HomeMy WebLinkAbout1985 Planning Board minutesRegular Meeting
Lansing Planning Board
7:30 p.m., City Council Chambers
Tenth Floor, City Hall
January 8, 1985
Emly Horne convened the meeting at 7:30 p.m. with seven members present:
Barnhart, Horne, Mitchner, Nelson, Remick, Wieland, Wright
and welcomed Dr. Remick back from his long illness.
Excused: Langworthy
The Chairman continued; the Lansing Planning Board welcomes you to our meeting
this evening. We thank you for your interest and concern about the matters
being discussed here this evening. The Planning Board was created under Act
285 of the State of Michigan. It consists of eight citizens who serve this
community without pay. We are appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by Council.
We make recommendations to the Lansing City Council on all land use in the City
of Lansing. We also prepare and define projects for the City of Lansing.
Staff present: Fountain, Coscarelli. Councilperson Benavides is present.
The meeting consists of two sections; first the public hearings, then the
business session. Procedure will be, staff will make a presentation, followed
by comments from the petitioner and then from the public. Our meetings are
taped so when you come forward would you please state your name and address.
Please limit your comments to five minutes.
PUBLIC HEARINGS: Presented by Vern Fountain
Z-32-84, 2726 North Grand River Avenue F and J to G-2
J.R. CHOCOLA, petitioner, did not wish to make any comments.
RUTHIE MORRIS, 2815 Hollywood Street. I am remodeling an old home that I also
reside in and my back yard meets this address. My objection is there has been
for four or five months an old car leaning on the fence in my back yard. I
have talked to people to remove it. I am concerned because I have an invest-
ment and my neighbors are pleased because I have greatly improved this devas-
tated old home. If this is going to be an auto body repair shop and this one
car is an indication, when it is not even zoned for that, I am concerned about
what it could be in the future.
Mr. Barnhart questioned, as a condition can there be screening to the residents?
Mr. Fountain responded, screening and buffering of plant materials or fencing
would definitely be part of an approval. I think we will have to discuss at
committee level the ultimate use of the property behind this zoning line. There
is a strip of "J" Parking from this quonset but clear back to the north.
As far as the automobile goes, I will turn that over to a Zoning Officer to cite
Planning Board Minutes
January 8, 1985
Page 2
the vehicle or property owner and hopefully have it removed in a short time.
Mrs. Wieland asked if there would be an overlap of service with the repair
service station on the corner. Mr. Fountain answered; I think that service
station deals primarily with general tune up of autos. Mr. Chocola proposes
body repair.
Mr. Barnhart asked if there are requirements for noise and air pollution; such
as paint fumes. Mr. Fountain stated; the Building and Fire Departments require
buildings be .vented to meet minimum standards. Along with that, storage has to
be contained within the building in a "G-2" District. They could possibly hear
noise if the doors are left open.
BETH DE LOOF, 2826 Cynwood. I don't want this rezoned because an auto body
shop will not improve the neighborhood at all, which now has some things that
are not very nice.
REFERRED TO ZONING AND ORDINANCE COMMITTEE
Z-33-84, 5124 South.Pennsylvania Avenue A to F
LE014ARD JAY, petitioner, office at 4211 Okemos Road and live at 1937 Navahoe
Trail. I bought this property about three years ago and wish to have it conform
to existing businesses on the street; Pennsylvania is a business street. The
property now has an auto stereo business. By having it commercial I would
eliminate problems in case of fire or if I make additions to the property. I
would like it to conform to the Master Plan and Zoning Map of the City.
REFERRED TO ZONING AND ORDINANCE COMMITTEE
BUSINESS SESSION:
Approval of Minutes:
Mr. Barnhart moved for approval of the December 18, 1934 minutes with the two
corrections of excused absences; Mr. Wright supported, APPROVED
Committee Reports:
Zoning and Ordinance Committee will meet on Wednesday, January 16, 1985 at
7 a.m, in the Planning Division Conference Room.
Urban Development Committee will alter its regular meeting date to meet at 7 p.m.
on January 22 in the Council Conference Room.
Planning Board Minutes
January 8, 1985
Page 3
New Business:
Dr. Remick thanked the Board for their concern, calls, cards and patience
through his illness and reports the doctor feels that he may not need surgery
as long as his present condition remains.
Adjournment:
Mr. Wright moved to adjourn, Mr. Barnhart seconded and the Board APPROVED.
The regular January 8, 1985 meeting of the Lansing Planning Board adjourned
at 8:10 p.m.
Respectfully submi d,
4, -
am s N. Foulds, Secretary
Lan ing Planning Board
WC
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Regular Meeting 20 'w' 4oa85
Lansing Planning Boardr { —,
7:30 p.m., City Council Chambers -----_.,
Tenth Floor, City Hall
January 22, 1985
Emly Horne convened the meeting at 7:35 p.m. with six members present:
Barnhart, Horne, Mitchner, Nelson, Remick, Wright
Excused: Langworthy, Wieland
Staff in attendance: Foulds, Acheson, Deason, Coscarelli
The agenda stands as printed.
Public Hearinq:
Green Oaks Boundaries
BRUCE DEASON presented a map of the area and explained; tonight's public hearing
is specifically for the Green Oaks Target Area, required by federal law, to give
the public input into setting boundaries. Those will become the boundaries for
the Green Oaks Target Area. Following this public hearing, the Planning Board
will vote and forward that recommendation to the Mayor, who will forward his
recommendation to the City Council for final approval. Lansing proposes getting
Community Development Block Grant funds in the area.
LANCE CLARK, 219 South Eighth Street. These boundaries seem the most natural;
they are major arteries and the boundaries used so far as our neighborhood
watch area.
HERB STUR DEVANT, 326 South Hosmer, Industrial Pattern of Lansing. Why are the
boundaries being changed? Mr. Deason stated; it's not a change as far as the
City's formalized process. This is a recent development of us working in the
Green Oaks neighborhood. Their next meeting is tomorrow night at the Clark home.
REFERRED TO URBA14 DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
BUSINESS SESSION:
Approval of Minutes:
:y Mr. Nelson moved for approval of the January 8, 1985 minutes with the correction
of separating erson Council Benavide '
P s name from staff names. Mr. Barnhart
second the motion; APPROVED
Planning Board Minutes
January 22, 1985
Page 3
Z-33-84, 5124 South Pennsylvania Avenue A to F
The Committee recommends that the property located at 5124 South Pennsylvania
Avenue be rezoned from "A" Residential to "F" Commercial District to bring it
into conformance with its commercial use, which is located within a strip
commercial development along South Pennsylvania Avenue. This recommendation is
subject to the applicant submitting a site plan specifying ingress and egress
of the site for approval by the Transportation Engineer.
So moved by Mr. Wright, supported by Dr. Remick; APPROVED
2000 Block of East Michigan Avenue Parkin
BILL ACHESON stated a letter had been received by merchants with businesses
located in the 2000 block supportive of this change in the parking lot and
was signed by seven persons.
Some years back the south side of Michigan Avenue behind the businesses was
studied for parking area. This block has 30 metered spaces. One of the two
houses is presently for sale, the other is a rental containing no tenants.
These need to be acquired for our proposal to clean the entire area up.
Mr. Foulds added; the City expanded the public parking lot behind the busi-
nesses on the south side of the street. Soon after, additional monies were
allotted from CDBG funds for additional parking lot improvements on the north
side of Michigan Avenue. Your action tonight, since this is a Community .
Development Block Grant activity, would make a recommendation to Council saying
the Planning Board believes this activity should be in the Block Grant program.
Second you would be recommending to Council that they initiate the petition to
rezone the property from residential to parking. We would like Eastside
Neighborhood Organization input before City Council makes a final decision.
Jerry Lawler was asked to speak and stated; there is money available for the
project but we have a big problem with noise and motorcycle gangs at the
Green Door and customers who park in private driveways. I believe as long as
the funds are on hold, you should either go ahead with the project or end it
and put the money somewhere else.
Mr. Wright moved that the proposed amendment be reconfirmed by the Board and
the City proceed toward implementation with the initiation of a petition to
rezone all appropriate properties from "B" Residential to "J" Parking District.
Dr. Remick seconded the motion; APPROVED
The next Committee meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 13 at 7 a.m.
in the Planning Division Conference Room.
c
Planning Board Minutes
January 22, 1985
Page 2
Committee Reports: t
Zoning and Ordinance Committee• Floyd Wright
We did receive an update at Committee meeting January 16 on Z-29-84 and
SLU-32-84, the Paulson Street mining proposal, which continues to be studied
by staff,
SLU-33-84, Sparrow Hospital Parking
This is a request by F. Boiten Plasman, on behalf of the Edward W. Sparrow
Hospital for approval of the continued use of the existing parking lot north
of the Eastern High School complex and east of Pennsylvania Avenue. The
parking lot as presently established is inactive and, if utilized --could
provide off street parking for approximately 189 cars.
The Zoning and Ordinance Committee recommends approval subject to a complete
implementation plan being submitted by February 19, 1985 to the Planning
Division, and all requirements, including those previously given by the
Lansing City Council, being complied with.
The Committee further recommends that if said implementation plan is not
received by the Planning Division and Planning Board within the allotted time
frame, the Board will recommend denial and request compliance with the City
Council directives of October 27, 1980.
Mr. Wright so moved and Dr. Remick supported; APPROVED
by a 5 yeas, 0 nays, 1 abstention vote.
Z-32-84, 2726 North Grand River Avenue F and J to G-2
The Committee recommends that the frontage of property located at 2726 North
Grand River Avenue be rezoned from "F" Commercial and "J" Parking Districts
to "G-2" Wholesale District to allow the building to be used for auto body
repair and reconditioning, subject to landscaping, screening and buffering
being applied to the site as required.
Further, it be recommended to City Council that the balance of the property
north of the existing building, which is not part of this rezoning request,
be rezoned from "J" Parking to "A" Residential District, which will create a
legal, nonconforming building on the land.
Mr. Wright so moved and Dr. Remick seconded;
APPROVED
Planning Board Minutes
January 22, 1985
CPage 4
Mr. Nelson reported the Urban Development Committee is scheduled to meet on
Wednesday, February 13, 1985 at 7;30 p.m. in the Division Conference Room.
Report from Planning Director:
1) The new MBI facility is currently under way at MSU. This Board acted on
the rezoning of the property on Collins Road in 1984 from "A" to "D-1" Profes-
sional Office District to accommodate MBI, which was instrumental in securing
that facility for this region. They are contemplating submitting site plans
to us within the next two months for ground breaking to begin early summer of
1985. In addition MSU is working with several development firms with the
thought of expanding on Collins Road to hopefully make a research park devel-
oped for research firms to locate.
It is exciting, but creates problems for Planners. First we are obligated to
continue working with the neighborhood group to inform them of continued
development along Collins Road and it is a commitment of Board and Council to
set up a joint liaison committee with MSU, and the cities of Lansing and East
Lansing to begin to study impacts of development in that area; i.e., traffic.
We will have to adjust our work program because it is a major land use change
and we have to be sure (1) all infrastructure requirements are there, (2) the
community has as much information as possible for reasonable input, and (3) to
come up with the best possible product. Public Service is putting together
specifications for extending sewer lines from Forest Road to allow the entire
area to be developed. We had, luckily, bond funds remaining from past storm
sewer work in that area, so it is a minimal outlay from the City.
2) The Chamber of Commerce is putting together a proposal to General Motors
to offer site(s) in the Lansing region for their Saturn project. Detroit has
offered several parcels, one of 300 acres on a major railroad line and appro-
priately zoned. Mr. Barnhart added that Illinois has made a bid also.
3) The Historic District Ordinance was certified by the Department of the
Interior. This Ordinance can be used to provide tax credits to property owners
who do rehabilitation work in approved historic districts. T)e Commission will
be working with neighborhood groups and property owners to explain the purpose
of the Ordinance and attempt to establish districts. Once the district request
is filed, the Planning Board has opportunity to respond on those requests.
4) Lastly, I have two documents sponsored by our professional association;
one, the Planners Guide which talks about general areas planning commis-
sioners are exposed to and is a good layman's text. The other is a "Zoning
Board Manual" for communities who have zoning boards that that is all they do;
you are a multi -jurisdictional board.
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Planning Board Minutes
January 22, 1985
Page 5
Communications:
A letter was received from Alfreda Schmidt by the Board stating, "Just a note
to express my sincere appreciation to you and the members of the Planning
Board for the excellent work you have done over the past year. I am impressed
with your dedication and the volume of work you are confronted with; particu-
larly when I consider your level of compensation. I look forward to working
closely with you in the next year, particularly in relation to the widening of
Cedar Street. Thank you for your Board Evaluation document, which I reviewed
carefully. Keep up the good work."
Board Member Comments:
1) Mrs. Horne clarified that Alice Wieland has been confined to home after a
fall on the ice which injured her hip; no broken bones but has to walk with a
cane and a lady is staying with her.
2) The Chairman
Council and Mayor
position. I want
our work.
Adjournment:
also requested that Mr. Foulds
thanking them for their rapid
them to know we appreciate it
forward a letter to the City
response in filling the Board
so that we could proceed with
Mr. Nelson moved to adjourn, Mr. Mitchner seconded and the Board APPROVED.
The regular January 22, 1985 meeting of the Lansing Planning Board adjourned
at 9:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Q
JamerN oulds,Director
anlanning Division
WC
CRegular Meeting
Lansing Planning Board
7:30 p.m., City Council Chambers
Tenth Floor, City Hall
February 5, 1985
Merle Barnhart, Vice Chairman, convened the meeting at 7:30 p.m. with six
members present:
Barnhart, Langworthy, Mitchner, Nelson, Remick, Wright
Excused: Wieland, Horne
Staff: Foulds, Winnicker, Cosca•relli
The agenda stands as printed.
Public Hearings: Staff presentations made by Vern Fountain and Sandra Hearns.
Z-1-85, 1000 Block of East Main Street C-2 to D-1
RALPH OPPER, petitioner. A development plan for professiona'i office use was
submitted, with on site parking. Mr. Winnicker added there will be some changes
in the access.
CBEN BALDUS, 1101 Climax. I have several concerns; (1) about Main Street traffic.
There are a number of small children in the area. (2) The status of the alley
between Main and Climax, there must be protection for children and we wish to
have no egress onto that alley. (3) What properties do the developers own?
This neighborhood is on the rebound from a recessive state. We are concerned
about the impact of commercial development and the possibility of setting a
precedent. (4) The property be attractively landscaped, not just a blacktop
lot. (5) If this commercial development is not successful, what protection
exists so the property will not be rezoned to less attractive categories. We
would appreciate further details of the proposal so our investment as taxpayers
will be protected. Thank you for your time.
GEOFFREY CRAM DALL, 1105 Climax. My concerns are; (1) we would like to know
this property will not become enjoined with a commercial use. We request a
written statement to insure that no offers have been made from adjoining
properties and no plans beyond this application. (2) We would like to
encourage architectural design of the structure, done properly it can be
positive to the neighborhood. (3) Should approval be granted we ask that if
the property has a default, it'revert back to the "C" district.
Mr. Foulds stated, traffic in the area has always been a concern. The
developers have agreed to Main Street being the primary access. Also, if the
zoning is approved and adopted by City Council, the district is in place; no
reverter clause can be placed on it. "D-1" does not permit retail operations
and landscaping would be part of the approval. We have asked the petitioner
to submit a revised plan for the subcommittee meeting, which is February 13.
Mr. Crandall added, we would like to work informally with the developer prior
to that. Mr. Foulds said that is encouraged.
Planning Board Minutes
February 5, 1985
CPage 2
FRED LAMB, 3233 South Washington Avenue, owner of 1036 and 1100 East Main Street.
This is a narrow alley and won't carry much traffic. If traffic can be restric-
ted from the property itself, it would be advantageous. My major concern is
traffic problems that will be created by this.
PETER MUNIZ, 1008 Climax. I am concerned about the traffic pattern that it
might create. Vehicles are parked every day up and down the alley and our
street. How many parking spaces are planned? The response was 18 to 22. Mr.
Muniz added; we want access on Main Street. Is the property to the east State
property? Mr. Lamb responded that is City property, which reverted back after
highway construction.
DIXIE PEMBERTON, 924 Dakin. Main Street has a curve and a one way direction.
It is similar to a service road by the ramp and there is high speed traffic and
a lot of truck traffic. Also, it is spot zoning; there is residential and the
Master Plan designates low density residential for the area. If they proposed
one thing, under "D-1" can they change after approval? Mr. Foulds answered,
if "D-1" were approved, it could be used for all uses within that district.
Once the building permits are issued, they have to be developed in accord with
Cthat Plan.
Ms. Pemberton submitted a letter from the Potter Park Neighborhood Association
stating in part "to allow spot zoning is not in accord with the Master Plan and
may have a negative impact on the area. We recommend it not be granted, but
be tabled until review, partly by the Eastside Transportation Study Committee."
A letter was also received from Duane Beach, 1002 Morgan.... believe a potential
parking problem may arise. The neighborhood has requested limited parking on
Climax. People from the Total gas station use Climax Street when the East Main
lot is inaccessible.
Calls were received from; JOSEPH SMITH, 1121 East Main, in favor of small office.
AR14OLD MILLER, 1207 East Main, no opposition.
REFERRED TO ZONING AND ORDINANCE COMMITTEE
Z-2-85, Sunset Avenue A, H and F to I
RAY SEVERY, Public Service Department., presented a sketch and gave explanation
of the proposed development.
GARY IGNAT, Controller, Lansing Dairy Association, 2224 West Willow. We have
no problems with the Treatment Plant but wonder how close it will be to our
property. Is the office going to remain? Mr. Severy stated, I expect so,
rturuary u, IJOD
CPage 3
Public Service will have no need for it after this expansion.
REFERRED TO ZONING AND ORDINANCE COMMITTEE
Business Session:
Minutes -- Dr. Remick moved for approval of the January 22, 1985 minutes as
printed and Mr. Nelson supported; APPROVED
The next Zoning and Ordinance Committee meeting will be held Wednesday,
February 13 at 7 a.m. in the Planning Division Conference Room.
Mr. Nelson reported Urban Development Committee is scheduled to meet on
February 13 at 7:30 p.m. in the Division Conference Room.
Report from Planning Director:
1) Staff requests that the Board designate March 19 meeting to hold one
public hearing on the proposed alignment of Lake Lansing Road extension. APPROVED
C 2) A Library/State Museum complex conceptual plan was submitted for a four
story building estimated at $45 million. Staff is studying the proposal. Dr.
Remick suggested there be islands in the parking area and a foot bridge over
the street.
Board Member Comments:
1) Mr. Langworthy thanked Mr. Wright for chairing committee meeting in his
absence; likewise Mr. Wright thanked members of Urban Development Committee
for their assistance to the Zoning and Ordinance Committee.
2) Mr. Mitchner reported he will be on jury duty next week and unable to
attend Committee meeting.
3) Mr..Nelson requests an excused absence March 5. Mr. Mitchner so moved and
Mr. Langworthy seconded; APPROVED
Adjournment was at 8:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
'ising
N. FouldsDirector
Planning Division
WC
Regular Meeting
Lansing Planning Board
7:30 p.m., City Council Chambers
Tenth Floor, City Hall
February 19, 1985
CITY CLENK
AWE 6 � �.� Pill085
Mrs. Horne convened the meeting at 7:30 p.m. with eight members present:
Barnhart, Horne, Langworthy, Mitchner, Nelson, Remick, Wieland, Wright
Staff in attendance: Foulds, Fountain, Coscarelli, Hearns
The agenda was approved with two additions; Glenn Island Environmental
Assessment was added as item B under public hearings, and Sparrow
Hospital presentation under Audience comments.
Public Hearings:
Z-3-85, 406 East Holmes Road A to F
GEORGE KRAUSE, Attorney, on behalf of the petitioner, North Point Plaza,
submitted a site plan and explained; North Point plans to make this an asset
of which the community can be proud. The present plan is the school building
will be converted to about 14,000 square feet of office space. The gymnasium
will be kept for community meetings. Extensive remodeling is planned. There
will be parking around the old school for 164 cars.
We also plan a retail building of approximately 3,000 square feet that may be
offices on the corner. With proper setbacks there will not be any danger and
the view will be excellent. Around that building we plan parking for 33 cars.
Incidentally, all of the structures built, we will make every effort to obtain
the same type of brick color, etc. used in construction of the school. To
the north and west we plan to park 213 cars. The retail calls for 246 parking
spaces and the office and meeting area, 164. We plan a retail building to the
northwest. We are not trying to attract large merchants, we hope to retain a
community atmosphere; gift shops, children's apparel, dress shops, etc. Some
area people have expressed interest in moving to this location.
We fully intend to provide proper buffers, we want an attractive area. We
will screen the west boundary, abutting the residential back yards. We will
not have neon lights, night clubs or X rated movies; this will be a neighbor-
hood facility.
Dr. Remick stated; I hope you are aware of the widening of Cedar Street and
the Department of Transportation will want a strip off the east side. Also
the sewer system will be going in on the east side of the property. Mr. Krause
said he is aware of those facts.
A phone message was received from ALEX AND LINDA BOLLINGER, 3535 Bergman,
opposing the rezoning due to potential negative impact on property values.
Planning Board Minutes
February 19, 1985
Page 2
ROBERT CONRAD, 3530 Bergman. I am against it. The two curb cuts off Cedar
Street are already a death trap with four lanes; you cannot make a left turn
on Holmes and the school had the same problem. Also there is inadequate
drainage on Bergman. With this blacktopped it will be worse.
LYNN MANN, 3427 Bergman Drive. There is an alleyway behind where the fence is.
We are opposed to having a service drive there between Holmes and Mason. I
agree with Mr. Conrad on the sewage, when it rains our back yard is full of
water all the time.
ANDREA VASQUEZ, 405 East Rouse. Will this change our property taxes and what
will it do to property value? Mr. Foulds responded; assessment practices in
Lansing look at your property individually until the overall neighborhood
value increases. It is hard to say what impact this project would have. In
the short run, probably none at all; in the long run, if values generally
increase in the neighborhood in which you live, there may be some overall
increase in property assessment.
JERRY VAN KIRK, 3431 Bergman. I concur with my neighbors' previous comments
and am concerned about the water problem and traffic this is going to create.
This is a residential area.
Mr. Foulds questioned; if the drainage problem is resolved and if we can come
up with an acceptable circulation plan for the site; assuming South Cedar
Street will be improved, would the general land use proposed, which is commer-
cial, be acceptable to the neighbors?
Lynn Mann: I think you had better look into the drainage because when it rains
our sump pumps are going continuously; so you'll have to go deep.
FABIA14 ARCHAMBEAU, 3405 Bergman. The traffic is backed up all the way past
Bergman heading east, sometimes from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Another problem is the
commercial shopping center, are they planning a fast food? Mr. Krause said
it is not intended. Mr. Archambeau continued; from spring to winter I am out
every day picking up trash from the fast food businesses north of Holmes Road;
picking up papers, boxes, etc. I sure wouldn't want more in there. I agree
on the water, every time we have a storm the Public Works Department comes and
parks just west of the school building and pump all night and probably the
next day and it is noisy. If those problems were cleared up, it would be all
right.
KAY MANN, 3427 Bergman. I have nothing against the offices, but when it comes
to the retail stores, I am opposed. The service drive in back I am against
because it is like an alley with junk, rats, dump and delivery trucks going in
and out or maybe burglers going through there at night.
Planning Board Minutes
February 19, 1985
Page 3
DOUG PRICE, 311 East Rouse. I have no problem with the old school building
as office space. I do have reservations about the proposed shopping area.
I have lived here most of my life and residents are used to the quiet. My
family owns businesses in this immediate area. This retail development may
have a negative impact on businesses that have been in the area a long time --
eliminating one to encourage another would not be progressive.
COUNCILPERSON ALFREDA SCHMIDT. I am interested in the comments. I would
like to explain some forward planning, particularly on the draining situation.
This area is marked for our second phase of major sewer improvements, which
everyone has started to pay for through sewer rates. You presently have a
24 inch sanitary sewer and a 116 by 180 inch storm drain at the west end of
this property. That 24 inch sanitary sewer is to be abandoned and a new 24
inch constructed on the east side adjacent to Cedar Street along the south
property line, under the contract being let under Michigan Public system.
`There have been serious drainage problems in that area far too long.
On the widening of Cedar; my last information is definitely six lanes wide.
Initially it was drawn with ten feet lanes; that was not acceptable to
federal standards, all lanes have to be eleven feet wide. The widening will
all come off of the east side, from Jolly to Mt. Hope. The School District
absolutely intends to sell the building. I would be more than happy to visit
with any neighbors who have questions or comments.
REFERRED TO ZONING AND ORDINANCE COMMITTEE
Glenn Island Environmental Assessment
SANDRA HEARNS, Development Division, presented a drawing and reported; it has
been endorsed by the Citizen District Council and the neighborhood. It will
consist of a boat tie up, picnic table and crushed limestone padding. The
area is located southwest of the Board of Water and Light Eckert power station.
It is also in the flood plain, therefore, we have to follow Environmental
Protection Agency and Housing and Urban Development guidelines. It is not a
major development, the boat tie up will accommodate three canoes or small motor
boats at the edge of the bank and the picnic table will be concrete so it will
not be able to be removed easily. We don't want development that will over-
whelm the island. There is a heavy abundance of poison ivy on the island,
which will have to be posted. Also no littering will be posted. We have been
told canoeists and boaters are not litterers, so we should have no problem
there!
Mr. Barnhart questioned if there would be trash containers. The response; no
because during flood times they could be removed.
Mr. Langworthy asked about sanitary facilities. Ms. Hearns said, no port -a -
johns; it will simply provide a little secluded spot for a picnic.
,r
Planning Board Minutes
February 19, 1985
Page 4
PRISCILLA HOLMES, 220 Reo Avenue, representing CDC members. We endorse the
position to proceed with Glenn Island.
REFERRED TO URBAN DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Comments from the Audience:
F. BOITEN PLASMAN, representing Sparrow Hospital (case SLU-33-84), submitted
an implementation plan for Sparrow's proposed parking. The important part is
from J.B. McGinn, our Director of Security on proposed procedure. We propose
to reassign approximately 150 employees to that area, which will give us a
little more room in the winter to move snow and at other times of the year to
reassign other employees on a temporary basis as we conduct the educational
sessions scheduled. We intend to purchase two vans to accommodate twelve
"passengers each and shuttle from the parking area to the Hospital and back.
The area would be patrolled by our security force for vehicle safety.
Mr. Langworthy asked if this had been discussed with the neighborhood people.
Mr. Plasman stated, you are the first to see this; our employees do not know
either.
Dr. Remick asked if the pedestrian right-of-way would be utilized. Answer, yes.
Dr. Remick asked what the vehicle movement would be from the lot. Mr. Plasman
said; there are three routes we will investigate with the Lansing School Board.
We would avoid the school bus loading area.
Mr. Barnhart suggested,I understand that Oldsmobile has several cases of busing
people from off site lots, they could give you the value of their experience.
You might give preferential parking to those who car pool, if that fits your
situation.
A short recess was taken by the Board.
BUSINESS SESSION:
Approval of Minutes:
Dr. Remick moved approval of the February 5,1985 minutes as printed, and Mr.
Langworthy seconded; APPROVED
Committee Reports:
Planning Board Minutes
February 19, 1985
Page 5
Zoning and Ordinance Committee: Mr. Langworthy
Z-1-85, 1000 block of East Main Street C-2 to D-1 will remain in
Committee for a traffic study.
Z-2-85, Sunset Avenue A, H and F to I
The Committee recommends the request initiated by the Lansing City Council on
behalf of the City of Lansing Public Service Department to rezone property on
the west side of Sunset Avenue from "A" Residential, "H" Light Industrial and
"F" Commercial Districts to "I" Heavy Industrial District be approved.
The Committee did consider the points made at the public hearing dealing with
abutting property lines. The Committee found that the proposed change is in
conformance with the Master Plan, which recommends industrial land use in this
area. It was further found that the majority of the property along Sunset
Avenue adjacent to this site is zoned and developed in an industrial nature.
Mr. Langworthy moved for approval and Dr. Remick supported; APPROVED
The next Committee meeting will be Wednesday, March 13 at 7 a.m. in the
Planning Division Conference Room.
Urban Development Committee: Mr. Nelson
Green Oaks Boundaries
The Committee recommends the Planning Board approve the boundaries for the
Green Oaks Neighborhood as identified and supported by the Green Oaks Neigh-
borhood Citizen Committee, and Mr. Nelson so moved; Mr. Barnhart supported.
APPROVED
Glenn Island Public Improvements
The project to upgrade and improve Glenn Island is viewed as a positive improve-
ment to the environment and there are no impacts expected to adversely affect
the environment. Therefore, the Committee unanimously recommends the Board
approve the project and forward the environmental assessment to the Mayor and
City Council for concurrence.
Mr. Nelson so moved and Mr. Barnhart seconded;
APPROVED
The next Committee meeting is scheduled for March 13 at 7:30 p.m. in the
Division Conference Room.
Planning Board Minutes
February 19, 1985
Page 6
Report from Planninq Director
1) Division Budget 1985-86
Each year the Board is requested by the Mayor's office to review the budget of
the Department and Division. I present it to you this evening for comments,
specifically on the Work Program items contained in the budget statement. In
addition, general financial information to indicate we can support those Work
Program activities. I would like to go over this with you in detail and take
action formally at the March 5 meeting.
Dr. Remick moved the Director forward a letter to the Mayor and Council stating
the Board received the Planning Division Budget for consideration, will review
the document and take formal action on March 5; Mr. Langworthy supported,
APPROVED
2) We have a referral from the School District to do an Act 285 review on
reuse of four schools scheduled for closing. They are Genesee, Oak Park,
Holmes Street and High Street schools. Staff feels the neighborhoods should
be afforded comment on the range of reuses for these buildings, not whether
they should be closed. We wish to schedule two hearings; one March 5 and one
April 2 to consider two schools each time. We do a select neighborhood mailing
to receive comments. Our 285 review process is a requirement under State law
that any sale, disposition, reuse or construction of any public building/
property has to have a review by the local planning commission. You are not
required to have a public hearing.
Dr. Remick suggested, let's go to the neighborhood groups at their meeting
levels. The objections are traffic, sewers, etc. rather than the use of the
building. Mr. Barnhart agreed and added; if we do establish a reusage for
the buildings and define a certain type of activity, how can we control someone
coming in with a different request. Mr. Foulds reported; the School District
is asking for policy direction for appropriate uses. If not met, they will
probably not be acceptable for rezoning. Mr. Nelson suggested that in a group
setting, there is a possibility that a few may have a different opinion, but
not express it.
Dr. Remick further offered; the School District will have meetings about where
the schools' area will be reassigned; possibly this is a place to be heard.
Mr. Foulds said; I will pursue that as the first option; then neighborhood
meetings.
Communications:
Mrs. Horne reported receiving a letter from the Eastside Transportation Study
Advisory Committee regarding 1000 East Main (Z-1-35) requesting denial. I
will foward this to the Committee for use in its deliberations.
Planning Board Minutes
February 19, 1985
Page 7
Board Member Comments:
1) Mrs. Wieland thanked the Board for their indulgence during her illness.
2) Mrs. Horne thanked Mr. Barnhart for taking over in her absence.
3) Dr. Remick requests and excused absence from the March 19 meeting. It was
so moved by Mr. Barnhart, seconded by Mr. Langworthy; APPROVED
4) Mr. Barnhat requests an excused absence from the meeting of March 19.
Dr. Remick moved for approval and Mr. Langworthy supported; APPROVED
Adjournment:
Mr. Nelson moved to adjourn, Mrs. Wieland seconded and the Board APPROVED.
