City Council Minutes

Mayor Pro Tem Ayers called the meeting to order with the Pledge of Allegiance at 7:30 p.m. in the Northville City Hall Council Chambers, 215 West Main Street, Northville, Michigan.

Present: Mayor Pro Tem Carolann Ayers, Councilmembers Kevin Hartshorne, Jerome Mittman, and Thomas Swigart. Mayor Christopher Johnson arrived at 8:00 p.m.

Absent: None.

It was noted that Mayor Johnson was at Silver Springs Elementary School presenting a proclamation recognizing National School Board Recognition Month and would be late.

Russell Welch, 514 W. Cady St., expressed concern with the recent newspaper article relative to two Northville schools and their proximity to a potential toxic waste site. It was explained that the site in question was the General Oil site, which is located to the east of the old Ford Plant. The City continues to work with the DEQ and General Oil, and at this time, the site is not considered a hazard to the local population.

The Mayor Pro Tem recognized the members of Boy Scout Troop #755 and Scout Master Walter Juterbock present at the meeting this evening.

Item 4E / Boards and Commission Appointments: The reappointment of Walter Coponen to the Historic District Commission was removed from the Consent Agenda as he does not wish to be reappointed.

Motion Hartshorne, seconded by Swigart to approve the agenda and consent agenda as amended. Consent agenda as follows:

Approve City Council Minutes:

Regular Meeting of January 7, 2002

Approve Bills List: Checks #25045 - #25260

#25261 - #25300

Receive Board and Commission Minutes:

Housing Commission: 12/12/01

Youth Assistance: 12/11/01

Receive Departmental Reports:

Fire Department: 11/01

Youth Assistance: 12/01

Arts Commission: Kathleen O’Brien (appointment)

Judy Franulic (appointment)

Board of Review: Mark Ernst (reappointment)

Economic Development Corporation: Dr. William Demray (reappointment)

Historic District: Tom Holleman (reappointment)

Juliet Culp (reappointment)

Parks and Recreation: Linda Dzwigalski (appointment)

Proclamation: Grand Seniors Birthday Celebration

Records Retention and Disposal Schedule Amendment

School Tax Collection

The City of Northville is expected to receive $65,000 from the Wayne County Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program for FY 2002. Recommended uses for the FY 2002 Wayne County CDBG funds are:

Public Services / Senior Transportation $ 9,750

Senior Center Renovation $42,250

Program Administration $ 6,500

Planning / City Wide Planning Projects $ 6,500

Ron Bodnar, 342 E. Main St., questioned which building would be renovated for the Senior Citizens. It was explained that the Community Center is currently being used for general recreation and senior activities. Funds are being allocated to begin renovation to this building for future use as a Senior Center.

Council Comments / Discussion: A question was raised on the proposed uses for the $6,500 allocation to Planning / City Wide Planning Project. The Parks and Recreation Director explained that specific uses would be identified when the fiscal year begins. While the funds may be reallocated at a later date, they must be expended by December 2003.

Motion Mittman, seconded by Hartshorne to allocate the FY 2002 Wayne County Community Development Block Grant funds as proposed. Motion carried unanimously.

The City received a request from Victoria Stephens for permission to hold the Girl Scout Northville Historical Walk on Saturday, March 16, 2002 between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. This event is a walk to provide an opportunity for area Girl Scouts to learn about the history of Northville and to obtain donations for Civic Concern. Information and presentation booths will be placed along the route at Mill Race Village, Main and Center, City Hall, Old Village School and Oakwood Cemetery. Groups from various Troops will arrive over a staggered period of time during the event. As they will observe traffic regulations applicable to pedestrians, street closings and traffic control are not required.

Motion Swigart, seconded by Hartshorne to approve the request to hold the Girl Scout Northville Historical Walk on Saturday, March 16, 2002 between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. and authorize the placement of tables or booths on City property and the placement of temporary direction signs as requested. Motion carried unanimously.

At its regular meeting on January 7, 2002, City Council introduced for first reading an ordinance permitting the restricted placement of real estate open house signs on private property. The proposed ordinance amendment would incorporate temporary real estate open house signs into the City’s sign ordinance, by allowing up to two portable real estate open house signs, not greater than six square feet, to be placed on private property only and with the permission of the property owner.

Motion Mittman, seconded by Swigart to waive second reading and adopt an amendment to the City’s Zoning Ordinance for the purpose of establishing new regulations for real estate signs, effective in ten days upon publication, (February 1, 2002). Motion carried unanimously.

For the past three years, Cambridge Development Company has worked to develop a portion of south Cady Street into a mixed-use development complex called Cambridge Place. The proposed development is being reviewed under the City’s Planned Unit Development (PUD) Ordinance and has received preliminary and final approval and recommendation from the Planning Commission, preliminary approval from the Historic District Commission, and preliminary approval from the City Council. The development is proposed to be five stories in height, with three stories of owner-occupied residential, two stories of office/commercial space, and will offer public amenities including a public plaza, water fountain, and pedestrian linkage to the Central Business District.

At its regular meeting on December 17, 2001, the City Council held a public hearing on the proposed project and PUD in accordance with the City’s PUD Ordinance. Following public comment and deliberations by the City Council, no action was taken. The City Manager indicated that the PUD Ordinance would be placed on the January 22, 2002 City Council agenda.

