification wristbands will be given out and anybody that is in the
tent without a wrist band will be asked to leave. There will be doormen at every
access point within the tent, and all employees, managers, owners keeping vigilant
eyes on the guests and providing Lyft, Uber and Days Inn giving special rates for
guests. If more presence is requested by Council, Hill stated from his experience
vigilant staff is the best way to approach situations that may arise and having
clearly defined rules for anybody serving the alcohol. The tent they intend on
3
ordering can hold 250 capacity, the fire marshal will outline if that is the correct
number or not after inspection, and they will abide by that headcount.
Meakin stated security at these types of events are of utmost importance not only
for the patrons but the neighbors as well. Hill stated his past experience at a much
larger venue makes him confident that things will go as planned. Meakin stated
he felt they were well prepared for this event and wished them the best of luck.
McIntyre stated she appreciated the fact that the Applicant had anticipated and
addressed Council’s concerns proactively with the filing of the request. She then
asked if the restaurant had a full menu in addition to beer and Hill responded yes.
President Toy asked if there would be costumes involved like Frankenmuth and
Hill said that there will be a costume contest.
President Toy asked Bahr who offered the approving resolution whether he would
like it on the Consent or Regular Agenda and Bahr responded Consent.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
3. APPOINTMENT OF DAVID CASH TO THE LOCAL OFFICERS COMPENSATION
COMMISSION: Office of the Mayor, re: to fill an unexpired term of Leo D. Neville,
which will expire on April 2, 2024.
Dave Varga, Director of Administrative Services, presented this request to Council.
Varga stated he was at the meeting representing Mayor Wright asking Council’s
approval of David S. Cash to fill the unexpired term of Leo Neville on the Local
Officers Compensation Commission, that it’s a seven-year term, no compensation
is involved on this commission. He stated Mr. Cash has been the funeral director
at R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Home since 1993, serving many Livonia families and
he and his wife Judy have been married for twenty-eight years and are long term
residents of the City raising three children, all graduates of Churchill High School
and that David is very involved in Livonia Rotary Club, serving as president twice
and many other offices since 1994. He stated Mr. Cash is present to address any
questions from Council.
McIntyre stated that when she heard of the nomination of Mr. Cash to the LOCC,
she felt there couldn’t be a better candidate and offered the approving resolution
for the Consent Agenda.
Kritzman stated that Council truly appreciated Mr. Cash’s contributions to the
community and relayed a comment by Bahr concerning the appointment of “Mr.
Cash” to the “Compensation Commission.”
4
Cash stated he considered it a high honor to have been asked to serve on this
commission and was humbled by the request.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
4. TAX RATE REQUEST FOR THE PLYMOUTH ROAD DEVELOPMENT
AUTHORITY FOR THE 2018 TAX YEAR: Office of the City Clerk, re: forwarding
communication dated July 19, 2018, from Michael T. Slater, Treasurer, setting forth
the rate of tax to be levied and requesting that it be collected as part of the summer
tax collection.
Susan M. Nash, City Clerk, stated that the next six items on the Agenda are merely
housekeeping issues that need approval in order to put it on the taxes.
DIRECTION: RECEIVE & FILE CONSENT
5. TAX RATE REQUEST FOR THE CLARENCEVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR
THE 2018-2019 SCHOOL YEAR: Office of the City Clerk, re: forwarding a
communication, from Dave Bergeron, setting forth the rate of tax approved by the
Board of Education on June 14, 2018.
DIRECTION: RECEIVE & FILE CONSENT
6. TAX RATE REQUEST FOR OAKLAND SCHOOLS ISD FOR THE 2018-2019
SCHOOL YEAR: Office of the City Clerk, re: forwarding a communication from
Michelle Saunders, Executive Director of Financial Services, to set the rate of tax
to be levied and requesting that it be collected as a summer tax.