The regular February 19, 1985 meeting of the Lansing Planning Board adjourned
at 9:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
aures N. F ulds, Director
La ng Planning Division
WC
C
Regular Meeting
Lansing Planning Board
7:30 p.m., City Council Chambers
Tenth Floor, City Hall
March 5, 1985
The Chairman, Emly Horne, convened the meeting at 7:30 p.m. with seven Board
members present:
Barnhart, Horne, Langworthy, Mitchner, Remick, Wieland, Wright
Excused: Nelson
Staff: Foulds, Fountain, Rajendra, Coscarelli and David Berridge, Transportation
Engineer, Public Service Department
Agenda: Added to Zoning and Ordinance Committee, SLU-1-85 for consideration.
Public Hearings:
Z-4-85, 902, 908, 910, 914 East Oakland Avenue C-2 to G-2
C Slides of the area were shown and explanation of the request given by Vern
Fountain.
RANDALL MILLER, 840 East Oakland Avenue, Secretary and General Manager of the
Corporation, representing Paul Miller, the petitioner. The sole purpose of
the land and building is to expand 840 Oakland with an annex, approximately
30 feet by 50 feet on the east side of the building facing Pennsylvania for an
extension of our office facilities. The other land is proposed for future
expansion as the company needs.
Mr. Langworthy pointed out that the little strip on the east end will be
isolated. Mr. Miller responded; we do not own 912, but all areas around it.
Communications were received from:
NORMA KARKAU, 829 May Street --not opposed.
JAMES K. BUDD, 818 East Oakland --in favor, property has been upgraded by
the Florist Exchange.
CLARA WORDELL, 835 May Street --not opposed.
KEVIN L. KARKAU, Mom lives at 829. Vehemently opposed. The City is
already well served with the warehouse and further devel-
opment will destroy the ancient beauty of the land, as
well as interfere with the ecosystem.
MR/MRS CLARENCE CLARK, 912 East Oakland owners. Opposed to anything but
residential (they reside at 1236 East Hazel Street).
REFERRED TO ZONING AND ORDINANCE COMMITTEE
Planning Board Minutes
March 5, 1985
C Page 2
Z-5-85, 112 Hazel Street and 1018 South Grand Avenue DM to J
Mr. Fountain presented this case, which is proposed to be used in conjunction
with 1033 South Washington Avenue, the office building on the immediate north-
east corner of Washington and Elm.
MATT MISSADE, representing Octagon Financial. I don't have additional comments,
but am willing to answer any questions. Dr. Remick asked, do you intend to
enclose the lot with a fence or restrict parking? Mr. Missade answered, it
depends on what the area residents feel is best; we have no definite plans.
Communications were received from:
MRS. FARMER, 123 East Elm; owner of 119, 123, 125 and 129 East Elm and
1008 South Grand --delighted, 100% in favor.
ARVELLA AND RICHARD ABBOTT, 1011 South Grand Avenue --we will agree to the
change provided there is no entrance or exit from Grand Avenue and
frontage on Grand is landscaped and fenced on three sides; east, north
and south. Second, the street is too narrow for that much traffic, and
Cthe old approach from the street to the sidewalk should be removed.
JACK DOWN, 2510 Haslett Road, East Lansing --no problem but it is at this
Point the residential area commences and I do not think it should change.
LISA AND DA14IEL STARIN, 1006 South Grand Avenue --we agree provided there
will be no entrance or exit .to Grand Avenue; this block is too narrow a
street.
NORMAN OTT, 2920 South Washington Avenue --no objection as long as there
is no entry or exit onto Grand.
DAVID SHARPE, 615 West Ionia, employed by Edward G. Hacker Company, Management
Agents for the office building at 1033 South Washington Avenue. These two lots
have been owned for many years by the previous owner of 1033 South Washington
and used informally for parking. In order to insure the office building at
1033 has parking, the lot in back will only accommodate 33 cars. We are now in
agreement with General Motors to lease the entire building at 1033. They will
employ exceeding 80 people --new jobs, not transfers. It was at their request
that we ask Octagon to see if they could be zoned properly to "J" so they could
be graded and improved according to City ordinances.
In response to questions from Board members, Mr. Sharpe added; the existing and
proposed "lots are connected, there could be traffic flow from 1033 into the
other two. Each of the lots is 66 feet by 165 feet, a little over 10,000
square feet and would accommodate 37 or 38 cars, depending on the handicapped
spaces required. So we would have parking for over 100 cars for the 1033
building, which is a 21,000 square foot building. We need four to five per 1,000.
Manning Board Minutes
March 5, 1985
! Page 3
We will provide screening/buffering. I have not determined whether GM will
lease the lot across for overflow parking, presently they are. Oldsmobile
likes to secure their parking lots, I would say there would be an eight foot
fence.
ROBERT ROGERS, 1012 South Grand owner. My lot will end up with parking lot on
two sides. The neighborhood is residential, I don't think it will ever be
commercial. Consequently, I approve with reservations; it is going into a
residential neighborhood and my lot could well become a drainage problem. I
assume these things are taken into consideration. Secondly, I strongly support
the local neighborhood feelings that there be no exit or entrance onto South
Grand and certainly a visual screening to the residential.
REFERRED TO ZONING AND ORDINANCE COMMITTEE
Act -1-85, North Grand Ramp Expansion
Presented by Kunwar Rajendra. This is a proposal from the Transportation
Division of the Public Service Department to conduct a 285 review on extending
C the North Grand Parking Ramp across Grand Avenue to where the Board of Water
and Light property is. The purpose is to add approximately 600 parking spaces
in four levels of parking ramp.
Dr. Remick asked, can something be done to the Ionia Street traffic flow, it is
difficult to get onto the street. Mr. Rajendra responsed; entrance/exit would
be to Ottawa from the ramp extension and you would be able to go from this
entrance to the old ramp to the new extension. You cannot get to Ionia from the
extension, but would be coming out on Grand Avenue. It is proposed to have a.
reversible lane; one in and one out, but for peak hours both lanes would be for
exiting.
DAVID BERRIDGE, Transportation Engineer for Lansing and essentially the
petitioner. In response to Board concerns expressed; the capacity will remain
the same on Grand Avenue and traffic flow will not be adversely impacted.
Secondly, we propose to place columns to support the structure in the existing
street right-of-way in the sidewalks. We will adhere to the ten foot minimum
policy. The third issue, creation of excess street right-of-way based on the
proposed design. The east 9.25 feet of existing Grand Avenue right-of-way will
be for a ground level storage building and dedication of the remaining clear
space to the Board of Water and Light on grade parking, with no additional
benefit to the general public other than to increase sidewalk width.
Fourth, expansion of the garage onto the Board of Water and Light property.
The Board is actually a City agency and property is titled in the City's name,
although under exclusive control and use of the Board of Water and Light and
their rights, rules and regulations. We are working closely with them on all
necessary agreements and easements to use the 37z feet. They will have
essentially the same operation as today, although some things have to be
relocated and rebuilt.
��- � - w . � ..S .. � �....._�.-._ ..- a r. �♦ ..._ _.. ... ., � r.+..�.t�e.. ...�.. rM .!s .. s, n. w�-'�.�+Ar. ti.���.n^t� ...+
Planning Board Minutes
March 5, 1985
Page 4
he
We feel there are adequate gaps in the traffic for this to flowfio�tnorthboundet.
One major advantage the new structure will have is the ability
ue
d of
and eastbound traffic to exit on the east side ofurrladnesvenWe anticipate the
west side, which requires them to weave across o turn
people wiwhere Avenll learn new travel patterns and thosethat
theyewill haveaneasy rt
will exit from the east side oWeS�aod north, go west on Shiawassee or north on
to make; those who want to go structure. I don't believe this
rovidegarage
oi ll ha
a major impaVe
Grand, will
exit the existing
ct on reducing the level of service we currently p
Street.
mp dumps onto Capitol Avenue and i
Dr. Remi ck reported, the Ngothtoa90Ionitol a, up Grand and around. Is there a way
you're going
east, you've g I
re
of dumping both parking ramps onto Grand? Mr.
Be' tegalthopghdwe�will we abe
evaluating the impacts. The analysis
to report in the future, which mblemsght aforvShiawasseepStreet. lems for s.
preparedthe answer, ye
Ionia Street, but I think would cause pro ht angles to Grand;
Remick questioned if exiting will be at rig parking lot
Mr. Mitchner added, also traffic coming out of the United Way
east or going up to Saginaw or Oakland usually
causes a traffic jam at
thening
Same time you have cars lined into the LCC parking
Baking now as a general partner of the Samuel D. Ingham
David Sharpe. Sp laud the City's effort to start the
Building at 116 West Ottawa, I want to app
expansion of the ramp. Every time we want to encourage whoehaPeomade an
exp the only way is evict existing peop expand the
downtown Lansing,
commitment to downtown. We think it is to overdue
that the city
North Grand Ramp and I hope
it REFERRED TO URBAN DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
BUSINESS SESSION:
Approval of Minutes --Dr. Remick moved for approval of the February
19,
APP supported;
1985 minutes and Mr. Barnhart supe
Committee Reports:
Zoning and Ordinance Committee: Mr. Langworthy
SLU-1-85, 1500 East Cavanau h Road --Flood Plain property
royal of a Special Land Use permit for the prop
24 x 24 ) to house
The Committee recommends app property is zoned
at 1500 East Cavanaugh Road for construction of a facility. Thegprop
an office and a 60 feet by 40 feet storage osed activity. The Committee
Heavy Industrial District, which allows the prop
Planning Board Minutes
March 5, 1985
Page 5
c
recommends granting this permit provided the proposed building and activities
on the property are within all Federal, State of Michigan and City of Lansing
requirements.
0
Mr. Langworthy so moved and Mr. Wright seconded; APPROVED
The next Committee meeting will be Wednesday, March 13 at 7 a.m. in
the Planning Division Conference Room.
Urban Development Committee Mrs. Wieland reported the next meeting will be
held on Wednesday, March 13, 1985 at 7:30 p.m. in the Planning Conference Room.
Executive Committee:
Mrs. Horne reported the Committee, along with all other Board members, have had
opportunity to review and make comments on the proposed Division Budget for
1985-1986 fiscal year. Dr. Remick moved that the Board approve the Work
Program Budget for next year and Mr. Langworthy supported; APPROVED
Report from Planning Director:
1) March 19 we have a public hearing on the proposed Industrial Access Road,
to connect Lake Lansing Road to North US 27. Based on the comments received
to date, there is a lot of interest in the proposed alignment. There are of
course associated questions regarding the tabled special land use and zoning
request for MSV Associates.
2)_ We have been working on a shopping center proposal for South Cedar Street,
just north of Edgewood Boulevard. That is excess right-of-way property left
for a ramp when the interchange was going to be built at that location. We
have almost a duplicate shopping center proposal for that in terms of square
footage at Holmes Road. They are both tough issues because of location,
traffic and sewer issues, etc.
It was pointed out that the Holmes Street proposal needed input from the
Public Service Department, and the Board concurred that it would be nearly
impossible to reach a decision without that information.
Communications:
The Industrial Access Road, February 1985 Environmental Assessment was submitted
to the Board members.
Planning Board Minutes
March 5, 1985
CPage 6
Board Member Comments:
Dr. Remick stated those Board members involved with the LEAN program's open
houses; namely Merle and Emly, are to be commended on their dedication of time
and self.
Mr. Barnhart pointed out that commendation should be given to Jim Spackman
for his total commitment to the project, including attendance at all meetings
and open houses and communications with those involved.
Mr. Wright questioned; the Council discussed height requirements during their
consideration of the Glasgow pole barn and I wonder if there is a height
limitation. Mr. Fountain answered; 35 feet cannot be exceeded and an
accessory structure is the same as a primary building. Mr. Foulds added that
there are two dimensional requirements, accessory buildings cannot exceed more
than 1,000 square feet on the lot and a maximum lot coverage percentage is to
be followed.
Dr. Remick stated to the best of his knowledge he would be in attendance at
the March 19 meeting.
C
Adjournment:
Mr. Langworthy moved to adjourn, Mr. Barnhart seconded and the Board APPROVED.
The regular March 5, 1985 meeting of the Lansing Planning Board adjourned at -
8:45 p.m.
spectfully submitte
Jame N. Foulds, Director
L ing Planning Division
WC
Regular Meeting
Lansing Planning Board
7:30 p.m., City Council Chambers
Tenth Floor, City Hall
March 19, 1985
The Chairman, Emly Horne, convened the meeting at 7:35 p.m. with seven members
present:
Horne, Langworthy, Mitchner, Nelson, Remick, Wieland, Wright
Excused: Barnhart
Staff: Foulds, Fountain, Rajendra, Coscarelli
Also in attendance; Councilmember Tony Benavides, David Berridge, City
Transportation Engineer, Howard McCaffery, Public Service Director and
Laurie Barbiary, Court Reporter
Agenda: Delete case P-11-77 from the Zoning and Ordinance Committee
Public Hearing:
Industrial Access Road --Lake Lansinq Road Extension
Jim Foulds, Planning Division Director prefaced this public hearing. As part
of the 1984-1985 City Council policy on capital improvements a route alignment
study was requested for the east/west connector between Lake Lansing Road and
US 27. There are three major objectives of the study and construction of the
road: (1) provide an alternate access to Friedland Iron and Metal Company,
currently on Harris Street, (2) provide access to land to the north, south and
east of the proposed alignment and for potential -future economic development,
and (3) provide adequate capacities for safe, efficient and fast movement of
east/west traffic between US 27 and the eastern part of the region.
As a result an environmental assessment was prepared for the project. Kunwar
Rajendra, Project Coordinator, will make a presentation on the environmental
assessment.
Kunwar Rajendra. This public hearing is held to present alternatives and
justification for proposing the industrial access road in the north part of
Lansing. Slides of the area were shown and explained by Mr. Rajendra.
The City of Lansing retained a consultant to conduct a traffic analysis.
Snell Environmental Company representative, David Starr, is present. As a
result of that analysis we found developments are taking place in the east
part of the region; i.e., Meijer store, Health Central facility and several
others. All the potential land developments are adding traffic on Lake Lansing
Road. We estimate traffic is going to be at least 2z times what we have today
over the next twenty to twenty-five years. Existing traffic on Lake Lansing
Road is 12,200 cars a day. Additional projected volume is 19,000. By 2004
total traffic on Lake Lansing Road is estimated to be 31,000.
Planning Board Minutes
March 19, 1985
Page 2
The alternatives considered:
1. No Action Alternate --leave Lake Lansing Road as it is.
2. Low Capital Alternate --Paulson Street access and Howe Avenue alternate
3. Howe Avenue extended east to connect with Lake Lansing Road; of course
we will provide access to Friedland. The problem is it has to cross the area
of Environmental Protection Agency superfund list for clean up and we have been
advised not to traverse that area.
4. Paulson Street extension alternate --which stays away from the mining
area and extends Paulson to Lake Lansing Road and provides access to Friedland.
5. Modification of the Howe Avenue alternate --instead of going straight,
this will swing up to the north and connect to Paulson Street and then come
down because there are nine residential properties along Paulson, but not along
Howe, which has businesses.
Building this road is proposed in two phases; first, to simply provide access
to Friedland Iron and Metal Company. Phase one would remain two lane.
Eventually when the road is built in phase two, it is proposed to have a four
lane road with curb and gutter.
Estimated costs: Alternate A, Paulson Street only, or subalternate B, which is
Howe Avenue and then Paulson --approximately $1 million. Howe Avenue would be
about $90,000 less for both phases. Phase one, providing access to Friedland
Al— with two lane only --$100,000. No funding options have been identified, nor
commitments made. We will try to identify funding with federal aid urban
systems, economic development or other possibilities. At this point funds are
appropriated only for phase one. Mr. Rajendra then read federally regulated
relocation benefits.
Communications received by the office:
LUCILLE WHITNEY, 901 Bates. I oppose the route to connect Paulson Street to
Friedland's. It would put truck traffic from one residential street to
another. Other factorsare dust, noise, safety, debris and vibration. I am for
the industrial access road connecting with Howe Avenue.
DENNIS THOMAS, President of Superior Sheet Metal Works, Incorporated, 801 East
Howe Avenue. I would be willing to sell my property at 801. After checking
with other tenants, they are all willing to sell. It would be much easier for
the City since there are only three properties involved on this street, as
opposed to eight or ten on Paulson.
WILMA AMY, 830 Harris Street. I am in favor of removing truck traffic from
Harris Street.
MARTHA ALLEN, 735 East Paulson. I am against an industrial road between US '27
and Lake Lansing Road. The street would be too close, too noisy and dangerous
even to back out of the driveway. I am 70 and it's hard to make changes like
this when you are older.
Planning Board Minutes
March 19, 1985
Page 3
LYNNE MARTINEZ, Ingham County Commissioner, 20th District. I appreciate, as do
the area residents, proposal to remove Friedland truck traffic from Harris
Street, which is highly residential. I have received communications from
residents expressing opposition to the proposed Paulson Street routing; this
would only transfer truck traffic from one residential street to another. I
support their position that the route should follow Howe Avenue near US 27.
I would support Paulson Street route only on the condition that all residents
near US 27 have an opportunity to sell and relocate.
Secondly, I support the position of the Ingham County Department of Environmental
Health. Proposed phase two will construct the roadway through an area of
serious environmental concern, part of which is on the State of Michigan and
federal lists for remedial action. Other areas are currently being tested and
monitored by Motor Wheel and the City of Lansing. Any development of a roadway
through this area is sure to result in immediate requests for development of
warehousing and industry. Such development should be postponed until testing
is complete and any necessary remedial actions are finished. In summary, I
request any development of the north Lansing industrial access road be slowly
and carefully planned and executed.
ROBERT D. PACIFIC, Field Superintendent, U.S. Department of Interior, Fish and
Wildlife Service. Based on our review the project will not have significant
adverse impacts on the fish and wildlife resources. We do not object to
implementation as proposed.
JOSEPH BRAHLER, Attorney representing Gier Park Neighborhood. Mr. Whitney has
asked me to speak on his behalf and the neighborhood. Also Larry Bass and
Tony Woodman from Friedland Iron and Metal Company have asked me to speak on
their behalf. Friedland and the neighborhood have been involved in litigation
for two years. Part of that litigation involved truck access down Harris
Street. It is a pleasure to appear tonight as a unified front; which is in
favor of your proposal to connect to Howe Avenue. To go through Paulson would
be to repeat the same problems we now are confronted with on Harris Street;
Paulson is largely a residential neighborhood and under your proposal there
would still be residences involved with traffic coming through there.
Since phase one is primarily concerned with access for Friedland to alleviate
problems for Harris Street neighbors and Friedland, we think it significant that
neighborhood and company are united in the attitude that the appropriate step
would be to go through Howe Avenue. It would be significantly cheaper for the
City to construct on Howe and we strongly urge you to take that route and
proceed posthaste.
Several interested neighbors indicated Mr. Brahler had represented them, they
are; JAY WHITNEY, LUCILLE WHITNEY, BOB ABBOTT and IRENE GIBBONS.
L
ti
Planning Board Minutes
March 19, 1985
Page 4
KENN TEMPLE, 2922 North East Street. I have no problem with the access on
Howe Avenue. I understand if phase one goes through, being on an industrial
access road will make my business function better. Provided I can continue to
practice in the area, I have no problem with that. If they buy all nine
houses on Paulson Street, it will cease to function as a residential street.
That should be considered; that would change the whole character and structure
of the neighborhood.
Joe Brahler. A suggestion has been raised to me, if you do take the Howe Avenue
alternative, and we strongly urge that you do, in the interest of safety, a
traffic light be contemplated on 27, probably either alternative will bring an
influx of traffic.
ELEANOR EBRIGHT, 933 East Paulson. We don't want to move and we have enough
traffic with Granger. I understood they were supposed to use Wood Road, but
they never do. I am definitely opposed to the Paulson Street extension.
L.E. KLEIN, 816 East Howe Avenue. I own a motorcycle dealership that has been
there for 14 years. I am not opposed to the Howe Avenue alternative either,
but not keen on moving. The Howe Avenue alternate could be used to affect
only my land and not my building; I could accommodate myself in the same place.
The other views I have on this subject have been expressed by Dr. Temple and
I agree that a traffic light will probably have to go in.
BILL ALLEN, representing his Mother at 735 East Paulson. I am opposed to the
Paulson Street access and would favor Howe Avenue access. Thank you.
DICK GARMYN, my business is on Paulson fronting Hunt Street. I want to maintain
my business there. I prefer it go to Howe, but if it must go to Paulson, I
request I continue to have access into Paulson. Eventually this will be five
lane with heavy truck traffic and I am concerned about access for my business.
It would have less impact on me if it were on Howe Avenue, and a few of the
neighbors too.
There are no sanitary sewers to serve the businesses. My father installed a
private sanitary sewer line for three or four businesses not served by City
sanitary sewer, yet sewer rates are collected on a private line --which is fine,
the people are using it. Before any major road work is done, please make sure
you have adequate sewers.
The intersection of Paulson/US 27 is a constant flooding problem. It was a
state trunkline, I think it's a business route trunkline now, which continues
to flood. Every time there is even a tenth of an.inch of rain, that intersec-
tion has at least a foot of water over the curb and I can envision one accident
after another with people trying to avoid splashing on their automobiles.
Planning Board Minutes
March 19, 1985
Page 5
ROBERT HOLBERG, 805 Harris Street. What would the right-of-way access be?
Mr. Foulds stated, 100 feet.
Mr. Wright asked what time frame can we expect for phase two? Paulson and Howe
would remain unimproved during phase one and no changes would be made at the
west end until phase two. So we are talking about using them in their present
state for a considerable length of time. Mr. Foulds responded, the schedule for
phase two depends on three things; (1) traffic volumes on Lake Lansing Road,
(2) availability of funds and (3) potential for development of land between
Lake Lansing Road and US 27. So there is really no timetable.
Kenn Temple. I agree with Mr. Wright's concern, I am interested in seeing
phase one, but we may be just buying one without a hope of getting phase two
and I may end up with a ruptured roadway next to my office and a lot of truck
traffic and vibration. I have a lot of concern for the people on Harris
Street, but I don't want to buy their problems and have no long term solution.
Dick Garmyn, Burger King is planning a building addition. It has an enormous
amount of traffic and when you put this road through, it will increase because
of visibility. Have you considered the possibility of having to take part of
their addition? Why spend money if they are going to lose parking? I don't
like to see money wasted.
When you put the road through the Motor Wheel property we thought it was solved.
This gentleman explained it was dumping a four lane into a two lane residential
area and then fans out to a three lane for Motor Wheel. You must have spent a
million dollars on that. You made a new railroad crossing and acquired property
from a business. Also you spent a quarter of a million to install a 48 inch
storm sewer up Chilson, with the anticipation of this going down Chilson. I
understand people with back yards to Chilson don't want this big road. I under-
stand the traffic load so heavy you have to change plans. You are spending all
this money and I wonder are you taking time now to assess this five lane road?
I understand it is urgent the people get relief from Friedland, but are you
really going to take time to analyze everything. Thank you.
Mr. Foulds reported; the City has taken time studying the alternative alignments.
The neighborhood is concerned the City has not moved faster in solving this
problem. The reason for this hearing and working with property owners and other
governmental units is to make sure we don't make major mistakes.
We have made the Burger King design people aware of the alignment alternatives
and encouraged them to go ahead with their new building construction, consid-
ering when they came in for final site plan approval, we may have more informa-
tion on the future alignment.
BRAD VAN DEVENTER, representing MSV Associates and also the option holder of
the Francis property, Mr. Jerry Francis. I report the property owners in
question with access to Friedland are represented. Thank you.
REFERRED TO URBAN DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Planning Board Minutes
March 19, 1985
Page 6
Comments from the Audience:
WILLIAM BRANDT, 1006 Morgan Street, regarding Z-1-85, representing the Climax/
Morgan neighborhood. We thank the subcommittee for listening to us regarding
the traffic problem and for considering letters submitted to you and the
petition signed by 45 neighborhood residents opposing this rezoning request.
We feel the subcommittee made a fair decision recommending denial and urge the
Board to support that decision to the City Council, denial from "C" to "D-1"
Professional Office District.
RICK KIBBEY, 303 South.Shepard, on behalf of the Eastside Neighborhood Organi-
zation regarding SLU-33-84. There are still unresolved issues which include;
(a) how the temporary extension of the special land use ties into Sparrow's
long range parking plan, (b) procedure to verify lot utilization, (c) surfacing
of the lot, (d) criteria used to determine the adequacy of screening and
buffering, (e) ingress and egress of the lot and (f) restoration of the property
at the end of the special land use permit. We appreciate the time and effort
to resolve this difficult issue. However, we believe it would be better to
resolve some unresolved issues so it won't be a three year delay, it will only
be a two week delay.
A phone communication was received from JANICE GRAEBNER, 1112 Climax, opposed
to the rezoning of Z-1-85.
A brief recess was taken by the Board.
BUSINESS SESSION:
Approval of Minutes:
Dr. Remick moved for the approval of the March 5, 1985 minutes as printed and
Mr. Langworthy supported; APPROVED
Committee Reports:
Zoning and Ordinance Committee: Mr. Langworthy
Z-4-85, 902, 908, 910 East Oakland Avenue C-2 to G-2
The Committee recommends approval of the request to rezone properties at 902,
908 and 910 East Oakland Avenue from "C" Residential District to "G-2" Whole-
sale District. This is not as the petition was filed. The Committee recommends
the Board exclude the easternmost two parcels (912 and 914 East Oakland) included
inadvertently in the petition by the applicant.
The Committee recommends the Board grant a Class "A" nonconforming status to
the Lansing Florist Exchange building.
Mr. Langworthy so moved, Mr. Wright seconded; APPROVED
C
Planning Board Minutes
March 19, 1985
Page 7
Z-5-85, 112 Hazel Street/1018 South Grand Avenue DM -4 to J
The Committee recommends that the properties located at 112 Hazel Street and
1018 South Grand Avenue be rezoned from "DM -4" Residential District to "J"
Parking District to allow construction of a parking lot to be utilized by the
occupants of the office building at 1033 South Washington Avenue.
The Committee recommends that four conditions be adhered to as stated in the
Committee report.
So moved by Mr. Langworthy and seconded by Dr. Remick; APPROVED
SLU-33-84, Sparrow Hospital Parking TABLED
until the April 2 meeting of the Board
Z-1-85, 1000 block of East Main Street C to D-1
The Committee recommends that the request to rezone property in the 1000 block
of East Main Street (_south side) from "C" Residential to "D-1" Professional
Office District be denied. The Committee members felt the change would
adversely impact adjacent residences with additional traffic and activity on
the residential streets.
Mr. Langworthy so moved and Dr. Remick supported; DENIED
The next meeting of the Committee will be held on Wednesday, April 10, 1985 at
7 a.m. in the Planning Division Conference Room.
Urban Development Committee: Mr. Nelson
Act -1-85, North Grand Ramp Expansion
The Committee recommends approval of the proposed extension with due considera-
tion to pedestrian safety on North Grand Avenue and compatibility in architec-
ture of the new garage and steam power plant building in the final design.
Also the agency responses be reviewed by the Public Service Department before
design and construction, especially the comments on utilities from Board of
Water and Light, Consumers Power Company, Fire Department and Fire Marshal.
Mr. Nelson so moved and Mrs. Wieland seconded;
APPROVED
The next Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 10, 1985
at 7:30 p.m. in the Planning Conference Room.
N -
Planning Board Minutes
March 19, 1985
Page 8
Report from Planning Director:
1) I appreciated the consolidated remarks from the Harris Street neighborhood.
2) Regarding SLU-33-84, I am willing to meet with the neighbors and Sparrow
administration and will do my best to set up a meeting.
3) Our public hearings for the April 2 meeting total twelve at this point.
I ask your opinion on presentation form. I wonder what you think of the
overhead projector and aerial photos taking the place of the slides. The
consensus was a combination was preferred.
Adjournment:
Mr. Langworthy moved to adjourn, Mrs. Wieland seconded and the Board APPROVED.
The regular March 19, 1985 meeting of the Lansing Planning Board adjourned at
9:30 p.m.
WC
Respectfully submitted,
"/
14--
a es 7NFoulds, Director
nsinlanning Division
CRegular Meeting
Lansing Planning Board
7:30 p.m., City Council Chambers
Tenth Floor, City Hall
April 2, 1985
R
CL�PiK
ni 7 2 j}>ri t�
Mrs. Horne convened the meeting at 7:35 p.m. with eight members present:
Barnhart, Horne, Langworthy, Mitchner, Nelson, Remick, Wieland, Wright
Staff: Foulds, Fountain, Love, Coscarelli. Councilmember Tony Benavides is
present also.
The agenda stands as printed.
Public Hearings:
Cases were described by Vern Fountain, who also presented slides of the areas
involved.
Z-6-85, 401 Lincoln and 402 Rockford Road A to J
The petitioner made no comments. No one else wished to speak.
REFERRED TO ZONING AND ORDINANCE COMMITTEE
Z-7-85, Northwest corner Edgewood Boulevard and Cedar Street DM -1 to F
JEFFREY WEDEL, on behalf of Latterman and Associates law firm, who represent
the petitioner, Fox and Associates, Incorporated, 215 South Washington,
Suite 210. We have an opportunity to correct what could potentially be a
rather strange item of zoning in Lansing. There is a danger in the way the
property has been zoned, due to the split, of landlocking property which is
currently zoned residential if the commercial property is utilized. The
petition for rezoning would in essence move the border line.-between-the----
commercial
ine._betweenthe____commercial district and DM -1 district back further.
We have community interest in terms of apartment ownersip as well as potential
development of these properties, separate entities, but essentially the same
investors. Based on this mutual interest the multiple residential will be
more protected. Our clients propose landscaping, berms, fencing to buffer the
apartment complex from the proposed commercial use. The clients have been
accepted as buyers by the State of Michigan for the subject property and are
awaiting a land contract from the State. My clients plan to start immediately
preparing the site plan and are in the process of accumulating tenants and
other items to make the proposal operational. They have done a market feasi-
bility study for the area. They have two major tenants ready to move into the
facility on their investigation they feel it is definitely feasible to place
the facility in this location. Thank you very much.
Communications were received from:
CHRIS HADDAD, 6041 South Cedar Street, Dawn Donut Shop, who is in favor.
STORY, INCORPORATED, Douglas Milbury, 401 S. Washington, with no objection.
Planning Board Minutes
April 2, 1985
Page 2
MITCH SKORY, 1906 East Miller Road. The two drives; the one by Tony's Party
Store on the corner, how close are the two entrances going to be? Mr. Fountain
answered, this access is directly south and abuts the party store, probably
50 to 60 feet from his access. Access comes down Cedar south of the ramp. The
third access would be off of Edgewood. The consensus of the Traffic Engineer
and Highway Department is there is an access point there, it should be ingress
only.
REFERRED TO ZONING AND ORDINANCE COMMITTEE
Z-8-85/LS-3-85, 709 South Pennsylvania Avenue/1008 Heald Place_ C to F
CLARE SIMONS, 709 South Pennsylvania Avenue. Directly to the south is a tri-
angle created when the highway was put in, zoned commercial. Lot #5 is now
owned by Board of Water and Light with a pumping station on it. The other lot
which is residential tapers off into the triangle and does not present a
desirable residential use. I would like to have the two petitions considered
separately, but at the same time.
REFERRED TO ZONING AND ORDINANCE COMMITTEE
Z-9-85/SLU-2-85, Aurelius/Cavanaugh Road Intersection J/H to I
Mr. Wright asked if filling is part of the developer's agreement. Mr. Fountain
said, it is an obligation, yes. The Ordinance indicates if you propose an
operation of mining, you have to first show intent and a reclamation plan.