Cambridge Development Representatives Mark Guidobono and Gregory Presley addressed the City Council and expressed their appreciation to the City Council and City staff for the time and effort expended on this project. They offered a brief project overview, which focused on the project’s background, building modifications, public amenities, underground parking, building location, the future development of Cady Street, the building’s superior architecture, and the many benefits the project offers to the community. Mr. Guidobono concluded by stating that Cambridge Place is an asset to Northville and requested City Council support.

Jeffrey Lane, 46931 Elmsmere, supported enhancing the downtown through a local developer, who will offer local flavor as opposed to a national chain.

Mary Ware, 249 Hutton, stated she supported the project.

Laurie Marrs, Northville Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, noted that change is difficult; however, this is the right project for Northville. She asked that City Council take action tonight.

Mary Poole, 320 Fairbrook, stated this is a quality building and developer, who is dedicated to the community. She asked that City Council support this project.

Jim DeHaan, 652 East Street, (DDA Board Member), noted that the DDA and Planning Commission, which are advisory boards to the City Council, have recommended project approval.

Mark Merucci, 503 Randolph, noted that this was a wonderful project that will provide a tax benefit to the community.

Daniel Smith, 960 MacDonald, expressed his support stating that Cambridge Place is a quality project. He noted that the developer has listened to the various boards, commissions, and the City Council, and has made project changes that benefit the community and insure a quality project.

Mark Cryderman, 206 W. Dunlap St. (Historic District Commissioner), noted that meetings with the developer have been positive and felt that this is a quality project likely to receive national recognition.

Anne Smith, 661 W. Main St., (Planning Commissioner), supported the project, stating that it will benefit the entire community.

Lori Ward, DDA Executive Director, noted that the DDA has been working on this project for about three years and supports this project. The project offers owner-occupied residential housing, underground parking, tax benefits, and public amenities, all which will serve as the standard for future Cady Street development and bring additional spending power to the downtown and the community.

Jim Willis, 346 S. Rogers, stated he supported the project.

Eric Colthurst, Northville Chamber of Commerce, requested that the City Council make a decision this evening.

Demitrios Athansiov, 912 Allen, stated that the project was a great asset to the community.

Council Comments / Discussion: Discussion followed, with comments focusing on the pros and cons of the PUD process and the Request for Proposal and selection process. Additional comments included:

It was stated that the PUD process has produced an impressive building of quality architecture that includes many public amenities to benefit the downtown and the community. Without the PUD process, the City has little opportunity to have a voice in the quality and amenities of a development on Cady Street. Further, the cooperation of Northville Downs in selling land to Cambridge Development sets a new tone for development on Cady Street.

Cambridge Place follows the recommendation of the Gibbs-Green Report in the fact that the project will complement the existing downtown buildings, as well as Main and Center Streets, rather than competing with them. The project sets the standard for future development on Cady Street, offering a unique opportunity for the City by allowing the downtown to expand outward. The addition of owner-occupied residential units provides commitment to the downtown and increases its vibrancy.

Should the Council not support this project, concern was expressed that the developer would build the project in another area downtown (Brighton, South Lyon, Plymouth), which would be a great loss to Northville. It was countered that another project could be found if the Cambridge Place PUD did not receive approval.

It was commented that during the past three years, the project has increased in size to the current proposed five-story building. It was preferred that the building height be reduced by one story so as to not overpower the City. It was countered that while the perception of the building’s height and mass were of some concern, the fact that the building has been moved 10 feet back from the footprint will have a more dramatic effect in reducing this perception as opposed to removing one story.

It was noted that through the sale of parking credits, the proposed project gives the City the tools to correct parking issues in other areas of the downtown.

A comment expressed the feeling that since the project is located in the DDA district, a majority of the tax dollars will go to the DDA, having a negative effect on overall resident taxes. The public services would bear the burden with little tax revenue placed in the general fund to offset the increase in public services.

Concern was expressed that once the PUD is approved, the developer will come back to Council for further extensions, thus delaying the project. It was noted that advance marketing and precommitments for occupancy are needed before construction can commence. Therefore, it is likely that construction will not begin for at least one to two years from approval, requiring the developer to return to the Planning Commission at least once for an extension of the PUD prior to construction.

It was noted that the City Council was elected to represent the residents of the community and has the responsibility to approve or deny the PUD based on the desire of the residents they represent.

Motion Ayers, seconded by Mittman to introduce for first reading an ordinance amending the City’s Zoning Ordinance providing for PUD zoning for the proposed Cambridge Place mixed-use development, with second reading and possible adoption scheduled for Monday, February 4, 2002. Roll Call Vote Yes: Swigart, Mittman, Ayers, Johnson. No: Hartshorne. Motion carried.

Swigart commented on the lot coverage restrictions in the Historic District as referenced in his January 22, 2002 memo to the City Council. Discussion followed relative to the impact on the housing mix within the Historic District, the feeling that lot coverage restrictions are too generous and may be straining the aesthetic limits at their current size, and whether the definition of size under-represents the mass of a structure. Hearing no objection from Council, the Mayor referred this issue back to the Planning Commission for review and a possible ordinance amendment.

Johnson distributed a letter dated December 14, 2001 from the Northville Community Foundation and reminded Council that Goals and Objectives for FY 2002/03 would be on the February 4, 2002 City Council regular meeting agenda. The meeting will start at 6:30 p.m.

Word extended an invitation to the City Council to attend the Grand Senior Birthday Party on Wednesday, January 23, 2002 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

There being no further business to come before Council, the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Dianne Massa

City Clerk