DIRECTION: RECEIVE & FILE CONSENT
7. TAX RATE REQUEST FOR WAYNE COUNTY REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL
SERVICE AGENCY (RESA) FOR THE 2018 SCHOOL YEAR: Office of the City
Clerk, re: forwarding a communication from Tamara Durst, Finance Manager of
the Wayne County Regional Education Service Agency, requesting to set the rate
of tax to be levied and requesting that it be collected as a summer tax.
DIRECTION: RECEIVE & FILE CONSENT
8. TAX RATE REQUEST FOR THE COUNTY OF WAYNE FOR THE YEAR 2018:
Office of the City Clerk, re: forwarding a communication from Scott T.
Vandermergel, MMAO(4), Director, Division of Assessment and Equalization,
requesting that the City collect 5.6483 Charter authorized mills as part of the
summer tax collection and the remainder as part of the winter tax collection.
DIRECTION RECEIVE & FILE CONSENT
5
9. TAX RATE REQUEST FOR THE STATE OF MICHIGAN, STATE EDUCATION
TAX FOR THE YEAR 2018: Office of the City Clerk, re: forwarding a
communication from N.A. Khouri, State Treasurer, requesting to set the rate of tax
to be levied and requesting that it be collected as a summer tax.
DIRECTION: RECEIVE & FILE CONSENT
10. AWARD OF BID: Department of Parks and Recreation, re: for construction and
site work for a pedestrian bridge at Helman Park, in the amount of $141,025.38,
with $60,000.00 to be reimbursed from a donation from Healthy Livonia and from
budgeted funds.
Ted Davis, Superintendent of Parks & Recreation, presented this request to
Council. He stated the Parks & Rec Department took bids for construction and site
work for a pedestrian bridge at the newly named Tatigian Park. This project was
identified as part of Bike Walk Livonia Plan and this is going to provide east/west
access at the Curtis dead end on the west side of that park. Four bids were
received for this project and they are asking Council to award this to the low bidder
Brock & Associates in an amount not to exceed $141,025.38. He stated he’d be
happy to answer any questions Council might have on the project.
President Toy clarified that Healthy Livonia is contributing some funds for this
project and Davis stated yes, they are contributing $60,000 for this project and
thanked them for their contribution.
Vice President Jolly stated that Davis had attempted to do this prior by trying to get
some State DNR grants and was unsuccessful in getting them so Healthy Livonia
stepped in and provided the $60,000 in funding. He stated there are four other
Board members from Healthy Livonia in the audience tonight and that this project
is symbolic of a bridge to the future of the Livonia Parks and Recreation programs
and offerings because it will contribute to overall Bike/Walk Livonia Plan and allow
further use of an underutilized park and a way to honor Harry Tatigian who the
park is named after.
Davis thanked Jolly and replied that what people are looking for is connectivity and
this is the first step in connecting through a park, through an area, and the eventual
plan of being able to walk or ride a bike all the way from Bicentennial to Rotary
Park, connecting two major parks, schools, and this is the first step in the process.
Meakin stated he was glad Davis mentioned the connectivity of this project and the
bridge, and the anticipated big picture plan it will culminate in.
Kritzman stated that in his participation with SEMCOG it was recently brought up
in a meeting about bike connectivity in the region and that Livonia was a huge void
in the middle of it and indicated he echoed the comments of Councilmember
6
Meakin and applauded those like Davis who is working toward adding more
connectivity and striving toward making it a little more pedestrian and bicycle
friendly in the City. He indicated this is a great opportunity for us to put Livonia in
a great position in the future and is very excited to see this project move forward.
Davis stated that he and Councilmember Kritzman and Vice President Jolly all use
STRAVA which is an app that tracks your location utilizing your fitbits or Apple
watches and that that was looked at when going over the Bike/Walk Livonia Plan,
and that there is significant traffic going from Bicentennial Park down Wayne Road
to Curtis and at that dead end there is a big black mark which is Helman Park so
there’s no traffic through there, so you see this traffic pattern literally dead end
there. So this is identifying our weak spot, where we have needs.