CHRIS BERGSTROM, law firm of Farhat Story Panek Tyler & Kraus, in behalf of
the petitioner, Eastlund Concrete Company. Representatives of Parker Memorial
are present and wish to address you later. The property in -question is owned
by the church. My client, Eastlund Concrete, proposes to enter into a five
year lease with a possible five year option to renew. We would complete mining
and excavation already in existence. At the conclusion of operation we would
fill the pit with clean fill and construct recreational fields that would be
directed by the church. The eastern portion has been leveled and converted
into recreational area and the church is satisfied. Mr. Eastlund and his
company have been mining this area since 1982. It is our contention that we
have a nonconforming use, but as a result of discussion with staff we submitted
the rezoning and special land use petitions.
The pit will be adequately guarded. The pictures reflected recent rain, it is
usually a dry pit. The agreement we would enter into with the church would
obligate my client to maintain the pit in a safe condition and we would fence
it if in fact there was standing water on a regular bases.
Mr. Langworthy asked if the petitioner had received a letter from the Forest
View Citizens' Association. Mr. Bergstom said, no, he is just returning from
Planning Board Minutes
April 2, 1985
Page 3
Florida, I received it yesterday. Mr. Langworthy continued; perhaps we could
have rationalization between your client and the neighborhood because what they
say is contrary to what good practice would be and also contrary to what you
are saying. Mr. Bergstrom added; the two pits mentioned are Solomons' and were
mined and developed prior to enactment of certain laws regarding reclamation.
It is our intent to file a Reclamantion Plan and fill the pit. Not only do we
have to do that under the Ordinance, but the lease will contractually commit us.
The church has been satisfied with our efforts so far.
Mr. Barnhart questioned his opinion of leasing property from a tax exempt status
property. Mr. Bergstrom responded; I recall there is a provision which commits
someone to paying taxes in the event they lease public property, that might
apply. I am not a tax expert.
ROY EMERY, 2022 Cavanaugh Road. My concerns would be mostly access to that
property and where gravel is being hauled out. Some of my concerns have been
alleviated tonight. It is an existing mining operation, will it be accelerated?
Aurelius/Cavanaugh is a very congested corner and this could add to it.
Mr. Bergstrom said, we have ingress and egress from both roads and we are going
to make every effort to cooperate with the neighbors. I believe an ingress/
egress is established on Aurelius. The use will not be a consistent and heavy
use, it will be periodic as the need arises.
REVEREND STEVE GREEN, Associate Pastor at Parker Memorial Baptist Church, in
charge of buildings and development. In the agreement with Mr. Eastlund there
will be no money exchanged. Maybe in the future it might develop into some
funds for the church, but basically just a swap of labor for their use of the
gravel and sand.
TOM WHITE, representing Jehovah's Witnesses, owners of 1700 Cavanaugh Road,
3700 Blue River Drive, Lansing. It concerns us being on a periodic basis, that
means there is no completion date and we are planning construction of a
religious building on Cavanaugh. This site, having egress on Cavanaugh would
present quite a traffic problem; two churches and hauling with no date of
completion. Section 38-37A of the City Code is very broad on type of fill,
so we basically have a gentlemens' agreement as to the type of fill.
Destructable materials could be put in as long as they are sanitary and we
object to that because I heard someone refer to the Solomon brothers, who have
filled much of the Cavanaugh area with destructable materials or materials that
come from destruction.
The area is becoming unusable for future use. With the Fiser brothers proposal
in the Jolly Road area, the City is making the whole area a gravel pit that
would no longer be suitable for either religious facility.
Planning Board Minutes
April 2, 1985
Page 4
TERRY BERRY, 4025 Chicory Lane, Deacon at Parker Memorial Baptist Church.
The property in question in back of the church has been partly developed. We
have planted grass and there will be a ball field. A small pit has been in
existence for at least the five years I have been with the church. For the
people of Forest View that have questions on creating gravel pits --we are going
to fill a pit that already exists.
RON HELZERMAN, corner of Irene and Aurelius. I am in favor of this action.
I have lived in this area for four years and the road has been improved, which
we appreciate, and even since improvement the trucks going in and out periodi-
cally have not obstructed traffic or caused problems. This pit will eventually
be filled and the area leveled.
REFERRED TO ZONING AND ORDINANCE COMMITTEE
Z-10-85, 117 North Fairview Avenue/116 North Clemens B to J
ALAN JANSEN, 115 North Clemens, immediately west of the proposed parking lot.
I am not convinced of the need for the parking lot. I have lived there nearly
five years and can look down the parking lot most any time of the day and it
is not full. I wonder where the need is.
Mr. Foulds explained, several years ago the City, working with some East
Michigan Avenue business people, identified parking which services the commer-
cial uses as a primary problem. As a result funds were budgeted through the
CD Block Grant program to expand parking on the south and north sides of the
2000 block of Michigan Avenue. Subsequently, the parking lot on the south side
was expanded and is in operation. Funds for expanding the parking1 of to the
north remained in the budget. The question arose, should the City go forward
with this project or drop it and reprogram those funds. Another meeting was
held with the business people on the north side and it was still the feeling
that during peak hours of operation, additional parking was needed. Based on
that, the City agreed to initiate a rezoning petition to find out what the
feeling of the neighborhood residents are on expanding that parking lot.
Mr. Jansen continued; the neighborhood as a whole has experienced considerable
problem with the Green Door. People yell, squeal tires and throw fire crackers.
Also Clemens is a main street with a fair amount of congestion. Also I am
facing the possibility of a party store to the south of me where currently
there is a vacant, damaged house. If a parking lot goes in west of me, I am
concerned this increases the probability of more people in the area. I do not
want to underestimate the amount of noise in the area.
The other major concern is with property value. I have commercial property to
the west and south and if the parking lot goes in, commercial to the east,
which makes my house a peninsula in a commercial zone. Would any of you want
to buy a house in a commercial zone? Property value is directly linked to
willingness to live in an area, not an assessor's estimate.
Planning Board Minutes
April 2, 1985
Page 5
If I stay, the situation may become totally intolerable. If I don't stay, why
would people want to rent it? Third, could I sell it for a sufficient amount
for down payment somewhere else? If this has to go in, I suggest you buffer
both ends of the parking lot as much as possible as well as the back and that
the entrance/exit be on both ends. Now it's one-way and all the traffic and
noise pours out right in front of my house.
I represent the couple immediately north of me, an older couple, not in good
health that are very disturbed about the parking lot and party store and I
think the two are linked. The combination of the Green Door, the party store
and the gas station, all of which are late night businesses and cause a certain
amount of noise and commotion far into the night, combined with an adequate
parking lot to attract even more people, it will lead to an intolerable situa-
tion for the neighborhood.
Lastly, if worse comes to worst and all of this goes in, I would like to
propose you buy my house and make the whole thing into a parking lot so I can
get out of there.
DAVID GLASSNER, 1910 Jerome Street. I am not concerned the parking lot is
going to directly affect me, but I am concerned that I don't see a need for a
parking lot there. The parking lot is never full; the only business that
stands to gain from putting a parking lot in there, maybe on Friday and
Saturday nights, is the Green Door Lounge drawing their rowdy crowd.
They say they will eliminate parking on the streets; the fact is that almost
all of the businesses on the north side of Michigan Avenue don't have rear
entrances so it still is going to be shorter to park on the street and walk in
than it is to park in back and walk all the way around. It won't solve that
problem.
The gentleman's concern about 109 North Clemens, the house damaged by the gas
station explosion, is a community danger because it is not boarded up and is
a more pressing problem than taking out perfectly good residential uses to
turn them into parking lots. I don't think buying more parking is a good way
to spend money.
TIMOTHY MC COOL, 129 North Clemens. Most of the businesses are only open
during the day and the parking lot is virtually empty. I know this is repeti-
tious; the Green Door has always been a problem, I have filed police reports
before. There is a lot of activity when the bar closes and this is going to
be conducive to late night activity over there. We are awakened many nights.
During the day when businesses are open, there is no one to be found. The
noise is unbearable and I had a hit and run on my car earlier.
C
Planning Board Minutes
April 2, 1985
Page 6
DAVID MURRAY, co-owner of the Green Door Lounge. I and my partner are rela-
tively new to the city. The reputation of the Lounge in years past is some-
thing we have addressed and think we have made progress. I represent ten
business owners that are in favor of expanding the parking lot. There are
many times when the parking lot is full. A good example of what can be done
is on the south side of the street. They had the same problems before they
expanded their parking lot. Not only did they alleviate the parking problem,
but they improved the backs of the buildings. I hope this would be done on
the north side of Michigan Avenue also. I can't speak for the other business
owners, but we intend going along with that. I think others would do the same.
A buffer between the residential and parking lot could be accomplished,
similar to the lot on the south side and it would afford residents a better
area than they're looking at right now. The two houses in question; one was
being rented and one was empty, and are unsightly. If they were taken out,
the area would be improved. The owners are willing to sell and have their
houses razed. Thank you.
Mr. Wright asked if his business has a rear entrance. Mr. Murray answered,
yes, there are probably nine rear entrances of the ten businesses there, who
all use the parking lot and rear entrances. At our last meeting shop owners
across the street were interested in this also. They have a tremendous amount
of parking but are limited also. When their lot is full and the street fills,
parking behind our businesses fills up. So it will hlep the business community
on both sides of the street.
BRIGID KING, 115 North Clemens. Those two houses are not in bad condition; one
was painted within the last year and home owners in the area have tried to
improve their properties. The one I live in has new siding, solar water heating
and a new enclosed front porch. I don't think houses in that area -are unsightly.
Also the noise inside the Green Door can be heard more than 100 feet outside.
Last month I almost called the police because people were outside screaming.
Raupp Campfitters, Eddie's Restaurant, Castellani's Market do not have rear
entrances.
I would like to add that if you clean up that parking lot and move the utility
pole back, get some items out that are not part of the buildings --move those
Granger service containers back, you can add a few more spaces into the lot
instead of tearing down these buildings that are still sound construction and
good looking buildings. Green Door is not a quiet business and if you add more
parking, you will increase the problem.
TOM DONALDSON, 126 Horton Street. Before I lived in the 200 block of Fairview
so I am familiar with the area. It isn't a good idea to expand this lot. The
demand just isn't there as everybody said. So on the plus side we could clean
up the lot --that would be nice and help out some bar overflow. On the negative
side we destroy two nice houses and take those off the tax rolls, we're decreasing
our tax base besides dumping a lot of money into this parking lot, which most
of us agree we don't need.
Planning Board Minutes
April 2, 1985
Page 7
Whether the money comes from the federal government, city or state, it is all
out of our pockets, why spend it? It is encroachment on the neighborhood too.
It is a good neighborhood, making a comeback and we're moving the commercial
area into the neighborhood. It will keep going further. People are investing
in their homes and this is the wrong time for this. There aren't many rear
entrances to these buildings and the lot on the south side is rarely full. As
far as concerned merchants, only one showed up so I can't believe they are all
that concerned. But if they are, why not just clean up the existing lot. It
looks trashy and is dangerous for the kids.
REFERRED TO ZONING AND ORDINANCE COMMITTEE
Z-11-85, 1201 West Jolly Road A to F
MITCH SKORY, 1906 East Miller Road, petitioner. We have the whole corner and
there is a notch out of it zoned residential. We purchased the building and
would like to make it commercial to square it off. Everything except to the
west is already commercial. West is a large, vacant piece of land which
eventually probably will become commercial of some sort --stores or shopping
right on Jolly Road.
Parking; we've got between the corner, we own the two parcels to the east and
south and it's all blacktopped. We have sufficient parking.
A communication was received from Mr. and Mrs. Jack Niklas, 1225 West Jolly
Road with no objection.
REFERRED TO ZONING AND ORDINANCE COMMITTEE
Z-12-85, 1218 North Washington Avenue C to J
Mr. Wright asked if this will be hard surfaced? Mr. Fountain responded, yes
and also screening and buffering will be required. Mr. Wright asked if there
could be an agreement to share parking lots.
WAYNE FOSTER, co-owner of the house immediately south of 1218 North Washington
and co-owner of Estes Furniture. We have for years shared parking with the
North Presbyterian Church and presently borrow eight to ten spaces for employee
parking and have a good relationship with them. We have needed parking for a
number of years and now we are planning to expand. I would like to reserve
further comment until the owner to the north has expressed his concerns.
BERNARD TUBANDT, 1222 North Washington Avenue, submitted a letter from property
owners across the street (on file) concerned with this parking lot being
created like the one across from it with no curbs, no catch basin, no fence,
no berms or shrubs.
Planning Board Minutes
April 2, 1985
Page 8
Mr. Tubandt. If this is a parking lot, regarding drainage, I understand they
have to put in a catch basin and blacktop to keep water from coming off because
that's a higher lot than mine. My house is within a few feet of the 1218
property line with a porch on the south side of the house. My concern is that
there be no entrance or ex.it from Washington Avenue to this new parking lot.
I suggest the green be continued all the way through, then put a sound barrier
parallel with the street south of my house to shield it from the street.
Parking lots on both sides that are blacktopped would be a detriment to the
area. A lot of properties have been fixed up and I question what it will do
to my property value.
Mr. Foster. We are sensitive to the neighborhood. We have agreed tQ the six
foot decorative fence and a 15 foot barrier will be erected. We would like to
make the present exit/entrance an entrance only and have an exit someplace else
and at least 50 feet from the four foot driveway. There will be no lights
shining in houses.
DIEDRA GIBSON, 110 West Willow. I prefer to keep the entire neighborhood
residential with businesses only on Grand River. I have observed the parking
lot and have not seen it full. The yellow house in question has lots of money
and time into it; stained glass window and insulated, it would be a shame to
have it torn down it is typical of old homes in the north end. We also have
put time and money in our house and the neighborhood has been rejuvenated and
is mostly owner occupied. The white house was just sided and would be next to
the parking lot. I am concerned about the devaluation of property.
REFERRED TO ZONING AND ORDINANCE COMMITTEE
SLU-4-85, 1434 East Jollv Road
GEORGE GRABOWSKI, 1434 East Jolly Road, petitioner. My brother and I have
farmed there all our lives. The buildings proposed would be of great help to
us and everything would be up front for the people at the farm market. I have
a special request, we would like this to be taken up as soon as possible. We
are in need of these houses by May 10. We are expanding our greenhouse busi-
ness and would like to tear down some less efficient pole frames. Our contrac-
tors would like to start about April 15 to get done in time. These greenhouses
are made of galvanized steel and covered with two layers of plastic. They will
be modern with gas heat, large fans --one in each end of the building to keep
air circulating. They are advertised as the strongest greenhouses made and
designed for the snow belt. They will be 29 by 144 feet each; two joined
together.
A communication was received from Mr. and Mrs. Rodocker, 1116 Barr Avenue, with
no objection as long as the greenhouses are close to Jolly and away from houses.
Planning Board Minutes
April 2, 1985
Page 9
CAROL JONES, 5349 Ellis Court. My back yard abuts the farming area. I am for
anything that would encourage them to stay in the neighborhood, I enjoy the
view. Thank you very much.
REFERRED TO ZONING AND ORDINANCE COMMITTEE
BUSINESS SESSION:
Approval of Minutes:
Mr. Barnhart moved for approval of the March 19, 1985 minutes as printed and
Dr. Remick supported; APPROVED
Committee Reports:
Zoning and Ordinance Committee: Mr. Langworthy
SLU-33-84, Sparrow Hospital Parkin
Taken from the table on approval of a motion by Remick, second by Langworthy.
The Committee recommends approval of a special land use permit for Sparrow
Hospital for the purpose of allowing the continuation of a parking lot on
property commonly known as the Boys' Training School, located north and adjacent
to the Eastern/Pattengill school complex. This recommendation is subject to
the following ten conditions:
1) That a parking management plan be approved and submitted to the City by
Sparrow Hospital's Board of Directors which clearly indicates the timetable
for implementation of the shuttle service referred to in the Sparrow Hospi-
tal communication of February 19, 1985, a commitment of the total number
of employees to be served by this shuttle service and an identification of
the hours of operation of the service.
2) That Sparrow Hospital shall utilize the lot for off street parking with a
minimal range of utilization of at least 110 to 125 cars parked in the lot
on an average daily basis.
3) At the end of a six month trial period, utilization rates of the parking lot
shall be submitted to and verified by the Department of Planning and Muni-
cipal Development.
If parking utilization is at or above the 110 to 125 average cars per day
range, then use of the parking lot will continue on the basis of six month
reviews of the minimum utilization rates.
Planning Board Minutes
April 2, 1985
Page 10
If utilization rates fall below the minimum requirement, the Special Land
Use authorization will automatically revert to the Planning Board for
reconsideration. The reconsideration will take the form of revocation of
the permit, or modification of the parking management plan to increase
utilization of the lot.
4) If the Special Land Use Permit is revoked, Sparrow Hospital shall return
the land to its original condition within three (3) months.
5) Ingress and egress to the parking lot shall be limited to the existing
access drive to the south of the site.
6) A gravel surface shall be used and maintained in a dust free manner, and
the City Engineer will review the lot periodically for soil erosion.
7) Landscaping, screening and buffering shall be installed in accord with a
plan approved by the Planning Division. This Plan shall address the
concerns of, (a) preservation of existing trees, (b) appropriate fencing
and lighting and substantial buffer from existing residential areas and a
pedestrian walkway from Orchard Street through the Eastern High School
complex.
i
8) The temporary use of off street parking shall be for a period of two years
following the date of approval by the Lansing City Council.
9) The State of Michigan shall be notified of this action.
10) The lot will be maintained properly, including grass trimming, trash pick
up, etc. and shall be monitored by the appropriate agencies. In addition,
the Planning Division will provide the Eastside Neighborhood Organization
with adequate contacts concerning maintenance responsibilities. .
Mr. Langworthy so moved and Mr. Wright seconded.
Mr. Nelson will abstain from voting and discussion. APPROVED
The Chairman allowed the Eastside Neighborhood Organization President a comment.
RICK KIBBEY. Thank you for this opportunity to thank the Planning Board,
particularly the Zoning and Ordinance Committee, Planning staff and the folks
at Sparrow Hospital for cooperating on this issue. In the brief delay we were
able to work out not only the short term questions, but begin to work on a long-
term solution. The time was well spent and I appreciate your cooperation. We
are pleased to be able to support the motion this evening.
Planning Board Minutes
April 2, 1985
Page 11
SLU-4-85, 1434 East Jolly Road
The Committee recommends approval of the special land use permit request to
construct two 29 by 144 feet greenhouses at 1434 East Jolly Road subject to the
installation of improved parking adequate for the existing commercial use as
defined by the parking requirements of the Zoning Code.
Dr. Remick so moved and Mr. Langworthy supported; APPROVED
The next Committee meeting will be held Wednesday, April 10, 1985 at
7 a.m. in the Planning Division Conference Room.
Urban Development Committee: Mr. Nelson reported the next meeting is scheduled
for Wednesday, April 10 at 7:30 in the Planning Division Conference Room.
Report from Planning Director: Mr. Foulds
1) On the Sparrow Hospital issue, I feel we have a firm working relationship
between Sparrow and the ENO in terms of recognizing that Sparrow does have
parking deficiencies and we have to meet those. We will continue dialogue until
we identify potential areas where those problems can be solved. The two week
delay was worthwhile because perhaps there was not a firm dialogue before.
2) What is your feeling on the presentation method for the public hearings?
The consensus was members enjoyed the overheads added to the presentation but
that a control arrangement for the lights somewhere in the Chamber should be
requested. Motion was made by Remick and seconded by Langworthy that staff
generate a joint memorandum from this Board and the Board of Zoning Appeals to
the City Council to be signed by all Board members. APPROVED
3) The Solomon Gravel Pits were mentioned earlier. Those particular borrow
pits have been a problem for the neighborhood residents because of utilization
of them over the years. We have had a court order which requires Otto Solomon
to reclaim and restore them.. Mr. Solomon is at this point offering both of
those pits, east and west sides of Aurelius north of Cavanaugh, to the City to
be used as park land. I am skeptical that there will be a public use for them.
We will have an Act 285 review on them shortly, but future reuse is questionable.
We don't want to have an extraction operation without a reclamation plan in the
future.
4) The pre -application to the State Historic Preservation Officer has been
approved and we now have to submit a final application for Lansing. That parti-
cular grant application was sponsored by the Historic District Commission based
on requirements we have to perform for the Block Grant Program in terms of
identifying historic resources in the community prior to demolishing them. We
Planning Board Minutes
April 2, 1985
Page 12
can only afford to do this with a grant through the state. We will hire part
time people to physically survey certain older portions of the community to
identify parcel by parcel where historic resources are and document them for
public record.
New Business:
The Cherry Hill Master Plan was submitted and referred to the Urban Development
Committee.
Mr. Nelson expressed concern with Council bypassing the Board and having no 285
review before they resolved to give away a portion of the entrance to Hunter
Park. The actual deed conferring the land to the City indicated a portion of
.land 66 feet wide between two houses was part of the parcel donated to the City
with a restriction that those two properties were to have access running from
Holmes Street into the Park, which at that time became the entrance to the Park.
It was considered to be a street and those two houses faced their garages to
this area. The Board requests clarification as to whether an Act 285 Review
Z- is necessary on easements.
Adjournment:
Mr. Mitchner moved to adjourn, Mr. Langworthy seconded and the Board approved.
The regular April 2, 1985 meeting of the Lansing Planning Board adjourned at
10:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,/!
s N. Foulds, Director
nsing Planning Division
WC
C
LANSIkG CITY tLEAK
Regular Meeting MAY 27
Lansing Planning Board
7:30 p.m., City Council Chambers w { -----�--- --
Tenth Floor, City Hall
April 16, 1985
Emly Horne, Chairman, convened the meeting at 7:30 p.m. with eight members
present:
Barnhart, Horne, Langworthy, Mitchner, Nelson, Remick, Wieland, Wright.
Staff: Foulds, Love, Coscarelli, Rajendra
Agenda: Delete April 2, 1985 minutes from Business Session.
Public Hearing:
Cherry Hill Plan Presentation
ELEANOR LOVE, Senior Planner, presented background information on this Plan for
the Board and audience. The boundaries are Kalamazoo Street on the north, the
Grand River on the east, I-496 on the south and Washington Avenue on the west.
The Cherry Hill area Committee's objective was to develop a plan which outlined
specific actions and recommendations for future physical development in the
Cherry Hill area. Members of the Committee who were present stood and were
recognized.
GREG WADE, Chairman, Cherry Hill Citizens' Committee. Cherry Hill has always
played a prominent role in the City of Lansing. As the home of the first
Oldsmobile factory, two governors have lived in our neighborhood and we see no
reason why Cherry Hill cannot be restored to some of its former luster. One of
our proposals is to create a historic district, we also have a capital outlay
proposal. We would like to be sure that attention is paid to our priority list.
(The future land use pattern was presented and a map with proposed zonings.)
We thank Eleanor and look forward to working with anybody who is interested.
JEANNE BLAIR, Co-chairman. Home owners and residents have been active and
interested in their neighborhood. Some of our needs defined are; (a) code
enforcement is not done, (b) absentee landlords are one of our biggest problems,
(c) River Street Park should. have more facilities for children, benches, picnic
tables, replacement of trees damaged by the storm. Davenport College uses it
a lot.
REFERRED TO URBAN DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Planning Board Minutes
April 16, 1985
Page 2
Comments from the Audience:
WALTER WHITNEY, 901 Bates. I would like to thank you for listening to our pleas
on the industrial access road. We hope to get a favorable recommendation from
the Board. We do appreciate the time and effort put forth. Mrs. Horne thanked
Mr. Whitney and the neighborhood for their time and effort on this project.
BUSINESS SESSION:
Committee Reports:
Zoning and Ordinance Committee: Mr. Langworthy
NCU-2-85, 1217 North Loqan Street/1101 West Willow
The Committee recommends granting Class "A" Nonconforming status to the proper-
ties at 1101 West Willow and 1217 North Logan Street to expand the existing
business and parking subject to the five conditions stated in their report.
The Committee found the proposal with those five stipulations is in substantial
conformance with Section 36-9.3(4)(a)(b)(c), and public health, safety and
welfare will be enhanced if this project is completed.
Mr. Langworthy moved for approval and Mr. Wright supported, APPROVED
Z-6-85, 401 Lincoln Avenue and 402 Rockford Road A to J
The Committee recommends that properties located at 401 Lincoln Avenue and 402
Rockford Road be rezoned from "A" Residential District to "J" Parking District
to allow the continued use of the property for off street parking to serve the
commercial businesses located on Cedar Street between Lincoln Avenue and
Rockford Road. The Committee recommends approval be subject to five conditions:
1) That a site plan be submitted to and approved by the Planning Division,
Traffic Engineer and Public Service Department prior to completion of
development of this site. Said site plan shall show a minimum of a 20
foot setback from both Lincoln and Rockford which shall be maintained in
lawn and landscaping.
2) The necessary landscape screening and buffering adjacent to existing
residential development.
3) Ingress/egress of the site to be approved by the Transportation Engineer.
4) A drainage plan, subject to approval by the Public Service Department
(City Engineer).
5) Lighting of the parking area shall be so directed on the parking area so
as not to affect the adjacent residential development.
Mr. Langworthy so moved and Dr. Remick seconded,' APPROVED
Planning Board Minutes
April 16, 1985
Page 3
Z-7-85, Northwest corner Edgewood/South Cedar DM -1 to F
The Committee recommends approval of the petition to rezone property at the
northwest corner of Edgewood Boulevard and South Cedar Street (west side of
the 6200 block), commonly identified as excess highway right-of-way initially
intended for the completion of the Cedar Street/I-96 interchange, from "A"
Residential to "F" Commercial District subject to the three conditions of
their April 10, 1985 report.
Mr.. Langworthy moved for approval and Mr. Wright seconded; APPROVED
Z-8-85, 709 South Pennsylvania Avenue C to F
The Committee recommends that the property located just east of 1008 Heald
Place be rezoned from "C" Residential District to "F" Commercial District to
allow the petitioner to join the vacant property with the commercial property
directly west to provide for a more usable commercial property. The change
would allow development comp.atible with surrounding land uses.
Mr. Langworthy so moved and Dr. Remick supported; APPROVED
LS -3-85, East of 1008 Heald Place
The Committee recommends the request for a lot split for the property located
at 1008 Heald Place and 709 South Pennsylvania Avenue be approved for the
purpose of splitting off the east 79 feet from the west 79 feet°to allow the
applicants to sell the east 79 feet and the structure theron for professional
office use. This recommendation is based on two conditions:
1) The breezeway connecting the structure on the east 79 feet with the
structure on the west 79 feet be removed physically separating the
structures.
2) Site plans be submitted to the Planning Division and Transportation
Engineer for approval.
Mr. Langworthy moved for approval, Mr. Mitchner seconded;
Z-9-85, Southwest of Aurelius/Cavanaugh Intersection
%.— SLU-2-85, Cavanaugh/Aurelius Intersection
APPROVED
J and H to I
TABLED
TABLED
Planning Board Minutes
April 16, 1985
Page 4
Z-10-85, 117 Fairview/116 Clemens B to J
The Committee recommends rezoning properties at 117 North Fairview Avenue and
116 North Clemens from "B" Residential District to "J" Parking District to
allow expansion of City Parking Lot #8, located north of the businesses in the
2000 block of Michigan Avenue (north side) to add approximately 20 spaces.
Approval is subject to the seven conditions stipulated in the April 10, 1985
Zoning Committee Report.
Mr. Langworthy moved to approve and Mr. Wright seconded; APPROVED
Z-11-85, 1201 West Jolly Road A to F
The Committee recommends approval of the petition to rezone property at 1201
West Jolly Road from "A" Residential to "F" Commercial District subject to
three conditions stated in their report. The zoning district as proposed will
not extend any further west than the commercial zoning district to the south.
Moved by Mr. Langworthy, supported by Dr. Remick; APPROVED
Z-12-85, 1218 North Washinqton Avenue C to J
The Zoning and Ordinance Committee recommends that property located at 1218
North Washington Avenue be rezoned from "C" Residential District to "J" Parking
District to allow for expansion of parking to serve the Estes Furniture Company
located on North Grand River Avenue, subject to the four stipulations of their
report.
Mr. Langworthy so moved and Mr. Barnhart seconded; APPROVED
Z-3-85, 406 East Holmes Road A to F
The Committee recommends that the property located at 406 East Holmes Road, more
commonly known as Everett Elementary School, be rezoned from "A" Residential
to "F" Commercial District to be developed for office and commercial activities
subject to four conditions, as stated in their April 10 report.
Mr. Langworthy moved approval and Mr. Mitchner supported;
by a 7 yeas, 1 nays vote, APPROVED
The next meeting of the Zoning and Ordinance Committee will be held on
'� Wednesday, May 15, 1985 at 7 a.m. in the Planning Division Conference Room.
c
Planning Board Minutes
April 16, 1985
Page 5
Urban Development Committee: Mr. Nelson
Cherry Hill Master Plan
The Committee has discussed this Plan and are open to comments from Board
members. You will notice three suggested changes staff recommends. We would
appreciate your comments.
Industrial Access Road
The Committee recommends construction of Phase one of a new industrial access
road from US 27 east along sub -alternate B, Howe Avenue to Paulson Street, as
identified in the environmental assessment for the proposed project, and that
the Mayor and Council proceed immediately to acquire necessary property and
initiate construction for phase one of this project. It is further recommended
that the road be paved for all of phase one to control dust and that all efforts
be made to keep the road clean of debris.
Mr. Nelson so moved and Mr. Barnhart supported; APPROVED
Act -35-84, High Street School
The Committee recommends that each of the following range of reuse options be
considered for the site; (A) community facility, (B) utility, and (3) office,
and Mr. Nelson so moved; Mrs. Wieland seconded, APPROVED
Act -36-84, Holmes Street School Reuse
The Urban Development Committee recommends the site is appropriate for use as
a community service facility, private educational facility or single family
residential development. Commercial, office, industrial and multiple residen-
tial uses should not be allowed.
Moved by Mr. Nelson and supported by Mrs. Wieland,
by a 7 yeas, 1 nays vote; APPROVED
Act -37-84, Oak Park School Reuse
The Committee recommends Oak Park School be used for community facilities,
converted multi -family residential or professional office use due to the
limitations and restrictions of the site. Also these uses would be most
appropriate with respect to maintaining the character of the neighborhood.
Mr. Nelson moved for approval and Mr. Barnhart seconded; APPROVED
Planning Board Minutes
April 16, 1985
Page 6
The next Urban Development Committee meeting is scheduled for May 15, 1985
at 7:30 p.m. in the Planning Division Conference Room.
Report from Planning Director: Mr. Foulds
1) I would like to thank the Board and both Committees for your diligence in
getting through your long agendas the last two meetings, staff appreciates it.
2) The Planning and Municipal Development Department had their budget hearing
today with Committee of the Whole going over our budget and work program with
a wide range of discussions on marketing Diamond Reo and other issues. There
are no major problems with our work program for next year, just more of it.
Mr,. Barnhart questioned, regarding the Diamond Reo site, there was a request
by Popoff meat company, Abbey heating/cooling, a bar and most of the businesses
in that block facing the property on the other side of the street. They are
all undergoing growing pains, need new facilities, would like to stay in that
area and all indicated interest in that property. I would hope those folks
would not be overlooked and given special recognition for a change of place.
Mr. Foulds responded, the focus will be to find large users of land, but if
that is not successful, I'm sure they will open it up to smaller establishments.
We still have to remove that non -relocation clause with EDA. The City hopes
to end up with some kind of industrial, commerical, warehousing park there.
3) At your next meeting I will bring recommendations of the Mayor's Housing
Code Enforcement Task Force, which Mr. Tubbs chaired. You received survey
forms and copies of that report. I would like to explain some results of that
effort, which I think will result in much better code enforcement for the city.
