City of South Lyon
January 10, 2008
Chairman Weipert
called the meeting to
order at 7:01 p.m.
All
present recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
Present:
Commissioners Culbertson,
Leimbach, Weipert, Mosier, Bradley,
Kurtzweil, Lanam, and Tartaglia.
Commissioners Subotich was excused.
Also present were Ben
Tallerico (Planning Consultant), Kristen
Cunningham, Director of Community and Economic Development
Approval of Agenda:
Cunningham suggested the order of agenda items be flipped so that new business
goes first.
Motion by Bradley, supported by Lanam
Vote
Motion Carried Unanimously
Approval of Minutes:
Motion by Culbertson,
supported by Lanam
To approve of the
Minutes for December 13, 2007 as amended.
Glenn Kivell, 235 West
Lake
Mr. Kivell handed out
pictures of downtown Milford and photocopies of Milford’s sign ordinance in
relation to last meetings decision to recommend eliminating projected signs in
South Lyon. He noted the signs in Milford are scaled properly and calls
attention to the business to the people walking the streets. He noted he was
curious why the Planning Commission decided to recommend eliminating projection
signs.
Leimbach stated there is
very little control over them. Weipert stated originally the revision in the
ordinance addressed pylon and pole signs. Projection signs have not worked out
the way everyone hoped in town. Kivell noted a lot of communities want that
kitschy look back in their towns. The signs add a certain visual element.
Weipert noted in Milford the businesses have embraced it. That semblance of
unity has not developed in South Lyon.
Kivell suggested maybe an
oversight board may be helpful but he is going to do what he can to make sure
the signs stay. Weipert stated the Commissioners want to see the ordinance go
through as they proposed. Kivell stated he did not want to disrupt the process
because he came in so late.
Mosier asked if City
Council can change the ordinance. Cunningham replied yes. Mosier suggested
letting the ordinance recommendation go through and see what Council does with
it. Cunningham noted the City Council will have a couple of readings of the
ordinance. Weipert stated she will be attending the City Council meeting.
Six-month Review of TLC Sobriety House Special Land Use Permit
Weipert stated at the July 12, 2007 meeting the special land use was approved
with the caveat that there is a six-month, one-year and two-year review.
Ron
Chapiewski from Sobriety
House stated there have been zero incidence and complaints. Not one has been
thrown out. They have helped fourteen men and for all intents and purposes the
city does not even know they are there. Of the fourteen men eight are now out of
the program. Everyone has been very pleased and they have stayed very low
profile.
Weipert noted Chief Collins has received zero calls from or regarding the house
and per a memo from Joe Veltri, there have been no building violations. She
asked if they are waiting for funding in order to make changes to the building.
Ron Chapiewski
replied that was correct.
There was a general discussion regarding how they receive referrals, how they
support the home, and the evaluation process of the tenants.
Weipert congratulated them on their success and asked them to carry-on.
Discussion –
Blight/Property Maintenance
Before reviewing the
matrix Tallerico stated some things that were discussed he did not add yet but
with five pages it is a starting point. He took a few sample ordinances and
added more in some areas and eliminated items in other areas. The matrix is
pretty in-depth so more may be taken out than added. The genesis behind this
process was commercial properties but also the Commissioners wanted to get in
front of any problems.
Tallerico reviewed each
section and asked for feedback.
During the section of
peeling paint Tallerico noted peeling paint can be difficult to enforce. Weipert
asked if some of the signs that cause concern in town fall under this section.
Tallerico replied yes. Bradley noted a broken hanging sign could be hazardous.
Kivell stated one person in town spent a lot of money on an expert to prove a
broken sign was not necessarily a hazard. That began a general discussion
regarding rubbish.
Tallerico noted there may
be a need to define buffering to defend the fire hazard and refuse sections.
There was a general discussion regarding examples of whether or not items i.e.
trash cans, etc, substantially detract from the aesthetic and economic value of
someone’s home.
Tallerico asked if the
building department puts tablets that kill mosquitoes in the pools of vacant
homes. Cunningham did not know but stated the Department of Public Works does
use them in the storm drains. Kurtzweil asked if item #8 regarding bodies of
water applies to retention ponds. Tallerico stated they are part of the planning
process and should be maintained. Kivell stated it is standing water. Bradley
noted it is not abandoned. Kurtzweil stated it is unfiltered. Tartaglia noted it
is required. Mosier stated they are engineered to work a certain way. Lanam
agreed and stated they are designed for some sort of aeration.
