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PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION SUMMARY
CITY OF NOVI
Regular Meeting
Wednesday, October 22, 2008  |  7 PM
Council Chambers | Novi Civic Center |45175 W. Ten Mile
(248) 347-0475

CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order at or about 7:00 PM.

ROLL CALL

Present:  Members Brian Burke, Victor Cassis, David Greco, Andrew Gutman, Brian Larson, Michael Meyer, Mark Pehrson, Wayne Wrobel

Absent: Member Michael Lynch (excused)

Also Present:  Barbara McBeth, Deputy Director of Community Development; Kristen Kapelanski, Planner; David Beschke, Landscape Architect; Lindon Ivezaj, Civil Engineer; Martha Holzheuer, Woodland Consultant; John Freeland, Wetland Consultant; Doug Necci, Façade Consultant; Steve Dearing, Traffic Consultant; Kristin Kolb, City Attorney

CONSENT AGENDA - REMOVALS AND APPROVAL

1. CASA LOMA, SP05-12

Consideration of the request of Interphase Land Development, LLC, for two one-year Preliminary Site Plan extensions. The subject property is located in Section 32, west of Beck Road, between Eight Mile and Nine Mile, in the R-A, Residential Acreage District. The subject property is approximately 14.91 acres and the Applicant is proposing to remove an existing home and accessory buildings to construct a ten-lot site condominium for single family residential dwellings.

Motion to approve the Consent Agenda. Motion carried 8-0.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

1. Basilian fathers residence WETLAND PERMIT, SP07-59B

Public Hearing of the request of Basilian Fathers of Milford, Michigan, for Wetland Permit approval. The subject property is located in Section 16, at the northwest corner of Taft Road and Eleven Mile, in the RM-1, Low-Density, Low-Rise Multiple-family Residential District with a Planned Rezoning Overlay. The subject property is approximately 4.15 acres and the Applicant is proposing the development of a residence for 14 Basilian priests.

In the matter of Basilian Fathers, SP07-59B, motion to approve the Wetland Permit subject to the comments and conditions listed in the wetland review letter being addressed on the Wetland Permit; for the reason that the plan is in compliance with Chapter 12 of the Code of Ordinances and all other applicable provisions of the Ordinance. Motion carried 8-0.

MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION

1. SRI VENKATESWARA TEMPLE AND CULTURAL CENTER, SP08-08A

Consideration of the request of Manyam Group, LLC, for Preliminary Site Plan, Special Land Use, Wetland Permit, Woodland Permit and Storm Water Management Plan approval. The subject property is located in Section 16, west of Taft Road between Grand River Avenue and Eleven Mile Road, in the RA, Residential Acreage District. The subject property is approximately 10.11 acres and the Applicant is proposing a three-phase project: Temporary Temple/Priest Residence, Temple, and Cultural Center.

In the matter of the request of Sri Venkateswara Temple Phases 1, 2, and 3, SP08-08B, motion to approve the Special Land Use Permit subject to: 1) A Planning Commission Finding per Section 2516.2.c of the Zoning Ordinance for the Special Land Use Permit that, whether relative to other feasible uses of the site, the proposed use: a) Will not cause any detrimental impact on existing thoroughfares; b) Will not cause any detrimental impact on the capabilities of public services and facilities; c) Is compatible with the natural features and characteristics of the land; d) Is compatible with adjacent uses of land in terms of location, size, character, and impact on adjacent property or the surrounding neighborhood; e) Is consistent with the goals, objectives and recommendations of the City’s Master Plan for Land Use; f) Will promote the use of land in a socially and economically desirable manner; is (1) listed among the provision of uses requiring Special Land Use review as set forth in the various zoning districts of this Ordinance, and (2) is in harmony with the purposes and conforms to the applicable site design regulations of the zoning district in which it is located; 2) Planning Commission approval of the required Noise Impact Statement since there are no outdoor activities or external loudspeakers proposed on the site; 3) As a condition of Special Land Use Approval, the Planning Commission makes a Finding regarding the representation by the Applicant that major events at the Temple will not occur at the same time, with the Finding that the parking for the more intense use (Temple) would be required to be provided on site, with a favorable recommendation to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a variance of 34 parking spaces (308 spaces required, 274 spaces proposed). The Applicant is asked to verify the statement that the Cultural Center will not be used when major events at the Temple are taking place and if this is the case, this statement will be made a condition of Special Land Use Approval and enforceable on the property in the future; and 4) Compliance with all conditions and requirements listed in the Staff and Consultant review letters; for the reasons that the request is otherwise in compliance with Article 3, Article 4, Section 2400, Article 25 and all other applicable provisions of the Zoning Ordinance. Motion carried 6-2 (Yes: Burke, Greco, Gutman, Larson, Meyer, Wrobel; No: Cassis, Pehrson).

