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PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
ACTION SUMMARY
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 9, 2006 7:30 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS - NOVI CIVIC CENTER
45175 W. TEN MILE, NOVI, MI 48375
(248) 347-0475

CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order at or about 7:30 p.m.

ROLL CALL

Present: Members John Avdoulos, Brian Burke, Victor Cassis, Andrew Gutman, David Lipski, Michael Lynch, Michael Meyer, Mark Pehrson, Wayne Wrobel

Also Present: Barbara McBeth, Director of Planning; Tim Schmitt, Planner; Jason Myers, Planner; David Beschke, Landscape Architect; Brian Coburn, Engineer; David Gillam, City Attorney

AGENDA

A discussion regarding the letter received from Mr. Harold A. Larson regarding OST zoning and parcel 50-22-15-126-020 was added to the Agenda under Matters for Discussion.

Motion to approve the Agenda of August 9, 2006 as amended. Motion carried 9-0.

CONSENT AGENDA - REMOVALS AND APPROVAL

1. WESTGATE VI - FACADE, SP06-40

Consideration of the request of Polestar Construction for Section 9 Waiver for façade materials approval. The subject property is located in Section 3 with frontage on both West Park Drive and Pontiac Trail in the RM-1, Low-Density, Low-Rise Multiple-Family Residential District. The subject property is approximately 20.33 acres.

Motion to approve the Consent Agenda. Motion carried 9-0.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

1. DL BIOTECH, SP06-35

Public Hearing on the request of Synergy Group Inc., for Preliminary Site Plan, Special Land Use, Woodland Permit, and Stormwater Management Plan approval. The subject property is located in Section 4, on Peary Court in the Beck North Corporate Park, Phase I, in the I-1, Light Industrial District. The subject property is 1.33 acres and the Applicant is proposing to construct a 12,000 sq. ft. office research building.

In the matter of the request of the Synergy Group Inc. for DL Biotech, SP06-35, motion to approve the Preliminary Site Plan subject to: 1) A Zoning Board of Appeals Variance for front yard parking on a site under two acres in size, given that the Applicant has tried to work inside the boundaries of the Ordinance and the property does provide a hardship relative to that [size requirement]; 2) A Zoning Board of Appeals Variance for lack of a noise analysis, as all uses are within a completely enclosed building and there are no residential buildings that will be impacted; 3) A Planning Commission Finding that front yard parking is compatible with surrounding uses; 4) A Planning Commission Waiver to allow a decorative wall in lieu of a right-of-way berm; 5) Compliance with the Special Land Use [provisions]; and 6) Compliance with all conditions and requirements listed in the Staff and Consultant review letters; for the reason that the plan meets the intent of the Master Plan for Land Use. Motion carried 9-0.

In the matter of the request of the Synergy Group Inc. for DL Biotech, SP06-35, motion to approve the Special Land Use subject to: 1) Compliance with all conditions and requirements listed in the Staff and Consultant review letters; and 2) Under Section 2516.2.c, a Planning Commission Finding that there is no detrimental impact to the existing thoroughfares, it is in compliance with the capabilities of the public services afforded to that site, the building does fit into the natural features and characteristics of the land and it [uses the land in a] socially and economically desirable manner; for the reason that the plan is otherwise in compliance with the Ordinance. Motion carried 9-0.

In the matter of the request of the Synergy Group Inc. for DL Biotech, SP06-35, motion to approve the Woodland Permit subject to compliance with all conditions and requirements listed in the Staff and Consultant review letters; for the reason that the plan meets the intent of the Ordinance. Motion carried 9-0.

In the matter of the request of the Synergy Group Inc. for DL Biotech, SP06-35, motion to approve the Stormwater Management Plan subject to compliance with all conditions and requirements listed in the Staff and Consultant review letters; for the reason that the plan is otherwise in compliance with the Ordinance. Motion carried 9-0.

2. ZONING ORDINANCE TEXT AMENDMENT 18.207

Public Hearing for Planning Commission’s recommendation to City Council for an ordinance to amend Ordinance 97-18, as amended, the City of Novi Zoning Ordinance, to modify parking requirements for retail uses.

In the matter of Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment 18.207, motion to send a positive recommendation to City Council for an Ordinance to amend Ordinance 97-16 as amended, City of Novi Zoning Ordinance, for modification of retail parking requirements. Motion carried 9-0.