We will transfer two Zoning Officers of the Planning staff into a new code
compliance team that will be called "Code Compliance Officers" -and will be
combined with the Housing Inspectors in the Building Division. We will hire
a new supervisor for that team of eight people.
They will each be given a target area of the City and be responsible for
housing, zoning, multiple dwelling inspections and other environmental concerns
and if there is a neighborhood issue, you will know who to call. We hope to
implement that in the next thirty days. Dr. Remick asked, will code enforce-
ment area maps be available? Mr. Foulds answered, yes, Mr. Fountain will
create those areas, relatively balanced in number of housing units, multiple
units, total population and correspond with census tracts and blocks to
compare information. We will have reference maps.
4) I will take your decisions on the school recommendations and communicate
them, as your board secretary, to the School Board directly so they can begin
marketing the properties. A 285 decision is basically your review and your
decision, then I will transmit that to the Mayor and Council.
i
Planning Board Minutes
April 16, 1985
Page 7
Communications:
Three communications were received regarding Z-10-85, proposed parking lot
expansion.
LINDA HORNE, First of America Branch Manager. No objections to this proposal.
The bank's lot is often used for public parking both during and after hours,
which is often a result of inadequate parking facilities on the north side of
Michigan Avenue.
AREA MERCHANTS; request to expand public parking in the 2000 block of East
Michigan Avenue, signed by David Murray, Green Door Lounge; Bill Castellani,
Castellani's Market; Bill Leech repair service; David McCool, Raupp Campfit-
ters; Eddie's Restaurant; Discount One Hour Signs and Pauline Lee of Wolfmoon
Food Co-op.
EASTSIDE NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATION voted to explore solutions to the parking
problems other than those requiring demolition of housing. Concerns are with;
protecting the residential character of the area, traffic congestion at the
Michigan/Clemens intersection, conversion of an existing residence to a party
store and continuing stability of businesses in the 2000 block.
The site should be buffered on the north, east and west sides and those abutting
neighbors allowed to review site plans and select appropriate buffering materials.
Also there should be no further parking expansion toward Jerome Street and that
parking spaces in Lot #8 should not be computed as parking requirements for the
proposed party store or Mooney property adjacent to 109 North Clemens.
Board Member Comments:
Regarding the Mayor's dinner for the LEAN volunteers, it was requested that
Board members be seated together, and that smoking/non-smoking areas be
provided.
Mr. Langworthy expressed the opinion that the City should have a charge, and
possibly a minimum fee for providing copies to the public.
Adjournment:
Mr. Mitchner moved to adjourn, Mr. Langworthy seconded and the Board APPROVED.
The regular April 16, 1985 meeting of the Lansing Planning Board adjourned at
8:45 p.m.
WC
Respectfully submitted,
es N. Foulds, Director
Lansin-g Planning Division
C
Regular Meeting
Lansing Planning Board
7:30 p.m., City Council Chambers
Tenth Floor, City Hall
May 7, 1985
Chairman, Emly Horne, convened the meeting promptly at 7:30 p.m. with eight
members present:
Barnhart, Horne, Langworthy, Mitchner, Nelson, Remick, Wieland, Wright
Staff: Foulds, Fountain, Acheson, Coscarelli
Agenda approved as printed.
Public Hearing:
Presentation was made by Vern Fountain, with slides shown for clarification.
LS -6-85, 4200 block of South Aurelius Road
Mrs. Horne asked if they will be able to save those trees. Mr. Fountain
C answered; they intend to. We can't require it, but would certainly encourage
preservation of the vegetation.
DON FRANSISCO, 2010 East Cavanaugh Road, petitioner. The lots are 100 feet
deep from Cavanaugh, but we are landlocked. We don't plan to-do anything with
it. Mrs. Emery lives there and owns that house and would like to acquire that
piece. I have had people stop by on the large lot as buyers. The corner lot
2000 Cavanaugh, is 100 by 90, so I don't see a problem in splitting this lot.
Mr. Langworthy reported, I think our recommendation will have to stipulate you
are ten feet short, from a practical standpoint, from meeting regulations that
tell where the house can be and what its square feet can be, which does put
limitations on the purchaser. Mr. Fransisco responded; if anyone wanted to
build, they would have to get a permit from you.
REFERRED TO ZONING AND ORDINANCE COMMITTEE
There were no further comments from the audience. No recess was taken.
Business Session:
Approval of Minutes:
Mr. Langworthy moved and Mr. Barnhart supported, approval of the minutes of
`- April 2, 1985;
APPROVED
Dr. Remick moved approval of the April 16, 1985 minutes and Mr. Barnhart
seconded;
APPROVED
Planning Board Minutes
May 7, 1985
Page 2
Committee Reports:
Zoning and Ordinance Committee: Mr. Langworthy
LS -6-85, 4200 block South Aurelius Road
The Committee recommends approval of a lot split in the 4200 block of Aurelius
Road which would enlarge the rear yards of 2010 and 2020 East Cavanaugh Road
by 48 and 52 feet respectively, while creating a new buildable lot of 100 by
90 feet with frontage on Aurelius Road. The Committee further recommends that
a notation of building limitation be made on the deed for the 100 by 90 lot
because of minimum requirements of the Zoning Ordinance.
Mr. Langworthy moved approval and Mr. Mitchner seconded; APPROVED
NCU-4-85, 1701 South Logan Street
The Committee recommends approval of the substitution of this fast food take-
out business for the ice cream/video operation, subject to four conditions:
C1) Maintenance of the existing fence with slats in good repair.
2) Striping of the paved parking lot.
3) Close curb cut on Logan Street closest to Barnes Avenue.
4) No installation of picnic tables on the premises.
Moved by Mr. Langworthy and supported by Mr. Wright; APPROVED
NCU-6-85, 124-126 South Eighth Street
The Committee recommends that Class "A" designation be granted with reduced
parking for the property at 124-126 South Eighth Street, provided;
1
1) The petitioner furnish documentation of reduced parking needs.
2) Provision of green area and landscaping be accomplished with the area that
would have otherwise been used for parking.
3) The restoration of this structure be done to be compatible with the
historic nature of the neighborhood.
4) Use of the property be restricted to two 2 bedroom units.
Motion by Mr. Langworthy, second by Dr. Remick;
Dr. Remick noted the communication from Green Oaks. APPROVED
C
C
C
Planning Board Minutes
May 7, 1985
Page 3
NCU-7-85, 130 South Eighth Street
The Committee recommends that Class "A" status be approved for the property at
130 South Eighth Street subject to three conditions:
1) Not more than four dwelling units be allowed in the structure as
proposed
at an intensity not to exceed that exhibited by three 2 bedroom units and,
one 1 bedroom unit.
2) That off street parking be fully improved as required by the Zoning Code.
3) If the applicant can provide the necessary documentation that a lesser
number of parking spaces than required by Code will meet the needs, the
Planning Division staff will review his proposal with the thought of
providing additional open space on the site as opposed to hard surfaced
parking.
Mr. Langworthy so moved and Mr. Wright supported;
APPROVED
The next Committee meeting will be held Wednesday, May 15 at 7 a.m. in
the Planning Division Conference Room.
Urban Development Committee: Mr. Nelson reported that the Committee is
scheduled to meet Wednesday, May 15, 1985 at 7:30 p.m. in the Planning
Division Conference Room.
Report from Planning Director: Mr. Foulds
1) Paulson mining area and Industrial Access Road. Public Properties Committee
Of City Council acted to approve your recommended route alignment for the Indus-
trial Access Road connecting US 27 and Lake Lansing Road. In addition they
recommended that the Public Service Department begin to develop specifications
for implementation of phase one of that roadway this year. The compounding
factor is'an item currently in Committee, the Paulson Street gravel extraction
Proposal by MSU Associates (Z-29-84 and SLU-32-84), who have an option on the
property over which the proposed phase one roadway must extend.
While that does not present a major legal problem for the City if we move into
eminent domain, it would take longer to do. Snell Environmental did soil
borings on the city owned Paulson site and is currently analyzing those for
the existence of toxic materials; they were given a May 20 deadline.
are no toxic materials as a result of their tests, staff would consideIf there
r recom-
mending expansion of the gravel operation. If there are toxic materials and
we get supporting positions from the Public Health Department and Department
of Natural Resources that such an expansion would not be in the public interest,
we probably will not support that mining operation.
Dr. Remick asked if there would be a light at the Howe Avenue intersection.
Mr. Foulds answered, not in phase one. For phase two Michigan Department of
Transportation makes that final decision.
Planning Board Minutes
May 7, 1985
Page 4
2) Holmes Street School Building. I received inquiries whether the Planning
Division would support a community theater operation in that building. The
Okemos Barn Theater is being razed, so the Community Circle Players are looking
for another building. I explained we would not be in a position to support
commercial or professional office uses, but would like to see that type of
use, that could be combined with day care centers or other public offices,in
the building. They are interested primarily in the auditorium.
The consensus of the Board is it would be a good use, providing they have
enough parking. The Board requests an opinion from the Potter Park Neighborhood
Association.
3) City Council Economic Development Committee is considering a revision of
their policies under which they give tax abatements for commercial properties.
We suggest that minimum threshold requirements be established for property
owners who wish to take advantage of tax abatement. The policies are too
general and vague now and Council wants clear guidelines for awarding abate-
ments in the future.
4) The City has contracted with Snell Environmental Group to develop a series
of specifications for improving the aesthetic quality of the approach from
Grand Avenue to the west side of Capitol Avenue. They are looking at putting
some brick work on Michigan Avenue to improve the appearance and soften the
feel, street trees, improving the pedestrian area, and generally making it
easier for tourists and pedestrians to traverse from the capitol complex down
Michigan Avenue into the downtown area in a more pleasing atmosphere. It is
very positive for the downtown area.
5) One of the sessions at the professional planning conference I attended
dealt with "high tech" development as it impacted zoning ordinances. A problem
of communities, that we had with MBI, is trying to fit these uses into a zoning
ordinance which across the country are set up for very traditional uses. There
is not a niche for research organizations, uses which may result in the produc-
tion of a product which we would normally relegate to the industrial district,
whether in the form of an organism, manufactured unit --as a microchip or compu-
ter program, specialized tools or robotics. I submit the solution is not in
industrial district zoning, but in some other mechanism such as special land use.
Mr. Langworthy volunteered, this has been faced by many other communities, so
it is not a new problem. We don't have to start from scratch to solve it.
Mr. Foulds responded; we have to start from scratch in that we have an existing
ordinance. I would like to fit it in in as reasonable a manner as possible.
Other communities have a research park district. We are getting inquiries for
individual parcels in the city, some of the elementary schools. I think the
answer for us is a special land use provision in our ordinance, as opposed to
the research park concept.
Planning Board Minutes
May 7, 1985
Page 5
6) Mr. Langworthy asked the status of the Washington Avenue opening; Mr. Foulds
answered, the Mayor directed the Transportation Engineer to come up with alter-
native ways that the 200 and 300 blocks of South Washington Avenue could be
opened. I understand Council adopted a policy to open it and now wants to know
alternatives and what it will cost. We have not been directed to do anything.
We will, when we see the proposals, give our opinion on those designs and bring
to Mayor and Council attention that grant funds were spent to construct those
improvements.
Communications:
1) Letter from Mary Clark as Chairperson of the Green Oaks Target Area
Organization stating approval of Class "A" nonconforming status for the
properties located at 124-126 South Eighth Street (NCU-6-85).
2) Letter from Mayor McKane regarding improvement of the Shiawassee Street
Bridge. Concurrence came from Board members. Mr. Wright added; there are
events taking place on both sides of the river and there are only two ways to
cross; Shiawassee Street Bridge and the railroad trestle. That concrete stair-
way was dilapidated and safety dictated it be closed and last year it was
demolished completely. I hope they consider, in improvement of the bridge,
reconstruction of that stairway.
Mr. Acheson stated; the Waterfront Development Board is really interested in
the bridge also, and in retaining its architecture, not modernizing it. Traffic
and Public Service have been sympathetic to those aims.
Mr. Foulds reported, replacement of that bridge is a project in your Six Year
Capital Improvement Program. The Chairman directed staff to write a letter to
the Mayor endorsing the improvement of the bridge, retention of the stairway
and its architecture to enhance activities in the area; further the Board has
previously endorsed this project in the Six Year CIP.
Board Member Comments:
The Chairman stated the volunteer dinner was enjoyed very much.
Dr. Remick requested an excused absence from the May 21 meeting. Mr. Barnhart
so moved and Mr. Wright supported,
APPROVED
Adjournment:
The regular meeting of the Lansing Planning Board for May 7, 1985 adjourned at
8:40 p.m.
R ectfully submitted,
W�4k
J me N. Foulds, Director
WC in9 Planning Division
C
C
Regular Meeting
Lansing Planning Board
7:30 p.m., City Council Chambers
Tenth Floor, City Hall
May 21, 1985
The meeting was convened at 7:35 p.m. with
Barnhart, Horne, Langworthy, Mitchner;
Excused: Dr. Remick
Staff in attendance: Spackman, Coscarelli,
The agenda was approved as printed.
Public Hearing:
Z-13-85, 116 West Kilborn C to D-1
seven members present:
Nelson, Wieland, Wright
Fountain
Vern Fountain presented slides and explanation for the Board and audience.
In response to the question he stated, multiple familyis permitted in the a
"D-1" District. So if it was zoned "D-1" they could still use it as
residence. The petitioner spoke.
RICHARD COOK, 13600 Lowell Road, DeWitt. The present planned use is Multi-
family dwelling and the existing building was used by the original ownera
multi use, but never registered as a three family, but the facilities existed
as well as adequate parking. xir as a
BERNIE BRAUN, 816 Prospect, representing Charles Wilcox, 115 East Kilborn.
support the change. I
MAXINE ADDINGTON, Executive Secretary of the Michigan State Podiatry
on the corner of Kilborn and Washington. My concern is, will there be
parking because now the tenants are Association,
problems. Mr. Fountain explained, there �are 1minimum our oParkint and caqSrequirements that
Will have to be met; land is available for it. gfull that
improved and meet minimum requirements of the Codeat will have to be fully
BOB BURRITA, 124 West Kilborn. My concern is with
parking too. My house is
used as a residence and if it were converted to office, would there be
traffic coming in and out? Mr. Barnhart asked if there is sufficient
for multiple use, too much
Mr. Fountain answered, there are two driveways into the
property and it could meet the minimum number of re
stated there are five covered spaces. Mr. Fountain added, there are two garages
required spaces, Mr. Cook
in back of the property; one is three,stall and the other, two stall. g 9es
Mr. Nelson asked if we have heard from the Downtown Neighborhood Ass
Mr. Fountain reported, not as yet. ociation.
REFERRED TO ZONING AND ORDINANCE COMMITTEE
Planning Board Minutes
May 21, 1985
CPage 2
Comments from the audience:
CHUCK BRAND, 2146 North Ionia Road, Vermontville. I own 719-721 West Saginaw
(case NCU-8-85). The property has been used commercially since 1928 not, to
my knowledge, for two family usage. I don't know why it is zoned two family.
It has been taxed as a commercial property for the 17 years I have owned it and
the use has been that. We are asking to be able to continue conforming to the
nonconforming use that we have been; a barber shop, which is one-half of it at
present.
Mr. Fountain said, we would like an appointment schedule to judge how that will
affect the parking. Mr. Brand stated, we are able to park 12 to 14 cars back
there and there is room for snow in the winter. I couldn't use the property
as a residence, it is not set up that way, so as far as I'm concerned the
zoning is incorrect.
Business Session:
Approval of Minutes:
CMr. Barnhart moved for approval of the May 7, 1985 minutes as printed and Mrs.
Wieland supported; APPROVED
Committee Reports:'
ZONING AND ORDINANCE COMMITTEE: Mr. Langworthy
NCU-3-85, 2309/2319 South Cedar Street
The Committee recommends that Class "A" status be approved for the property
located at 2309 and 2319 South Cedar Street, with the condition that at the
time expansion occurs landscaping, screening and buffering shall be improved
around the parking lot area in accord with the Zoning Code.
Mr. Langworthy so moved and Mr. Wright seconded; APPROVED
NCU-5-85, 1701 South Washington Avenue
The Committee recommends approval of Class "A" status for property located at
1701 South Washington Avenue, with the understanding that the structure will
remain a single family dwelling. The proposed change is in keeping with the
general intent of the Code since the structure is located in a block that is
developed primarily with residential dwellings consisting of mixed one, two
and three family uses.
Motion for approval by Mr. Langworthy was seconded by Mr. Mitchner APPROVED
C
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Planning Board Minutes
May 21, 1985
Page 3
NCU-8-85, 719-721 West Saginaw Street
The Committee recommends that this status be approved subject to the applicant
submitting satisfactory information that the off street parking area at the
rear of the lot would be adequate for a business in conjunction with the bicycle
co-op. "Adequate for his business" means that it would not cause parking
problems in the surrounding neighborhood.
Moved by Mr. Langworthy and supported by Mr. Mitchner; APPROVED
NCU-9-85, 5303 South Logan Street
The Zoning and Ordinance Committee recommends this substitution be approved
and Mr. Langworthy so moved; Mr. Wright seconded. Mr. Wright pointed out that
there had been a petition signed by the neighbors submitted indicating support
for the request.
APPROVED
The next committee meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 12 at
7 a.m. in the Planning Division Conference Room.
URBAN DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE: Mr. Nelson
Cherry Hill Master Plan
The Committee recommends that the Board approve the Cherry Hill Master Plan as
an official plan with three changes; (1) the zoning of the 400 block of South
Washington Avenue remain "G" Business District, (2) the western half of the
south side of the 300 block of East Hillsdale Street be designated for lower
density residential development, specifically, "DM -2" District, and (3) the
northern block face of the 300 block of East Lenawee be rezoned from "G"
Business to "DM -1" Residential District. The Committee felt it necessary to
present a different position on these three items.
Mr. Nelson so moved and Mrs. Wieland seconded; APPROVED
Act -19-84, Elm Street east of Beech Street
The Committee recommends the jurisdiction of the portion of Elm Street east of
Beech Street be transferred to the Parks Department and Mr. Nelson so moved;
Mrs. Wieland supported, APPROVED
C
Planning Board Minutes
May 21, 1985
Page 4
Act -4-85, Block III
The Committee recommends the City property described as; part of Lot 4, west
10 feet of east 32 feet of south 26.13 feet, except south 7 feet, Block III,
Original Plat, be transferred to the Board of Water and Light; and further,
that the south seven feet be sold to Liebermanns of 113 South Washington
Avenue at an established appraised value.
Mr. Nelson so moved and Mrs. Wieland supperted APPROVED
Act -7-85, Rose Court
The Urban Development Committee recommends that the proposal to vacate the
small portion of street on Rose Court be approved. This action is to correct
an encroachment into the right-of-way which resulted from a surveyinq error.
The Committee believes vacating this strip will have no impact on area circu-
lation, access or utility service.
Moved by Mr. Nelson and seconded by Mrs. Wieland; APPROVED
Act -10-85, Cowles Street
The Committee recommends the City vacate the portion of Cowles Street as
described in their report and further that the City Attorney be directed to
take this vacation to Circuit Court for clearance and have the vacation order
properly recorded with Ingham County.
So moved by Mr. Nelson, supported by Mrs. Wieland;
Act -12-85, River Street
APPROVED
The Committee recommends the jurisdiction for the River Street parcel, more
particularly described in the May 21 staff report, be transferred to the Parks
Department.
Mr. Nelson moved to approve, Mrs. Wieland -seconded;
The next meeting of the Committee is scheduled for June 12, 1985
at 7:30 p.m. in the Division Conference Room.
NO report from the Planning Director
No further business took place.
APPROVED
Planning Board Minutes
May 21, 1985
CPage 5
Adjournment
Mr. Barnhart moved, Mr. Langworthy supported and the Board APPROVED. The
regular May 21, 1985 meeting of the Lansing Planning Board adjourned at
8:15 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
�a
James N. Foul ds, Director
Lansing Planning Division
M
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Regular Meeting
Lansing Planning Board
7:30 p.m., City Council Chambers
Tenth Floor, City Hall
June 4, 1985
Chairman Horne convened the meeting at 7:35
p.m. seven Barnhart, Horne, Langworthy, Nelson, Remick,with Wieland, Wrightrs present:
Excused: Mitchner
Staff. Foulds, Fountain, Coscarelli and Councilperson Benavides
Agenda: Case NCU-11-85 added to Zoning Committee Report
APPROVED
Public Hearinqs•
Presentations were made by Vern Fountain; with slides andr
g aphics.
Z-14-85, 2213, 2223 West Jolly Road A to C
ROY MARKEY, petitioner, had no further comments.
Mr. Wright asked if the hole recently dug on the lot close to Midwood wa
C a new home. Mr. Markey responded, we will move the white house into I a
in the process of selling the other. it. s for
m
Mrs. Horne asked if there was a site plan for development. Mr. Markey
an
not really; just a matter of dividing it into duplex size lots; 60 to 70 feet
footage, we will sell to builders by 125 feet. We won't know the square fuers et
sell to investors. who
Mr. Wright asked if they would be facing Pleasant Grove Road. The res
from ag Markey; yeS, Midwood, Jolly and Pleasant Grove because there is
response
s
ROBERT STANAWAY, 2301 West Jolly Road. I
mother currently lives there and asked me to represent her. The property
grew up at the first house west, my
originally three lots, I don't know when it was moved to two lots. M co
is breaking this into six where four homes should be; counting duplexes was
now talking twelve homes. That is too crowded for that area. It hast' concern
now al for man We are
Y Years. Once this is done, what will come in? been resi-
dential
there be a buffer between us and them? Is he going to put a fence i
He has come in and raised the ground level approximately twelve inches which
is now water shedding onto my mother'sn
down. The house on the west is used for storage and lnot ot ohabitable. f trees were taken g
is storing appliances. We don't like the property elevated above ourshe larger
happens to our property values. We are against this completely. °r what
Planning Board Minutes
June 4, 1985
Page 2
NANCY KELLY, 2313 Midwood. I have two concerns; first, at the Jolly and
Pleasant Grove intersection we have a lot of accidents and a lot is due to
visibility. Jolly is narrow and there is not a separate left turn lane and
especially with the Waterbed shop so close to the corner, it's hard for traffic
to see around so there is one or two accidents a week there. If the pro ert
was too close to Jolly, it would add to the visibility problem. p y
The other is Sunday mornings. People park all the way up to Midwood and on
Pleasant Grove almost to Jolly and south beyond the church even thou h it i
no parking. That causes congestion problems also. 9 s
REFERRED TO ZONING AND ORDINANCE COMMITTEE
Z-15-85, 1321 West Holmes Road A to F
Mr. Wright questioned if the plan went to the east to take in that house. M
Fountain answered, yes, both houses will be removed to develop the property.
Mr.
DAVE PATTERSON p y'
CI spent most of mytlifenen,south Lans24 mnghaedvnowR�ua- Up until two years
Avenue. I know south Lansing a business on Southlando,
development and expansion ofgLoganeSquare,thand atltheeit otherslandehasith the
to be developed. This site lends itself well to commercial use. Wehproposetial
some commercial use. Oxford Community, who owns Somerset, have no opposition
to the plan; Mr. Corr who runs Frandor and Mr. Dykstra the same.
The proposed plan includes a restaurant to the far
the big building close to Oxford would be the �lesseraof thettraffic.to oaurthen
intent is to develop with maximum screening and using lighting that
be offensive. at would not
DAVE GRENFELL, Stephens-Kyes and Associates of East Lansing, representin
Patterson. We tried to take high intensity, high traffic uses and groupt
where they will be nested into the Dykstra setting. The setbacks would p Mr.
a front yard of 20 feet; the large building has a setback of 86 feet hem
rear yard would be 25 feet and we have a 20 foot landscape buffer and � allow
roadway approximately 43 feet to the building.Tfoot
he
the building and the access drive is on a 100 feet wade pie 0 foot property.
That's allowing any buffer present to the residential to the west. We would
piece of property.
like to berm in the rear, shield and landscape Somerset as much as we can.
don't have clients at this point. I tried to plan the highest intensity useWe
on
the property. We would like to set up a traffic pattern such that we can
maintain two curb cuts and have the rest of the traffic flow onto the property
itself. p p
Mr. Barnhart asked how many stores could be accommodated. Mr. Grenfell said
that depends on the square footage required. We have now a 4,000 square foot
restaurant, which is pretty large. In the
proposed
13,000 plus square feet in the large area and a1600ssquuaregfoottbank e have
at the
Planning Board Minutes
June 4, 1985
Page 3
end. Depending on the store, they could come in for as little as 2,000 square
feet or one big one could pick up the whole thing.
Mr. Patterson added; this piece was before the Board in 1979 and denied; also
in 1983 to extend the Dykstra operation. We are clearly offering something
better to the neighborhood.
Mr. Barnhart stated, it would be nice to take a drive to the west and connect
to`the housing complex access drive because of the light there. The response;
we would like to do that, but that is Oxford's option.
PEYTON SUITS, Oxford Management, managing agent for Somerset Apartments. We
have no objection to Mr. Patterson's current plan. We understand we cannot
keep that land vacant forever and he has taken great pains to make sure that
our residents are taken care of as far as screening and traffic flow. This
is the kind of thing we would like to have there if anything at all.
Our main concern is the safety of our residents. The suggestion of putting
a driveway onto ours we had not considered before. My immediate reaction is,
the reason we petitioned for that light was for people with wheelchairs to get
C across Holmes Road. If you put a busy driveway there, they will have the same
problem again.
The berming is effective from our side only, as long as there is nothing built
up on the other side. The elevation of thero ert
considerably higher than ours, so screening would haveotoare be morelng thanbout justlthe
berm we have now; or they could level it off to bring it down.
REFERRED TO ZONING AND ORDINANCE COMMITTEE
SLU-7-85, 3308 Malone
Mr. Wright asked if there would be structural changes required. Mr. Fountain
reported, we did inspections but not all of those reports are back. Hopefully,
they will be before your Committee meeting.
PEGGY PICKOTT and THOMAS, petitioner. We have had state and city Fire Marshal
inspections. Most changes would be internal; fire walls, closing a stairwell,
fire door and fire escape which would be on the back side of the house, they
have different rules.
Thomas Pickott reported, we have had no neighborhood complaints since we have
had the six people. We have three people leave every day and the rest remain
in the house. Ms. Pickott said this will require one more full time person
and there is enough parking.
REFERRED TO ZONING AND ORDINANCE COMMITTEE
Planning Board Minutes
June 4, 1985
Page 4
Business Session:
Approval of Minutes
Mr. Barnhart moved for approval of the May 21, 1985 minutes and Dr. Remick
seconded. It was pointed out that the excused absence of Dr. Remick had been
eliminated from the report. With that correction, the minutes were APPROVED
Committee Reports:
ZONING AND ORDINANCE COMMITTEE: Mr. Langworthy
NCU-11-85, 207 West Madison/727 North Capitol Avenue
The Committee recommends approval of the application of nonconforming use sub-
stitution at 207 Madison to locate a sit down/takeout restaurant in a 40'x 14'
area formerly used as the Energy Store, based on the understanding that there
will be no expansion of the use or alteration of the exterior of the building.
In addition it is assumed that there will be little or no change in intensity
of use by the Sensuous Bean. The following conditions should be attached to
C an approval:
1) The off street and on street parking of the new use will be evaluated at
the end of twelve months to determine if any remedial action is necessary.
2) If remedial action is necessary, two alternatives are foreseen;
a) additional parking could be secured on a separate lot,
b) intensity of the business might be reduced; i.e., eliminate the sit
down portion of the restaurant.
Mr. Langworthy so moved; Dr. Remick supported,
APPROVED
The next meeting of the Committee will be Wednesday, June 12 at 7 a.m.
URBAN DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE: Mr. Nelson reported that Wednesday, June 12 at
7:30 p.m. is the next scheduled meeting, in the Planning Division Conference
Room.
Report from Plannin Director. Mr. Foulds
1) Staff is working on two plan amendments; Green Oaks on the east side, and
River Island. Two staff people have worked diligently with committees to come
UP with a proposal that will work.
Planning Board Minutes
June 4, 1985
Page 5
2) State Museum Library and Archives. I had opportunity to attend a meeting
of the design people who have been contracted by the State; Kessler Architects
out of Detroit and Johnson -Johnson -Roy of Ann Arbor. The conceptual plan was
reviewed. They would like to de-emphasize Washtenaw as a through street,
retaining it as a public street but using it as an approach to the library
facility. The elevation is contemporary with more architectural character than
a lot of buildings today. They are going to the Joint Capital Outlays Committee
in June. They have design funds but need final legislative approval on con-
struction funds. I understand they want it complete for the State's 150th
anniversary (1987).
3) Edgewood Boulevard. The cooperatives approached the major developer with
a compromise; that being acceptance of C proposal, which had been rejected by
everybody. They are taking it to the Grand Rapids judge to see if it would be
an acceptable alignment and to remove the injunction on the project. The
judge agreed that if the City, developer and cooperative would accept
Alternate C, he would move to remove the injunction --an unofficial position.
We are drafting a position for the Mayor's review based on these events; he
will make a recommendation to Council. Alternate C costs more and perhaps is
not as safe.
C
4) Mr. Nelson asked the status of the hotel and arena. Mr. Foulds reported,
I am not directly involved in the hotel portion of the project. HUD is reviewing
all documents of private developers and making decision on the UDAG grant if all
documentation is there.'
5) Dr. Remick: What is happening at the Michigan National Ramp? The answer,
it was purchased by the Ellis Parking Company of Grand Rapids, same folks who
own the ramp on the west side of Capitol Avenue. They will raze it, then use
it as surface parking until they put a package together either to sell it or
put another ramp in.
New Business:
Consensus of the Board was reached to cancel the regularly scheduled meeting
for July 2, 1985, with elections being held at the June 18 meeting. Moved by
Dr. Remick and supported by Mr. Langworthy; APPROVED
Decision was reached that the annual Board dinner will be held August 30.
Mr. Langworthy moved the absence of Mr. Mitchner be excused and Dr. Remick
seconded,
APPROVED
c
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Planning Board Minutes
June 4, 1985
Page 6
Adjournment:
All business being concluded, Mrs. Wieland moved to adjourn, Mr. Barnhart
seconded and the Board APPROVED. The regular June 4, 1985 meeting of the
Lansing Planning Board adjourned at 9:10 p.m.
WC
pectfully submitt d,
s N. Foulds, irector
sing Planning Division
C
LANSING CITY CLERK
Regular Meeting An 7 O,- j' SSS
Lansing Planning Board
7:30 p.m., City Council Chambers
Tenth Floor, City Hall DY
June 18, 1985
Mrs. Horne convened the meeting at 7:30 with eight members present:
Barnhart, Horne, Langworthy, Mitchner, Nelson, Remick, Wieland, Wright
Staff: Fountain, Love, Acheson, Coscarelli and Councilperson Benavides
Agenda: The possibility of actions taken on public hearing items is held open
for the Committeesin view of the July 2 meeting. cancellation.
Public Hearings: Background information and graphics were presented by Bill
Acheson and Eleanor Love.
Ordinance Amendment, Section 36A, Zoning Appeals Board
This request by City Council is to amend Section 36-12 of the Zoning Ordinance
and Chapter 36A of the Code of Ordinances in an effort to bring Chapter 36A into
compliance with the provisions of the Lansing City Charter. No comments were
made by the audience or Board.
REFERRED TO ZONING AND ORDINANCE COMMITTEE
Z-16-85, 2726 North Grand River Avenue J to A
DEAN COUPLES, 2806 South Cynwood. Are they going to tear down the existing
warehouse behind it? Mr. Acheson reported; I have not heard that said, they
may use it to park until they abandon it. If they quit using it for more than
365 consecutive days, they would be unable to use it.
