Planning Commission Minutes

CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF BLOOMFIELD
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
Monday, December 18, 2006
Bloomfield Township Hall

PRESENT: Salz, Stefanes, Reisinger, Stark

ABSENT: Goldberg, Mintz, Swoboda

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

Mr. Dave Payne, Township Supervisor, was present in the audience.

The Planning Commission minutes of November 8, 2006 were accepted as submitted.

Ms. McCullough introduced the initiation of a comprehensive study of the Township’s parking requirements, with the first phase to address commercial applications. The PowerPoint presentation included an evaluation of the ordinance amendment with consideration of the following:

The Commissioners discussed the current ordinance and the need to relax some of the outdated regulations to allow for less parking required for certain uses, which could in turn allow for more green space.

Several of the topics that were discussed included:

Ms. McCullough highlighted the charts that were provided to the Commissioners and the sample site plan of the recently constructed Fifth Third Bank at 6801 Telegraph Road, south of Maple Road. She also noted how revisions of the parking requirements could possibly affect setbacks and landscaping, and also the size of buildings.

Mr. Gruba further reviewed the charts, noting that the Township required more parking for bank facilities than any of the surrounding communities included in the sample study. Similar sized buildings within other communities typically required less parking, with an increase in the landscaping requirements. It was noted that the City of Auburn Hills also required that 20 % of the site must be landscaped.

Ms. McCullough noted that the City of Troy had a requirement for a number of stacking spaces for the drive-through facilities, and required a significantly lower number of parking spaces for walk-in customers, suggesting that a credit for a drive-through facility was built into the parking ordinance requirements.

The Commission discussed the length of stay and turnover rate of certain businesses and if the flow-rate through the parking lot should be taken into consideration in determining parking requirements.

The Fifth Third Bank site at 6801 Telegraph Road was used as an example showing the number of spaces that other municipalities would require for an identical site within their community. It was noted that the City of Troy’s parking ordinance would require 17 less parking spaces and more green space.

Mr. Salz commented that perhaps the national average for parking requirements should be used, with the requirements being very specific to the use of the building.

Ms. McCullough noted that the Institute of Traffic Engineers Manual was an excellent reference source, however, she was not in favor of adopting their requirements across the board. She commented that an average or combination of the parking standards of several sample communities could be incorporated into the development of a new ordinance.

Mr. Gruba also reviewed the landscaping requirements of several sample communities, as compared to the Township’s requirements.

Ms. McCullough commented on the requirements of West Bloomfield, which included a certain number of trees per the number of parking spaces, in addition to a certain number of trees based on the lineal feet of road frontage of the site.

The Commission discussed the need to identify specific requirements for types of trees and minimum sizes / calipers of trees.

Ms. McCullough noted that landscaping provides visual appeal to a site, along with value to the property. She also noted that due to diseases that could eliminate certain species of trees, a requirement for a variety of trees was prudent.

Ms. McCullough commented on the difficulties of the Township’s current parking requirements which are based on net square footage / usable floor area, thereby requiring detailed floor plans and calculations. She noted that most communities use a gross square footage for their calculations, based on use.

Mr. Payne commented on the need to expedite the process to amend the parking requirements, due to the difficulty of business / shopping center owners in leasing spaces because of the strict parking requirements. However, he did note that the Commission must take a thoughtful and methodical approach in amending the ordinance, by developing language and requirements that would be enforceable and also defensible in Court.

Ms. McCullough stated that this item would return to the Commission next month, possibly with sample language for discussion by the Commissioners.

The Planning Commission meeting scheduled for Monday, January 1, 2007, was cancelled due to the observance of New Years Day.

The Planning Commission Meeting of Wednesday, December 18, 2006 was adjourned at 8:40 P.M.

rc

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