City
of South Lyon
January
12, 2006
Chairman
Morelli called
the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.
All
present recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
Present:
Commissioners Lewandowski, Bradley, Mosier, Culbertson,
Weipert, Tartaglia, Morelli,
Lanam and Pollock.
Also
present were Chuck Cairns (Planning Consultant) and Kristen Cunningham, Director
of Community and Economic Development
Approval
of Agenda:
Motion by Culbertson, supported by Lanam
Vote
Motion Carried Unanimously
Approval
of Minutes:
Motion
by Bradley, supported by Lewandowski
To
approve of the Minutes for December 8, 2005 as amended.
Ms.
Zimmerman expressed her concern over the school entrance and thanked the
Commission for their consideration. She asked that a couple of points be kept in
mind; the safety of the students who have been put in a predicament because of
the congestion and the over problem the traffic has created for a number of
years.
Randy
Clark, 415 S. Lafayette, South Lyon
Mr.
Clark stated he was aware of a memo from the city administration regarding his
appearance at the last meeting. The memo suggested that for one and a half years
no work was conducted on his site however, that was untrue. He worked closely
with Hubbell, Roth, and Clark and the Department of Environmental Quality during
that time. Hubbell, Roth, and Clark were using amended standards that had not
been adopted and some confusion was created as a result. The time problem was
spent sorting out such issues.
South
Lyon Community Schools High School Entrance – PC # 03-05 Preliminary Site Plan
Review
Chuck
Lewis, 888 W. Big Beaver, Troy
Lewis
is the Architect working on the plan and spoke on behalf of the applicant. He
brought other representatives with him to help explain the site plan.
Kathy
Kenaith, the representative from Atwell-Hicks explained the new entrance is
between two existing parking areas with a new turn lane and new striping. Based
on a traffic study, and with Hubbell, Roth, and Clark’s recommendations, it
was agreed that a new signal was needed.
Cairns
stated in his review comments from December 2, 2005, normally the preference is
to have egress/ingress roads across from another road to create a four-way
intersection but this situation is unique and it does make sense, to accommodate
a large volume of traffic, that the new drive should be located as designed. If
possible a manually controlled light for large events could become a one-way in
or out. Because of the length of the drive there would not be traffic back up.
This plan is an exception and in a logical location. For the tapers there may be
some landscaping removed. One plane shows trees being replaced but it is not
clear. Since the history of the site is not known they may have had an excess of
trees and may not be required to replace one. One tree may be a landmark tree
and that might need to be replaced. The plans did not indicate any freestanding
signs but they might not be planning one. There are no exterior lights noted, if
there are going to be any, they must be indicated. The Road Commission has
specific concerns and everyone should have a copy of their letter. Their
standards must be met. Culbertson
asked if the applicant had any problems or concerns meeting the Road
Commission’s needs.
Dr.
William Pearson, Superintendent, South Lyon Community Schools
Pearson
replied everything was not in the bond budget so they are scrambling for funds
but they anticipate being able to get everything done. Culbertson asked if it
was only a money concern and not logistical. Pearson replied that was correct.
Mosier
asked if a traffic study was submitted. Cairns replied he understood that one
was completed but he had not seen one. Mosier asked Cairns if he needed to see
it. Cairns stated he would have liked to but it was not necessary. He expects
this location and length of the drive would be fine. He noted he was curious if
the traffic study mentioned anything regarding a manual light.
Paul Slavin, the Traffic Engineer that did the study, stated that a
traffic study was completed and his company used a program called Synchro, which
builds a traffic models and provides animation for how traffic moves. The new
driveway will improve traffic, most of which comes from the south. The right
turn movements at Pontiac Trail and Eleven Mile will be greatly improved. The
comment regarding one-ways is a great idea. The signal was discussed and the
Road Commission would like to see an actuated signal which is computer
controlled. The actuation can be run on a time set during the heavy traffic
hours and the rest of the day it could be in a green, dwell mode. Most new
signals could be set up for manual control and if that were possible it would be
ideal. He would prefer a four-way intersection as well but, as stated by Cairns,
the drive is better as proposed. Lewis
stated the traffic study was submitted to the city.