Mr. Couples asked if they will sell off the parcel? Mr. Acheson said, not that
we know of; that would be a private matter.
REFERRED TO ZONING AND ORDINANCE COMMITTEE
Z-17-85, 620 Lesher Place and SLU-12-85, Lesher Place
Mr. Langworthy questioned if there would be enough parking. Mr. Acheson stated,
parking has not been addressed yet. We are not sure how much of the building
they will use. The building was found in the school building study to be
adequate for office use.
TED ERVIN, Vice President, Neogen Corporation, submitted a letter and gave
background information on t'ie Neogen Corporation. Our proposed use of the Oak
Park facility falls under "D-1" Professional Office District, one of the options
Planning Board Minutes
June 18, 1985
CPage 2
supported by the Division in its 285 review. We also asked for the special land
use permit based on the research and development category; admissable within
the "D-1" framework.
We will carry out professional office functions and low intensity research,
development and assembly activities in the facility. We will landscape it to
improve the neighborhood. Our operations will not be noisy, will not pollute
the air or water, involve no retailing from the site and will have little traffic.
At current and projected levels, there will be adequate parking areas.
We are able to offer some internships in biotechnology to high school students
in Lansing so the facility will assist education.
Mr. Mitchner asked what would be the content of a typical agricultural testing
kit. Mr. Ervin responded; the one currently first in line is for monochromal
toxins in corn, soybeans, rice and other foods. If you've ever seen an ear
corn with a black kernel, that's a microtoxin. The big wholesalers and granaries
go through very laborious tests for these toxins. By the time the tests are,
completed, usually at great expense, the grain has gone into the food supply
and into the food chain. They've had real problems with these, some of them
are carcinogens. We have worked at MSU to develop a monochromal kit, which will
define these in the field. They will be "farmer friendly" and at about 10% of
C the cost. So we will be making a real contribution keeping carcinogens out of
the food supply.
Mrs. Horne asked if this was a production line. Mr. Ervin said no; modest
manual assembly, they could not be put in a production line.
RICK KIBBEY, Eastside Neighborhood Organization. We are pleased to see this
sort of development in Lansing and the possible reuse of the school. We have
not taken a position, but do have a number of questions. We question basically
not whether this is good development, but whether it is the right site for it.
We are much less concerned about the research and office uses than about light
assembly. What in the future might also be assembled there? What are permis-
sable uses under this zoning? Would it be possible to have a review procedure
for additional uses that would involve assembly operations that would involve
introduction of chemical toxins to that site?
Mr. Fountain answered; we are considering the zoning to be "D-1" office, which
allows a variety of office type uses; then the special land use requested in
conjunction with it ties it down to their specific request. If there is a
change proposed in the future for that property that doesn't directly fall in
the "D-1" category, but in the special use category, it would have to go
through another hearing.
REFERRED TO ZONING AND ORDINANCE COMMITTEE
Planning Board Minutes
June 18, 1985
CPage 3
SLU-8-85, 900 Holten
There are three other facilities in the area which is why this should be reviewed
by area residents.
STUART DUNNINGS, representing the petitioner, Geraldine Laws. I feel this is
a proper request and would only bring an increase of two individuals. There
will be no more than three people housed in this facility. The essential
character of the surrounding area would not be changed. There is a need for
adult foster care in this City. They will be mobile people. She plans to
vacate in the near future, and will have someone come in to live full time to
care for the two individuals.
Messages were received from:
JOHN MURRAY, 824 Holten.
JULIA LAMP, 818 Holten
SNOW RENE' DUNCAN, 921 Holten; objects.
WILLIAM BLAKE, 810 Holten; totally opposed. House too small, parking could
be a problem.
CLILY CHRISTIAN, 906 Holten. I have a single family
have enough foster facilities in our area. Parking wouldtbenalproblem tand
We
since she plans to leave the area, we don't know what will happen or what kind
of people will be taking care of it. The fence is partly on my property so it
is not totally fenced in.
JULIA LAMP, 818 Holten. Totally opposed; parking is a problem and I wonder who
will be there when the lady leaves. It must be just a business venture. Some
of us have lived there a great many years and would like it to remain single
family.
JOHN MURRAY, 824 Holten. Totally opposed; it is a residential area and should
stay that way. The facility will bring additional traffic and parking. On
the east side of the street, parking is not allowed and it is two hour on the
west side. There are facilities at St.Lawrence and there is no need for this.
JAMES JEFFERSON, 911 Holten,strongly opposed.
GREG RICE, Department of Social Services. I was invited by your staff to attend
the meeting to answer'li.censing questions. Mr. Langworthy asked if there is
criteria for size. Mr. Rice said; bedroom number and bathrooms for residents.
This would fall under "small group" which does not specify any square footage
requirements. Mr. Mitchner asked if the residents would have automobiles. Mr.
Rice said probably not.
REFERRED TO ZONING AND ORDINANCE COMMITTEE
Planning Board Minutes
June 18, 1985
Page 4
SLU-11-85, 3600 block of West Jolly Road (south side
REVEREND DAVID MAXWELL, Pastor of the Alleva Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
We are flexible in making this church suitable for the land. That is a tenta-
tive site plan, we wanted to demonstrate church size. We do want it inside
the City limits of Lansing. Lansing is indeed a city that reflects community
spirit and warmth that we feel is vital and conducive to the church atmosphere
that we desire to be in. There has been an exodus of churches in America to
outlying areas. One prime factor is the lack of acreage to accommodate the
expansiveness of the modern day multi -dimensional and multi-purpose facility
that churches get into.
Our goal is not only to build a church facility, but if the need arises to
allow the church to expand numerically which is why the City introduced the
Code to two acres. We are presently renting space in a church. Our research
committee has worked diligently the past two years to find a site that meets
that criteria and that fits our financial capacity. There is a premium of
land that we can afford and meet the criteria. Our members will emanate from
the south side of Lansing. Churches are a vital part of the community.
CDELORES SPAGNUOLO, 3621 West Jolly Road. I have no objection to a church on
the site; I would love it if they would put a residence with the church.
Children and adults do go through here to get to the stores and bar. My
concerns are sunlight and water runoff. As the plan now stands, the church
would be ten feet from my property line; my house is approximately 25 feet
from this line, which means I would look out into a wall. I hope they
considered noises. Ten feet is not nearly enough room to grade the ground to
run off the water that the building and parking will create. Most of this
land is on the same level as mine; some higher and some lower. Now runoff
water from sprinq thaws I can handle, but when they build, they will have to
raise, and paving will make more runoff. I hope it will be taken care of
adequately, possibly with drains.
Also I have a large garden and fruit trees along that side of the lot in the
back half and the way it is now, it would cut off sun from my garden and trees.
In their landscaping, could they keep most of the large trees? I request
screening be put up and the water looked into. Thank you.
ROY MARKEY, 1325 East Jolly Road. My company owns property to the south of
this site, which fronts on Waverly Road and is zoned multiple. What we heard
tonight, as well as our past association with the Pastor, we have absolutely
no problem with what they are proposing and believe in their sincerity of
working with neighbors on problems; real or potential.
REFERRED TO ZONING AND ORDINANCE COMMITTEE
Planning Board Minutes
June 18, 1985
Page 5
P-1-85, Robins Meadow --Tentative Preliminary Plat
ROY C. MARKEY, 1325 East Jolly Road, petitioner. The lots shown as 4, 5, 6, 7
and 8 on Ruth Street are actually replats. They are now at the same length as
platted a few years ago Mr. Wright asked, do you own the lots that front on
Hoyt adjacent to Lot 4? The answer; no. Mr. Markey continued; there are three
100 foot lots and we propose to put in five 60 foot lots. We're just platting
as a convenience.
Mr. Langworthy asked is this your only option? Mr. Markey reported, we could
get the same thing by lot split and wouldn't have to see the Board. Mr. Wright
questioned the size of the lots on Ruth and Hoyt adjacent to Lot 4. Mr. Markey
answered; 100 feet in width and depth.
REFERRED TO ZONING AND ORDINANCE COMMITTEE
Comments from the Audience:
ROY C. MARKEY regarding Z-14-85, which was tabled at the June 12 Committee
Cmeeting. Staff wanted a development plan and site plan, which we got to them
on Friday which probably is not sufficient time for normal research. With
their not being a first meeting in July I would like to request my rezoning
matter be acted on tonight. Thank you.
DAVE PATTERSON, 3624 Tecumseh River Road, regarding Z-15-85. I did submit a
site plan which was favorably accepted at the Committee meeting and I am willing
to answer any further questions.
A brief recess was taken by the Board.
BUSINESS SESSION:
Approval of Minutes:
Mr. Barnhart moved approval of the June 4, 1985 minutes as printed and Mr. Nelson
supported; APPROVED
Committee Reports:
Zoning and Ordinance Committee: Mr. Langworthy
Z-13-85, 116 West Kilborn C to D-1
The Committee recommends that the request to rezone property at 116 West Kilborn
from "C" Residential to "D-1" Professional Office District be approved. The
Committee found that the proposed change is in accord with the River Island
Planning Board Minutes
June 18, 1985
Page 6
Master Plan and the site is of adequate size to allow residential development
or the conversion for office use in the future.
Mr. Langworthy so moved and Mr. Wright seconded; APPROVED
Z-14-85, 2213, 2223 West Jolly Road A to C
The Zoning and Ordinance Committee considered the request to rezone property
at 2213 and 2223 West Jolly Road (southwest corner of Jolly and Pleasant Grove
Roads) from "A" Residential to "C" Residential District for the purpose of
developing the property with duplex dwellings. Mr. Langworthy moved to take
this item from the Committee's table for Board discussion and Dr. Remick
supported. The Board approved.
Those speaking in favor of the request felt that the proposed change would
allow reasonable development of the property and are satisfied that the number
of units proposed is within the density range recommended by the Southwest
Area Master Plan. Those speaking in opposition to the change felt that the
increased intensity of land use would adversely impact the adjacent single
family homes and that they did not endorse development with vehicular access
C onto Pleasant Grove Road.
Mr. Langworthy moved for approval and Dr. Remick seconded;
with a 5 yeas, 3 nays vote, this item will be forwarded to the Mayor and City
Council with NO RECOMMENDATION.
Z-15-85, 1321 West Holmes Road A to F
The Committee recommends the request to rezone property located at 1321 West
Holmes Road from "A" Residential District to "F" Commercial District for the
purpose of allowing the development of a shopping center be approved. This
recommendation is subject to two conditions:
1) That the final site plan be reviewed and approved by the Transportation
Engineer for the purpose of determining the ingress and egress of the site.
2) That a landscape, screening and buffering plan be submitted to and approved
by the Planning Division prior to the development of this site.
Mr. Langworthy so moved; Dr. Remick seconded APPROVED
by a vote of 6 yeas, 2 nays.
Planning Board Minutes
June 18, 1985
Page 7
Z-9-85, 1902 East Cavanaugh Road J and H to I (SLU-2-85)
The Zoning and Ordinance Committee recommends that the request to rezone property
to the rear of 1902 East Cavanaugh Road from "J" Parking and "H" Light Industrial
Districts to "I" Heavy Industrial District be denied as filed. The Board
further recommended that the east 500 feet be zoned "A" Residential District and
the balance of the property be zoned "I" Heavy Industrial District.
This recommended change of zoning will facilitate the extraction of sand and
gravel on approximately the west one-third of the subject property and place the
balance of the land to the east in a zoning classification consistent with its
Present residential/recreational use.
Mr. Langworthy so moved and Mr. Wright seconded; APPROVED
as modified.
SLU-2-85, Southwest of the Aurelius/Cavanaugh Intersection (Z-9-85)
The Committee recommends approval of a Special Land Use request for property
located to the rear of 1902 East Cavanaugh Road to allow the extraction of sand
Cand gravel from approximately the west 384 feet of the subject property, subject
to several conditions; as follows.
1) That the request to rezone the property be denied as filed and that the west
384 feet of the property be rezoned to "I" Heavy Industrial District and the
balance of the property, being the east 500.4 feet, be rezoned to "A" Residential
District.
2) That the depth of the extraction be limited to not more than twenty (20)
feet below the existing established ground level.
3) That the existing haul road be utilized as ingress and egress of the pit
and if any change is anticipated to the haul road in terms of location, that
the change be reviewed and approved by the Planning Division.
4) That the haul road shall be treated for dust.
5) That the operation of an extraction activity shall not result in overhanging
earth material which creates a situation which endangers the public health,
safety and general welfare.
6) That standing water pools greater than two (2) feet in depth shall be made
safe and secure so as not to endanger the public health, safety and general
welfare.
7) That an applicant seeking a special land use for a borrow pit shall submit
a performance Bond to the City Treasurer in an amount which guarantees rehabi-
litation of the borrow pit consistent with the plan described in subdivision(6)(j).
8) That rehabilitation shall be done concurrently with the extraction whenever
Possible.
Planning Board Minutes
June 18, 1985
Page 8
9) That fill material shall consist of inert material and be of a type that
shall not in any way contaminate the ground water and soils.
10) That the Special Land Use be authorized specifically to the Eastlund
Concrete Company and be held in their control. Abandonment by Eastlund Company
shall cause the Special Land Use to be cancelled.
11) Any subcontractor utilizing the pit shall be under the direct control of
the Eastlund Concrete Company.
12) If there is a problem with trespassing which includes uncontrolled dumping
or misuse of recreational vehicles, then owner and/or lessee shall take the
necessary steps to eliminate the problem. .
13) Extraction shall not exceed a ten (10) year period and the Planning
Division shall have the right to review the Special Land Use at the end of a
five year period. This review shall consist of performance as it relates to
the conditions as outlined in this report and will allow the City the right
to its continuation or revocation.
A letter was received from the Forest View Citizen Association indicating they
would support the proposed change in accord with the specific scaled down
C development plan as filed by the petitioner in a letter dated April 17, 1985
subject to conditions; all of which are included in this recommendation.
Mr. Langworthy so moved and Dr. Remick supported; APPROVED
SLU-7-85, 3308 Maloney --Adult Foster Care
The Committee recommends that a Special Land Use permit for an adult foster care
facility for 3308 Maloney be granted. This would be issued in the name of Peggy
Pickott. The property had been previously approved and licensed by the State
of Michigan for a maximum of six residents. This permit would allow occupancy
by a maximum of nine residents.
Moved by Mr. Langworthy, supported by Mr. Mitchner; APPROVED
NCU-10-85, 138 South Francis
The Zoning and Ordinance Committee recommends that Class "A" status be approved
for this property. The property in question.maintained a Class "B" status and
has been used continually as a two family residence for several years. The
recommendation of approval is subject to three conditions:
1) That driveway and parking improvements be completed which satisfy the
minimum requirements of the Zoning Code.
2) That the property be maintained in a reasonable manner; i.e., improved
Planning Board Minutes
June 18, 1985
Page 9
landscaping and lawn care.
3) That a site plan be submitted to and approved by the Planning Division
identifying the minimum parking requirements.
The Committee believes this will have a positive impact on the residential
neighborhood providing all the conditions are met.
Mr. Langworthy moved for approval and Dr. Remick seconded; APPROVED
P-6-83, The Manhattan Subdivision --Final Plat
The Zoning and Ordinance Committee recommends that the final plat of The
Manhattan be approved. This subdivision plat consists of six lots having access
to Provincial House Drive and a new street to be constructed, to be known as
Greenwich, running east of Aurelius Road. The property will be developed with
28 condominium units in seven fourplex structures. The recommendation for
approval is subject to five conditions:
1) A Deed, Abstract of Title, accompanied by an attorney's opinion as to the
C marketability of the land, or a Certificate of Title Insurance be submitted to
the City Clerk prior to the filing of the plat and affixing of the Municipal
Seal.
2) Final security be posted in the amount specified by the Public Service
Department and Department of Parks and Recreation.
3) Final clearance be given by the Public Service Department.
4) All conditions of the preliminary plat approval be followed.
5) A statement be provided in the Proprietor's Certificate which prohibits
vehicular ingress and egress to Lots 1, 4 and 6 from Aurelius Road.
Mr. Langworthy so moved and Mr. Wright supported; APPROVED
Z-16-85, 2726 North Grand River Avenue J to A
The Committee recommends that the north portion of the property located at 2726
North Grand River Avenue be rezoned from "J" Parking to "A" Residential District
to place the property in a district more in keeping with the single family resi-
dential development located on either side of the parcel.
Moved by Mr. Langworthy; supported by Mr. Wright, APPROVED
The next Committee meeting will be held Wednesday, July 10 at 7 a.m.
in the Planning Division Conference Room.
Planning Board Minutes
June 18, 1985
Page 10
Urban Development Committee: Mr. Nelson
Eastside Transportation Study
The Committee recommends that the Eastside Transportation Study Report be
adopted as to the findings and recommendations prepared by the Eastside
Transportation Study Committee.
Mr. Nelson so moved and Mr. Barnhart supported; APPROVED
Act -3-85, Shiawassee Street
The Committee recommends that the offer by Estes Furniture Company to sell
property to the City not be accepted. No City agency was interested in
acquiring the warehouse property located at 728 East Shiawassee Street. The
site has only marginal utility for use in any municipal function due to the
obsolescence of the site and building.
Mr. Nelson moved to reject the offer and Mrs. Wieland seconded; DENIED
Act -6-85, Weigman Drain, Lancen Village
The Urban Development Committee recommends approval of a partial vacation of
the Weigman Drain easement to include the north 25 feet of the north 50 feet
of the Weigman Drain easement within Lancen Village South #4 Plat. Vacation
of this portion of the Drain will not adversely impact the maintenance of the
drain.
Mr. Nelson so moved and Mr. Barnhart seconded; APPROVED
Act -13-85, Fenton Street, Vacate Right-of-way
The Committee recommends that a portion of Fenton Street located east of
Lowcroft be vacated subject to reservation of easement rights to the Board of
Water and Light. The vacated street will become the private property of the
two adjacent property owners.
Mr. Nelson moved for approval and Mrs. Wieland supported; APPROVED
Act -17-85, 1000 Filley Street
The Committee recommends that the Board approve the City of Lansing deeding the
west 100 feet of the property commonly known as 1000 Filley Street to the Board
of Water and Light. The Board of Water and Light currently uses this parcel
Planning Board Minutes
June 18, 1985
CPage 11
for a water well, which they plan to continue.
Mr. Nelson so moved and Mr. Barnhart supported; APPROVED
Act -2-85, 1001 Fairway Lane
The Committee recommends the request to vacate a 17 feet by 102.78 feet portion
of the right-of-way of Clippert Street north of Grand River Avenue be denied.
The Public Service Department has sewer lines located in the right-of-way section
and the Transportation Engineer asked for retention of continuous right-of-way
along Clippert Street north of Grand River Avenue.
Mr. Nelson moved for denial and Mrs. Wieland seconded; DENIED
The next meeting of the Urban Development Committee is scheduled for
Wednesday, July 10, 1985 at 7:30 p.m. in the Planning Conference Room.
CNew Business:
Edgewood Boulevard --Mr. Rajendra reported that the City Council approved
alignment Alternate C for Edgewood Boulevard, which is going along the existing
right-of-way. It is not the alternate City Council previously approved.
Election of Officers --The gavel was turned over to Mr. Fountain to preside
over the elections. Nominations were opened and Mrs. Horne nominated Jim Nelson
to serve as Chairman; Mrs. Wieland seconded.
Dr. Remick nominated Merle -Barnhart; supported by Mr. Langworthy.
Dr. Remick and Mr. Wright moved and supported nominations be closed; approved.
Paper ballots were counted, indicating Merle Barnhart will serve as Chairman
from July 1, 1985 through June 30, 1986.
Nominations were opened for the office of Vice Chairman.
Mr. Wright nominated Emly Horne; Mrs. Wieland supported.
Mr. Langworthy nominated Dr. Remick, and Mr. Barnhart seconded.
The first paper ballot tie vote was repeated. Emly Horne will serve as the
Board's Vice Chairman for the next fiscal year.
Communications:
A letter was received from the Forest View Citizen Association regarding their
opinion of cases Z-9-85 and SLU-2*85 on East Cavanaugh Road.
Planning Board Minutes
June 18, 1985
Page 12
Board Member Comments:
Mrs. Horne thanked the Board for all of their support and wished the new
Chairman the best.
Mr. Barnhart requested an excused absence from the July 16, 1985 meeting.
Dr. Remick moved for approal and Mr. Langworthy seconded; APPROVED
Adjournment:
Mr. Wright moved to adjourn, Mr. Barnhart seconded and the Board APPROVED.
The regular June 18, 1985 meeting of the Lansing Planning Board adjourned at
10:20 p.m.
Respecful submitted,
J mes Foulds, c r
Lansing Planning Division
� WC
c
CRegular Meeting
Lansing Planning Board
7:30 p.m., City Council Chambers
Tenth Floor, City Hall
July 16, 1985
The meeting was convened by Emly Horne, Vice Chairman of the Board, who
welcomed the audience and explained; the Planning Board was created under Public
Act 285 of the State of Michigan. It consists of eight citizens of the community
who serve without pay. We are appointed by the Mayor and approved by City
Council. We make recommendations to the Council on all matters regarding land
use in the City of Lansing. We also define and prepare project priorities for
the City.
Five members are present: Horne, Langworthy, Nelson, Remick and Wright.
Dr. Remick moved approval of the absence of Mr. Mitchner and Mrs. Wieland and
Mr. Langworthy supported; APPROVED
Excused: Barnhart, Wieland, Mitchner
Staff: Foulds, Fountain, Spackman, Love, Coscarelli
Agenda: Delete item (c) from Urban Development Committee, Parcel C, Delhi
Township APPROVED
c
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
Procedure; staff will make a presentation followed by the petitioner and
audience reactions. These cases were presented, with graphics, by Vern
Fountain and Eleanor Love.
Z-18-85, 3121 South Cedar Street J to F
DENVER HARLESS, 3109 South Cedar Street, petitioner, Mr. Fountain has explained
everything, unless someone has questions.
A letter was received from TERRY TORKKO, 3122 Ellen Avenue, stating in part;
I oppose the rezoning of property at 3121 South Cedar Street. The current used
car lot has been operating approximately one month. In addition to the noise
factor, the number of used cars on the lot are very unsightly and it appears
a larger lot is needed. A security vapor light shines directly into the
windows of my home. I request this light be redirected. I request that a
proper privacy fence be erected which provides year around privacy from Jon's
Country Burger and the property at 3121 South Cedar.
GARY HEUER, 105 Garden Street. The property has not really changed except the
cars there. I would be in favor if for no other reason than it cuts down the
in and out traffic on Cedar Street. The drive-in restaurant has a constant flow
of traffic. The fencing on the back has been there for years and is to retain
trash from the drive-in blowing onto other properties. Mr. Harless has done a
good job of keeping his property clean. I am very much in favor of the change.
REFERRED TO ZONING AND ORDINANCE COMMITTEE
Planning Board Minutes
July 16, 1985
CPage 2
Z-19-85. 6070-6200 South Loqan Street A to E-2
DON HARTWICK, with Rother and Hartwick Architects, representing Mr. Dionise.
He has been a local businessman and would move his market in this area with
space left for retail or light office. We feel the site is conducive to a
neighborhood district with regard to convenience store and shopping. Although
it is zoned residential, it is surrounded on three sides by streets and a
busy intersection at Logan and Miller, which is not conducive to residential.
We have worked with the Planning Division on screening and buffering from the
single family areas across the street and with Public Service on site circula-
tion and access. If you have any further questions, we'd be happy to answer.
MARIO DIONISE, petitioner, 6166 McCue Road. We have been there for 23 years
and some neighbors are concerned about our move and I don't think there is
anything to be concerned about. We will move only 300 or 400 feet. We have
close to 60 parking spaces, which seems to be enough. We wanted to leave land
for screening/buffering. In a small store like ours there are 10 to 15 cars
at the most at the busiest ime; 50 to 60 for the whole site.
C MRS. DESPOTOVIC, 6030 Piper. Our house will be facing the rear of the store,
we are very close, and I am concerned about the parking, lighting and noise
that we get already off of Logan plus the QD across the street. I hope he
would put up a fence, a high wooden fence. It will take away our back yard
privacy if he does not put up a big fence. We are going to get the lights in
our family room so I hope the lights shine on Logan and not in our yard.
JOSEPH JOLLY, 6052 Pheasant. I feel the same way.about a fence. We have
people coming from the QD now and dropping bottles, cans, etc., usually small
children.
DON PHILLIPS, 2024 West Miller Road and 2131 Newark owner. I am fearful of the
transition from residential to commercial and erosion ofthe residential district.
We need more time to consider this, I would be opposed to an immediate approval.
Calls were received from: -WILLIAM RANES, 2117 Newark and
REYNALDO RENDON, 2118 Newark, with no objection generally; no "x" rated
businesses or large bars which generate noise and traffic.
REFERRED TO ZONING AND ORDINANCE COMMITTEE
Planning Board Minutes
July 16, 1985
Page 3
Z-20-85, 1626-28 South Cedar Street C to F
LEE HAGAR, 1837 Beal, employee of Gary Potter at Dicker and Deal. We had a
problem in the past with both the operation of Dicker and Deal and the opera-
tion at 1630 South Cedar, Music Manor, concerning parking. We are rectifying
the problem by demolishing a couple of existing properties that we currently
own; a garage behind 1630 South Cedar and at 512 Isbell to provide on site
parking at the Dicker and Deal location.
We intend to use the property at 1628 as expansion of our retail operation,
but use 1626 as a storage facility; thereby creating some buffer to the resi-
dential to the north of us. It wouldn't be constant traffic in and out of the
building at 1626, the major use would be at,1628 to expand Music Manor.
GARY HEUER, 105 Garden Street, representing the South Central Neighborhood
Organization. We have a problem with the zoning and complaints from area
neighbors. A Dicker and Deal truck went across a lady's yard because hers is
the first driveway off of Cedar, so they could unload. If that's the way the
neighbors are treated, we are very much opposed. We are opposed to its being
used for warehousing; the buildings look like absentee landlords.
CCalls were received from:
MARY ROOSE, 1624 S. Cedar Street, opposes zoning to "F" Commercial, property
already used by Dicker and Deal and causes problems; (1) trespass on her
property, C2) party at all hours,(3) store junk cars on the property, and
(4) repair motorcycles on the property. Does not feel D&D will be a
responsible neighbor.
JUDY RICCHY, 1622 S. Cedar, opposes (1) one way alley and traffic often goes
wrong way now, and (2) garage at 1628 used for motorcycle repair already.
REFERRED TO ZONING AND ORDINANCE COMMITTEE
P-2-85, Lawrence Subdivision --Tentative Preliminary Plat
Mr. Wright asked what Lot 11 would be used for. Mr. Fountain reported, just
left as a lot where frontage could be developed and remainder stay in Markey
ownership and subsequently subdivided along with this property.
Dr. Remick asked if the lots are plotted at minimum size. Mr. Fountain said,
a littler larger; widths averaging 70 feet, with a depth of 100 feet.
ROY C. MARKEY, petitioner, 1325 East Jolly Road. Lot 11 will be a storage lot
rather than dividing it into the frontage lots and have them much deeper than
ordinarily.
Planning Board Minutes
July 16, 1985
Page 4
LARRY PITTMAN, 4800 Tressa Drive. This proposal runs directly behind Tressa.
There is an eight foot difference in property. In spring and fall everybody
gets flooded. They are going to build this up behind and push more water onto
us. I am opposed and I know a lot of people will be. Also it will be low
income housing and will take the value of our homes down. In fall and spring
we have a lot of stagnant water and mosquitoes. The City does not plow or grade;
it would be nice if they kept the street up for us.
CLUSTER SMITH, 4814 Tressa Drive. We are having trouble with the Jolly Road
sewer system backing up into our basements. We have a petition to get our
drain hooked into another to the north side of Tressa to give us temporary
relief from the flooding. This used to be a swamp, the previous owner brought
in concrete and there is so much junk in there I would be surprised if that
could pass a perc test.
JIM DUTCH, 5007 Christiansen Road. I agree regarding the water. I too have
concerns regarding upgrading the land with fill and pushing the water further
into my yard and my neighbors'. Freezing in the winter causes damage to our
foundations.
CJANE CLAYTOR, 4916 Tressa Drive. We are afraid of what will happen if anything
goes in behind. The land is two to eight feet and I don't know why that has
been allowed to continue.
Roy Markey. In the plat I am proposing the closest to the back of a lot on
Tressa Drive is something in the area of 500 feet. Furthermore, as a require-
ment of any new subdivision plat, we must install.storm drains in our street
and furnish a soil erosion and water plan that clearly shows that the water
from our land will drain to the new street we build and we have to file a bond
to cover that, which is checked every time a building permit is issued. The
Building Division has the builder sign an agreement saying the water will stay
on the lot and/or drain to the new street.
My subdivision does not really affect the people on Tressa Drive at all. I
can see concern with future development, but I do not own that land. I have
no desire to buy the land left between me and them, it is owned by one indivi-
dual and I don't know what he is going to do with it. But their problem is
not my problem and I am not going to compound their problem in any way.
Thank you. Mrs. Horne added that the response from the Health Department
stated; municipal sewer and water to be provided, plan acceptable as submitted.
REFERRED TO ZONING AND ORDINANCE COMMITTEE
Planning Board Minutes
July 16, 1985
Page 5
SLU-14-85, 5725 Orchard Court
MIKE STURLEY, Community Mental Health Board, also present is Jim Barclay who
handles neighborhood canvassing and supervised last night's community meeting.
We sent notice of our interest in several properties to Planning staff and
contacted the Police Department to assess crime rates. The people we care for
are somewhat more dependent than the normal person and we need to be concerned
about their welfare. We also contacted the ward Councilmember. We contacted
272 different homes to leave literature. I believe the materials we provided
adequately describe the program.
CHARLES POPE, 5723 Richwood, representing the Richwood Village Apartments.
We are very familiar with these people. They have been around and are
absolutely no problem. We would like this to go through.
REFERRED TO ZONING AND ORDINANCE COMMITTEE
Comments from the Audience:
ROY MARKEY, regarding P-1-85. I would like to allow the Planning Division and
City Council an additional 30 days on my plat proposal from what is legally
established in the Subdivision Ordinance.
RICK KIBBEY, regarding Lesher Place, SLU-12-85 (Z-17-85). We have been told
traffic would be less than 150 cars a day, one United Parcel truck per day and
there was no mention of semi trucks so we assume there will be none. We were
told the chemicals involved in the solvents would.be nothing more than what
would be involved in the chemistry lab at Eastern and nothing in terms of
biological agents. Those will be done outside, presumably at Michigan State.
We were also told this would not be manufacturing, but primarily research and
office facility with some minor assembly.
We are still a little concerned about this development, but the special land
use permit provides review if the intensity increases. As we currently under-
stand the proposal, we have no objection.
BEN AMBER, 948 Westlawn and property owner at 3120-3208 Holiday Drive. This
project (Act -21-85, right-of-way use) seeks to increase our parking from 24
to 52 spaces, as indicated in the plan submitted by ourselves and our engineers,
Stephens-Kyes. This project of 24 all two bedroom apartments draws mostly two
cars per dwelling unit. This project is undergoing extensive renovation and
we will experience intense economic hardship if we are unable to offer at
least one parking space for each of the 48 bedrooms versus the current 24 spaces.
Mr. Amber presented a plan and area snapshots.
Our proposal is to add spaces in front of these two buildings and behind the
east building. We propose not to disrupt the beautiful tree line, but come in
Planning Board Minutes
July 16, 1985
Page 6
six to eight feet from the curb, which is in the right-of-way and engineer
sewers, drains and storms to the highest standards. We intend to leave a grass
row. We feel we should have 48 spaces; 49 because one is taken by the dumpster.