Leimbach stated he had a
question but noted it may not apply to the item at hand. He asked if anything
could be done to get the Post Office to shovel their sidewalks in a timelier
manner. Kivell stated the city has very little to impose on them. Cunningham
stated because of the timing of the last big snowfall the building department
gave everyone more time to get their walks shoveled.
Cunningham asked if all
definitions could be put in the beginning of the matrix. Tallerico replied yes.
Tallerico suggested
having an option to add-in that cars should be covered when not in use on a
residential property. Culbertson noted the length of time seems excessive to
him. Tallerico was trying to be considerate of people who do not have the
economic means to fix a car. He suggested shortening the commercial timeline and
leaving the residential. Cunningham stated a Commercial Overlay District may be
a better way to address this sort of issue by eliminating the uses of those
businesses. Leimbach stated if the vehicles are not licensed it should not
matter. Cunningham stated she believe residential and commercial should be
separated. Wiepert asked if the state has any laws or definitions that address
this issue. There was a general conversation regarding specific businesses with
cars on their property and the commercial overlay district.
Weipert
noted under section D there should be a time frame for broken windows so people
can deal with their insurance companies to make repairs if necessary. Tallerico
stated he will match the building code.
Bradley
questioned the reason for section F. Tallerico replied it was in case something
was started but not finished.
Culbertson
asked if the $100 fine is per week or per occurrence. Tallerico replied it was
per violation. Cunningham noted the city does have something in place with a fee
schedule. Tallerico will rewrite the matrix to reflect that.
Kivell
asked if the violation is a misdemeanor will the court oversee if the person’s
obligation has been fulfilled. Kurtzweil stated the court will confer with the
city to work together for the solution. Kivell stated he was hoping they will be
able to assign the city the ability to take care of a problem at the expense of
the owner. Kurtzweil stated that is a civil issue. Tallerico stated with a civil
complaint the city has more control and may be handled faster however with a
criminal complaint there is a better result even if it will take longer. Weipert
stated the current civil punishment does not seem to be enough. Leimbach asked
if it could be mixed with civil and criminal. Cunningham stated she will check
with the city attorney to see what he recommends.
Kivell
discussed the Michigan Municipal League pamphlet that pulled together
information so there is a more comprehensive solution. Kurtzweil stated there
are several specific issues that the Planning Commission wants to address.
Ypsilanti is a great example of how to the fix the problem because they
developed a program that allowed for financial assistance to help homeowners
clean-up.
Culbertson
stated he did not understand why they were going through all this work if it
will not fix the problems. Cunningham stated it will correct some of them.
Tallerico stated this body wanted to be proactive. Leimbach noted it also
provides a jumping off point and sends a message.
There was a
general discussion regarding the mobile home park.
Weipert
asked Mr. Tallerico if he talked to Ypsilanti regarding how they enforce their
code. Tallerico replied he did not get a hold of his contact in Ypsilanti but he
did talk to Canton and they do have a matrix. He also noted he has not spoken to
anyone at Brighton yet.
Staff Reports
Weipert asked Ms. Cunningham if should will provide pictures to help with the
matrix. Cunningham replied yes and asked if anyone has additional input to give
it to Mr. Tallerico.
Cunningham reported the next meeting will cover the building matrix and more
blight information.
Bradley provided an update on the last Zoning Board of Appeals meeting.
Culbertson asked if the letter regarding the Meijer proposal was sent.
Cunningham replied yes, it was sent in early November. Culbertson asked if the
Commission should show the same concern with similar developments in the
township. Tallerico stated there is very little that this body can do. Dialogue
is always good but it comes from the elected officials. Ultimately the most
impact is from the governor.
Motion by Culbertson
supported by Kurtzweil
To adjourn the meeting
at 9:03 p.m.
Vote
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
_____________________
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____________________
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Pam Weipert, Chairperson
Jennifer Knapp, Recording Secretary
________________________
Keith Bradley, Secretary