Jolly offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
11. REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION TO PURCHASE TWO (2) DELL
POWEREDGE R740 SERVERS THROUGH THE STATE OF MICHIGAN
CONTRACT PRICING BID: Division of Police, re: for the purpose of replacing
current servers which are out of warranty, at end of life, and replacement parts are
limited or no longer available, from budgeted funds.
President Toy presented this item on behalf of the Police Department stating the
request is being made for the Dell Servers to replace the current servers which are
out of warranty, end of life and replacement parts are limited or no longer available.
Meakin offered the approving resolution for the Regular Agenda.
DIRECTION: APPROVING REGULAR
12. REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION TO SELL CITY-OWNED PROPERTY
PURCHASED UTILIZING FUNDS FROM THE FEDERAL COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) PROGRAM: Livonia Housing
Commission, re: for the vacant parcel located at 19315 Inkster Road to Soave
Homes for a sale price of $1,100.00.
Brandi Isaacson, on behalf of Jim Inglis, Director of Housing, presented this
request to Council. She stated the property at 19315 Inkster was purchased
utilizing the Wayne County Foreclosure Program back in July 2017. It was deemed
to be blighted and abandoned. CDBG Block Grant Funding was used to demolish
the property and they are requesting to sell it to Soave Homes who plant to build
a 1,400 square foot three bedroom Colonial on this property to get it back on the
tax rolls.
7
President Toy asked if there were any other bidders on the property and Isaacson
responded no, they had put it out for bid in early July for a minimum bid
requirement of $17,00 and no bids were received back. They then put it back out
for bid with no minimum bid and the only bid received was from Soave Homes.
Vice President Jolly stated that Council had received an email from a resident who
brought up some of the facts of this situation and asked Isaacson if the City was
losing money on this project?
Isaacson responded that it is a part of a grant from the Community Development
Block Grant Program and that part of their budget is set aside money annually to
be able to purchase blighted homes and part of this is so that they can demolish
the home and put them back on the market as lots. She indicated this property
had two impediments, first its location on Inkster Road between Seven Mile and
Grand River, that both adjoining neighbor properties were renters so selling it to
them was not an option, they were not interested.
Vice President Jolly clarified that when it indicates the Federal CDBG Program,
that is money coming from the Federal government and not Livonia taxpayer
dollars, and Isaacson confirmed that.
President Toy asked if profit were to be made on this, it would go into Livonia’s
coffers and Isaacson replied you cannot make a profit for this program and if
Livonia did profit, the funds would have to be returned back to the County. Toy
asked where the money goes from the sale of the property and Isaacson
responded it goes back into the CDBG Program. Toy then asked if the City lost
money on this property and Isaacson stated that she didn’t think the City
necessarily was losing money because the property will be developed, a house is
going to be placed on it and that house is going to serve as tax revenue.
Vice President Jolly stated this money comes from the Federal government as a
grant benefit for Livonia to improve neighborhoods and keep blight out of
neighborhoods and there are many benefits that go along with that including
sustained tax rates for the houses that area there and people continuing to want
to live there. When the City spends roughly $17,000 to demolish a house and
purchase a piece of property and it is then sold for $1,000, that is not money the
City of Livonia is losing, that’s money that Livonia has reaped benefit from from the
Federal government.
President Toy stated she understood that but that if the property were sold at a
higher price, that would put more funds back into the CDBG Program.
Isaacson stated this property was very difficult to generate interest in and the bid
was published twice on two separate occasions.
8
White stated she supports the idea of selling this to a developer so that a new
home can be placed there with an idea that it will generate some improvements in
the whole neighborhood. She then asked Isaacson how long was the property
listed for sale initially at the $17,000 minimum bid price and Isaacson replied it was
rd
three weeks both times it was published, the first time it was listed was June 3,
th
asking for bids to returned by June 26, and the second time it was published July
thth
5, requesting bids to be back by July 24.