Our engineer estimated up to $30,000 to build a retaining wall. It is difficult
because of the work involved. We have approached surrounding property owners
to rent parking space from them and they've all declined.
This proposal has been approved by traffic and engineering. We do not have
enough parking and our residents are declining due to the parking shortage.
Our intention is to attract a professional profile, increase the value of the
property and ultimately this would mean higher rents, higher values.
A ten minute recess was taken by the Board.
BUSINESS SESSION:
Approval of Minutes:
Mr. Langworthy moved for approval of the June 18, 1985 minutes as printed and
Dr. Remick supported; APPROVED
Committee Reports:
ZONING AND ORDINANCE COMMITTEE:
The Committee's new Chairman, Floyd Wright, gave the report to the Board.
Ordinance Amendment --Board of Zoning Appeals
The Committee recommends that the proposed amendment by revising Section 36-12.2
of the Zoning Ordinance be approved. Without this appeal process in the Code
of Ordinances cases resolving practical difficulties and hardships related to
driveways cannot be considered.
Mr. Wright moved for approval and Mr. Langworthy seconded; APPROVED
Z-17-85, 620 Lesher Place DM -3 to D-1
The Committee recommends that the request to rezone property at 620 Lesher Place
from "DM -3" Residential to "D-1" Professional Office District be approved. To
further control the operation the Committee will recommend approval of a
Special Land Use which contains the conditions and requirements for the Neogen
Corporation to operate from this site.
The Board members wish to have this recommendation forwarded to the Mayor and
City Council along with the special land use to allow continuation of the
time frame of this project.
Planning Board Minutes
July 16, 1985
Page 7
SLU-12-85, 620 Lesher Place
The Committee recommends approval of the request for a Special Land Use permit
for property located at 620 Lesher Place for the purpose of establishing
corporate offices for the Neogen Corporation and coordinate research and pre-
pare materials for agricultural testing kits. This recommendation is subject
to five requirements:
1) The approval is for establishment of Neogen corporate offices and the
preparation of testing kits for agricultural purposes.
2) The pedestrian skywalk shall remain accessible for citizens desiring to
use Oak Park.
3) Any parking areas used which abut residentially used properties be
landscaped and screened.
4) That the parking areas be hard surfaced to meet the minimum requirements
of the Zoning Code unless a waiver to maintain gravel surface is approved.
5) Approval for the Special Land Use is applicant specific and site specific.
C The Committee is satisfied that no outside storage will take place and the
entire operation will be landscaped, screened and buffered from the adjacent
residential development.
Mr. Wright so moved and Mr. Langworthy supported; APPROVED
SLU-8-85, 900 Holten
The Committee recommends that the request for approval of a special land use
to operate a foster care home on the property located at 900 Holten be denied.
The Committee's concerns are; (1) further concentration in this area, and
(2) the applicant would own but not operate the facility.
Mr. Wright moved for denial and Dr. Remick supported; DENIED
SLU-11-85, 3600 West Jolly Road
The Committee recommends approval of a special land use to allow the development
of a church on property in the 3600 block of West Jolly Road (south side)
subject to three conditions:
1) Appropriate approvals and permits are obtained from the Public Service
Department.
2) A landscape screening and buffering plan is submitted and approved by the
Lansing Planning Division.
Planning Board Minutes
July 16, 1985
Page 8
3) A final site plan is submitted and approved which increases the distance
to the west side line, makes the drive entrance perpendicular to the
street and indicates parking and building footprint.
Mr. Wright so moved and Mr. Langworthy seconded; APPROVED
NCU-12-85, 901-903 Pierce Road
The Committee recommends Class "A" status be approved for the property at 901
and 903 Pierce Road to permit the expansion of a second floor for two bedrooms
and bath for each unit.
Mr. Wright moved for approval and Dr. Remick supported; APPROVED
CP-1-85, Robins Meadow Tentative Preliminary Plat TABLED
P-4-79, Trapper's Cove Final Plat
The Committee recommends the final plat of Trapper's Cove #3 Subdivision be
approved subject to the three conditions stated in the July 10, 1985 staff
report. This is the third phase of the original Trapper's Cove Subdivision
which is zoned to allow for development of multi -family housing, primarily
large apartments consisting of three story buildings with the required off
street parking and open space on site.
So moved by Mr. Wright; seconded by Dr. Remick, APPROVED
The next meeting of the Zoning and Ordinance Committee will be held
on Wednesday, August 14, 1985 at 7 a.m, in the Planning Conference Room.
Planning Board Minutes
July 16, 1985
CPage 9
URBAN DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE:
Jim Nelson will serve as this Committee's Chairman for another year.
Act -5-84, Vacate Right-of-way Between Porter and May Streets
The Committee recommends the City dispose of these parcels and suggest City
Council empower the Property Management Division to proceed with the vacation
and sale of the properties as appropriate. It is also recommended that all
parties with an interest in the parcels be informed by the Property Management
Division that action to vacate will take place.
So moved by Mr. Nelson, seconded by Mr. Langworthy; APPROVED
Act -39-84, Harton Street Reopening
The Committee recommends that the November 7, 1983 resolution to close and
potentially vacate portions of Harton Street, subject to conditions, be
rescinded and, further recommend that Harton Street be reopened along its
C entire length. The Committee found that the conditions of the original reso-
lution have not been fulfilled and that residents around Harton Street have
submitted a petition to reopen the street.
Mr. Nelson moved for approval of this action, Dr. Remick seconded; APPROVED
Act -19-85, Alley Designations
The Committee recommends that three street sections be redesignated from streets
to alleys, these are:
Edgewood Court
from
Daleford Street
to Englewood Court
Englewood Court
from
Chicago Street
to Wisconsin Street
Summerville Avenue
from
Oakland Avenue
to Englewood Court
This action will allow the City to utilize General Fund money to resurface the
street sections with asphalt, which would eliminate problems related to potholes,
dust and snow plowing.
Mr. Nelson moved for approval and Mr. Wright supported; APPROVED
Act -21-85, 3208 Holiday Drive Right-of-way Use HELD IN COMMITTEE
The next meeting of the Committee is scheduled for Wednesday, August 14, 1985
in the Planning Division Conference Room -at -7:30 p.m.-
Planning Board Minutes
July 16, 1985
Page 10
Report from Planning Director:
1) The Mayor's office requested a review of the proposed opening of the 100,
200 and 300 blocks of the South Washington Mall. Staff is currently working
with the Transportation Division on coming up with background information and
we will forward that to the Urban Development Committee for preliminary dis-
cussion at the August meeting. The Downtown Traffic Circulation Study
(received by you this evening) was prepared by the Transportation Division of
the Public Service Department and recommended opening the 200 and 300 blocks.
The Traffic Board has recommended opening the 100, 200 and 300 blocks. We will
take that information with additional research of our own and determine what
impact that might have on the downtown area.
2) The Mayor has directed Transportation and Planning to recommend whether
some or all of the one way pair systems should be revised, which has a direct
bearing on the opening of the 1, 2 and 300 blocks. We have a deadline for
tentative recommendation for mid-September. Our present review of the River
Island Master Plan fits into that overall transportation element. We will
spend a lot of staff time in the next several months looking at the circulation
in and around the Central Business District.
3) Staff will be spending extensive amounts of time on the proposed sale of
the Civic Center and Washington Square Annex building. The City has received
an offer to purchase both of those facilities. Given the level of hotel and
convention center, the City is now -in a position to make a decision whether
we will retain the Civic Center and for what uses; or sell for private devel-
opment. We hope to have that by the end of September. It impacts a lot of
users of the Civic Center; the Annex is full of City staff people basically.
4) A presentation will be made tomorrow at the Center for the Arts concerning
proposed use for the Diamond Reo site. It is an attempt to explain a series
of uses proposed by a local developer for that site, which involves a co -gener-
ation facility (conversion of solid waste to energy or various forms of energy)
utilized for several functions on the site. It is a unique use; the question
is, is the use appropriate for the site. There will be many organizations and
political arenas represented. It is basically to provide information to the
community on the proposal.
New Business:
Mrs. Horne reported that Dr. Remick and Mr. Langworthy have been reappointed
to the Board to 1989.
Communication: Downtown Traffic Circulation Study submitted to the Board.
c
C
c
Planning Board Minutes
July 16, 1985
Page 11
Board Member Comments:
Mr. Langworthy stated; last night a part of Council proceedings had to do with
Planning Division not effectively promoting and merchandising the community.
Mr. Foulds said; I believe you are referring to the resolution proposed by
various staff people including Planning and Municipal Development Department,
Lansing Economic Development Corporation, Ingham County EDC and staff people and
some other township EDCs, etcetera. The purpose is to set up a mechanism
whereby regional staff people work together and have funding to develop
materials to refer potential developers within the region to an appropriate site.
If we determine Lansing doesn't have a site for a user, we could refer a busi-
ness person to perhaps Delhi Township to keep resources in the region.
Our role in marketing the City is basically to handle City owned properties
and promote those for development, such as Diamond Reo and urban renewal parcels.
We work in concert with the Economic Development Corporation in packaging tax
abatement for new and existing businesses in the City as well as reviewing EDC
bonding requests of the City.
So this effort was a simple request on the part of staff people to set some
money aside to help us coordinate economic development within the region.
Adjournment:
Mr. Nelson moved to adjourn, Mr. Langworthy seconded and the Board APPROVED.
The regular July 16, 1985 meeting of the Lansing Planning Board adjourned at
10 P.M.
WC
Respectfully submitted,
ame
7N;
oulds , Director
.a inanning Division
1
J
_ 1 )
Regular Meeting
Lansing Planning Board'',
7:30 p.m. City Council Chambers
August 6, 1985
Merle Barnhart, Chairman, convened the meeting at 7:30 p.m. with seven members
present:
Barnhart, Horne, Langworthy, Nelson, Remick, Wieland, Wright
Excused: Mitchner
Staff: Fountain, Coscarelli and Councilmember Benavides
The agenda was approved as printed.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
Vern Fountain presented information and graphics on these two cases.
Z-21-85, 5300-5316 South Pennsylvania Avenue A to F
CHRIS BARYAMES, petitioner, 1731 Nottingham Road. My wife and I purchased
this property from Mr. Benjamin, who has had it since 1951. There are eight
apartments, four in each building. There are 3 two bedroom apartments and
5 one bedroom apartments. As you see in the sketch I've submitted, my idea
is to renovate these apartments to clean up the area and put in commercial
establishments. I would like to revamp these apartments into possibly )real
estate office, loan company or maybe a lawyer's office. It would be J'arge
enough for a dry cleaning store. The plan shows the south buil d'ng and
the area between the two buildings. I would probably, instead f having
four on each side, put them together then have one in the middi .
Mr. Barnhart stated, the Master Plan recommends professional office use;
would it be possible to build what you want in that district? Mr. Baryames
said; I prefer "F" Commercial to give me more flexibility. There is "F"
Commercial on the north and "G-2" to the south, so I am not asking for anything
new to the area.
Communications were received from:
ARLENE AND DORMAN TRAN, 819 Sims Court --concerned about a tavern or
other type of noisy place in there.
TOM JAKEWAY, 5321 Glenwood,
DUANE CHADWELL, 5315 Glenwood, and
ED HOLLAND, 5305 Glenwood, have no objections; the rezoning will improve
the property. However, they are concerned about privacy should you put
up a taller building. They request landscaping; especially the west property
line, prefer large, deciduous trees.
Mr. Baryames said; you can put a restriction against a tavern as far as I'm
concerned and you will require landscaping of me. Mr. Fountain pointed
out that possibly an "E-2" District would be acceptable and in accord with
the Master Plan.
Planning Board Minutes
August 6, 1985
Page 2
LS -13-85, 1510 Glenrose
MIKE ROBISON, petitioner and owner. There is only one on the block that
would be larger than this and if somebody built a new home on the lot, it
would be as good or better than what is there now; some are 700 square feet
on a slab, nobody builds that anymore. It would help the neighborhood.
I intend to keep the house to rent and sell the back lot.
REFERRED TO ZONING AND ORDINANCE COMMITTEE
BUSINESS SESSION:
Approval of Minutes:
Dr. Remick moved approval of the July 16, 1985 minutes as printed and Mr.
Nelson seconded; APPROVED
Committee Reports:
ZONING AND ORDINANCE COMMITTEE: Floyd Wright
P-1-85, Robins Meadow --Tentative Preliminary Plat TABLED
for study of lot configurations and ingress and egress being prohibited
in the Flood Plain by the DNR.
The Committee will meet Wednesday, August 14, 1985 at 7 a.m. in the
Planning Division Conference Room.
URBAN DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE: Mr. Nelson reported that the next meeting
will be on Wednesday, August 14, 1985 at 7:30 p.m. in the Division Conference
Room.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE did not meet.
PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT:
1) Mr. Barnhart asked for information on the July 17 meeting the Mayor
had asked the Board to attend. Mr. Nelson reported it was about cogeneration,
incinerating waste into smoke and raising vegetables with it. The promoter
wants the City to take the Diamond Reo site off the market for six months
while he finalizes his plans.
Councilmember Benavides added; it has not come up at Council, but two communications
were received from the Board of Water and Light from David Nussdorfer and
Joseph Pandy with their opinions on the proposal. Because of the federal
grant saying it has to be manufacturing, we are limited to what we can allow
in thara
Planning Board Minutes
August 6, 1985
Page 3
2) The Chairman questioned; has a developer tried to place a large plastics
factory in the City? Mr. Fountain responded; yes, he is looking seriously
around Lansing. The criteria is; a site size of about five acres, with
rail and freeway access. He needs at least a Light Industrial zoning.
New Business:
Mr. Langworthy moved approval of the absence of Mr. Mitchner and Mrs. Wieland
supported; APPROVED
Board Member Comments:
Emly Horne reported; I read in Fortune magazine about profits in trash and
I would like to submit a copy of that article for your information.
Adjournment:
The regular August 6, 1985 meeting of the Lansing Planning Board adjourned
at 8:15 p.m.
Respec ully submi ,
Vernon C. Fountain,
Zoning Administrator
for
James N. Foulds
Planning Division Director
WC
Regular Meeting
Lansing Planning Board
7:30 p.m., City Council Chambers
Tenth Floor, City Hall
August 20, 1985
The meeting was convened by Merle Barnhart, Chairman, with eight members present:
Barnhart, Horne, Langworthy, Nelson, Remick, Wieland, Wright
Staff in Attendance: Foulds, Fountain, Acheson, Coscarelli
Agenda: Add case Z-23-85 to Zoning Committee APPROVED
Public Hearinqs: Presented by Vern Fountain
P-3-85, Midwood Meadow --Tentative Preliminary Plat
Mr. Langvlorthy asked if there was a response from the Public Service Department.
Mr. Wright read from that report; suggest this project not be permitted until
improvements are made to sewers in Jolly, present sewers do not have adequate
capacity.
Dr. Remick asked how close this is to the Wexford School site. Mr. Fountain
answered, it backs up to it on the east Wexford line.
The petitioner, Roy Markey, is present but has no comments on his proposal.
DAVE NEWMAN, 5520 Wise Road. My questions are (1) how are city water and
sewers going to be run in; will it require digging across property lines?
(2) Can Wexford handle the new students? Mr. Foulds responded that utility
service; water and telephone would come down the public road, which would
access the property and not across anyone else's. We have to resolve the
inadequate sewer service prior to development. Dr. Remick added that there
are as many as five rooms available in Wexford.
Mr. Newman asked if duplexes can be built there? We would rather have only
single family units. Mr. Foulds assured him single family is all that is
permitted at this time.
REFERRED TO ZONING AND ORDINANCE COMMITTEE
Planning Board Minutes
August 20, 1985
Page 2
Z-22-85, 1610 East Cavanaugh Road A to DM -4
Mr. Fountain reported that a development plan had not been submitted at this
point. Mr. Wright reported that the Public Service Department response says
this area is nearly 100% within the flood plain or floodway and there is no
gravity sanitary sewer outlet for this site.
CHRIS BERGSTROM, petitioner, on behalf of the owner, Otto Solomon. I would
like to clarify that the 285 review is not for the purpose of sale to the
City, it is to donate the property to Lansing. I have had opportunity to
go there and found activity always; during the summer people fish and there
are whole families, in the winter there are cross country skiers.
The purpose of filing the petition is to stimulate interest in the property
to see if it could be developed in a fashion that would benefit the public
and, of course, Mr. Solomon. The property has not been mined for a period
of time. It is 80 acres in the middle of the City that we feel would benefit
the City or some other party. We've requested high intensity zoning for construction
of apartments, but we also have an interest in donating the property.
GREG SAVOY, 1800 East Holmes Road, adjacent to the property. I don't understand
if the property is being donated, why we need a commitment to high intensity
zoning in this area. This is one of the more beautiful areas in the City
limits. People use it for recreational purposes. I had hoped one day it
would be developed, however, I don't think that high density apartments would
help my property value and I think it has more potential as a park, or the
pit could be made a safer swimming hole. It is not safe for people unfamiliar
with it.
CHARLES BUNN, 3518 Ruth Street. We thought this was zoning for apartments.
This is the first I've heard of Solomon making the City an offer, which Ray
Sablain made years ago. I certainly hope the City and Planning Board give
that prior consideration. Thank you.
JOHN BOWLES, 1804 East Irvington Avenue. Does high density include low cost
housing; if so, we have enough now. Mr. Foulds responded that at this point
it is not a. specific income group or housing, but just establishing a zone
that would allow housing to be developed to a certain density.
Calls were received from: ADA OWENS, 1719 Rex, oppose opening Rex beca�_�se
there is a foster care for young adults and one has been hit already.
JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES, owners in part of the 1700 block of East Cavanaugh --not
opposed.
REFERRED TO ZONING AND ORDINANCE COMMITTEE
Planning Board Minutes
August 20, 1985
Page 3
Z-23-85, 426 East Northrup E-1 to E-2
JIM SABLE, petitioner, from Action Auto, 4273 Corunna Road, Flint. Our business
is primarily auto parts, gasoline combination. We would like to add service
to our business. We have nine stores in the Lansing area and employ 106 people.
This one will employ about 23 people and be a tribute to the neighborhood.
We're only a little off being the proper zoning. We are trying, without
being pushy, to expedite this. We would like to build vet this year. We
need approximately 60,000 square feet of property, which is almost two acres.
Transportation seems to concur it's a good use.
Communications were received from:
FRED SMITH, 406 East Northrup, in favor.
WILLIAM BAILEY, 326 East Northrup, no objection.
THOMAS NEWLAND, 5525 South Cedar Street, in favor of proposed rezoning
as outlined.
REFERRED TO ZONING AND ORDINANCE COMMITTEE
Comments from the Audience:
ROY MARKEY, 1325 East Jolly Road, Roary Corporation, regarding Z-14-85, 2213-2223
West Jolly Road. The configuration of the lots now is there is one big lot
on Jolly Road that goes through to Midwood, and one narrow lot in the middle
that goes all the way through, then a corner lot that goes around and faces
Pleasant Grove Road. This was up for action at Council level and I requested
it not be acted on.
I am going to request the Physical Development Committee look favorably on
zoning the Jolly Road frontage and at the same time ask them not to rezone
Midwood or Pleasant Grove. The Southwest Master Plan clearly supports duplexes
along Jolly. If you think this makes any sense, could you let the Planning
staff and Council know. I am just asking for the front 130 feet on two lots
and 125 feet on this one.
Mr. Foulds stated; staff never had a problem with rezoning the Jolly Road
frontage. If the Board wishes to make a statement to Council, we will do
so. We will certainly be concerned about turning movements on Jolly and Pleasant
Grove and will work with the Transportation Engineer to be sure the curb cuts
are in the right places. I make this statement assuming the area residents
would support it. I agree with Mr. Markey that most concerns were from Midwood
residents.
Mr. Wright asked what was planned for the narrow lot between the two larger
ones. Mr. Markey answered; the City will not allow a duplex, so it would
have to pick up some area off the lot to the west. It is presently 115 feet
wide and the building sets far to the west side lot line.
A brief recess was taken by the Board.
Planning Board Minutes
August 20, 1985
Page 4
BUSINESS SESSION:
Approval of Minutes:
Dr. Remick moved for approval of the August 6, 1985 minutes as printed and
Mr. Mitchner seconded; APPROVED
Committee Reports:
Zoning and Ordinance Committee: Mr. Wright
P-1-85, Robins Meadow --Tentative Preliminary Plat
Mr. Wright moved to take this item from the table and Ur. Remick seconded;
APPROVED
The Committee recommends that the request for tentative preliminary plat approval
be denied, based upon a recommendation from the Michigan Department of Natural
Resources and the Planning staff.
The staff has reviewed this request and found the configuration of the lots
out of conformance with the Subdivision Regulations. Staff is willing to
work with Mr. Markey to promote residential development in keeping with the
intent of the "DM -1" District and flood plain regulations are met.
Mr. Wright so moved and Mrs. Horne supported; DENIED
P-2-85, Lawrence Subdivision --Tentative Preliminary Plat
The Committee recommends that the tentative preliminary plat for Lawrence
Subdivision be denied, based on unresolved drainage and sewer problems in
the area.
Mr. Wright moved for denial and Mr. Langworthy seconded; DENIED
Z-18-85, 3121 South Cedar Street "J" to "F"
The Committee recommends that the request to rezone property located at 3121
South Cedar Street from "J" Parking District to "F" Commercial District be
approved. The Committee believes that any problems with flood lights and
noise generated by the sound system can be controlled. It should be noted
that landscaping and fencing will be required along the east property line
as a condition established by Ordinance.
Mr. Wright moved for approval and Mr. Mitchner supported; APPROVED
Planning Board Minutes
August 20, 1985
Page 5
Z-19-85, 6070-6200 South Logan Street "A" to "E-2"
The Committee recommended that the request to rezone property at 6070-6200
South Logan Street from "A" Residential to "E-2" Local Shopping District be
approved subject to a site plan with appropriate access, adequate landscaping,
screening and buffering and a fence along the west property line be provided
and approved.
Mr. Wright moved for approval and Mr. Langworthy supported; APPROVED
Z-20-85, 1626-28 South Cedar Street "C" to "F"
The Zoning and Ordinance Committee recommends approval of the rezoning of
property at 1626 and 1628 South Cedar Street from "C" Residential District
to "F" Commercial District. The removal of the building at 512 Isbell and
the improvement of the parking area east of the Dicker and Deal store will
be required prior to the issuance of a building permit for the expansion of
the Music Manor store. In addition a site plan showing required parking areas,
building placement and screening and buffering must be approved by the Planning
Division staff and the Transportation Engineer prior to the issuance of a
building permit for the Music Manor.
Mr. Wright so moved and Dr. Remick seconded; APPROVED
Z-21-85, 5300-5316 South Pennsylvania Avenue "A" to "F"
The Committee recommends that the request to rezone property at 5300-5316
South Pennsylvania Avenue from "A" Residential to "F" Commercial District
be approved. The applicant proposes to remodel the existing structures and
convert them into office and light commercial uses. Trees should be placed
,+ the rear of the property for screening and privacy to adjoining home owners.
Mr. Wright so moved and Mr. Langworthy seconded; APPROVED
SLU-14-85, 5725 Orchard Court
The Committee recommends approval of a Special Land Use Permit for property
at 5725 Orchard Court for the purpose of establishing a foster care facility
for up to eight (8) developmentally disabled adults. The property is appropriately
zoned for this type of use. Approval is subject to all conditions set forth
in the inspection reports by the Fire Marshal, Building Safety Division and
Planning Division.
Mr. Wright moved for approval and Mr. Langworthy supported; APPROVED
Planning Board Minutes
August 20, 1985
Page 6
LS -13-85, 1510 Glenrose Avenue
The Zoning and Ordinance Committee recommends approval of the request to split
property at 1510 Glenrose Avenue into two separate lots so the newly created
lot may be sold for single family home construction. The split will create
lot sizes typical of the area.
Mr. Wright so moved and Mr. Mitchner seconded; APPROVED
NCU-13-85, 1038 East Oakland Avenue
The Committee recommends approval of a substitution of a nonconforming use
to allow for a sales office and showroom at 1038 East Oakland Avenue. At
the end of one year staff will review the use of the property to determine
if the intensity of that use had increased to a point exceeding that which
is acceptable.
Mr. Wright so moved and Mr. Mitchner supported; APPROVED
Z-23-85, 426 East Northrup Street "E-1" to "E-2"
The Committee recommends that the property located at the southwest corner
of South Cedar Street and Northrup Street be rezoned from "E-1" Apartment
Shop District to "E-2" Local Shopping District for construction of a motor
vehicle service station in conjunction with an auto parts and gasoline sales
store. Approval is subject to a site plan being submitted to and approved
by the Planning Division, which shall meet all requirements of Section 36-14.1
of the Zoning Code and shall also be subject to review and approval by the
other public agencies to provide necessary public services and have jurisdiction
over development of this property.
Mr. Wright moved for approval and Dr. Remick supported; APPROVED
Z-14-85, 2213-2223 West Jolly Road "A-1" to "C-2"
Consensus of the Committee was for approval if the land was suitably divided;
it would be desirable for the corner lot to have land from the larger lot,
also that Mr. Stanaway be notified of this discussion and asked for his concurrence.
Mr. Wright moved for acceptance and Mr. Langworthy seconded; APPROVED
The next Committee meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 18 at
7 a.m. in the Division Conference Room.
Planning Board Minutes
August 20, 1985
Page 7
Urban Development Committee: Mr. Nelson
Act -38-84, Genesee School Reuse
The Committee considered alternatives for reuse for the school facility and
the recommendation of the River Island Master Plan. The Committee's recommendation
is for retention of the school building as an educational facility such as
private, nursing or community services, secondly as residential property.
Mr. Nelson so moved and Mrs. Wieland supported; APPROVED
Act -9-85, Parcel C, Delhi Township --in City ownership
The Committee recommends that a portion of Parcel C be leased by the City
to Mr. DeAngelo for the purpose of erecting a communications tower. The amount
of land to be leased would be approximately three acres located in the northwest
corner of Parcel C. This recommendation is under three conditions:
1) Mr. DeAngelo obtain an access easement from Michigan State University
directly from Pine Tree Road to the leased parcel.
2) Mr. DeAngelo obtain F.C.C. clearances for the construction of such
a tower and a copy be furnished to the Planning Division of the City.
3) That the amount of negotiated payment for this lease be earmarked
in the Parks Department budget for park improvements and development.
Mr. Nelson so moved and Mrs. Horne seconded; APPROVED
Act -21-85, Holiday Drive Right-of-way Use
Mr. Amber indicated he would withdraw his request to utilize public right-of-way,
which would negate further action by the Board since development would be
entirely on private property. The Committee, pending receipt of this communication,
recommends that the request be denied as filed in that possible adverse affects
of allowing use of the public right-of-way, as well as front yard areas for
parking at this location would outweigh positive affects that added parking
may have on the neighborhood.
Mr. Nelson so moved and Mrs. Horne supported; DENIED
Planning Board Minutes
August 20, 1985
Page 8
South Washington Mall Opening
The Committee recommends that the 200 and 300 blocks of the South Washington
Mall not be opened for vehicular traffic until the following seven conditions
are fulfilled:
1) An acceptable and effective solution for parking delivery vehicles be
implemented to avoid safety problems and hardships to businesses.
2) An alternative to the proposed installation of approximately 100 parking
meters into the Mall landscape should be explored to maintain the pleasant
environment that currently exists.
3) That an effective design for the Mall opening that is compatible with
the proposed "Approach to the Capitol" project on Michigan Avenue be prepared
so that the two projects will directly complement one another.
4) Determine whether the cost of opening the Mall will be paid for by the
City General Fund, Parking Authority funds or a special assessment district_
Further,clarify from the federal government if any payback is required from
the City as part of the construction for the 100, 200 and 300 blocks of South
Washington Mall.
5) That a procedure be developed to ensure that customers and visitors instead
of employees will directly benefit from the proposed metered parking.
6) That special procedures be undertaken to ensure that pedestrian safety
is a high priority since conflicts between pedestrians and vehicles will be
drastically increased with the opening of the Mall.
7) The opening of the Mall to allow either one-way or two-way traffic be
delayed or considered an interim measure until;
a) the impacts of the one-way street study currently in progress are
analyzed, and
b) the Master Plan for downtown is revised and new development goals
established.
The Committee's next meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 18,
1985 at 7:30 p.m. in the Planning Division Conference Room.
Report from Planning Director: Mr. Foulds
The Michigan Society of Planning Officials will be held at Sugar Loaf October
3, 4 and 5 this fall. So let the Division know if you are interested in attending.
The Board Chairman reminded the members that the September meeting dates will
be the second and and fourth Tuesdays, and the Committee meetings, the third
Wednesday.
Planning Boared Minutes
August 20, 1985
Page 9
Adjournment:
There being no further business to consider, the regular August 20, 1985 meeting
of the Lansing Planning Board adjourned at 10:23 p.m.
ectfully submitted,
ame N. F lds, D4ire-ctor
La ing Planning Division
WC
Regular Meeting
Lansing Planning Board
7:30 p.m., City Council Chambers
Tenth Floor, City Hall
September 10, 1985
Merle Barnhart, Chairman, convened the meeting at 7:30 p.m. with seven members
present:
Barnhart, Horne, Langworthy, Mitchner, Nelson, Wieland, Wright
Mr. Langworthy moved approval of the absence of Dr. Remick; Mrs. Horne seconded,
APPROVED
Staff: Foulds, Fountain, Spackman, Stonehouse
The agenda was approved as printed.
Public Hearinqs:
Vern Fountain presented slides and information on the first two public hearing
items.
NCU-14-85, 1317 Ballard Street --Nonconforming Church Expansion
REVEREND GRAVES, petitioner for Mt. Zion Baptist Church. We will put an
addition to the south, with parking to the north; also recreational facilities.
We hope to improve the property for the area and the recreational area will
be an asset to the community. The Church has been there since 1962.
Mr. Langworthy asked if this layout will accommodate adequate parking spaces.
Mr. Fountain responded; yes, based on the seating capacity of the Church
with the addition.
REFERRED TO ZONING AND ORDINANCE COMMITTEE
Z-24-85, 2420 North Grand River Avenue A to G-2
JOHN LYNCH, President, Commercial Insulation Company, Incorporated. What
we're dealing with is a parallelogram and the existing drive comes in at
the same angle as the lot line, which we'd straighten out then cut in front
of the house, come around behind and put in a storage building directly
behind that building. There is adequate space for a 40 foot by 100 foot
building. We would like to use the side of the building as screening because
the "H" area right behind our lot is the storage auto salvage. We would
like our building there with no openings on the side facing Lot A.
Planning Board Minutes
September 10, 1985
Page 2
Another reason for straightening the drive is there is a magnificent oak
tree in front we would like to save. We don't want to take out any more
trees than we have to. Right behind the house is the least amount of trees.
If we get to the point where we need another building, the ideal place would
be directly across the lot along the lot line next to the vacant area.
We would save a lot of trees.
The original building was built in 1924. Our plans are to rejuvenate that.
The back of the building is newer and we would just renew that. We're going
to cap the basement floor which has been flooding for some time. The sewer
is rotted out and is running into the crawl space in back. The building
will be 24 feet tall, two floors. I think we would have block on the first
level and steel the rest of the way up. We would paint the block the same
color as the top. All of our parking will be screened from the road.
Mr. Langworthy asked if there would be customers calling. Mr. Lynch said
no, I believe we need five spaces and we have more than that. We do industrial
pipe covering; storing a lot of bulk, not weight.
Mr. Foulds asked; what would be your reaction to accessing the property
from the service drive that runs parallel with the public street? Mr. Lynch
answered; I'm sure it can be worked out. The reasons for setting it up
this way, (1) it's the natural flow and (2) I didn't want to take any more
trees than absolutely necessary. Mr. Foulds stated, your sketch also shows
the footprint of another building. Mr. Lynch explained; if we go with future
plans, there may be a second building --it's vacant now.
