Planning Commission

APPROVED 09/12/2024 REGULAR MEETING PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES August 8, 2024 THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE RICHMOND PLANNING COMMISSION WAS CALLED TO ORDER AT 7:16 P.M., ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 8, 2024, BY CHAIRMAN ZINK ROLL CALL Present: Caperton, Frank, Kaminski, Misch, Moore, Rix, Weinert Absent: Maniaci Others: City Planner Jeschke, City Clerk McCallister Visitors: Jason Najor (66771 Gratiot), John Marusich & Mason Brown (Bloomfield Hills), Iden Kalabat (31333 Southfield, Beverly Hills), Mike Misteravich (70254 Canterbury) Motion by Rix, seconded by Frank, to excuse Commissioner Maniaci from tonight’s meeting. All yeas Motion passes APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Kaminski seconded by Frank, to approve the minutes of the June 13, 2024 regular meeting as presented. All yeas Motion passes AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION None CORRESPONDENCE PCM: 08/08/2024 Page 1 of 7  APPROVED 09/12/2024 - City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of June 3, 2024 - City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of June 17, 2024 - City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of July 1, 2024 Motion by Kaminski, seconded by Caperton, to receive and file correspondence as presented. All yeas Motion passes ADOPTION OF AGENDA Motion by Rix, seconded by Frank, to adopt the agenda as presented. All yeas Motion passes PUBLIC HEARING None ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION B-1. SPR-05-2024 – Yousif Mansi & Amer Batal – Request for a Site Plan Review for a proposed 72-unit apartment development (Richmond Apartments) on 12.2 acres adjacent to the west side of Gratiot Avenue, approximately 550 feet northeast of Muttonville Lane (APN’s: 50-07-06-01-426-034 & 74-12-006-4025- 000). City Planner Jeschke provided commissioners an overview of the requested project. The proposed site plan consists of a 72-unit apartment development on 12.2 acres located directly north the Speedway Gas Station on Gratiot Avenue, along the eastern edge of Lake Angela Estates. The apartments will be a mix of 1, 2- and 3-bedroom units. The two buildings are three stories tall with a planned dog park and children’s play area between the two buildings. During the early phase of the site engineering, it was discovered a large portion of the property is considered protected wetland. Due to the wetlands, the overall scope of the development has been reduced in size. A French drain system with three (3) different detention areas into the wetlands is proposed. Furthermore, it was noted the driveways and parking areas will be made of permeable pavers and a flat sedum green roof will be a used to minimize runoff. The applicant is proposing five (5) foot wide sidewalks that connect both building to the PCM: 08/08/2024 Page 2 of 7  APPROVED 09/12/2024 active recreation area which includes a dog park and a playground situated between the buildings. Administration noted there are no sidewalks that connect the site to Gratiot but has recommended a path be added as a condition of approval in the event the Commission supports the development. There are a total of 114 parking spaces, which includes five (5) handicap accessible spaces. This meets the minimum standard required but it may be of concern in the future. A site entry sign along the Gratiot Avenue frontage is being proposed. The sign exceeds the allowable square footage, but is outside of the city in Casco Township. Seventeen (17) LED light poles that are 12 feet in height and are 90 watts in intensity was proposed. This item is a condition of approval but a photometric plan for the development is required. City Planner Jeschke concluded the overview by indicating that this piece of property is very difficult to develop due to the constraints of the wetlands, however, Conditional Approval of the project is recommended. Public Comment: John Marusich (Architect for the proposed project) showed a brief video presentation to Commissioners to provide a better vision of what the project will look like. Mason Brown (Engineer for the proposed project) expounded on some of the material that will be used; specifically permeable pavers. Motion by Kaminski, seconded by Misch, to Approved the Site Plan Review dated July 24, 2024, for a proposed 72-unit apartment development (Richmond Apartments) on 12.2 acres adjacent to the west side of Gratiot Avenue, approximately 550 feet northeast of Muttonville Lane (APN’s: 50-07-06-01-426-034 & 74-12-006-4025-000), subject to the following conditions: 1. The driveway design on Gratiot Avenue shall be considered and approved by the Saint Clair County Road Commission prior to any further work on the site. 2. The Casco Township Planning Commission shall also approved the site plan for the portion of this development that is within Casco Township, after approval by the Saint Clair Count Road Commission. 3. Prior to the issuance of any permits, the site plan shall be amended to PCM: 08/08/2024 Page 3 of 7  APPROVED 09/12/2024 indicate a minimum five (5) foot wide asphalt path adjacent to the eastern and northern sides of the access drive. 4. Prior to the issuance of any permits, the applicant shall submit for review a photometric plan indicating the site lighting intensity in footcandles. 5. One (1) additional fire hydrant shall be added on engineering sheet 3 located adjacent to the west side of the access drive approximately 320 feet north of the southern property boundary. 