| REGULAR MEETING |
JUNE 14, 2007 |
| PLANNING COMMISSION |
1 - 1 |
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Heidt at 7:30 p.m. A quorum was present.
PRESENT
Chairman John Heidt; Commissioners Kathy Amerman, Gary Goodenow, Craig Johnston, Peter Murad, Karen Worrell, Stanley Zasuwa
ABSENT
Commissioner Larry Martin
ALSO PRESENT
Planning Consultant, Nick Lomako; Building Official, Randy Sapelak; DDA Director, Ann Barnette
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Regular Meeting May 10, 2007
PC-07-32 Amerman moved, Zasuwa seconded, to accept the minutes of the regular Planning Commission meeting of May 10, 2007 as presented. Motion CARRIED
PUBLIC HEARING
Language Amendment to Sec. 94-342, Special Parking District & Sec. 94-2 Definitions
Mr. Lomako reviewed the language amendment from his letter dated 5/14/07.
PC-07-33 Goodenow moved, Amerman seconded, to open the Public Hearing at 7:32 p.m. Motion CARRIED
There was no response from the Public.
PC-07-34 Goodenow moved, Amerman seconded, to close the Public Hearing at 7:32 p.m. Motion CARRIED
The Commissioners and Mr. Lomako discussed the proposed amendment and decided to change the word “storage” in the definition for Off-street parking facility to the word “parking” and to include in the definition for Off-street parking that “Off-street parking means space with access to a public street or alley intended…”
Sec. 94-342 (1) j, should be changed from “Dance Schools/Dance Studios: Four spaces for every 1,000 square feet…” to “Dance Schools/Dance Studios: One space for every 250 square feet…”.
PC-07-35 Goodenow moved, Zasuwa seconded, to recommend to Village Council the proposed zoning ordinance text amendment to Sec. 94-342, Special Parking District and Sec. 94-2, Definitions as referenced in the Wade Trim letter dated 5/14/07 and with the amendments made tonight. Motion CARRIED
CALL TO THE PUBLIC
There was no response from the Public.
NEW BUSINESS
SP-07-03, Frank, McCormick & Khalaf, LLC Architects, 16-11-104-006, 101 E. Commerce, Proposed Expansion Milford House Restaurant
Mary Clare McCormick with Frank McCormick & Khalaf, LLC Architects, 28 W. Adams, Detroit, James Eppink of J. Eppink Partners, Inc., 39 S. Main, Clarkston, were present to answer any questions from the Commissioners.
Perry Sinacola, owner, was also present.
Ms. McCormick stated that she was present on behalf of Perry Sinacola, owner of Milford House Bar & Grill who is interested in expanding the restaurant into the adjacent building formerly occupied by All Star Wireless. She explained that the expansion will allow for an additional 44 patrons inside the restaurant and approximately 20-25 patrons that could utilize outside dining. The current restaurant, the ice cream parlor and the addition will share the current kitchen. Ms. McCormick said that Mr. Sinacola is hoping to have the expansion completed in time for the Milford Memories Festival in August.
Mr. Eppink briefly discussed the landscaping and explained that a sidewalk would be placed where the outdoor dining is proposed, leaving an open green space on the corner. He said the proposed landscaping would be adjusted so there would be no obstructions to vehicular traffic.
Mr. Lomako went through each of the outstanding items from his review letter dated 6/7/07 (on file at Village office).
The Commissioners, Ms. McCormick, Mr. Eppink, Mr. Sinacola, Mr. Lomako, Mr. Sapelak and Ms. Barnette discussed the following: Currently, the property is owned by Jeff Heyn, but may change in the future. A boundary survey is necessary. Parking calculations need to be provided. Landscaping.
Ms. Barnette said she would like to have the DDA Board review the proposed landscaping before anything that currently exists is removed. The off-street loading requirement was waived by Planning Commission on 9/11/03. Most deliveries take place between 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. Signage. Trash. Lighting. An illustration of the outside seating with proposed awning and the type of patio furniture should be provided.
Mr. Sapelak explained a building permit was recently issued for remediation to take place at the site of the proposed addition. He said it may be necessary for vehicles and equipment to access the site and that the remedial building should be addressed on a revised site plan.
Ms. Barnette suggested that for his benefit, Mr. Sinacola should obtain a baseline environmental assessment based upon the proposed use.
Mr. Eppink stated that Mr. Sinacola was hoping to receive conditional approval at the meeting tonight.
