Planning Commission

APPROVED 02/08/2024 REGULAR MEETING PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES JANUARY 11, 2024 THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE RICHMOND PLANNING COMMISSION WAS CALLED TO ORDER AT 7:00PM., ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 2024, BY CHAIRMAN ZINK ROLL CALL Present: Frank, Kaminski, Maniaci, Misch, Moore, Rix, Weinert, Zink Absent: Caperton Others: City Planner Jeschke, City Clerk McCallister Visitors: Edward Amyot, Mike Cisilino, George/Shelly Neal (Richmond Rock Room) Andrew Leonard, Darren Skidmore, Carrie Southwell (Bert’s Testing) Tony Mourand (Fishbeck), Ana Pelhank, (Wendy’s) Mike Misteravich (70254 Canterbury) Motion by Rix, seconded by Kaminski, to excuse Commissioner Caperton from tonight’s meeting. All yeas Motion passes APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Rix, seconded by Frank, to approve the minutes of the December 14, 2023, regular meeting as presented All yeas Motion passes AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION None CORRESPONDENCE PCM: 01/11/2024 Page 1 of 7  APPROVED 02/08/2024 - City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of December 18, 2023 - City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of December 4, 2023 Motion by Moore, seconded by Frank, to receive and file correspondence as presented. All yeas Motion passes ADOPTION OF AGENDA Motion by Rix, seconded by Weinert, to adopt the agenda as presented: All yeas Motion passes PUBLIC HEARING A-1. SCU-01-2024 /STATEWIDE RICHMOND, LLC. On behalf of BERT’S TESTING 7 TRAINING SERVICES, INC. – Request for a Special Condition Use and Site Plan Review for a proposed Open-Air Driver Testing Business within a portion of the former K-Mart Parking Lot located at 67300 Main Street (APN: 50-07-06-01- 426-027). Motion by Moore, seconded by Kaminski to open the public hearing at 7:02 p.m. All yeas Motion passes The public hearing was held to receive comments on the following Special Conditional Use and Site Plan Review for a proposed Open-Air Driver Testing Business within a portion of the former K-Mart Parking Lot located at 67300 Main Street (APN: 50-07-06- 01-426-027). Applicants Andrew Leonard, Carrie Southwell provided background information on Bert’s Testing and Training Services. They handle CDL certification and driving school. Darren Skidmore is the examiner. No other public comments were received. Motion by Rix seconded by Kaminski, to close the public hearing at 7:04 pm All yeas Motion passes A-2. SCU-02-2024 /WM LIMITED PARTNERSHIP - 1998. – Request for a Special Condition Use Permit to allow a drive-through facility in conjunction with a PCM: 01/11/2024 Page 2 of 7  APPROVED 02/08/2024 proposed fast food restaurant (Wendy’s) on 0.544 acres of property located at 66942 Gratiot (APN: 50-07-06-01-227-003). Motion by Moore, seconded by Kaminski to open the public hearing at 7:04 p.m. All yeas Motion passes The public hearing was held to receive comments on the following Special Conditional Use Permit to allow a drive-through facility in conjunction with a proposed fast food restaurant (Wendy’s) on 0.544 acres of property located at 66942 Gratiot (APN: 50-07- 06-01-227-003). Applicant Ana Pelhank introduced herself and expressed her enthusiasm for the potential of developing property in the City of Richmond. No other public comments were received. Motion by Rix, seconded by Kaminski, to close the public hearing at 7:06pm All yeas Motion passes ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION B-1. SCU-01-2023 /David Cutijar on behalf of Edward Amyot – Request for a Special Condition Use and Site Plan Review for a proposed event venue (Richmond Rock Room R3 Event Center) within an existing building located at 69020 Main Street (APN: 50-07-03-35-487-003). City Planner Jeschke reviewed the revised information regarding the proposed usage. This included a revised parking layout, a conceptual plan, and a map showing public parking lots within the vicinity of the proposed Rock Room. The biggest issue is the lack of on-site paved parking. Amyot indicated he has made arrangements with nearby restaurant (George’s Café), to allow parking in the thirty-four (34) available parking spaces at the property. Furthermore, the applicant indicated he will coordinate with the neighboring property regarding the drainage. Motion by Rix, seconded by Kaminski to approve the requested Special Condition Use and site plan review for a proposed concert venue (Richmond Rock Room R3 Event Center) located at 69020 Main Street (APN: 50-07-03-35-487-003), subject to the following conditions: 1. The applicant and property owner shall work with the City and adjacent property PCM: 01/11/2024 Page 3 of 7  APPROVED 02/08/2024 owners on storm-water drainage and paving of the parking lot. Failure to have a parking lot paved within on-year of approval may result in revocation of this approval. Discussion on motion: There was a brief discussion on the possibility of individuals walking between private property to access the establishment. It was also requested that the lighting not be a nuisance to the bordering homes. The consensus of the commission are happy with the new revised plan. All yeas Motion passes B-2. SCU-01-2024 /STATEWIDE RICHMOND, LLC. on behalf of BERT’S TESTING AND TRAINING SERVICES, INC. - Request for a Special Condition Use and Site Plan Review for a proposed Open-Air Driver Testing Business within a portion of the former K-Mart Parking Lot located at 67300 Main Street (APN: 50- 07-06-01-426-027). Motion by Weinert, seconded by Rix, to Approve the requested Special Condition Use and site plan review for a proposed open-air vehicle testing business located at 67300 Main Street (APN: 50-07-06-01-426-027), subject to the following Conditions: 1. If a new business were to move in the former K-Mart that would require parking of their own, this use shall cease. 