6. Prior to the issuance of any permits, all engineering including water, sanitary sewer, and storm water management shall be approved by the City’s Engineering Consultant Tetra Tech and the City of Richmond Public Works Department. Discussion on Motion: Frank asked if the development will move forward in the event Casco denies the project as .5 acres of the property is located in Casco Township. It was noted that the access road for the proposed site plan is in Casco therefore the project would halt as there would not be an entryway to the development. Weinert asked if all the lights will be shielded and if the dog park will be a fenced in area. The answers to both of these question was “yes”. Kaminski expressed concern for the nearby subdivision, “Lake Angela Estates/Golden Pond” regarding the potential lighting and noise issues. A berm was suggested however due to the limitations of the wetlands, this is not a viable solution. Rix is concerned with the minimal amount of parking and the lack of sidewalks. This is a safety hazard and could potentially result in individuals, especially children, walking through private property (Golden Pond and/or the Shopping Center) to access Main Street. Misch would like to see a secondary fire access point. It was noted he RVFD has reviewed the plans, and requested an additional fire hydrant be installed. Along with other Commissioners, Misch would like to see some sort of sidewalk installed leading out to Gratiot Ave. Caperton requested further information on the permeable material. Moore indicated he is comfortable working with the applicant ensuring a clearly defined pathway (different color walkway) be installed. Zink showed concern for only implementing a different color walkway and would rather PCM: 08/08/2024 Page 4 of 7  APPROVED 09/12/2024 see a “curbed structure” installed due to safety concerns. Kaminski ended the discussion with noting concern for traffic safety where the proposed entrance is located. Amended motion: Motion by Rix, seconded by Misch, to Amend the Site Plan Review dated July 24, 2024, for a proposed 72-unit apartment development (Richmond Apartments) on 12.2 acres adjacent to the west side of Gratiot Avenue, approximately 550 feet northeast of Muttonville Lane (APN’s: 50-07-06-01-426-034 & 74-12-006-4025-000), subject to the following conditions: 1. The driveway design on Gratiot Avenue shall be considered and approved by the Saint Clair County Road Commission prior to any further work on the site. 2. Casco Township shall also approve the site plan for the portion of this development that is within Casco Township, after approval by the Saint Clair Count Road Commission. 3. Prior to the issuance of any permits, the applicant shall work with City staff to develop a pathway that leads from the Apartments to the sidewalk along Gratiot Avenue at the southeast corner of the site. 4. Prior to the issuance of any permits, the applicant shall submit for review a photometric plan indicating the site lighting intensity in footcandles. 5. One (1) additional fire hydrant shall be added on engineering sheet 3 located adjacent to the west side of the access drive approximately 320 feet north of the southern property boundary. 6. Prior to the issuance of any permits, all engineering including water, sanitary sewer, and storm water management shall be approved by the City’s Engineering Consultant Tetra Tech and the City of Richmond Public Works Department. All yeas Motion passes B-2. SPR-04-2024 – Richmond Gratiot Property LLC. – Request for a Site Plan and Elevation Review for an existing retail shopping center (Lenox Square Shopping PCM: 08/08/2024 Page 5 of 7  APPROVED 09/12/2024 Center) located at 66871 Gratiot Avenue (APN: 50-07-06-12-201-021). The proposed request is for a Façade Renovation improvement within the Lenox Square Shopping Center. It will be done in two (2) phases. The eastern face of the building along Gratiot Avenue will be phase #1, and the southern face of the building along the parking lot will be phase #2. The intent is for the metal roof to remain intact but the storefront will incorporate stone and veneer or wood grain siding. Administration has recommended approval of the proposed site plan and elevation. Public Comment: Iden Calavet, architect for the project, indicated the intent to refresh the current façade with a new modern design. It will be done in a tasteful manner and will complement the current color scheme used by Hamlin Pub. Motion by Rix, seconded by Frank, to approve the Site Plan Review and an Elevation review existing retail shopping center (Lenox Square Shopping Center) located at 66871 Gratiot Avenue (APN: 50-07-06-12-201-021). 1. The applicant shall submit for and obtain all required building permit approvals prior to any construction taking place. Discussion on motion: Commissioners agreed that the shopping center needs a new refreshed look. It is an exciting project and the investment is appreciated. Code enforcement in the parking lot area needs to be enforced due to the placement of Family Farm and Home’s equipment. Commissioners asked the applicant to ensure the weeds on Gratiot are tended to. All yeas Motion passes MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS FROM THE CITY STAFF Jeschke thanked the Planning Commission for their thorough review of the proposed Site Plans. PCM: 08/08/2024 Page 6 of 7  APPROVED 09/12/2024 CHAIRMAN AND COMMISSION MEMBERS None ADJOURNMENT Motion by Frank, supported by Rix, to adjourn the Planning Commission Regular Meeting at 8:39 p.m. All yeas Motion passes Respectfully submitted, Heather L. McCallister City Clerk PCM: 08/08/2024 Page 7 of 7