VIRGINIA GARLAND, 2432 North Grand River Avenue. I want to find out if
there will be a fence on the line because the lot runs funny, otherwise
people assume that stretch on the sidewalk belongs to the other house and
access my driveway.
Mr. Fountain reported there is a requirement in the Zoning Ordinance wherever
a non-residential use abuts a residential use. So there will be buffering;
materials or fence or a combination of both. We'll consider existing vegetation
and supplement that.
DAVID SHADE, I live across the street and own 2405 North Grand River Avenue.
I am against the rezoning. There are plenty of office and commercial spaces
available, they would not have to go into a residential area. If you allow
that, it will hurt home owners. The North Grand River area owners are trying
to come back. I feel the City has a responsibility to Lansing residents
to not affect neighborhoods in negative ways. Until recently the City has
ignored calls about earth moving --they call landscaping.
I did not get a letter, nor did the people behind me. Yet they went 1500
to 2,000 feet past Logan and notified the commercial areas. This is biased
toward commercial. I restate, I am not for it. This is an area of residential
and should be left that way.
Planning Board Minutes
September 10, 1985
Page 3
I would like to know how much and what materials would be stored in the
sheds. If paint or certain types of materials are stored in large quantity,
or on a critical material list, they might want to contact Bob Ceru at the
Ingham County Health Department, he would be interested if they are storing
large amounts of materials there. Thank you for your time.
VIRGINIA FUND, 2341 North Grand River Avenue, across the street. Would
this be required a certain setback from the highway? It takes away the
appearance of a commercial institution with grass and trees between the
highway and property.
Also, I am concerned about big trucks going in and out hauling materials.
I am concerned about the value of our property. If they had a certain setback
that would always remain that way, but if it's random for maybe three years
and then sold to a 7-11 store, then I would be upset about it. If there
are control guidelines, I would feel more content about it. Thank you.
Mr. Foulds explained, different districts have different setbacks. What
exists is unusual, buffers were created by placing the frontage in a residential
district assuming it would never be developed. We have a specific dimension
requirement in the Ordinance and we would want to involve the neighbors
in that.
Mr. Lynch added; all we store in paints is what comes back from the job --the
excess, not large quantities. We usually get a semi load of insulation
every two to three months; visqueen we get in the summer once a month probably.
We might go for a month and get two trucks, then we might go three months
with one truck.
REFERRED TO ZONING AND ORDINANCE COMMITTEE
Community Development Block Grant Needs --Capital Improvements Program
Presented by Jim Foulds. This public hearing is intended to receive citizen
input on the Community Development Block Grant and Capital Improvement Program
Needs for future years. This hearing is also an opportunity for the citizens
to express preferences for utilizing the CDBG funds of approximately $1,462,000
for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 1986 and ending June 30, 1987. This
represents a 15% reduction from last year's funding. Also input is requested
concerning housing needs in the community that may assist in the development
of the Three Year Housing Assistance Plan for the City of Lansing.
HOWARD JONES, 426 West Barnes Avenue. CDC #4 has been funded for the last
six years with more than $2 million of federal monies to bring about neighborhood
improvement. I hope you have had a chance to get into our neighborhood.
Since our last Plan amendment we have been able to affect a change across
Planning Board Minutes
September 10, 1985
Page 4
Washington Avenue to the east. We have acquired some twelve structures
and all but four have been demolished and the people relocated. We are
in the process of relocating families in three other dwellings and the City
has condemned one building we wanted removed; an old warehouse. So our
program is proceeding. We have also had, since our program started, approximately
65 people take advantage of the rehab aspects of this program. We currently
have had three more new people enter the program and we feel we are trying
to bring about a real change in this neighborhood.
We ask you to let us bring to fruition a complete revitalization of an area
that if the City had not gotten involved in with federal money, frankly
would have been a complete disaster area in five to ten years. But this
money has brought it back and we now have people wanting to buy homes in
there.
We feel $500,000 is necessary to acquire the additional ten to twelve houses.
We feel approximately $40,000 per structure would be needed. Once that's
done, you would need to clear the land and probably the City would be interested
in retaining it as a possible commercial or industrial site because it would
abut the parking lot that is on the south side of Baker Street. This could
then be joined to make a more attractive site for a commercial or industrial
user. We want to also do some buffering and landscaping to separate Garden
and Martin and East Barnes from what could become a new industrial area.
Thank you very kindly.
GLADYS GILSON, 223 West Barnes. I also am CDC 4 and Neighborhood Watch.
I am more interested in the police action of the City than construction.
Neller Court is not something that should happen to any city. We have made
great progress and do have more to go to make it really effective. Thank
you.
WAYNE FOSTER, local businessman and incoming President of the Boys' and
Girls' Club of Lansing. I represent the Board of Directors and bring thanks
for this opportunity to bring some of our needs to this Board in what we
think is an excellent use of grant money.
TOM FINLEY, Executive Director, 1235 Center Street. Boys' and Girls' Club
of Lansing serves youth between the ages of 7 and 17. Most kids we serve
have a very negative self concept; they have not been successful in school
or home situations. We try to attract the kids into the facility through
recreational, educational and physical education type programs, then work
on a one-to-one basis to develop a strong self concept so they can achieve
Planning Board Minutes
September 10, 1985
Page 5
successes in their adult lives. Mr.
and its program. In 1984 we served
We are very strong in our need.
Finley showed a video tape of the Club
2,190 children; 900 is the active membership.
CHARLES COOKE. One of the things I would like to share with you is a picture
of our existing Boys' and Girls' Club facility. We had quite a downpour
yesterday and had a puddle in the middle of our gym area. We have spent
quite a bit of money trying to patch up the building we are in. Our problem
is simple; we have kids that get some food when they go to school. During
the summer the kids come to our place and for many it is the only meal.
We cannot serve food, per se, other than bringing it in because we don't
have appropriate kitchen facilities. If we had the capability of serving
a meal, according to Boys' Club of America, our membership would probably
double or triple. We are experiencing overcrowding in our facility.
What we need is a new building or one we can modify to our use. Staff has
found 14 possible locations. If you were to come and ask one of the kids
"what does this Club mean to you"? Most would probably tell you it's their
whole life. The Mayor issued a Community Use Study Report, dated January
1985, which said we need more of the Boys' and Girls' Club in this community,
not less of it.
The estimated cost of the new facility to meet the needs of Lansing children
is between $1.5 and possibly $2 million. Under specified objectives we
benefit low and moderate income families. The placement of a new facility
could aid in the prevention and elimination of slums and blight. The activities
of the Boys' and Girls' Club are designed to meet Community Development
needs, having a particular urgency. Without Lansing's help in this project,
we believe it will be difficult to provide an adequate facility to serve
Lansing's children. We need your participation in this most worthwhile
project. Thank you for your consideration of our proposal.
TOM FINLEY. I would like to amend this for consideration under both categories;
Community Development Block Grant and Capital Improvement Programs.
REFERRED TO URBAN DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
A brief recess was taken by the Board.
BUSINESS SESSION:
The minutes of August 20, 1985 were approved.
Committee Reports:
Planning Board Minutes
September 10, 1985
Page 6
ZONING AND ORDINANCE COMMITTEE: Mr. Wright reported that the next meeting
will be held Wednesday, September 18, 1985 at 7 a.m. in the Planning Division
Conference Room.
URBAN DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE:
Act -24-85, Pennsylvania Court
Presented by Jim Spackman. The request is generated primarily to have the
City participate in the repaving of Pennsylvania Court. The service drive
could still operate with the minimum number of access points. We are recommending
that, with the exception of the southern portion right where the access
comes in, this be dedicated for street purposes. According to the property
owners the vacation order was never recorded. It was platted in this way
so when it was vacated there was no exchange of any money. To have it dedicated
would be a matter of property owners informing the City they would formally
dedicate that for public right-of-way. They are willing to return it.
The cost share would be in the paving.
Mr. Nelson moved to accept the formerly vacated portion of Pennsylvania
Court to benefit traffic circulation and further that the Public Service
Department and Property Management negotiate a technique to maintain and
improve the portion of Pennsylvania Court in terms of repaving and snow
removal. Therefore, I recommend that Pennsylvania Court become a public
right-of-way. Finally, due to the close of the paving season, it is recommended
that the City enter into contract this season for repaving upon dedicating
the right-of-way of Pennsylvania Court. Mrs. Horne supported the motion
and a roll call vote was taken.
By a 5 yeas, 2 nays vote this matter was APPROVED
The next Committee meeting will be Wednesday, September 18, 1985 at
7:30 p.m. in the Washington Square Annex.
Report from Planning Director
Act -15-85, Civic Center/Washington Square Annex
You have before you recommendation for the Washington Square Annex that,
at least for the time being, the City retain the Annex and not sell to the
private sector, and for phase one of the Civic Center Disposition Study
is that the City pursue several options for potential reuse on the Civic
Center in the future that is contingent upon the convention/exhibition facility
opening in the spring of 1987, as is scheduled at the present time.
Planning Board Minutes
September 10, 1985
Page 7
Our recommendations for the Civic Center facility; pursuit of investigations
for programmatic and financial feasibility of a criminal justice facility
within the Civic Center Complex itself, to include Ingham County Circuit
Court and its supportive offices, District Court and its supportive offices
and Police operations.
Phase two will be done in conjunction with a consultant to make a final
determination if the Civic Center can be converted for that use and what
the cost would be. Secondly, the City initiate discussions with the State
for either sale, lease or lease purchase for development as state offices
or some combination of state services and state offices. They had programmatic
statements done for conversion of the Civic Center to State Museum and Library
Archives facility approximately two years ago.
Thirdly, staff felt the facility had potential for office and commercial
development and sale to the private sector, however, it would directly compete
with objectives we have established for the downtown area.
The 43,000 square feet of space currently in the Washington Square Annex
must be replaced before we sell the building. To rent in the downtown area
would cost between $37,000 to $82,000 a year based on a range of square
footage costs. While it still is the long range objective to market that
facility and get us out of the building, it is not in the City's best interest
right now. You conducted a 285 review on the Annex a year and a half ago
and came to the same conclusion at that time.
Motion was made by Langworthy and seconded by Horne for acceptance of the
staff report; APPROVED
Board Member Comments:
Mr. Langworthy requests excused absences from the September 24 and October
8 meetings. Mr. Wright moved for approval and Mrs. Horne supported; APPROVED
Mrs. Horne requests an excused absence from the September 24 meeting. Mr.
Nelson moved to approve the request and Mrs. Wieland supported; APPROVED
Adjournment
There being no further business to conduct, the regular September 10, 1985
meeting of the Lansing Planning Board adjourned at 10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
J me N. Foulds, Director
L sing Planning Division
WC
Regular Meeting
Lansing Planning Board
7:30 p.m., City Council Chambers
Tenth Floor, City Hall
September 24, 1985
The Chairman, Merle Barnhart, convened the meeting at 7:30 p.m. with five
members present; Emly Horne arrived at 8:30 p.m.
Barnhart, Horne, Mitchner, Nelson, Remick, Wright
Excused: Langworthy, Wieland
Staff: Foulds, Spackman, Stonehouse; Coscarelli
The -agenda was approved as printed.
Public Hearinqs:
Grantee Performance Report
Jim Foulds, Planning Division Director, explained this is the 1985 public
hearing on the Grantee Performance Report for the Community Development
Block Grant Program for the City of Lansing and the Jobs Bill Program for
the City of Lansing. These reports detail the activities under these federal
programs during the period beginning July 1, 1984 and ending June 30, 1985.
There were no comments from the audience.
Act -28-85, Stanley -Street --Use of public right-of-way
Presented by Jim Spackman. The request is to provide parking to remove
trucks from the two-way flow of traffic on Stanley Street.
Dr. Remick said, the Transportation Engineer talked about a buffer lane;
I am not certain all trucks want to enter in sequence to be unloaded. It
wouldn't help.
MICHAEL A. SIMON, Material Management Planner for Lansing Car Ass-embly,
the body plant. With this proposal we are trying to alleviate the problem
in main truck receiving on the north side of the plant, especially early in
the week there is a higher volume of trucks unloaded. They don't arrive
on any particular schedule, so they wait for dock space. We lost our queuing
area to the union because of -lack of parking space and are trying to get
that back in the south parking lot on Michigan Avenue. There is roughly
27 feet between the curb adjacent to Stanley Street and the curb that encompasses
our parking lot. We -are trying to get rid of a safety hazard on the'streets.
When I contacted City Council, there hadn't been many complaints. We want
the neighborhood reaction. It has not been engineered or costed -out yet,
it's. just a proposal at this point.This doesn't honestly affect air or
noise pollution, it only gets the trucks off of Stanley Street.
Planning Board Minutes
September 24, 1985
Page 2
If we made another lane, we would bring some type of barrier, that would
involve the shrubbery and fence, out to the edge of Stanley to block off
truck traffic and our parking lot.
INEZ PEARSON, 1926 North Genesee Drive. We have a nice plan here, but the
trucks are not supposed to come through residential streets. They do and
they mash lawns and tear curbs apart. There's a school on the corner of
Verlinden and Genesee loading children often. The trucks come through and
it has become just a Fisher Body entrance. I have a picture (submitted
for file) of my curb that has been mashed by trucks and have complained
to.my Councilmember.
Can Stanley be one-way in going south and going out east on Osborn? That
would take them out of the residential area. Mr. Simon responded, Osborn
is the only specified truck route.
JAMES LOGAN, 2.001 Drexel. My wife and I are both opposed to this proposal.
Not just the trucks, but because we have noticed an infringement on our
privacy. Since Fisher Body has taken on a new corporate title they have
changed the flow of truck unloading. The biggest nuisance is while diesel
trucks are parked the fumes are noxious. This is unwarranted infringement
on :the neighborhood. Barriers won't take care of that.
I would like to propose to GM that if they are going to need this area for
queuing in, why don't they build a parking ramp to move their traffic further
over,. restructure the existing parking lot and stay on that side of the
fence and don't worry about that twelve feet.
JUDITH ROBLE, 2009 Drexel. I also agree with Mr. Logan, the noise pollution
is terrible. I registered a complaint one evening when a truck idled from
9:15 to 1 a.m. If this 12 feet is.going into the parking lot at Fisher
Body, will people park on our street also, because we have had that problem.
Mr. Barnhart asked if there are plans to relocate that receiving area?
Mr. Simon answered., not right now, mainly because we cannot enter the plant
from Verlinden and we've got one other truck receiving area on Michigan
Avenue by the railroad tracks on the southwest side of the plant. Neither,
is a good area to do that.
Mr. Nelson asked, could they just drop the trailer, to be picked up when
you are ready?- Mr. Simon responded; the guys we call "wait fors" own them
and don't like to do that with their personal property. We might queue
the trucks somewhere else and call them in by remote control.
It was asked if it was possible to use Rosemary? Mr. Simon said we.can't
- get across the tracks, we have looked at that.
Planning Board Minutes
September 24, 1985
Page 3
SAM NEALY, 215 Spencer. We had the same problem in our area, I work at
Plant 3. We did get the police to come by and it did work.
A communication was received from BETTY EARL, 2005 Drexel-, who objects to
the trucks standing, but would like them off the streets. The exhaust fumes
and noise are unbearable. Could the standing area be put inside the parking
lot behind the hedge to help alleviate some of the noise.
REFERRED TO URBAN DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Act -31-85, Verlinden Street --Public ROW Use Presented by Spackman
DAN M. MC CLAIN, Member Plant Engineering staff, BOC Lansing, Car Assembly.
Body Plant. The main idea of this request is to improve the appearance
of the front of the plant by removing the dirt patch caused by pedestrian
traffic unloading from vehicles, city buses and crossing the street at that
area. Also to make it safer. The Engineering Department is looking at
that. In winter water collects from snow melt then refreezes, causing a
slippery condition. The. slope is .such that the sidewalk is higher than
the curb by several inches. There is a fall for the water, so that could
be eliminated.
We intend to put grates around the trees to.protect them and eliminate an
open patch of concrete. We intend to purchase some new park benches for
across the front.
MAX GROVE, 1805 West Shiawassee Street. What the pictures don't show is
let out time and payday when you can't even get down the streets for the
cars.. I am 100% in favor of this project done in a tasteful manner. We
want to cooperate. When police come out, the cars drive around the block,
the police leave and the cars comeback. I pick up broken whiskey and beer
bottles out of my yard. The engineering consultants bring in their bus
and run it all night long in front of my house and several buses come in
from.St. Johns. This is a city street. It takes 45 minutes to an hour
and 45 -minutes for the police. This has been going.on for 20 years.
Fisher has done everything but the air pollution. We called, a man came
out with his little air bag and that's the last we ever heard of --never
an air quality report. The parking is lax on the part of the city. The
city needs to enforce the laws we have.
..Mr. McClain reported; not related with this assignment or the other one
presented, I have been working on a layout for our north parking lot, which
should increase parking spaces near 280. With construction going on at
the back of the plant we were going to lose some just by repainting the
lines and using angle parking. Mr. Barnhart added; plant protection and
traffic control could do more if they applied themselves..
REFERRED TO URBAN DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Planning Board Minutes
September 24, 1985
:T
Page 4
Business Session:
Approval of Minutes
Dr. Remick moved for approval as printed of the September 10, 1985 minutes
and Mr. Mitchner seconded; APPROVED
Committee Reports
ZONING AND ORDINANCE COMMITTEE: Floyd Wright, Chairman
NCU-14-85, 1317 Ballard Street
The Committee recommends that Class "A" status be approved for expansion
.of the existing church facility with off street parking and recreational
space. The proposed change is in keeping with the land use development
plan for this area and will be in keeping with the general intent of the
Zoning Ordinance.
Mr- Wright so moved and Dr. Remick supported; APPROVED
NCU-15=85, 208 East Mit. Hope Avenue
The Zoning and Ordinance Committee recommends that Class "A" Nonconforming
status be approved, for the property located at 208 East Mt. Hope Avenue
to allow developing a 22 car garage at the rear of the property. The garage
is to be used for automobile parking and storage of equipment in conjunction
with the residential property. The proposed change will encourage the continuation
of residential use at this location, which is in keeping with development
plans for_this area.
Mr. Wright moved for approval and Mr. Mitchner supported; APPROVED
NCU-16-85, 214 Ferguson
The Committee recommends that Class "A" status be approved for the property
at 214 Ferguson, which will reduce the intensity.of land use and encourage
upgrading of the property.to make it more of an asset to the community.
Mr.. Wright so moved and Dr...Remick seconded; APPROVED
Z-22-85; 1600 Block of East -Cavanaugh Road A to DM -4.
HELD IN COMMITTEE
Planning Board Minutes
September 24, 1985
Page 5
Z-24-85, 2420 North Grand River Avenue A to G-2
The Zoning and Ordinance Committee recommends that the request by Commercial
Insulation Company, Incorporated to rezone property at 2420 North Grand
River Avenue from "A" Residential to "G-2" Wholesale District be denied
as filed; and that approximately the south 110 feet be rezoned from "A"
Residential to "D-1" Professional Office District and the balance of the
property be rezoned to "G-2" Wholesale District. The Committee also recommends
that truck access to the site be limited to the Grand River access street
which was designed to serve the more intense non-residential development
in this vicinity.
Mr. Wright so moved and Mrs. Horne supported; APPROVED
P-3-85, Midwood Meadows --Tentative Preliminary Plat
The Committee recommends tentative preliminary plat approval of Midwood .
Meadows, which will consist of approximately 5.2 acres to be developed with
twenty-two (22) lots and is located south of Jolly Road and west of Wise
Road, subject to the ten (10) conditions stated in their September 18, 1985
Committee Report.
Mr. Wright moved for approval and Dr. Remick supported; APPROVED
The next Committee meeting will be held Wednesday, October 16, 1985
at 7 a.m. in the Planning Division Conference Room.`
URBAN DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE: Jim Nelson, Chairman
Act -22-85, 1621 Martin Street --Offer to Cit
The Committee recommends that the City -not accept the offer to purchase
property located at 1621 Martin. -Street as it would be contrary to the NDA
#4 Development Plan for the expanded area; and further that funds in the
NDA #4 account for acquisition be used for owner occupied dwellings in Neller
Court.
Mr. Nelson so moved, Mrs. Horne seconded; DENIED
Act -23=85, Aurelius Road --Solomon Pits
HELD IN COMMITTEE
Planning Board Minutes
September 24, 1985
Page 6
Act -25-85, Pere Marquette
The Urban Development Committee recommends that Pere Marquette Drive be
considered for purchase and that a new public street be constructed between
Michigan Avenue and Shiawassee Street within the right-of-way of Pere Marquette
Drive. Public development will provide a relief valve for traffic generated
by the exhibition center and other new development and open the land in
this vicinity for new development.
Mr. Nelson moved for approval and Mrs. Horne supported;. APPROVED
Act -26-85, Vacate Beechfield Cul-de-sac
The Committee recommends the request to vacate the cul-de-sac at the southern.
end of Beechfield Drive be turned down and that the cul-de-sac continue to
function as it was intended. The cul-de-sac facilitates maintenance of
the street and snow removal, as well as service to traffic requiring to
conveniently turn around to proceed back to the north. Public funds have
been used to construct the cul-de-sac, the paving and curb and gutter, and
should not be removed through vacation order.
Mr. Nelson so moved and Mrs.. Horne seconded; DENIED
The next meeting of the Committee will be Wednesday., October 16, 1985
at 7:30 p.m..in the Division Conference Room.
Report from Planning Director:
I have the opportunity to attend a downtown redevelopment conference in
Baltimore. There will. be planning and redevelopment off icialsfrom across
the country. -We will see techniques for making waterfront developments
happen
New Business:
Mr. Mitchner moved for cancellation of the October 8, 1985 meeting and Mrs.
Horne supported; APPROVED
Communications:
A petition was submitted supporting Act -28-85, Pere Marquette Drive by nine
area businesses.
Planning Board Minutes
September 24, 1985
Page 7
Board Member Comments:
Mr. Wright moved to excuse the absence of Alice Wieland for illness and
Mrs. Horne supported; APPROVED
The Chairman commented that he was sorry not to have had discussion from
the public on the Grantee Performance Report as it is a tremendously detailed
report by staff.
Special thanks were given to Emly Horne for attending after her earlier
meeting this evening.
Also commendation was stated for the leadership of the Boys' and Girls' Club
and their proposal presentation.
It was noted that the first meeting in November is scheduled the same night
as general elections. -The Board's preference is to change that meeting
to be available tofollow the elections.
Adjournment:
Mr. Wright moved to adjourn, Mrs. Horne seconded and the Board APPROVED.
The regular September 2.4, 1985 meeting of the Lansing Planning Board adjourned
at 9 p.m.
Cdansing
erely,
lam
s N. Foulds, Director
Planning Division
WC
Regular Meeting
Lansing Planning Board
7:30 p.m., City Council Chambers
Tenth Floor, City Hall
October 22, 1985
The Chairman, Mr. Barnhart, convened the meeting at 7:30 p.m. with eight
members present:
Barnhart, Horne, Langworthy, Mitchner, Nelson, Remick, Wieland, Wright
Staff in Attendance: Foulds, Fountain, Spackman, Rajendra
The Agenda was approved as printed.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
Presentations were made by Vern Fountain.
Z-25-85, 4945 and 5005 Eastlawn A to F
JOHN MULLER, Great Lakes Car Wash Systems in Grand Rapids, representing the
petitioners. The slides were a nice presentation and you have our site
plan. I would like to add two things; that Eastlawn will dead-end so there
will be no ingress or egress to the residential street. The entrance will
be off of Jolly Road. Secondly, we are going to build a six bay, coin
operated car wash with a retail store separated from that with various
tenants. The car wash will not service trucks at all, it's an eleven foot
entrance. We have another like this under construction on South Waverly in
Lansing Township. This is our first venture into the Lansing market.
STEPHEN SCHULTZ, President of Forest View Citizen' Association. We really
have no objection, although we do have concerns. There are several mature
pine trees. Our biggest concern is adequate buffering, enough screening so
residential uses to the north, west and further east, are not adversely
impacted. The only other concern we have is the tendency to large mercury
vapor lamps. If the developer is prepared to address those two concerns,
we see no reason why it is not compatible with the use next door, and have
no objection.
LINDA VANCOUVER. I wonder about the increase in traffic with two more
facilities and only two lanes; it can hardly handle what traffic is there
now.
MR. MULLER reported; there will be landscaping in front and back, we don't
intend to blacktop the whole area. Those specific pine trees, perpendicular
Planning Board Minutes
October 22, 1985
Page 2
to Jolly Road, are where the buildings will be placed. Lighting will be
directional; in each bay and parking lot light in the front. None shining
away from the property. A coin operated car wash will generate less
traffic than a drive-in bank. My studies show the car wash in Grand Rapids
has about 120 cars a day; a drive-in bank or gas station, 300-400; hardwares
about 200-250. So we are at the low end of traffic generation. Incidentally,
our peak periods of business are Friday evenings, Saturday mornings and
Sundays. We are going to build a pleasing facility.
In Grand Rapids we had controversy building between a church and two medical
buildings. The church was concerned about noise. I have letters since
saying there is no problem. We do not generate more noise than ambient
traffic. We had an acoustical engineer from Grand Rapids do an intensive
noise study and we've done in depth studies of the traffic and lighting in
the area. Mr. Fountain added that the Transportation Engineer felt that it
would not generate much more than neighborhood traffic.
REFERRED TO ZONING AND ORDINANCE COMMITTEE
Z-26-85, 2801 North Grand River Avenue D-1 to E-1
DIANE BENNETT, 2801 North Grand River Avenue, with my Mother, Betty. When
we bought the property in April, there were two apartments and office space
in the front, which we plan to convert to shop. My mother is living in the
upstairs apartment and I am living downstairs now.
REFERRED TO ZONING AND ORDINANCE COMMITTEE
Comments from the Audience:
STEPHEN SCHULTZ, FUCA President, regarding Z-22-85. Our Executive Committee
met and we have delivered our views to the Planning Division in a letter.
I would like to emphasize a couple of points. We have dealt with Mr.
Solomon and the existence of these pits for quite some time. They have
been a problem with regard to trespassers, dirt bikes, nuisance involved,
garbage dumped, etc. So our interest in this matter is continual.
First; rezoning is inconsistent with surrounding land uses; it's all single
family, with the exception of townhouses that the Lansing Housing Commission
operates, and some duplexes. Secondly, the traffic and burden on the
surrounding land uses. Cavanaugh may be able to handle 8,000 to 10,000
cars per day, but it cannot be denied that is a far greater burden on the
surrounding neighborhood than single family residential would be. In addi-
tion, we're dealing with a more intrusive use in terms of noise and lights.
Planning Board Minutes
October 22, 1985
Page 3
Third, we're concerned with the fact that these pits have existed out there
for a number of years without the slightest effort at reclaiming them. Now
we find the owner offering it to the City to make it profitable for him.
That seems to be the wrong reason to rezone property. We would prefer that
this rezoning request be denied. We would have no objection if he made an
attempt to begin reclamation proceedings before the rezoning. Thank you
for allowing me to speak.
JIM FOULDS. Staff looked at this request merely as a land use request.
After looking at topography, impact on the flood plain and floodway, impact
of the proposed "DM -4" density level, traffic levels, zoning placement,
staff felt from a land use standpoint the land could support multiple
housing development at a much lower density than the "DM -4" request. That
is not to say the property does not have major development constraints.
CHRIS BERGSTROM, representing the petitioner. The property owner has been
a bit more responsible than Mr. Schultz would lead you to believe. During
the time I worked in the City Attorney's office, we worked with the owner
and Police Department to prevent trespassing and there were efforts to
clean up refuse and barricades have been erected. I would ask you not to
make constraints with respect to the grade because we don't know what the
City has as a desired use and if it is graded to a 4 and 1 or 5 and 1
slope, it may be inconsistent with the proposed use. We urge you to not
only support the rezoning, but the recommendation that the property be
accepted by the City of Lansing. Thank you.
BUSINESS SESSION:
Approval of Minutes:
It was moved by Dr. Remick to approve the minutes of September 24, 1985 as
printed; seconded by Mrs. Wieland, APPROVED
ZONING AND ORDINANCE COMMITTEE: Mr. Wright
Z-22-85, 1600 East Cavanaugh Road A to DM -4
The Committee recommends that the request to rezone property in the 1600
block of East Cavanaugh Road from "A" Residential to "DM -4" Residential
District be denied; but recommend that the property be rezoned to "DM -2"
Residential District, subject to the six recommendations stated in the
staff report.
So moved by Mr. Wright and supported by Dr. Remick, APPROVED
Planning Board Minutes
October 22, 1985
Page 4
SLU-18-85, Southwest Corner of Pennsylvania and Hazel
This is Board of Water and Light property extending from Hazel Street south
to the railroad tracks and the river. The proposal is to build a dike
along the river. Staff has received responses from both the Department of
Natural Resources and City Engineer, which are incomplete as to how this
proposed dike would impact the 100 year flood plain of the Red Cedar River.
Mr. Wright reported this item will be HELD IN COMMITTEE.
Z-25-85, 4945 and 5005 Eastlawn A to F
The Committee recommends approval of the rezoning of 4945 and 5005 Eastlawn
from "A" Residential to "F" Commercial District to erect a six stall, coin
operated car wash and separate commercial building on the property, with
access to Jolly Road.
Mr. Wright moved for approval subject to the three conditions stated in the
staff report. Support was given by Mr. Langworthy, APPROVED
Z-26-85, 2801 North Grand River Avenue D-1 to E-1
The Committee recommends that the property located at 2801 North Grand
River Avenue be rezoned from "D-1" Professional Office District to "E-1"
Apartment Shop District to allow the operation of a gift store.
Mr. Wright moved for approval and Mr. Langworthy seconded; APPROVED
Amendment to Subdivision Regulations, Chapter 37, Section 37-24
Mr. Foulds reported, what we have proposed is for divisions less than the
minimum lot size required, 60 by 100 or 70 by 100, standards be applied by
the Board in making the recommendation of whether that lot split should be
approved. All of these would go to Council for final approval based on
five criteria. Under the minimum standards required, the Board would hold
a public hearing and make the decision at the Board level.
Motion to approve by Mr.. Wright, supported by Mr. Langworthy; APPROVED
The next meeting of the Committee will be held Wednesday, November 13, 1985
at 7 a.m.
Planning Board Minutes
October 22, 1985
Page 5
URBAN DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE: Mr. Nelson
Act -23-85, Aurelius Road --Solomon Pits
The Committee recommends that the inquiry to donate both the Sablin and
Solomon Pits to the City of Lansing be responded to in the following
manner:
I. The property containing the Sablin Pits be accepted as a donation from
the owner and be placed under the auspices of the Parks and Recreation
Department. This would be conditional to the fulfillment of the present
owner's court ordered responsibility to properly grade and seed the property;
and
2. The property which contains the Solomon Pits be donated to Michigan
State University with the stipulation that if in the future M.S.U. desires
to dispose of the property, it revert to the City of Lansing. This would
be conditional to the owner's responsbility to properly grade and seed the
property..
The Department of Parks and Recreation would then seek funds to maintain
and secure the property and future funds, depending on development plans,
through the Capital Improvements Program or other sources.
Mr. Nelson so moved and Mrs. Horne seconded; APPROVED
by a 7 yeas, 1 nays vote.
Act -29-85, Alpha Street --Use of Public ROW
The Committee recommends that Lansing General Hospital be permitted to
lease a portion of the public right-of-way adjacent to 2912 Alpha Street.