White clarified that the second time was with no minimum bid and Isaacson
confirmed that.
Kritzman stated in looking at this property they certainly would like to get more
money for it in order to help support the CDBG Grant Program and ongoing efforts
by the Housing Commission to continue to do the good work that they do, but
sometimes just based on existing conditions, the City will not be able to have
everything go the exact way that they want it. Unfortunately the circumstances
involved in this particular property are not favorable to us getting top dollar for this
property. In fact if we had a developer coming to us, let’s say we have a
homeowner comes and says we want to split off a 40-foot wide lot and build a
house on this property, the City would not want them to do it, taking into
consideration the history of this Council’s past decisions, and that the totality of
conditions on this property is such that we’re going to end up with a far better
product then we’ve ever had before and he doesn’t think it’s in the best interest of
all parties involved to be concerned with a dollar per square foot price when it
comes to this lot. There is such a negative impact to the value of this property
based on some of the conditions, the dimensions of the property itself, and the
conditions of the area around it, it’s on the border of the community, it’s on a busy
street, there isn’t a whole lot of yard area, it’s not the most attractive property. I
think this is one of the best offers we’re going to get and he then offered an
approving resolution on this.
Kritzman offered an approving resolution on the Consent Agenda and President
Toy asked that it be placed on the Regular Agenda.
DIRECTION: APPROVING REGULAR
13. REQUEST TO ADVISE THE WAYNE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC
SERVICES (PERMIT SECTION) THAT THE CITY HAS APPROVED THE STORM
SEWER PLANS AND WILL ACCEPT JURISDICTION AND MAINTENANCE OF
THE STORM SEWER WITHIN THE PROPERTY LOCATED ON THE WEST SIDE
OF MIDDLEBELT ROAD, NORTH OF FIVE MILE ROAD, AND REQUEST TO
AUTHORIZE THE CITY ENGINEER TO EXECUTE A WAYNE COUNTY PERMIT
ON BEHALF OF THE CITY: Engineering Division, re: for the development of a
Marycrest Manor Skilled Nursing and Assisted Living Addition Phase II –
Demolition and Reconstruction of Facility, located in the Southeast ¼ of Section
14 and for owner, Trinity Continuing Care Services, a Michigan non-profit
9
corporation, to reimburse the City for any such maintenance that may become
necessary.
Todd Zilincik, City Engineer, presented this request to Council.
He stated this project was two years in the making agreement finally coming to
fruition here for housekeeping issues and they are looking forward to getting this
one down to Wayne County and move it forward. It has taken quite a bit of time to
get the Phase II completed and now that the as-builts and review we’re accepting
that to move forward with the final agreement on storm water.
Meakin stated this is typically a housekeeping order but he needs to ask if
everything is all buttoned up and ready to go and Zilincik responded yes.
Meakin offered the approving resolution on the Consent Agenda.
Kritzman asked that it be placed on the Regular Agenda.
DIRECTION: APPROVING REGULAR
14. REQUEST TO ACCEPT STORM WATER FACILITIES MAINTENANCE
AGREEMENT: Engineering Division, re: from Madonna University, a Michigan
Non-Profit Organization, in conjunction with the development of the Madonna
University Student Housing located at 14351 and 14363 Levan Road in the
Southwest ¼ of Section 20.
Todd Zilincik, City Engineer, presented this request to Council.
He made one point of clarification on this item and directed his comment to the
City Clerk, where it says advise Wayne County Department of Public Services, this
is actually an internal one for the City of Livonia, they do not go to Wayne County
for this approval for the permit. This is in relationship to the two recent housing
developments that occurred on Levan which is under the jurisdiction of the City
and Schoolcraft Road, so this will not be sent down to Wayne County. The
Engineering Department approved the design plans based on the plans submitted
by the engineer, again it’s an internal one under our jurisdiction and relates to the
recently completed housing, the second one was done early in the spring and
trying to close out the outstanding issues and finally hopefully release the bonds
and complete the project and move forward.
