Planning Commission Minutes

CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF BLOOMFIELD
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
Monday, June 19, 2006
Bloomfield Township Hall

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

ABSENT: None

Staff Present: Patricia McCullough, Planning and Building Director, Robin Carley, Development Coordinator, and Chris Gruba, Assistant Planner

Dave Payne, Township Supervisor, and Jan Roncelli, Township Clerk were present in the audience, along with Corinne Khederian, Board of Appeals Chairperson and Brian Henry, Board of Appeals Member. Several Township Department Heads were also present.

The Planning Commission minutes of May 15, 2006 were accepted as written.

Mr. Tom Dabareiner, Principal Planner of LSL Planning, welcomed everyone to the Master Plan meeting regarding business and economic issues within the Township. He introduced Sharon Hood, also of LSL Planning.

Mr. Dabareiner reviewed the agendas and findings of the previous Master Plan meetings to date and the proposed issues to yet be addressed. He emphasized that the public forums were to address Township wide issues and not personal / specific issues to individuals’ sites. He also commented on the strict regulations and limits placed on the Master Plan process through State laws and procedures. The draft vision statement was once again reviewed.

Mr. Dabareiner proceeded with the PowerPoint presentation, which was provided to the Commissioners and submitted to the file. The demographic and economic conditions within the Township that were presented in the PowerPoint included:

Mr. Salz asked for questions or comments from the Commissioners.

Mr. Mintz commented on the limited commercial property within the Township and the retail competition from other communities. He felt that the Township should focus on protecting and improving the commercial areas of the Township.

Dr. Goldberg stated that he thought the Township should focus on the redevelopment of the areas along Telegraph Road, specifically north of Square Lake Road, possibly incorporating mixed-use developments. He also noted the need to attract a younger population to the Township and the need to maintain the excellence of the Bloomfield and Birmingham school districts.

Mr. Salz opened the meeting to public comment.

Mr. Evan Mountain, owner of the Fred Astaire Dance Studio, appreciated the demographic information provided, noting the reasons he selected this community for the location of his business. He commented on the type of clients that frequented his Studio had and that his location on Telegraph Road provided easy access. He stated that he did not feel the Township was in need of any drastic changes, however, should focus on maintaining the excellence it had already achieved.

Mr. H. Wallace Parker, attorney, resident and owner of an office building along Woodward Avenue, commented on the excellent services that he has received while living and working within the Township. He stated that he would not like to see any drastic changes within the business or residential communities of the Township, however he did comment on the need for more upscale restaurants within the Township.

Ms. Heather Karmona, Director of the Woodward Avenue Action Association, commented on a study performed by planning students at Wayne State University. Their focus was on areas along Woodward Avenue, especially the Square Lake Road and Woodward Avenue intersection, and proceeding north towards the City of Pontiac. She commented on pedestrian access along Woodward Avenue, beautification of the right-of-way, and enhanced identification. Ms. Karmona requested that the study performed by the students be shared with the Commissioners. Ms. McCullough noted that she would provide the information to the Commissioners.

Mr. Rich Atto, resident of Foxcroft Subdivision and business owner within the Township, commented on the need for increased retail services within the Township. He also noted the importance of business signage for identification purposes. Mr. Atto also commended the Township’s willingness to amend the zoning ordinance to allow for recreational uses within the Research Park district along Franklin Road, north of Square Lake Road.

Ms. Karen Anderson, resident on Brookside Drive, commented that she would not like to see the Township make any drastic changes.

Mr. Paul Pluhongian, commented on the number of commercial vacancies in the City of Birmingham, and did not wish to see that happen in the Township. He also commented on the need to increase the attendance and services of the Township Library, including increased senior services.

Mr. Brian Henry, resident of the Township, member of the Zoning Board of Appeals, and member of the Birmingham / Bloomfield Chamber applauded the efforts of the Township’s current Administration and Planning Department. He commented on several issues, including extending the sidewalk / safety paths within the Township. He noted that the most vibrant communities are "walkable" mixed-use communities. Mr. Henry commented on the number of sports courts being proposed within the residential community and also noted the recent parking variances approved by the Board of Appeals for commercial properties and the need to possibly amend the current parking ordinance.

Mr. Mark Armstrong, owner of Comforcare Senior Services, commented on the need to bring young families back into the Township to support the housing market values. He also commented on the possibility of creating a business environment to attract more outsiders to come into the Township to spend time and money.

There were no additional public comments and Mr. Salz closed the public comment portion of the meeting.

Mr. Salz asked for further questions or comments from the Commissioners.

Ms. Stefanes commented on some of the high-end businesses that only remained for a brief time within the Township and questioned why they left. She also stressed the importance for business signage.

Ms. Reisinger commented on the need for signage to identify the Township’s boundaries.

Mr. Mintz commented on the possibility of creating an enterprise zone to attract high end / up-scale businesses and restaurants.

Dr. Goldberg commented on the possibility of redevelopment zones within the Township, especially the Telegraph Road corridor, north of Square Lake Road.

Mr. Salz stated that he felt there was excellent access to the Township, noting the easy availability to northbound and southbound I-75, Woodward Avenue, and Telegraph Road. He also commented on the need to provide incentives to business owners to invest in the Township and also noted the importance of business signage.

Mr. Mintz commented on the Township’s existing Design Review Board, which currently reviewed all commercial signage, based on the current sign ordinance.

Mr. Stark commented on the need for a comprehensive plan, including addressing what current ordinances should be addressed and possibly amended, to achieve the goals of the proposed Master Plan.

Mr. Payne thanked all in attendance at the meeting. He commented on the importance of the business community within the Township, especially noting the need for additional restaurants. He noted the challenges within the business districts, including the Telegraph Road corridor, north of Square Lake. He also commented on the importance of business signage, however, did note the Township’s character should be maintained.

Mr. Dabareiner thanked all in attendance for their valuable input into the Master Plan Update process and noted that the next Master Plan Update was scheduled for Monday, July 17, 2006, for review of the previous outreach meetings and to start addressing firm goals and objectives of the Master Plan.

No additional items were discussed.

The Planning Commission Meeting of Monday, July 3, 2006 was cancelled due to the Holiday weekend. The next Planning Commission Meeting was tentatively scheduled for Monday, July 17, 2006.

The Planning Commission Meeting of Monday, June 19, 2006 was adjourned at 8:40 P.M.

Home  |  Government  |  Services  |  Community  |  Current Events  |  Resources
Contact Us  |  E-mail List  |  Forms

Still can't find what you're looking for?
Use our comprehensive Search or Site Map pages!

Charter Township of Bloomfield
4200 Telegraph Road
P.O. Box 489
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48303-0489
248.433.7700

Click here to report website technical issues.

Need to contact the webmaster?  Click here.

This site is best viewed in Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher and Netscape 6.0 or higher.

Having trouble accessing our site forms? Your browser may not have the Acrobat Reader plug-in that is required.  Click here to download a free copy of this software.

Site Design/Development by

Proudly serving our community online since 1999.
Named #1 Township Website in Michigan by Cyber-state.org

Site Use Policy

All information © 2008 Bloomfield Township, Michigan