In the matter of Sri Venkateswara Temple Phases 1, 2, and 3, SP08-08B, motion to approve the Preliminary Site Plan and Phasing Plan subject to: 1) The Applicant requesting height Variances from the Zoning Board of Appeals for the following seven decorative elements on the proposed Temple building that exceed the 35’ maximum height standard of Section 2400 of the Zoning Ordinance, but which may be permitted by the Zoning Board of Appeals to be a specific height limit, per Section 2903 of the Zoning Ordinance: a) The Maha Rajagopuram in front of the building entrance that is 37’4.5" in height; b) A decorative element at the front of the building that is 36.5’ in height; c) A second decorative element at the front of the building that is 40.5’ in height; d) Two identical decorative ornaments near the rear of the building that are 50’ in height each; e) The brass pole in the courtyard that is 55’1" in height; and f) The tower at the rear of the building that is 55’1" in height; 2) A redesign of the mechanical units and related screening on the Temple roof to meet the Zoning Ordinance standard or the Applicant requesting a Zoning Board of Appeals Variance from Section 2503.2.E.(2) of the Zoning Ordinance, which states that rooftop appurtenances shall not exceed the maximum height standard. The mechanical screening structure on the Temple building is proposed to be 42’ in height, and, per Section 2400 of the Zoning Ordinance, the height standard for the Residential Acreage district is 35’; 3) A relocation of the proposed dumpster to meet the Zoning Ordinance standard or the Applicant requesting a Zoning Board of Appeals Variance from Section 2503.2.F.1 of the Zoning Ordinance, which states that dumpsters are to be located in the rear yard. 4) A Planning Commission Waiver from the landscaped berm standard of Section 2509.3.a of the Zoning Ordinance for landscaped berms along the western, northern and southern lot lines, as a berm would significantly compromise native vegetation, slopes and/or wetlands; 5) The Applicant extending the water main along Taft Road to Grand River Avenue in order to loop the system, per the Engineering Review dated September 12, 2008 and as identified in the Applicant’s response letter dated October 5, 2008; 6) Two Section 9 Waivers for the Temple building to permit the use of pre-glazed block, contingent upon an exact match with the sample board, and to permit the use of glass fiber reinforced concrete, as both Waivers are discussed in the Façade Consultant’s Review dated October 13, 2008; 7) The Applicant providing brick on the background wall areas of the Temple building to be in compliance with the standard of Section 2520 of the Zoning Ordinance, as recommended by the Façade Consultant in his review dated September 9, 2008; 8) The conditions and items listed in the Staff and Consultant review letters being addressed on the plans prior to Stamping Sets; 9) A Planning Commission Waiver for landscaped berms along Taft Road; and 10) A Section 9 Waiver for less than 30% brick on all facades of the building; for the reasons that the plan is otherwise in compliance with Article 3, Article 4, Section 2400, and Article 25 of the Zoning Ordinance and all other applicable provisions of the Zoning Ordinance. Motion failed 4-4 (Yes: Burke, Greco, Gutman, Meyer; No: Cassis, Larson, Pehrson, Wrobel).