White offered the approving resolution on the Consent Agenda.
Vice President Jolly stated that Madonna University did announce today that they
would be adding intercollegiate football to their campus.
10
Neil Neidhardt, Special Assistant to President Michael Grandillo of Madonna
University came to the podium. He asked what the protocol would be following
this and Zilincik responded to his query directing him on what will be done to move
this forward. Neidhardt then stated it was a pleasure working with everybody from
the City.
Vice President Jolly stated he is looking forward to football games between
Lawrence Tech and Madonna.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
15. SITE PLAN PETITION: Planning Commission, re: Petition 2018-06-08-06
submitted by Steve Anton, to remodel the exterior of the commercial strip center
(LA Plaza), located on the south side of Plymouth Road between Yale Avenue and
Levan Road (36083-36175 Plymouth Road), in the Northeast ¼ of Section 32.
Scott Miller, Planner IV, presented this request to Council. He stated LA Plaza is
a multi-tenant shopping center with approximately 36,000 square feet of retail
space. The Plaza is L-shaped with some store fronts facing the direction of
Plymouth Road, others facing west. Currently the exterior of the building contains
a combination of face brick and vinyl siding. The brick is on the main part of the
façade where it extends from the sidewalk to the top of the parapet. The horizontal
siding is on the tower elements that highlight the ends of the center and the center
feature.
The changes mostly involve covering portions of the brick and vinyl with a new
material. On the upper part of the building the brick will be covered with a fiber
cement panel made by Hardy Plank. Hardy Plank would also be used to replace
the vinyl siding portions of the peak tower elements. Between the storefront
windows cultured stone would be used to cover the existing brick and then from
the seal line down the existing brick would remain uncovered. There would be no
other changes or improvements proposed as part of this Petition.
President Toy then asked to clarify the improvements that are going to be made.
Miller pointed them out to Toy on the screen.
Steve Anton, General Contractor for the project, Bloomfield, Michigan came to the
podium.
He stated this shopping center is a little bit dated and the owner feels like it needs
a face lift, and they just want to improve the look of it and hopefully draw more
tenants.
Kritzman stated he wanted to better understand the materials the contractor was
going to utilize for the project.
11
Anton replied that the Hardy siding comes in a 4 x 8 sheet, which will go across
the top above the windows. It’s a very good exterior material that holds up great.
The other material is a cultured stone that will go in between the windows and just
the rest will just be a double four-inch vinyl siding.
Kritzman stated that a lot of times when strip centers are getting a makeover they
come with existing conditions to deal with that are less than favorable but he stated
that this one where he thinks the base of this building is actually as favorable as it
could possible get. They have a great looking base to the building in that it’s a
brick masonry structure from the bottom to the top. He indicated he didn’t think
the problem with the plaza is the full field of the material, he thinks it has more to
do that there’s not a whole lot of special articulation in the building itself, it’s pretty
bland from left to right. He stated he doesn’t think adding the materials proposed
in the plans are going to a benefit, that it’s a step backwards and that the Petitioner
would be better served adding smaller touches, perhaps a cornice along the top
or adding higher elements to break up the façade. Drawing specific attention to
certain stores, certain pockets, certain tenant areas they would be far better served
by creating a greater attraction to some of those and creating more specific
identities to some of those spaces. He indicated he is not a big fan of the design
and would make it look worse than it does.
Anton stated the Architect’s idea with the cultured stone going in between the
windows will give it a little bit of a definition and with a different color going across
the top, what seems to be happening is that the signage seems to be blending into
the building so having a lighter color along the top, the signage will stand out a little
bit more. The architects that worked on it came up with three or four ideas and
this was the best concept and something that the owners felt would improve the
look of the building.