Mosier
asked if the left turn lane is dedicated from Pontiac Trail. Lewis replied yes.
Weipert
asked if the right turn lane at Eleven Mile with the traffic light and 300-foot
taper simply moves the traffic congestion further south. Slavin replied he does
not think so. Parents dropping off students are creating an artificial problem
instead of flowing right in. By the model, the traffic will flow continuously
and he does not think that stacking will happen. Lewis noted that currently
there is only one entrance. Lewandowski stated the additional light would also
help.
Weipert
asked if there would be a crosswalk across Pontiac Trail. Lewis stated there is
not one currently planned. Weipert noted she thinks people would use it. Slavin
stated he did not see a lot of pedestrian traffic except during events. Weipert
asked if there was a problem with Evergreen Court and the traffic turning left.
Slavin stated it did not show up on the model. Lewis stated the number of
students coming from the north would come in the existing entrance. The new
entrance would accommodate people coming from the south.
Culbertson
noted the new high school would alleviate students coming from the west. Pearson
noted it would for a while but it would build back up.
Culbertson stated he heard several signal light issues and assumes there
is cost involved for each type. Pearson stated the actuated light was built into
the bond issue, but asked if there would be a cost for a crosswalk. Kenaith
replied yes. Morelli stated he thinks people would use it. Culbertson stated it
must be a fairly insignificant cost and should be considered. Kenaith stated it
would need to be discussed with the Road Commission.
Morelli
noted that if there will be signs included, they will need to be on the final
plan. Pearson stated trees and signs are not under the jurisdiction of the
Planning Commission, unless they are in the right-of-way.
Morelli
asked for clarification on the location and length of the left turn lane, the
taper lane and the right turn lane. He also asked about the right turn lane as
recommended by the Chief of Police. Kenaith stated that the Road Commission did
not request it as a whole new lane. Morelli stated a lot of the support work for
it is already created. Kenaith stated that is already being used, there would
have to be another twelve-feet added. Pearson stated he thinks the city would
have to pay for it is a county road and the county is not requiring it. Slavin
stated the continuous right lane could be used but with the new entrance the
stacking would not be an issue so it is not warranted. Culbertson asked if they
could run it through the model to satisfy the Chief of Police.
Morelli
stated he does not have a problem with the plan but wondered if this would just
shuffle traffic. As far as the Planning Commission concerned he asked that
Hubbell, Roth and Clarks be met and asked the applicant to talk to the city
manager and the Chief of Police regarding the right turn lane.
Lewis
and Slavin explained the dates and times the traffic study was completed.
Pearson noted he understands the requests are the crosswalk and the police
chief’s issue. Morelli stated he assumed the rest were administrative issues.
He does not think the crosswalk is a bad idea. Lanam asked if the crosswalk
would have a signal. Cunningham stated it is the Road Commission’s
jurisdiction, the Planning Commission could request it but it could not be
required.
Motion
by Culbertson, supported by Mosier
To
approve South
Lyon Community Schools High School Entrance – PC # 03-06, Preliminary Site
Plan providing a response for the inquiry of the crosswalk, a response from the
Chief of Police regarding the right turn lane, and the requirements from the
Road Commission are adhered to.
Vote
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
There
was no new business.
Staff
Reports
Cunningham
stated February 9, 2006 would be the next meeting. The agenda items will be the
rental inspections and two public hearings. She stated that Lyon Auto Wash wants
to add a new building so that will be coming before the Commission.
Cunningham
explained that the reason the Planning Commission did not receive a copy of the
traffic study is because the Planning Commission only has jurisdiction on the
egress/ingress for the high school. She did not want to confuse the issue at
hand with additional information that is not under the Planning Commissions
jurisdiction. Cairns stated when it comes back for final, regardless of what the
Chief of Police says, if the County Road Commission approves the site plan, the
Planning Commission is obligated to approve it as well.
Motion
by Culbertson supported by Lewandowski
To
adjourn the meeting at 8:09 p.m.
Vote
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
_____________________
_
____________________ _______
Ron
Morelli, Chairperson
Jennifer Knapp, Recording Secretary
________________________
Steve
Mosier, Secretary