Maintenance and snow removal are to be the responsibility of Lansing General
and no interruption to traffic flow on Alpha Street is to be generated as a
result of using the leased portion of the right-of-way.
Mr. Nelson moved for approval and Mrs. Horne supported; APPROVED
Act -31-85, Verlinden Street
The Committee recommends approval of the request from B.O.C., G.M. to -use
public right-of-way on Verlinden Street.between the sidewalk and curb for a
distance of 43 feet south and 88 feet north of .the major pedestrian employee
Planning Board Minutes
October 22, 1985
Page 6
entrance to the B.O.C. Plant. To improve pedestrian access, reduce mainten-
ance in this area and retain green space, an alternate paving/planting
scheme should be forwarded to the Mayor. The Committee further recommends
that B.O.C. accept responsibility for snow removal and maintenance. The
street is to remain open to traffic and not be impeded by snow removal from
the pedestrian areas.
Mr. Nelson moved for approval, Mrs. Wieland seconded; APPROVED
Act -32-85, Washtenaw Street Vacation
The Committee recommends the proposed modifications to the State Library,
Museum and Archives building be approved subject to two conditions:
1. Washtenaw Street right-of-way between Sycamore and Butler be vacated
by the City, retaining all necessary easements; and
2. Washtenaw Street be converted to two-way traffic between Pine and Logan
Streets.
Housing Assistance Plan
This Plan sets up housing stock conditions in Lansing, and part two is
rental subsidy needs of lower income households. The last table is a three
year goals list in gross terms, owner/renter, targets for rehab and recon-
struction. This document is a federal requirement for any community to
receive Block Grant funds. Unless an elderly goal is set, it is difficult
for us to get funds from HUD.
Mr. Nelson moved for adoption and Mrs. Horne supported; APPROVED
The next meeting will be held November 13 at 7:30 p.m.
Report From Planning Director:
1) Early in 1985 (April 16) the Board recommended to Council, and they
adopted, a proposed alignment for the Industrial Access Road in north
Lansing, that was a Howe Avenue alignment that connected North East Street,
or US 27, via Howe through private property and connected to Lake Lansing
Road in Lansing Township. Also the Board had a rezoning petition by M.S.V.
Planning Board Minutes
October 22, 1985
Page 7
Associates who presently have an existing SUP to conduct a gravel mining
operation at this location, which they access from Lake Lansing Road.
Their proposal last year (SLU-32-84) was to expand that operation. It
currently is held in Zoning and Ordinance Committee pending a resolution of
the roadway alignment issue for Howe Avenue.
The City of Lansing has conducted studies within the Paulson Park area
dealing with ground water contamination. Those studies indicated the presence
of metallic compounds, industrial wastes that may have been dumped there
which were showing substantial levels of contamination, at least at the
well sites tested by our consultant. Our concern was with the construction
of the Industrial Access Road and the Howe Avenue approved alignment, if
that construction would in any way release contamination further south into
this property or to the BWL well site.
Staff's recommendation to the Mayor after the results of the first tests
was to hold any further construction of the roadway until the City could do
additional testing on the Paulson property to determine the extent of contami-
nation on that site.
That left us with a neighborhood problem, the Friedland operation. Our
staff and the City Engineer have met with neighborhood residents bringing
suit against Friedland. MSV and Associates, the property owner and DNR,
BWL and Public Health met to see if there was relief for the neighborhood.
We have reached agreement with all parties involved that there could be a
temporary access road at Howe Avenue; a gravel road constructed by the City
on an easement paid for by the City to the current property owner. We will
begin that within the next two weeks, thereby getting neighborhood traffic
out of the area and pulling it to the non-residential Howe Avenue. The
property owner has agreed to the lease with the condition that the MSV
proposal be dealt with by the City.
Staff has taken the position of recommending approval of the expansion of
the gravel mining operation to a point basically up to where the permanent
roadway would come in to proceed no further west to bring it directly
behind the residential area to the south. The residents along Bates Street
and all those involved in the suit have supported that position. It's
basically half a loaf for everybody because we are trying to get access
across property we don't own, to buy time for further research in the area
and also, find out if this is a buildable alignment. The Mayor is going to
recommend to Council that they endorse conducting the next level of testing
here and he will inform the Council that the temporary access road will be
constructed this fall.
That leaves on the table for the Board the rezoning issue (Z-29-84). Staff
has taken a position that we will support that only if the results of the
tests from the Paulson property show that the expansion of the gravel
mining operation will not lead to the contaminants in the Paulson property
Planning Board Minutes
October 22, 1985
Page 8
migrating south, since we don't know the specific location of those contami-
nants at this point.
Mr. Barnhart asked, how do you feel about that becoming a permanent route?
Mr. Foulds answered, it might offer better developmental possibilities for
this area. If the permanent alignment is never built, it is probably the
best location.
When the results of the tests are in and we, the DNR, Public Health and BWL
feel that we can support construction on this alignment or another alignment
in a reasonable fashion without environmental problems, we will come to you
with a recommendation to act on this SLU and rezoning.
2) Mr. Langworthy asked the status of the 100 block. Mr. Foulds said, the
hotel and exhibition center, I understand, are both on schedule. I could
have the architects speak to you on that if you like. The Board agreed
they would like that presentation.
Board Member Comments:
Dr. Remick reported that his visit to Sugar Loaf was interesting in several
ways. We are fortunate as a Board to have the support staff we do. When I
listened to others, I think our staff does a fantastic job in acquiring
background information. There were places that don't allow the Board to
make their own decisions with the information given. Of interest to the
Board of Zoning Appeals, discussions were held on satellite conditions.
They were talking about dealing with the microcomputer because there will
be a lot of operations within. homes and we should look at it now. I
brought back a book on the history of the Michigan Society of Planning
Officials. I do have a number of reports I will send on to the Planning
Division Library. Mr. Fountain added, there were some changes suggested in
the nonconforming use section that we might be able to look at, with the
thought of improving ours further. Also, the changes of some ordinances
beside nonconforming uses.
Adjournment was at 9:40 p.m.
2ectfully suubbmitte ,
J mes N. Foulds, Director
L ng Planning Division
WC
Regular Meeting
Lansing Planning Board
7:30 p.m., City Council Chambers
Tenth Floor, City Hall
Wednesday, November 6, 1985
Merle Barnhart, Chairman, convened the meeting promptly at 7:30 p.m. with
six members present; Mr. Mitchner arrived at 8:30 p.m.
Barnhart, Langworthy, Mitchner, Nelson, Remick, Wieland, Wright
Excused Absence: Emly Horne (moved by Langworthy, seconded by Remick) APPROVED
Staff in Attendance: Foulds, Fountain, Winnicker, Coscarelli, Bauer and
Councilmember Alfreda Schmidt, 2nd Ward
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
Z-27-85, 508, 512 and 516 Ash Street; 525 East Oakland and
920, 928 North Cedar Street H to C
Emil Winnicker explained the petition is an effort to bring the block into
conformance with the current Master Plan and be more consistent with the present
use.
MAX HOFFMAN, 1111 Michigan, Avenue, East Lansing, representing Bill and Janet
Stajos, who indicate opposition to the petition. Mr. Stajos upgraded his
property and improved the appearance of the area. The lots on Oakland are
vacant. The earlier Master Plan called for the whole Cedar/Larch Corridor
to be light industrial. That made sense, there are two major traffic thorough-
fares,.railroad access and an area that would some day become light industrial.
In the 1984.revised Master Plan that same Corridor is designated residential.
The intent is to protect and preserve the option for the people in that block
as a community to be allowed on resale to take advantage of possible commercial
development. If you don't, you will not find people to buy those vacant lots
and build a home to raise their children on Oakland and the state will not
grant a curb cut to the street.
That block is an excellent buffer, with good commercial possibililty to protect
the residential areas to the north. That is consistent with your -Master Plan
to protect the housing stock in that area, and at the same time protect and
preserve the value. If you deny this request, you protect the homes in that
area, protect Mr. Stajos and his commercial investment and you allow the option
for these people to enhance the value of their homes on resale either as private
residences or possible commercial development.
The Chairman reported a communication was received from MRS. MARY ENGUARDIO,
1019 North Larch Street in support of the Ash Street rezoning.
Planning Board Minutes
November 6, 1985
Page 2
ARTHUR J. CLYNE, Attorneys At Law, representing the property owners, who advise
us they protest the proposed rezoning. "The diminution in value which we
will suffer as a result of the proposed change is disproportionate to the
benefit the City may derive and will deprive clients of their property rights
without due process of the law."
JAMES AND LUCY BRUDON, 508 Ash. We are the only family on that block not
retired. We don't plan to live there the rest of our lives. We bought the
property with the intent that we could resell it as commercial, light industrial
we bought it in. We are opposed to having it changed to residential now.
It seems if the majority of property owners want it to stay the way it is,
it should be that way.
REFERRED TO ZONING AND ORDINANCE COMMITTEE
Z-28-85, 6841 South Cedar Street F and J to F
The remainder of the cases were presented by Vern Fountain.
ROBERT WICKER, petitioner, 2388 North College Road, Holt. I am the previous
owner of Holt Auto Sales, which I sold two years ago. I specialize in Corvettes
and late model vehicles, no junk. Along with that will be a limousine service.
The Battery Exchange will do all of my work, none at this site. We should
not require screening.
Mr. Fountain added that the Ordinance requires screening of commercial property
when it abuts a less intense use. The use across the street is not strictly
residential, it's sort of mixed residential the fact that it's used as temporary
living quarters. We will have to take a hard look at it.
JOHN FULLER, Vice President and General Manager of Long's, at 6910 South Cedar
Street. Our company certainly encourages commercial development and we like
to be good neighbors. We are aware that "F" Commercial allows the use proposed,
however, if approval is grunted, we hope it would prohibit storage and inoperable
vehicles on site and that appropriate screening would be required to assure
the view of the site would be as positive as possible. We have no objection.
ALFREDA SCHMIDT, 2nd Ward Councilmember. I would like to impress the quality
of the Clarion, the expensive, elaborate facility being built across from
this proposed business-. It would be unfortunate if we encouraged businessesto establish that were less than appealing to a business center such as the
Clarion Hotel.
They seem to share a curb cut with the gas station. If they request another,
it would create a traffic hazard. This is a busy intersection at the hotel.
Thank you ladies and gentlemen.
Planning Board Minutes
November o, 1985
Page 3
Mr. Fountain reported the license issued for that property prohibits any type
of storage of inoperative vehicles. It only allows the sale of new and used
cars. The curb cut comes in on the north side of the property, adjacent to
the service station. It's a common curb cut in a sense, but is a cut to the
driveway that comes out of his property specifically.
REFERRED TO ZONING AND ORDINANCE COMMITTEE
Z-29-85, Vacant land west of 5522 South Cedar Street A to F
LE ROY HENRY, owner of Burger King Restaurant and its property. Our petition
is for the purpose of increasing employee parking mostly. We had 60 to 70
when we opened and recently improved the drive-through facility and did extensive
landscaping, which wiped out the majority of parking in the center. We still
have ample parking, just not as sufficient as we would like.
We intend to remodel that store in the near future. We would blacktop the
lot back to the fence then leave the area we are attempting to purchase and
rezone as a grassed area so we can park employee cars on it, but it will not
be blacktopped. (Mr. Henry submitted a landscape plan and photos showing
the land and landscaping on the existing lot.)
REFERRED TO ZONING AND ORDINANCE COMMITTEE
NCU-17-85, 119 East Oakland
BARBARA MERRIOTT, 324 West Oakland. I purchased this home with the idea that
it was already residential. The house is originally a Sears -Roebuck house
ordered out of a catalog. It is of historical value, one of the first homes
built in Lansing. Once restored it will be absolutely beautiful. I plan
to have the porch taken off and rebuilt as original with the spindles. The
only bad thing is the neighborhood surrounding this home is a little run down.
In the future I hope I can buy those four houses along the river and restore
them too. It would be a shame to tear it down. (Ms. Merriott submitted pictures
of a house she had previously restored.)
A communication was received from LESLIE LAMAR, 1713 Peggy Place, who owns
three rental units, wants the area kept residential and is in favor of improving
the property.
REFERRED TO ZONING AND ORDINANCE COMMITTEE
Planning Board Minutes
November 6, 1985
Page 4
LS -25-85, 4609 Devonshire
DUANE HELLUM, 4609 Devonshire. I am not going to build until I sell the hous`
we now live in. The new house will be our home. Staff told me if we approved
it, there may still be deed or subdivision restrictions that would not allow
me to build. The lot restrictions from Ingham County are that it must be
5,000 square feet. I checked with Public Service on sewers. They said it
would cost more than the lot is. worth because they would have to bring sewer
all the way down from Cavanaugh. The City Assessor said the land alone is
assessed at $6,500. If my lot is split, they said roughly $5,000 each lot,
but it would not affect any other property.
Mr. Foulds added, the reason it's before the Board is not size, but because
of its land use orientation.
ROBERT PETERSON, 4601 Devonshire, submitted a section of the ordinance. I
am opposed to this. The immediate result would be to devalue properties.
This would not be an isolated request. There are 19 houses that could be
developed from 4319 to 4807 Devonshire. This action could create a whole
new subdivision. Houses facing industrial properties such as Capital City
Oil, Waterbed, CATA bus, Steve's Produce and Bell Telephone Company Mould
be less desirable and less compatible with other homes in the area. Mr. Hellum
owns a lot which was made oversized for a very good reason; it was to separate
and isolate the industrial from the residential area. This would be opposite
the intent of the Zoning Code. We ask that you reject this proposal.
JOEL LUTES, 4626 Devonshire. This neighborhood is close to schools and ideal
for raising a family. The neighbors have taken pride in their neighborhood
and the area has appreciated in value. I am opposed to this request for splitting
a lot that will allow a house to face Tranter, it will depreciate surrounding
properties. Several neighbors are opposed but do not want to speak in the
event of creating bad feelings. I am strongly opposed and urge his request
be denied.
JIM HEYDEN, 4901 Devonshire. I would like to have you consider the initial
reason for the large lots and low intensity, and what impact this would have
on our nice neighborhood.
IRMA SCAVARDA, 4609 Devonshire, deed holder of the property. I received the
building permit for a garage fifteen years ago. I was told then that we could
not build the garage back further because that was a double lot and would
not be allowed to be split if the garage was back further.
Mr. Barnhart noted a communication had been received that she is in favor
of the lot split.
Also BEULAH MADDEN, 4701 Devonshire, is opposed.
Planning Board Minutes
November 6, 1985
Page 5
DON CRANE, 4615 Devonshire. I regret being here because Mr. Hellum has been
a congenial neighbor. I hope you have it in your power to stop this or we
should all divide our property now and sell it.
DOROTHY HAGEN, 4615 Devonshire. A home facing those commercial uses would
be detrimental to the neighbors and the community. We have a fine residential
neighborhood.
ALFREDA SCHMIDT, Councilmember, 2nd Ward. I would like to ask you to submit
your request for urgency in dealing with lot splitting. I am opposed to the
Board approving this request. Council previously had set some zoning stipulations
in that area to protect it from the industry on the other side of Tranter.
If we allow buildings to expose an exit to that industry, we would have a
different quality of homes; smaller homes, of rental quality, which would
change the whole residential environment.
Please bring to the attention of Public Properties and Safety and Physical
Development that you want us to look at the Lot Split Policy. Thank you for
your attention.
REFERRED TO ZONING AND ORDINANCE COMMITTEE
BUSINESS SESSION:
Approval of Minutes
Dr. Remick moved for approval of the October 22, 1985 minutes and Mr. Langworthy
seconded. Mr. Nelson noted Act -31 recommendation should be changed to further
reflect the landscaping plan submitted and the snow removal provision charged
to B.O.C. APPROVED
Committee Reports:
Mr. Wright reported that the ZONING AND ORDINANCE COMMITTEE will hold its
next meeting on Wednesday, November 13 at 7 a.m. in the Division Conference
Room.
Mr. Nelson stated URBAN DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE is scheduled to meet that same
day at 7:30 p.m. in the Planning Division Conference Room.
Planning Board Minutes
November 6, 1985
Page 6
Report From Planning Director:
lj At your last meeting the Board asked the progress of the Exhibition/Convention
facility and we have requested Jon Bauer, Project Planner from the Development
Division to give you an update.
JON BAUER The area between Cedar Street and the City Market has changed;
it has been upgraded and the first bid package is underway. Christman is
the concrete contractor working on footings and foundations for main buildings.
The earth work contractor is also local, Barnhart, who is grading and trying
to get the northeast parking lot finished to get our permit parkers back.
We will have about another 140 spaces for parking opened up.
We have four bid packages on the project. The first has been let and is under
construction. The second just opened the latter part of October and that
is the remainder of the foundation and the structural steel package. We won't
see any steel until next May. Third is almost a million dollars. So far
we are about $300,000 under budget, but we have one more bid package for the
remainder of the building. We are looking at an early '87 completion. The
hotel is moving right along and we are trying to get our building completed
about the same time.
In response to questions Mr. Bauer explained; the pedway goes over the garage
on the north side of Ottawa Street to link our facility at this northwest
corner across the river and cross the north part of Wentworth Park, Grand
Avenue and into the hotel, then across into the main parking garage. I don't
know .the completion date on the parking garage. The pedway will come in on
the second floor of the hotel, third floor of the ramp.
Jim Foulds added, the City was awarded matching grants from the State of Michigan
on critical bridge funds. The Michigan Avenue railroad bridge will be replaced
to provide vehicular and pedestrian access under Michigan Avenue through the
parking lot and south of Michigan Avenue to the museums. We are presently
working with the new bridge location, it will be to the east. We are leaving
the existing pedway and connecting to it for a boardwalk.
The Michigan equity package has included redoing the railing on the Michigan
Avenue bridge to improve the view to the river. The other thing proposed
is a lighted, floating fountain in the middle, south of the pedway., north.
of the bridge which hopefully is going to be used to accent the river, plus
the power plant.
The other part of the critical bridge funding is the Shiawassee Street Bridge.
That is for rehabilitation in addition to the three construction projects
going on down there. Thank you Jon.
Planning Board Minutes
November 6, 1985
Page 7
2) We are heading into budget time again. If you have any particular comments
on our Work Program, past year or activities you would like to see the staff
involved in, please let me !:now. I will bring the draft to you for comments
prior to submitting it to the Mayor.
New Business:
The Green Oaks Plan was submitted to Board members for information. A public
hearing will be held at the November 19 meeting.
Communications:
A copy of the Community Development Block Grant Grantee Performance Report
was submitted to the Chairman for the Board's perusal.
Board Member Comments:
Dr. Remick stated; over the years of reading development plans, it comes to
mind that we help areas, but do they really help themselves? True committees
wort; on this, but staff spends a lot of time on it too. With federal money
sparse, perhaps the City could assess a small portion of taxes against an
area to help it improve; small loans maybe.
Mr. Foulds clarified; true, federal involvement has dwindl.ed and will continue
to and we have to look at other funding sources for revitalization of neighborhoods.
There are not a lot. The City can get land use policies in order, densities,
make sure zonings are appropriate, and approach public investment through
Capital Improvement priorities.
Under a current tax law in Michigan you cannot spend tax dollars for rehabili-
tation activities. We could and should sell a bond package specifically for
housing rehab activities, revolving fund loans so the basic amount of the
bond can be repaid to interested owners in the area. We have been working
with the Attorney's office to see what we can do legally to sell bonds in
Michigan.
Adjournment:
Mr. Mitchner moved to
The regular November
at 9:40 p.m.
Wr.
adjourn, Mrs. Wieland supported and the Board APPROVED.
6, 1985 meeting of the Lansing Planning Board adjourned
spectfully Zubmitted,
a s N. Fou ds, Director
Lansing Planning Division
Regular Meeting
Lansing Planning Board
7:30 p.m., City Council Chambers
Tenth Floor, City Hall
December 3, 1985
The Chairman, Merle Barnhart, convened the meeting at 7:30 p.m. with eight
members present:
Barnhart, Horne, Langworthy, Mitchner, Nelson, Remick, Wieland, Wright
Staff in Attendance: Foulds, Acheson, Coscarelli
Agenda: Item NCU-17-85 deleted from Zoning Committee.. APPROVED
PUBLIC HEARING: Presented by Bill Acheson
SLU-19-85, 3000 Block of East Jolly Road
The petitioner had no comments but is available for any questions. A letter
was received from SHRIKUMAR AND MAYURIKA PODDAR, 2601 Cochise Lane, Okemos,
welcoming the church to the area.
REFERRED TO ZONING AND ORDINANCE COMMITTEE
Comments From the Audience:
OSKAR HORNBACH, Attorney, representing Barbara Merriott in case NCU-17-85,
119 East Oakland. What requested information was not provided for you, from
whom? Mr. Foulds answered; staff was requested to obtain an estimated cost
of rehabilitation of the structure to bring it up to minimum city code
standards. We will endeavor to have that available for Wednesday's committee
meeting.
Mr. Hornbach continued; the property is zoned professional office and the
request is for a building permit to use this property as a duplex. The
property is a legal, nonconforming use and the proposed use will lower the
intensity of that use. The property is intended to be used by my client as
her residence, her daughter will live there also. She has expended approxi-
mately $5,000 in renovation. She intends to make this a desirable location.
She is quite professional at this and does a good job (photographs were shown
of a previously renovated house).
COLONEL RICHARD LILLY. In the mid 70's i acquired three pieces of property
on Grand Court and several on Kilborn. My intent was to buy the entire strip
on Oakland from the river to Washington and all along the river from Oakland
to Grand River. My plan was an office/apartment complex. The Free Methodist
Church owned the opposite side of Grand Court with the exception of 119 East
Planning Board Minutes
December 3, 1985
Page 2
Oakland. I had several people interested in leasing office space.
The difficulty was the parcel owned by the Church. They are required to
maintain off street parking, so they wished to retain the property. I saw a
lot of potential there; a beautiful spot in the city and perhaps one of the
most neglected, but I lost interest because I could not gain control of all
the property. My daughter, whom I had given the three pieces, did not wish
to be a landlord.
I planned to sell, but June 6 there was a fire. The insurance company asked
for two repair estimates --they were $20,000 and $22,500. That would only
restore it's "original appearance." It was up to Code; wiring, etc. My
insurance was $20,000 and I had no desire to put additional money into it.
The only alternative was to raze'the structure. Then Barbara Merriott offered
to buy the house to restore. For the good of the City it would be better to
have that house there, fully restored with an owner occupant than in any
other means. It had an attorney's office in there --it will not work as
office space, it has poor ingress and egress. It was a duplex for the last
three years with no parking problems, even though it's a small lot. The
church shares the driveway. The loss of a structure of that nature in that
area would be a serious mistake.
BUSINESS SESSION:
Approval of Minutes:
Mr. Mitchner moved to accept the minutes of November 19, 1985; support was
given by Mr. Nelson.- Mr. Barnhart noted a name correction under the first
public hearing item. APPROVED
Committee Reports:
Mr. Wright reported that the ZONING AND ORDINANCE COMMITTEE will meet next
Wednesday morning, December 11 at 7 a.m. in the Planning Division Conference
Room.
Mr. Nelson reported -that the URBAN DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE will have its next
meeting Wednesday, December 11 at 7:30 p.m., that's in the evening, in the
Planning'Division Conference Room.
Planning Board Minutes
December 3, 1985
Page 3
Report From Planning Director: Jim Foulds
1) You may have noticed the newspaper article on the River Island Master
Plan Amendment. The committee of about 20 persons that has been working on
this for twelve months has just about finalized its work and we will schedule
a public hearing some time in January. They have put in a lot of work on
tough issues --which areas were going to remain residential and which would
move into the office category and vice versa. Hopefully, we will be able to
provide a framework on which the Board can base future decisions for that
area. We still have a lot of questions remaining in that area, including a
pending law suit. It was a pretty comprehensive article.
Mr. Barnhart asked could we reward, by certificates possibly, citizens who
worked on this? Also Green Oaks and Cherry -Hill. I would like to do that
before the year ends if possible. Mr.- Foulds answered, that would certainly
be appropriate and we would be happy to do that for you.
He continued; this will take several committee sessions to understand what
kinds of policies we are trying to achieve. This Plan probably deals with
the area that surrounds the Central Business District more than the CBD
itself.
2) We are currently in the process of putting our Work Program together for
next year. If you have specific projects you would like to see expanded or
looked into, let me know to be sure it is in our proposal before we send it
to the Mayor's office.
3) An apology on the East Oakland issue; the message wasn't clear to staff
when we needed that information, but I will make sure you have it Wednesday.
It is important to note that the Board is being asked to make a decision
whether this property should be granted Class "A" nonconforming status.
Decision would be based on parking, proposed use in the area and intensity of
the use proposed. The rehabilitation value only comes into play if it
exceeds a certain percentage of fair market value of the property.
Mr. Wright asked if there is a time limit for the intended rehabilitation.
Mr. Foulds responded; if a building permit is not applied for, it is up to
the City to push the owner to make the property safe or demolish it. There
is a 180 day building permit time limit for validity.
New Business:
The proposed meeting dates for 1985 were accepted by Board members in a
motion by Dr. Remick, which was supported by Mr. Mitchner.
Planning Board Minutes
December 3, 1985
Page 4
Board Member Comments:
Mr. Barnhart noted that it looks like the hotel. is progressing satisfactorily.
Mr. Foulds stated, yes, everything is on progress. We hope the interest rate
holds for another six months. Mr. Wright asked when Grand Avenue will be
reopened, I believe it gets narrower every day. Mr. Foulds answered, I
believe September of next year. And, yes, with the snow it will be even more
narrow. We are currently working with the Department of Transportation and
CATA to find a temporary staging area for the buses to alleviate that problem.
Adjournment:
Mr. Mitchner moved, Mr. Nelson seconded and the Board APPROVED. The regular
December 3, 1985 meeting of the Lansing Planning Board adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
soectfully submitted,
am N. Foulds, Director
L sing Planning Division
WC
Regular Meeting
Lansing Planning Board
7:30 p.m., City Council Chambers
Tenth Floor, City Hall
December 17, 1985
The Planning Board Chairman, Merle Barnhart, convened the meeting at 7:30 p.m.
with seven members present:
Barnhart, Horne, Langworthy, Mitchner, Nelson, Wieland, Wright
Excused: Remick
Staff: Foulds, Fountain
The agenda stands as printed.
There are no scheduled public hearings this evening.
Comments from the Audience:
JIM DRAGISIC, 216 South Charles, regarding case NCU-17-85. I would like to
distribute informational packets and pictures of the property at 119 East
Oakland. A report from the Fire Department stated there were two 3 inch hoses
and two 11-2 inch hoses that poured water on that building for a total of 180
minutes; three full hours, and yet they say there is only $750 worth of damage.
I find that hard to go along with, I had a kitchen fire six weeks ago and it
was $5,000. There is also a letter from HUD stating in part that property,
that area continued future marketability as one family homes is so limited
that the high risk associated with a long term mortgage is one that we should
not have assumed.
Your Master Plan calls for "D-1" Professional buildings. The previous owner
admitted he didn't take care of the property, that hew
as trying to secure a
parcel in order to develop it and that it had been used by an attorney for a
period, which as professional use would have eliminated the nonconforming use.
That property is about to come to fruition for development. People have ex-
pressed interest in developing that property. Why would we grant a noncon-
formity in the middle of that and put whoever lives there through having to
deal with professional usage all the way around and the additional expense of
renovation.
Two weeks ago that property was not secured. As you can see from the pictures,
doors and windows are not secured, there's a cantilevered porch which is not
supported in any way, no foundation under the porch, there's extensive work
to be done on this house --it's not cosmetic. It seems totally inconsistent
to me that a nonconformity would be granted on this piece of property at this
time.
Planning Board Minutes
December 17, 1985
Page 2
Incidentally, we have no interest in buying this property. It is not our
intent to have it torn down and buy a vacant lot. Our intent is to develop
that area as the Master Plan calls for. Thank you.
OSKAR HORNBACH, Attorney, representing Ms. Merriott, owner of 119 East Oakland
Avenue, my office is at 222 West Genesee Street. I ask you to consider the
reasoning behind the strenuous objections by Mr. Dragisic. Contrary to what
he told you, he has approached my client to purchase that property. At the
Zoning -Committee it was stated that he would not object to a professional use,
yet in a letter to the City of Lansing, dated December 3, a suggestion is made
that the building be demolished. The pictures submitted clearly show they
were taken inside the house. To obtain these pictures somebody would have to
be engaged in an illegal trespass. The HUD letter does not suggest the mort-
gage is not granted because it ought to be something else besides single
family and the property is secured today and has been for some time.
I ask you to go along with staff and committee's recommendation to grant this
request. Thank you.
LARRY BAAS, 216 South Charles, Universal Builders, partner with Mr. Dragisic.
We are not, nor ever have been interested in that property. The first time
we appeared at a meeting here a letter was submitted from a Mrs. Lamar, which
should not have been as she does not own any property in that area. We pur-
chased all her property over a year ago. The property is not secured, it is
simple to take pictures from the outside through the window.
BUSINESS SESSION:
Approval of Minutes:
Mr. Langworthy moved for approval of the December 3, 1985 minutes, and Mrs.
Wieland supported; APPROVED
Committee Reports:
ZONING AND ORDINANCE COMMITTEE: Reported by Mr. Wright.
Z-30-85, 405 East Holmes Road DM -3 to F
The Committee recommends that the request to have property located at 405 East
Holmes Road rezoned from "DM -3" Multiple Residential to "F" Commercial Dis-
trict be denied as filed; but that the property be rezoned instead to "E-2"
Local Shopping District.
Planning Board Minutes
December 17, 1985
Page 3
The Committee believes uses permitted in the "E-2" Shopping District are more
compatible with the residential neighborhood to the west and allow the owner
to make better use of the property. The Committee feels that the "E-2" Dis-
trict will serve as an effective transition zone between the low intense resi-
dential uses along Holmes Road and the more intense commercial activity along
South Cedar Street.
Mr. Wright so moved and Mr. Langworthy seconded; DENIED AS FILED
but to an "E-2" Local Shopping District; APPROVED
SLU-19-85, 3000 block of East Jolly Road
The Committee recommends approval of the request to construct a church with
seating for 2,000 people in the 3000 block of East Jolly Road, subject to two
conditions:
1) That a site plan be submitted to and approved by the City of Lansing which
shows the approved ingress and egress of the site, parking details, building
placement and landscape screening and buffering.
2) Certification that the utility requirements can be met including, but not
limited to, on site storm sewer, sanitary sewer, telephone, electrical, water
and gas.
Mr. Wright so moved and Mr. Langworthy supported;
Mrs. Wieland asked if an outreach center is the same as a church. Pastor
McGill answered, yes, we are a church recognized by state and federal govern-
ment; this is our trade name. We are non -denominational.
APPROVED
NCU-17-85, 119 East Oakland
The Zoning and Ordinance Committee recommendsthat the property located at 119
East Oakland Avenue be granted Class "A" Nonconforming status for the purpose
of allowing restoration of the existing structure into a two unit dwelling.
Mr. Wright so moved and Mr. Langworthy seconded; APPROVED
with one abstention.
The next meeting of the Committee will be January 15, 1986 at 7 a.m. in
the Planning Division Conference Room.
Planning Board Minutes
December 17, 1985
Page 4
Mr. Nelson reported that the URBAN DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE will meet next on
January 15, 1985 at 7:30 p.m. in the Conference Room of the Planning Division.
Holiday and New Year wishes were exchanged. A Happy Birthday for December 25
was extended to Charles Mitchner. A special thank you was expressed to Don
Hanna for the Christmas Cards he created.
Adjournment:
The regular December 17, 1985 meeting of the Lansing Planning Board adjourned
at 8:15 p.m.
C?nsinq ctfully s bmi/tted,
N. Fo lds, Director
Planning Division
WC