Planning Commission Minutes
CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF BLOOMFIELD
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Bloomfield Township Hall
I. ATTENDANCE:
PRESENT: Salz, Goldberg, Stefanes, Mintz, Swoboda,
Reisinger, Stark
ABSENT:
Staff Present: Patricia McCullough, Planning and
Building Director, Christopher Gruba, Assistant Planner, and
Robin Carley, Development Coordinator
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Motion was made Mintz and was unanimously supported to
approve the Planning Commission minutes of March 19, 2007 as
submitted.
YEAS: Salz, Goldberg, Stefanes, Mintz, Swoboda, Reisinger,
Stark
NAYS: None
III. DISCUSSION ITEMS:
A. Parking Requirements – Proposed Parking Study –
Restaurants
Ms. McCullough introduced to the Commission the most recent
efforts relating to the parking study specific to parking
requirements for restaurant uses. She introduced Chris Gruba
who reviewed the information that was provided to the
Commissioners and submitted to the file.
A powerpoint presentation highlighted the current parking
requirements for Bloomfield Township with comparisons made
using the parking requirements of Farmington Hills, West
Bloomfield, and Novi. The two restaurant sites used as
examples within Bloomfield Township were the Burger King site,
a fast food restaurant located on Telegraph Road, north of
West Maple Road and the Benningan’s site, a wait-staff
restaurant located on Woodward Avenue, south of Square Lake
Road.
The Benningan’s site was reviewed using the Township’s
current requirements and the ITE (Institute of Traffic
Engineers) recommendation for the number of parking spaces
required for a stand-alone restaurant with wait staff.
Mr. Salz asked for comments or questions from the
Commissioners regarding the Benningan’s site.
Sherry Stefanes questioned the difference between
stand-alone restaurants and restaurants within shopping
centers.
Ms. McCullough commented that shopping center uses would be
handled separately with a different staff review of parking
requirements.
Mr. Salz questioned if the reduction in the required spaces
would devalue the existing stand-alone restaurant sites.
Ms. McCullough used the Benningan’s site as an example,
noting that the site would possibly allow for an additional
development / building on the site, due to the excessive
amount of parking spaces currently on site.
The Burger King site was reviewed using the Township’s
current requirements and the ITE recommendation for the number
of parking spaces required for fast food restaurants with
drive through facilities.
The Commission suggested that the City of Troy’s
requirements also be incorporated into the staff review for
required restaurant parking.
Ms. McCullough further commented on restaurant uses within
shopping centers, including wait-staff restaurants, and
restaurants with more of a "carry-out" style, such as a Panera
Bread or a Starbucks. She noted that the number of restaurant
uses, combined with the types of retail uses, and the hours of
operation within one strip mall or shopping center must be
carefully reviewed.
The Commission noted the differences between reviewing the
parking data using averages and using medians in determining
the number of spaces required.
It was noted that the Township has not encountered any
negative issues regarding the stacking lanes for the drive
through facility or the number of parking spaces on the
existing Burger King site.
Ms. McCullough commented that restaurant parking study
would return to the Commission, with additional information
and staff review.
B. 2006 Planning Department Annual Report
Ms. McCullough reviewed the 2006 Annual Report as provided
to the Commissioners for their review. She noted that the
report included the workings of the Planning Commission over
the past year, along with the proceedings and actions of the
Design Review Board and the Zoning Board of Appeals.
She also noted that the Planning Commission acts as the
Township’s Wetlands Board and also conducts public hearings
for new Wireless Communication Facilities.
Ms. McCullough commended the Commissioners on the
completion of the Master Plan Update, which was adopted by the
Township Board of Trustees on March 26, 2007.
The goals as outlined in the Annual Report were noted
including the ongoing goals:
The tree preservation study,
Review of the current parking regulations,
Review of the current regulations for accessory
structures
And the new goal:
Updating the entire Zoning Ordinance
Mr. Salz called for a motion.
Motion was made by Mintz, seconded by Stefanes and was
unanimously supported to forward the 2006 Planning Department
Annual Report to the Township Board of Trustees with a
recommendation for approval as submitted.
YEAS: Salz, Goldberg, Stefanes, Mintz, Swoboda, Reisinger,
Stark
NAYS: None
C. Wetland Inventory Base Map / Flood Plain Inventory
Ms. McCullough commented on the report that was provided to
the Commissioners and submitted to the file. She briefly
highlighted the overall project, noting that the Township was
awarded a grant to complete this project, with a projected
completion date for the Fall of 2007. She commented that the
Commissioners would be updated on the progress of this
project, with comments from the Township’s Engineering and
Environmental Department, including Mr. Wayne Domine,
Director, and Ms. Meghan Bonfiglio, Environmental Services
Manager.
D. Items Not on the Agenda
There were no additional items discussed by the
Commissioners.
IV. GENERAL BUSINESS:
A. Next Planning Commission Meeting
The next Commission Meeting was scheduled for Wednesday,
April 25, 2007, which was rescheduled from Monday, April 16,
2007.
Mr. Salz wished everyone a Blessed Easter and Passover.
Ms. McCullough updated the Commission on the approval by
the Township Board of Trustees for the Burlington Bloomfield
Shopping Center and the pending hearing before the Court to
amend the consent judgment.
V. ADJOURNMENT:
The Planning Commission Meeting of Wednesday, April 4, 2007
was adjourned at 8:50 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia McCullough, Director
Planning and Building
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