Kritzman stated that he read in the Planning Commission minutes that there is no
intention of pulling the brick off the building and swapping out materials, that the
intention is to take the cultured stone product and apply it to the column element
and that he felt that is another small mistake that gets made because they are
applying something that is two and a half inches deep to an existing façade, it will
look as though it’s floating in some sort of way unless they have details showing
otherwise, Council has no way of understanding how that will not look like a poorly
applied material to the façade. At the very least if those columns went all the way
down to the ground, it would look as though it was a little more grounded and
natural and part of the original design. He pointed out the Sheldon Center and its
renovations as being one to strive for. Kritzman suggested that this be sent to
Committee or denied.
Meakin was going to offer a similar resolution as Kritzman and stated he felt they
were putting the cart before the horse and that he’d like to help the owners of the
property build the location. Changing the top portion of those two sections isn’t
going to do it. They need to figure out how to build a space, maybe find a major
12
tenant that’s going to want to do something separate than what they’re doing now
and that he doesn’t want the owners to spend money doing a renovation, attract a
great new tenant and then they want to change it again. He likes the idea of
sending this to the Committee of the Whole so they can help them with this issue.
He also stated it would be helpful to have the property owner present so they come
to a resolution for this.
Anton replied the owner is in Florida, he indicated the plaza is about 50 percent
full and they did just sign a new tenant that just received the keys yesterday and
they have another tenant looking at the corner space, so they feel pretty confident,
the inside corner where the bike shop was. This project has received positive
feedback from the tenants that are already there. If a new big tenant wants to
change something, we can address it at that time. The reason for covering the top
part of that brick with that siding is that brick has had numerous amounts of signs,
numerous amounts of things put in it, there’s a lot of holes, there’s been a lot of
repair done to it, there’s a lot of different colored mortar joints, it’s really not
attractive.
Kritzman stated he understands the difficulty of dealing with brick façade when
you’re swapping things out and changing signs and things of that nature, but there
are ways to work with that and can be successful. He said for the amount of the
investment that they’re proposing, he is suggesting that they take a look at the
same amount of investment and concentrate it in a few particular places and that
the money will be better spent instead of this blanket solution across the entire
façade of the building, if you took that same level of investment and the same
financial value and concentrated it in certain areas with a well developed design,
you’d be far better off at no additional cost.
President Toy stated that what she is hearing from the members of Council is that
they would like to send this to the Committee of the Whole, where they meet with
Council in Chambers and it can be discussed in depth. She indicated they are
lucky to have someone like Councilmember Kritzman who can use his expertise
to help with this project. She then asked if there was a timeline that they should
be aware of.
Anton stated that they respect their opinions but winter is coming and when they
started with the project they submitted to the Building Department and it
automatically went to Planning, so everything was pushed back two to three
months. We’ve gone through Planning, Planning seemed to like the idea, we’ve
gone through two meetings with them, they both approved it. We don’t mind
listening to different opinions, but on behalf of the owner this is the concept that
they liked and this is where they wanted to put the money.
13
President Toy stated that they are trying to enhance the Plymouth Road Corridor
to more than what it is, there are new businesses coming in on Plymouth Road.
White stated that towards the west side of the strip center, that part of the parking
lot is very dark and she had made complaints to Quizno’s about that and perhaps
that information should be passed onto the owner.
Anton stated in the middle of 2016, the owners spent about a little over $30,000 to
improve the lighting in the parking lot. They also invested in landscaping, and in
redoing the parking lot in 2016 and 2017. They are continuously every year trying
to do something to improve and to maintain the building.
President Toy stated she appreciates all of the comments heard.
DIRECTION: COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
AUDIENCE COMMUNICATION: None.
As there were no further questions or comments, President Toy adjourned the Study
Session at 9:20 p.m. on Wednesday, August 8, 2018.
DATED: August 13, 2018 SUSAN M. NASH
CITY CLERK