In the matter of Sri Venkateswara Temple Phases 1, 2, and 3, SP08-08B, motion to approve the Preliminary Site Plan and Phasing Plan subject to: 1) The Applicant requesting height Variances from the Zoning Board of Appeals for the following seven decorative elements on the proposed Temple building that exceed the 35’ maximum height standard of Section 2400 of the Zoning Ordinance, but which may be permitted by the Zoning Board of Appeals to be a specific height limit, per Section 2903 of the Zoning Ordinance: a) The Maha Rajagopuram in front of the building entrance that is 37’4.5" in height; b) A decorative element at the front of the building that is 36.5’ in height; c) A second decorative element at the front of the building that is 40.5’ in height; d) Two identical decorative ornaments near the rear of the building that are 50’ in height each; e) The brass pole in the courtyard that is 55’1" in height; and f) The tower at the rear of the building that is 55’1" in height; 2) A Redesign of the mechanical units and related screening on the Temple roof to meet the Zoning Ordinance standard or the Applicant requesting a Zoning Board of Appeals Variance from Section 2503.2.E.(2) of the Zoning Ordinance, which states that rooftop appurtenances shall not exceed the maximum height standard. The mechanical screening structure on the Temple building is proposed to be 42’ in height, and, per Section 2400 of the Zoning Ordinance, the height standard for the Residential Acreage district is 35’; 3) A relocation of the proposed dumpster to meet the Zoning Ordinance standard or the Applicant requesting a Zoning Board of Appeals Variance from Section 2503.2.F.1 of the Zoning Ordinance, which states that dumpsters are to be located in the rear yard. 4) A Planning Commission Waiver from the landscaped berm standard of Section 2509.3.a of the Zoning Ordinance for landscaped berms along the western, northern and southern lot lines, as a berm would significantly compromise native vegetation, slopes and/or wetlands; 5) The Applicant extending the water main along Taft Road to Grand River Avenue in order to loop the system, per the Engineering Review dated September 12, 2008 and as identified in the Applicant’s response letter dated October 5, 2008; 6) Two Section 9 Waivers for the Temple building to permit the use of pre-glazed block, contingent upon an exact match with the sample board, and to permit the use of glass fiber reinforced concrete, as both Waivers are discussed in the Façade Consultant’s Review dated October 13, 2008; 7) The Applicant providing brick on the background wall areas of the Temple building to be in compliance with the standard of Section 2520 of the Zoning Ordinance, as recommended by the Façade Consultant in his review dated September 9, 2008; 8) The conditions and items listed in the Staff and Consultant review letters being addressed on the plans prior to Stamping Sets; 9) A Planning Commission Waiver for landscaped berms along Taft Road; 10) A Section 9 Waiver for less than 30% brick on all facades of the building; and 11) The Applicant installing "No Parking" signs along Taft Road from Grand River to Eleven Mile and "No Blocking the Driveways" signs along Taft Road to the extent that this will be permitted following the appropriate departmental reviews; for the reasons that the plan is otherwise in compliance with Article 3, Article 4, Section 2400, and Article 25 of the Zoning Ordinance and all other applicable provisions of the Zoning Ordinance. Motion carried 6-2 (Yes: Burke, Greco, Gutman, Meyer, Pehrson, Wrobel; No: Cassis, Larson).

In the matter of Sri Venkateswara Temple Phases 1, 2, and 3, SP08-08B, motion to approve the Wetland Permit subject to the conditions and items listed in the Staff and Consultant review letters being addressed on the Final Site Plan; for the reasons that the plan is in compliance with Chapter 12 of the Code of Ordinances and all other applicable provisions of the Ordinance. Motion carried 8-0.

In the matter of Sri Venkateswara Temple Phases 1, 2, and 3, SP08-08B, motion to approve the Woodland Permit subject to: 1) The conditions and items listed in the Staff and Consultant review letters being addressed on the Final Site Plan; and 2)The Applicant providing a Conservation Easement, as offered by the Applicant and reviewed and approved by the City and its Consultants; for the reasons that the plan is in compliance with Chapter 37 of the Code of Ordinances and all other applicable provisions of the Ordinance. Motion carried 8-0.

In the matter of Sri Venkateswara Temple Phases 1, 2, and 3, SP08-08B, motion to approve the Stormwater Management Plan subject to the conditions and items listed in the Staff and Consultant review letters being addressed on the Final Site Plan; for the reasons that the plan is otherwise in compliance with Chapter 11 of the Code of Ordinances and all other applicable provisions of the Ordinance. Motion carried 8-0.

2. APPROVAL OF THE SEPTEMBER 24, 2008 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES

Motion to approve the September 24, 2008 Planning Commission minutes. Motion carried 8-0.

3. APPROVAL OF THE OCTOBER 8, 2008 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES

Motion to approve the October 8, 2008 Planning Commission minutes. Motion carried 8-0.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 10:21 PM.

SCHEDULED AND ANTICIPATED MEETINGS

WED 11/05/08 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING 7:00 PM

MON 11/10/08 CITY COUNCIL MEETING 7:00 PM

TUE 11/11/08 CITY OFFICES CLOSED

WED 11/12/08 ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS 7:00 PM

WED 11/19/08 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING 7:00 PM

MON 11/24/08 CITY COUNCIL MEETING 7:00 PM

THU/FRI 11/27&11/28 CITY OFFICES CLOSED

MON 12/01/08 CITY COUNCIL MEETING 7:00 PM

WED 12/10/08 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING 7:00 PM

MON 12/15/08 CITY COUNCIL MEETING 7:00 PM