Planning Commission Minutes

CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF BLOOMFIELD
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
Monday, November 21, 2005
Bloomfield Township Hall

I. ATTENDANCE:

PRESENT: Mintz, Salz, Stefanes, Swoboda, Reisinger, Goldberg

ABSENT: None

Staff Present: Patricia McCullough, Planning and Building Director, Leo Chartier, Fire Chief, Leslie Helwig, Director of Communications, Wayne Domine, Director of Engineering, and Robin Carley, Development Coordinator

Mr. Dave Payne, Township Supervisor, was present.

II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

Motion was made and unanimously supported approving the Planning Commission minutes of November 5, 2005, as written.

III. MASTER PLAN UPDATE / PRESENTATION FROM CANDIDATES:

A. 7:00 P.M - LSL Planning, Inc.

Mr. Bradley Strader, Managing Partner with LSL, Mr. Tom Dabareiner, Project Manager with LSL, and Mr. Stephen Metzer, Planning and Ecological Services Manager with DLZ, presented their proposal to prepare the Township’s Master Land Use Plan. The LSL team reviewed their written submittal as provided to the Planning Department and to the Planning Commissioners. Their presentation included their experience in preparing Master Plans for numerous communities, including their work in the City of Bloomfield Hills. They highlighted their approach to updating the Master Plan, which included the scope of the project, the project schedule and time frames, and public involvement. They also noted that their proposal included the firm of DLZ, Inc. to provide natural features, environmental, wetland, and tree preservation expertise.

The Planning Commissioners asked several questions to the applicants, including the extent of public involvement, how the process would be implemented, and the experience of the staff.

B. 7:45 P.M. - Hamilton Anderson Associates, Inc.

Mr. Jeff Mason, Site Studio Leader with Hamilton Anderson, Mr. Dave Scurto, Project Manager with Hamilton Anderson, Ms. Kristen Keery, Intern Planner with Hamilton Anderson, and Ms. Dianne Martin, Director of Resource Assessment and Management with ASTI Environmental presented their proposal for the Township’s Master Plan project. The Hamilton Anderson team reviewed their written submittal as provided to the Planning Department and to the Commissioners. They highlighted previous project references and resumes and the Township’s proposed scope of work, the project schedule, and public involvement. They noted that ASTI Environmental would be included in the proposal to provide environmental and ecological assessments.

The Commissioners asked several questions of the team which included the firm’s knowledge and familiarity with specific issues facing the Township. The Commissioners also questioned the degree of public involvement.

C. 8:30 P.M. - McKenna Associates, Inc.

Mr. John Jackson, Project Manager with McKenna Associates, and Ms. Amy Berry, Project Ecologist with Niswander Environmental, presented their proposal to prepare the Township’s Master Land Use Plan. They reviewed their written submittal as provided to the Planning Department and to the Commissioners. They highlighted the firm’s experience and project references and the proposed scope of services, project schedule, and public involvement, including "meetings in a box". Mr. Jackson noted that Niswander Environmental was included in the proposal to provide natural features and environmental expertise.

The Commissioners asked several questions, including the proposed time frame and the concept of "meetings in a box". They also questioned the firm’s knowledge of local issues specific to the Township.

The interview portion of the meeting was concluded.

Ms. McCullough highlighted the process as conducted by the Township’s staff, including the evaluation team represented by the Department Heads present at the meeting, along with Ms. Gayle Sadler, Director of Information Technology, who was unable to attend the Commission meeting due to a previous commitment.

Mr. Mintz asked for questions or comments from each of the Commissioners regarding the candidates’ proposals.

Dr. Goldberg commented that his preference was LSL Planning, with McKenna Associates being his second choice. He noted the considerable cost difference between the two firms, with McKenna Associates being approximately $50,000.00 more. Dr. Goldberg commented on the longer time frame proposed with McKenna Associates and that he was not as concerned with the time frame as with the quality of the product.

Ms. Stefanes stated that her first choice was McKenna Associates, noting that she preferred the GIS mapping and environmental services offered by their consulting firm of Niswander. She also felt confident with McKenna’s grasp of local Township issues, including the Woodward Avenue and Telegraph Road corridors. Ms. Stefanes noted that her second choice was LSL Planning.

Mr. Swoboda noted the cost difference between McKenna Associates and LSL Planning, however, he stated that his preference was McKenna Associates. He felt that any future ramifications to the Township, due to the Master Plan update, was worth the more costly investment. Mr. Swoboda stated that the representatives from both McKenna Associates and their consulting firm of Niswander were very personable and would be a benefit to the Township, especially with the public’s involvement in the updating process.

Mr. Salz stated that his preference was LSL Planning with his second choice being McKenna Associates. He felt that LSL provided for more public involvement and started with the public’s input earlier in the updating process. He commented that due to LSL being a local company, with the President living in the area, the company understood the issues unique to Bloomfield Township. Mr. Salz also noted the cost difference between LSL Planning and McKenna Associates.

Ms. Reisinger stated that her preference was LSL Planning with her second choice being McKenna Associates. She noted that LSL Planning was a local company, had provided services to the City of Bloomfield Hills, and had a better grasp of local issues, including the proposed Bloomfield Park. Ms. Reisinger stated that the Township should be sensitive to the cost difference between the two firms, especially in the current economic climate. She felt that LSL Planning would be able to provide a quality project for a lesser fee.

Mr. Mintz stated that he graded each firm independently, based on their submittals and their presentations, with the highest number of points being his preferred choice. McKenna Associates obtained 16 points, LSL Planning received 13 points, and Hamilton Anderson scored the lowest with 9 points. He noted that he was sensitive to the cost differences between the firms, however, he felt that McKenna Associates would provide the superior quality project.

Mr. Mintz stated that the Township Board of Trustees would receive the comments from the Planning Commissioners and would determine the amount of fees that could be allotted to the Master Plan Update process.

IV. GENERAL BUSINESS:

The next Planning Commission was scheduled for Monday, December 5, 2005.

The Planning Commission Meeting of November 21, 2005 was adjourned at 9:50 P.M. P.M.

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