Planning Commission Minutes

CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF BLOOMFIELD
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Bloomfield Township Hall

PRESENT: Salz, Stefanes, Mintz, Reisinger, Stark

ABSENT: Goldberg

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

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

Chairperson Salz requested a motion to move the Bloomfield Park item to the first item.

Ms. McCullough introduced Mr. Gary Ceepo of Developers Diversified Realty.

Mr. Gary Ceepo, Senior Project Supervisor with Developers Diversified Realty, updated the Commission on the lengthy meetings held to date with MDOT and the traffic consultants of both Bloomfield Township and the City of Pontiac. He commented that they did not yet have an approval from MDOT and requested to be tabled to the November 19, 2007 Planning Commission meeting.

Ms. McCullough briefly introduced this item to the Commissioners for the proposed Senior Center located on the Township’s Campus. She noted that her staff report and full sets of plans were provided to the Commissioners and submitted to the file. The Departmental reports were also reviewed and submitted to the file.

Mr. Salz asked for questions or comments from the Commissioners to Ms. McCullough.

Ms. Stefanes questioned the total square footage of the proposed building.

Ms. Reisinger questioned the height of the proposed retaining walls and if a variance would be required.

Ms. McCullough stated that the architects for the project would provide a full presentation and would answer questions from the Commissioners.

Mr. Salz asked for the presentation from the applicant.

Mr. Papas of CDPA Architects, Inc. reviewed the project for the Commissioners with a powerpoint presentation, including the overall site plan, parking, traffic circulation patterns, landscaping, and elevations. He commented that the square footage of the proposed building was 24, 260 sq. ft. and reviewed the floor plans as presented. He noted that a revision was made to the site plan eliminating the originally proposed fire lane access drive off Andover Road, replacing it with a walkway and drop off area. Security issues were addressed. Material samples were provided to the Commissioners for review. Several renderings of the proposed building were presented from different perspectives, including views from Andover Road (southerly elevation) and from the parking lot on the northerly side of the building. Site photographs were presented highlighting the existing topography and mature landscaping on site that would be maintained.

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

Ms. Stefanes questioned the removal of the fire lane from Andover Road, access doors from the lower level, and the function of the lower level reception area.

Mr. Papas commented that the proposed drop off area would still allow for fire truck access to the building, with a fire hydrant and a remote FDC at this location. He commented that the lower level doors were for emergency access only, except for the specifically designated patio areas. He also noted that the "reception area" was also intended to provide an area for an attendant to coordinate the various activities within the building.

Ms. Reisinger questioned the location of the entry drive to the senior center, expressing concern with safety purposes.

The architect noted that the entry must be constructed according to Oakland County standards and that the proposed location directly across from the entrance to the Echo Park Subdivision entrance was specifically designed to address traffic safety issues.

There were no additional questions or comments from the Commissioners.

Mr. Salz opened the public comment portion of the meeting.

Mr. and Mrs. Epstein, residents of Echo Park Subdivision, were present. Ms. Epstein questioned the time frame for construction and questioned the location of the running track.

Mr. Papas stated that the construction was targeted to begin early in the Spring of 2008 and would take approximately 12 – 18 months. He stated that the walking track was located around the periphery of the lower level, within the building.

There were no additional public comments.

Mr. Salz closed the public comment portion of the meeting and called for a motion.

Ms. Reisinger commented on the extremely positive Oakland Press article highlighting the Township’s several commercial projects along Telegraph Road, north of Square Lake Road.

Ms. McCullough stated that the Commissioners would be provided with copies of the article in their next meeting packets.

The next Planning Commission Meeting was scheduled for Monday, November 19, 2007.

The Planning Commission Meeting of Wednesday, November 07, 2007 was adjourned at 8:20 P.M.

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