Planning Commission Minutes

CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF BLOOMFIELD
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
Monday, January 7, 2008
Bloomfield Township Hall

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

ABSENT: None

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.

Mr. Salz welcomed three students from the Model High School.

Mr. Salz welcomed Mr. Neal Barnett, Township Trustee, as the newest member to the Planning Commission. He noted that Ms. Sherry Stefanes would remain as a Planning Commissioner, filling the vacancy left by Mr. John Swoboda.

Ms. McCullough introduced this item to the Commissioners, noting that both a site plan review and a wetlands hearing would take place at the Planning Commission meeting. The Planning Commission, which acts as the Township’s Wetlands Board would conduct a wetlands hearing following the site plan review. She also noted that a lot split / lot line adjustment would be reviewed by the Township Board of Trustees. Site plans, landscape plans, drainage plans, floor plans, building elevations, and photometric plans were provided to the Commissioners and submitted to the file. Ms. McCullough reviewed the site plan, noting the location of the loading area, which would require an approval from the Board of Appeals. The landscape plan was reviewed, showing that the number of trees exceeded the minimum required by the Township, and that the applicant would comply with the required minimum caliper requirement. The applicant was to provide the color of the proposed light poles. Traffic circulation and parking were reviewed, noting that a variance of 79 parking spaces was to be sought, with 767 parking spaces required and 688 spaces proposed. The site plan showed no change to the two main entrance drives from Telegraph Road to the Costco site. Signage was also highlighted, noting that two wall signs were being proposed, with only one wall sign allowed per Township Ordinance. The applicant was made aware of the need for a variance for the proposed second wall sign. Ms. McCullough noted that the Design Review Board reviewed this proposal on 12-19-07 and forwarded the project to the Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals. The Departmental comments were provided to the Commissioners and submitted to the file.

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

Mr. Stark asked if the proposed parking for the Costco site would comply with the new parking requirements currently being proposed to the Planning Commission.

Ms. McCullough noted that a variance may still be needed for the number of spaces, with the increased landscaping requirements being proposed along with the proposed parking requirements. She also noted that the proposed parking standards, still under discussion by the Planning Commission, may allow for the Planning Commission to consider a shared parking concept, noting that the adjacent shopping center had an abundance of parking available.

The Commission questioned the location of the proposed loading zone, the location of the Fire Department Connection (FDC), and storm water retention.

Ms. McCullough stated that the applicant was present and would address these issues.

Mr. Salz asked for the presentation from the applicant.

Mr. Ted Johnson, President of TJ Designs, addressed the location of the loading zone, noting that this location of the loading area was absolutely required for the function of the interior of the store. He stated that the location of the FDC would be addressed with the Fire Department and that Costco would comply with all Departmental requirements. Mr. Johnson reviewed the colored elevations, noting that the colors and materials would complement the newly constructed Costco Fuel Facility. He stated that the water retention issue would be addressed by Mr. Holloway during the wetlands hearing.

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

Ms. Reisinger questioned if the membership would increase and the proposed timeline for construction.

Mr. Johnson stated that the proposed store would be a prototypical Costco store and would include merchandise not currently at this location. He did not believe that membership would significantly increase.

Mr. Johnson was proposing to demolish the existing Costco in March of 2008, and was proposing to open the new store in November of 2008.

Mr. Salz questioned why the loading zone could not be located at the rear of the store. He noted that the applicant must apply to the Board of Appeals for the location of the loading zone.

Mr. Johnson reviewed the parking and traffic circulation and the extensive landscaping proposed for the site, specifically noting the use of dense landscaping to shield the visibility of the loading area from Telegraph Road and the adjacent properties. Delivery hours and types / sizes of trucks were addressed by the applicant.

Ms. Stefanes questioned the location of the parking for the Golling employees and the location of the cart stalls, possibly providing for more parking for the Costco site.

The applicant stated that there was a private contract between Golling and Costco for use of a designated number of spaces on the Costco site for Golling’s employees.

There were no additional questions or comments from the Commissioners.

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

Mr. Joe Delassandro, General Manager of the adjacent Golling Dealership, commented on the parking agreement that the Golling Dealership currently has with the Costco site, noting that 31 spaces were used by Golling employees on the Costco site. Mr. Delassandro also questioned the function of the proposed loading space and the storm water detention pond.

The applicant commented that the delivery hours and types of trucks should not be changing and that the delivery trailers would be stored within the delivery bays. The detention pond issues would be further addressed during the Wetlands Hearing to follow.

Ms. Kara Powers, representing JS Holdings, questioned if Costco was being asked to address the Telegraph Road median landscape beautification project.

Mr. Barnett commented that the beautification of the Telegraph Road median should be addressed with Costco in the future.

Ms. McCullough noted that those properties with a sizeable amount of linear frontage on Telegraph Road were being asked to participate in the Telegraph Road median landscape project. She noted that the Costco Wholesale Store had no frontage on Telegraph Road, however, the Costco Fuel Facility did front on Telegraph.

Mr. Jay Secker, student at Model High School, questioned the location of the loading docks.

There were no additional public comments.

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

The Commission discussed the current developments under construction and Ms. Reisinger updated the Commission on the actions taken by the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Mr. Salz asked for nominations from the Commissioners.

Ms. Jane Reisinger nominated the same slate of officers from 2007 to continue for 2008, being Mr. Jeffrey Salz as Chairperson, Dr. Scot Goldberg as Vice-Chairperson, and Ms. Sherry Stefanes as Secretary. Mr. Mintz seconded Ms. Reisinger’s nomination. The vote was unanimous.

The next Planning Commission Meeting was scheduled for Monday, January 21, 2008.

The Planning Commission Meeting of Monday, January 7, 2008 was adjourned at 7:50 P.M.

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CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF BLOOMFIELD
LOCAL WETLANDS HEARING
Monday, January 7, 2008
Bloomfield Township Hall

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

ABSENT: None

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.

Ms. McCullough noted that the Planning Commission also acted as the Township’s Wetlands Board and reviewed the wetland permit application as submitted by Civil and Environmental Consultants, Inc, consulting engineers for Costco. McCullough’s staff report, as provided to the Commissioners, was reviewed and submitted to the file. The proposal included filling in the wetland area and the installation of a new underground storage basin to the rear of the proposed Costco Store. The report from the Township’s Engineering and Environmental Services Department was also provided to the Commissioners and submitted to the file.

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

Mr. Stark questioned which properties drained into the existing detention area to the rear of the Costco store.

Ms. McCullough noted that the applicant would address these issues.

Mr. Salz asked for the presentation from the applicant.

Mr. Holloway, Wetland Scientist with Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc., represented Costco in addressing concerns of the wetlands and storm water run-off. He stated that only 10 % of the run-off into the existing detention area was coming from the Costco site. He reviewed the drainage from the surrounding areas and noted that the water would continue to flow in its existing pattern, noting that underground pipes have drained into this retention area for many years. Mr. Holloway stated that the Costco proposal would not adversely impact any adjacent properties.

Ms. Reisinger questioned maintenance of the proposed landscaping for the detention area.

Mr. Holloway stated that the plantings selected were native species, with very little maintenance required.

The design and flow rate of the detention basin was reviewed for the Commissioners.

There were no additional questions or comments.

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

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

Mr. Salz called for a motion.

The Local Wetlands Hearing was adjourned at 8:15 P.M.

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