3. ZONING ORDINANCE TEXT AMENDMENT 18.208

Public Hearing for Planning Commission’s recommendation to City Council for an ordinance to amend Ordinance 97-18, as amended, the City of Novi Zoning Ordinance, to modify height and area requirements in Article 23A, Planned Office Service Technology District.

In the matter of Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment 18.208, motion to send a positive recommendation to City Council for the OST Ordinance updates as articulated by Member Avdoulos, with the changes he [proposed at the table: 1) Increasing the building height maximum from 112 feet to 115 feet; 2) Striking the building stepback requirement; and 3) Modifying the language in 3.b. from being a waiver to a finding, i.e., "The Planning Commission shall make a finding that the architectural design of the building provides adequate building relief to minimize the mass and height of the building…"] Motion carried 9-0.

MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION

1. FIFTH THIRD BANK, SP06-32

Consideration of the request of Marcos Makohon for Preliminary Site Plan and Stormwater Management Plan approval. The subject property is located in Section 4, on Beck Road south of Pontiac Trail in the B-3, General Business District. The subject property is approximately 1.64 acres and the Applicant is proposing a 4,100 sq. ft., one-story bank branch with four drive-through lanes.

In the matter of Fifth Third Bank – Beck Road, SP06-32, motion to approve the Preliminary Site Plan subject to: 1) A Planning Commission Waiver of the right-of-way berm at the location of the detention basin, noting that the Applicant has worked to create a nicer effect; 2) A Planning Commission Waiver of the 25-foot detention basin buffer requirement; 3) A Planning Commission Same Side Driveway Spacing Waiver for the north access (145 feet proposed, 185 feet required) because the plan provides better alignment to the easterly properties; 4) A Planning Commission Section 9 Façade Waiver for an excess of molded cornice, trim, column surround and wood siding due to the fact that those materials blend in with the architectural character of what is being presented; and 5) All the comments in the Staff and Consultant review letters; for the reason that the plan does meet the intent of the Zoning Ordinance. Motion carried 9-0.

In the matter of Fifth Third Bank – Beck Road, SP06-32, motion to approve the Stormwater Management Plan subject to the comments in the Staff and Consultant review letters; for the reason that the plan does meet the intent of the Stormwater Management Ordinance. Motion carried 9-0.

2. SET A PUBLIC HEARING FOR AUGUST 23, 2006 FOR SIGN ORDINANCE TEXT AMENDMENT 06-100.36, TO UPDATE, CLARIFY, AND PROVIDE NEW SUBSTANTIVE REGULATIONS CONCERNING the PLACEMENT OF SIGNS WITHIN AND THROUGHOUT THE CITY

Motion to set a Public Hearing date of August 23, 2006 to review the proposed Sign Ordinance amendments. Motion carried 9-0.

3. COMMITTEE MEMBER APPOINTMENTS

Administrative Liaison Committee: John Avdoulos, Victor Cassis, Mark Pehrson

Planning Studies and Budget Committee: Brian Burke, Andy Gutman, David Lipski, Mark Pehrson

Capital Improvement Committee: Andy Gutman, Mike Lynch, Brian Burke (alternate)

Environmental Committee: Brian Burke, Michael Meyer, Wayne Wrobel

Communication and Community Liaison Committee: David Lipski, Michael Meyer, Wayne Wrobel

Implementation Committee: John Avdoulos, Andy Gutman, Michael Meyer, Mark Pehrson

Master Plan and Zoning Committee: John Avdoulos, Victor Cassis, Mike Lynch, Wayne Wrobel, Michael Meyer (alternate)

Rules Committee: John Avdoulos, Andy Gutman, David Lipski

Main Street Committee: Brian Burke, Wayne Wrobel

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at or about 10:35 p.m.

SCHEDULED AND ANTICIPATED MEETINGS

MON 08/14/06 CITY COUNCIL MEETING 7:00 PM

WED 08/23/06 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING 7:30 PM

MON 08/28/06 CITY COUNCIL MEETING 7:00 PM

MON 09/04/06 CITY OFFICES CLOSED

MON 09/11/06 CITY COUNCIL MEETING 7:00 PM

TUE 09/12/06 ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS 7:30 PM

WED 09/13/06 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING 7:30 PM

MON 09/25/06 CITY COUNCIL MEETING 7:00 PM

WED 09/27/06 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING 7:30 PM

TUE 10/03/06 ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS 7:30 PM

MON 10/09/06 CITY COUNCIL MEETING 7:00 PM

WED 10/11/06 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING 7:30 PM