2. The overnight parking of vehicles shall be limited to the eastern side of the building near Van’s Tire exit doors. 3. The applicant shall keep the semi-trailer licensed and in good condition. Discussion on motion: Commissioners expressed concern with the need to have a defined driving perimeter for the test side to prevent the impeding of traffic in the driving lane. Weinert would like the semi-trailer to be wrapped or improved due to its current aged appearance. Zink supports the idea of the business but expressed his displeasure with the current state of the parking lot surface; he would like to see it resurfaced. PCM: 01/11/2024 Page 4 of 7  APPROVED 02/08/2024 Seven yeas (Frank, Kaminski, Maniaci, Misch, Moore, Rix, Weinert) One nay (Zink) One absent (Caperton) Motion passes B-3. SCU-02-2024 /WM LIMITED PARTNERSHIP - 1998. – Request for a Special Condition Use Permit to allow a drive-through facility in conjunction with a proposed fast food restaurant (Wendy’s) on 0.544 acres of property located at 66942 Gratiot (APN: 50-07-06-01-227-003). The applicant is proposing to have a drive through on a site that meets the minimum requirement for the placement of a drive-through. The City Planner is recommending the approval of the Special Conditional Use. Motion by Rix, seconded by Frank, to approve the requested Special Condition Use Permit to allow a drive-through facility in conjunction with a proposed fast food restaurant (Wendy’s) on 0.653 acres of property located at 66942 Gratiot Avenue (APN: 50-07-06-01-227-003) All yeas Motion passes B-4. SCU-02-2024 /WM LIMITED PARTNERSHIP - 1998. – Request for a Site Plan Review for a proposed fast food restaurant (Wendy’s) on 0.544 acres of property located at 66942 Gratiot (APN: 50-07-06-12-227-003). The site is constrained. There are only a few areas where there is enough width to have a greenbelt. The applicant is proposing a row of shrubs along the front of the property. It is the opinion of the Planning Department that while the development does not meet the letter of the ordinance, it does meet the intent of the zoning ordinance. Jeschke recommendation is for conditional approval of the requested site plan review dated December 18, 2023. Project engineer, Tony Mourand, indicated his support to reduce the size of the bypass land by five (5) feed but it is not a viable option to allow suppliers ample space to maneuver deliveries. Motion by Rix, seconded by Moore, to Approve the requested Site Plan Review (plans PCM: 01/11/2024 Page 5 of 7  APPROVED 02/08/2024 dated December 18, 2023) for a proposed fast food restaurant (Wendy’s) on 0.544 acres of property located at 66942 Gratiot Avenue (APN: 50-07-06-12-227-003), subject to the following condition(s): 1. The applicant shall submit for sign permits for all proposed wall and freestanding signage that meets or exceeds the Zoning Ordinance requirements. 2. Prior to the issuance of any building permits, the applicant shall comply with all conditions as required by the city engineering consultant, Tetra Tech and the City’s Public Works Department 3. If in the future the applicant requests to have an internal connection to the adjacent Kroger Shopping Center, written approval from the Kroger Center Owner and a new site plan review shall be required. Discussion on motion: Commissioners discussed options of removing one (1) parking space near the dumpster to allow for a buffer. There was further discussion of removing the existing fencing between the proposed site and Varga’s Chiropractic and replace with shrubbery. The commission stressed the need for the applicant to speak with the owner of Kroger in hopes of establishing an easement agreement. The applicant, Pelhank, indicated there have been several attempts to initiate a discussion but no response has been received. Kaminski is highly concerned with potential traffic issues in that area. The consensus of the commission are happy the space is being developed. All yeas Motion passes Comment on motion: Jeschke will provide the direct contact information of the owner of Kroger (Schmidt) to the Wendy’s applicant, Pelhank, to discuss the burden of the road situation. The Planning Commission wants to be proactive and will help facilitate conversations between the two businesses to work together. No further comments were received. MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS FROM THE CITY STAFF City Planner encouraged any interested commissioners to attend the annual Macomb PCM: 01/11/2024 Page 6 of 7  APPROVED 02/08/2024 County Citizen Planner Program. Scholarships are available. Moore – Chili Cook-off is February 3, 2024. CHAIRMAN AND COMMISSION MEMBERS No comments were received. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Rix, supported by Frank, to adjourn the Planning Commission Regular Meeting at 8:26 p.m. All yeas Motion passes Respectfully submitted, Heather L. McCallister City Clerk PCM: 01/11/2024 Page 7 of 7