Chairman Heidt stated that the site plan was too incomplete for conditional approval. He suggested that the applicant work with Mr. Sapelak to obtain a copy of plans from Mr. Sinacola’s approval from 2003. He said it may be possible for inside demolition to take place.
Mr. Sapelak suggested that Mr. Sinacola submit a building permit as soon as he can so that any issues can be address beforehand, and he could be permitted to proceed promptly after site plan approval.
PC-07-36 Keef moved, Worrell seconded, to postpone SP-07-03, for a period up to 90-days. Motion CARRIED
CONSULTANT COMMENTS
Mr. Lomako referred to an email he received from Village Manager, Arthur Shufflebarger dated 5/25/07, (on file at Village office), regarding ordinance 94-350 (l) (2), Wall signs, in which Council was hesitant of adopting the ordinance that would restrict a wall sign to being rectangular in shape. Mr. Lomako suggested that Sec. 94-350 (l) (2) e, be changed to read as follows: Signs should compliment the visual continuity of adjacent buildings, where practicable, and be designed to be an integral design of the building’s architecture to which it is attached. Signs shall not obscure architectural details of the building, nor cover doors, windows, or other integral elements of the façade. Signs shall be placed on the building in accordance with Sec. 94-350 (l) (2), d and be in proportion with other components of the façade to which it is attached. In no instance shall the vertical dimension of the wall signs exceed (3) feet.
PC-07-37 Goodenow moved, Zasuwa seconded, to set a Public Hearing for Sec. 94-350 (l) (2), Wall signs, for the regular meeting of July 12, 2007. Motion FAILS
PC-07-38 Amerman moved, Zasuwa seconded, to set a Public Hearing for regular meeting of July 12, 2007, to amend Sec. 94-350 (l) (2), as written in 5/14/07 Wade Trim letter and with the revision noted in Nick Lomako email to Arthur Shufflebarger, dated 5/30/07. Motion CARRIED
Mr. Lomako updated the Commissioners on the Master Plan. He said the Commissioners should expect a presentation to be given at the July meeting by Julie Johnston, who is also with Wade Trim.
ADMINISTRATIVE COMMENTS
Mr. Sapelak reported that the owner of Sherwood Party Store was still planning on providing plans for a gas station.
He said he heard from Matt Whelan, of MJ Whelan Construction, who may possibly be expanding his site.
Mr. Sapelak told the Commissioners that site plan extension letters were sent out this week and said that Singh Development would be seeking their third extension. He suggested that Planning Commission may want to look at amending the ordinance to allow more than two extensions.
Commissioner Goodenow said that any amendment should be considered carefully.
Chairman Heidt said that initially the language was intended to prevent people from multiple returns for extensions.
Mr. Lomako said that technically Planning Commission couldn’t grant a third extension for Singh Development, but could postpone action while a language amendment was being considered. Mr. Lomako said he would provide a possible language amendment for the next meeting.
COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
Commissioner Goodenow said that he noticed that the Christ Lutheran church on GM Road has a paper collection bin, and feels as though Planning Commission “shorted” the Senior Center when Richard Harrison was before Planning Commission in April with their request and denied the request and feels Planning Commission has an obligation to do something being that the church never asked for permission and the Senior Center did, and was told no.
Mr. Sapelak said he spoke with someone at Christ Lutheran church and they know that they either need to get a variance or remove the bin.
Commissioner Zasuwa offered to talk to Nancy Izzard, Director of the Senior Center, and tell her that Planning Commission discussed it and does not want to amend the ordinance, but if the Senior Center was interested, they could seek a variance.
Commissioner Keef said that when Main Street is closed, traffic is routed down First Street and if stop signs are not utilized traffic back-ups occur. He said he encourages the use of the stop signs to lessen the impact of additional traffic.
Mr. Sapelak said that he should contact Fred Morin, DPS Director.
Chairman Heidt asked what was happening with the Changeable Copy Sign ordinance.
Commissioner Goodenow said he is intending to meet with Ms. Barnette but has not had the opportunity to do so.
Chairman Heidt asked what was happening with the Pondview Development.
Mr. Sapelak said revised plans submitted were approved and they are proceeding with the development. Mr. Sapelak also informed Planning Commission that Speedway was granted a variance for an electronic price changing sign. He said that if the Changeable Copy Sign ordinance lays dormant for too long, he will ask Clark gas station to apply for a variance.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 9:25p.m.
Nancy Scott, CMC
Milford Village Deputy Clerk | 
