CLINTON TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION
REPORT OF MEETING
JANUARY 24, 2002
MINUTES

PRESENT:  Vincent J. Gerlando, Chairperson
                    Donald Roach, Vice-Chairperson
                    Denise C. Trombley, Secretary
                    Michael Matway
                    Maurice Morrissette
                    Valerie O’Neal
                    Dennis C. Tomlinson
                    Pamela Weiss

ABSENT:    Thomas Landa, Excused

STAFF:        Joseph J. Silbernagel, Assistant Director
                    DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Mr. Gerlando called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.

Mr. Gerlando stated that the petitioner for Item #3 requested that his matter be tabled until the next Planning Commission meeting.

Motion by Ms. O’Neal, supported by Mr. Matway, to approve the agenda as amended. Motion carried.

Pertinent correspondence was read and entered into the record.

Eric Vlaeminck, Lowe’s Companies, 481 Jeanne Court, Suite 1, Wood Dale, Illinois, 60191, stated this will be the second Lowe’s store in Clinton Township. He added they will remove the existing building. He stated that he is agreeable to the required berm.

Eric Lord, Giffels-Webster Engineers, Inc., 2871 Bond Street, Rochester Hills, Michigan 48309, representative, stated that on the Site Development Plans, the plans have a note and this will be removed before the plans are submitted to the Township Board. He added they will save the existing trees along 15 Mile Road and put in the berm.

Mr. Morrissette inquired as to what will be located on Parcel B.

Mr. Vlaeminck stated that the current property owner is suggesting the possibility of a drug store similar to Walgreens.

Mr. Morrissette inquired as to whether this property is contaminated from previous uses.

Mr. Vlaeminck stated that there is some residual contamination.

Ms. Weiss inquired as to whether there is enough room in back of the building for traffic flow.

Mr. Vlaeminck stated there will be 35 feet available in the back for traffic, which he felt is large enough to accommodate trucks.

Mr. Tomlinson inquired as to whether there will be outside displays.

Mr. Vlaeminck stated that Lowe’s has a new policy to keep all storage inside the store.

Ms. O’Neal inquired as to whether the petitioner will patch the existing potholes in the east parking lot.

Mr. Vlaeminck stated they are hoping to have two entrances at that location and will repair what is needed.

Mr. Gerlando inquired as to whether the entrance on 15 Mile Road will be moved.

Mr. Vlaeminck stated that the east entrance will be moved approximately 25 feet to the west.

Mr. Morrissette inquired as to when the project will be completed.

Mr. Vlaeminck stated the project should be completed in Spring of 2003.

Motion by Mr. Morrissette, supported by Ms. Weiss, with reference to File #0462-B and application from Eric Vlaeminck, Lowe’s Companies, 481 Jeanne Court, Suite 1, Wood Dale, Illinois, 60191, as represented by Eric Lord, Giffels-Webster Engineers, Inc., 2871 Bond Street, Rochester Hills, Michigan 48309, concerning request for recommendation of approval of Site Development Plan for Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse, locate don 12.88 (part of 14.58) acres of land fronting the west line of Gratiot Avenue and the north line of 15 Mile Road (Section 27), that recommendation for approval be submitted to the Township Board, subject to the petitioner placing the required thirty-inch (30") high berm within the front yard setback from 15 Mile Road prior to the plans being submitted to the Township Board. Roll Call Vote: Aye – Morrissette, Weiss, Gerlando, Matway, O’Neal, Roach, Tomlinson, Trombley. Nay – None. Absent – Landa. Motion carried.

Pertinent correspondence was read and entered into the record.

Craig Stephens, Dorsky, Hodgson and Partners, 23240 Chagrin Boulevard, Suite 300, Beachwood, Ohio 44122, representative, stated the petitioner plans to expand the storage area by 25,000 square feet.

Mr. Tomlinson inquired as to whether the storage outside will be higher than the wall.

Mr. Stephens stated the fence will be 20 feet high and the masonry wall will be 28 feet high. He added it is Lowe’s intention to not stack the materials higher than 20 feet.

Mr. Morrissette inquired as to whether this request will fix the outside storage problems that exist.

Mr. Stephens stated that the additional square footage for the outside storage will fix the problem.

Mr. Gerlando inquired as to whether the existing sheds that are on the property will be moved.

Tim Hagen, Lowe’s Store Manager, 15350 Hall Road, Clinton Township, Michigan, stated with the additional outside storage area, the sheds will be stored inside.

Motion by Mr. Roach, supported by Ms. O’Neal, with reference to File #5335 and application from Kevin parsons, Lowe’s Companies, Highway 268 East Dock, North Wilkesboro, North Carolina 28659, as represented by Craig Stephens, Dorsky, Hodgson & Partners, 23240 Chagrin Boulevard, Suite 300, Beachwood, Ohio 44122, concerning the request for approval of the Revised Site Development Plan for Lowe’s Home Center, located on 14.96 acres of land fronting the south line of Hall Road and the east line of Hayes Road (Section 6), that approval of the Revised Site Development Plan be granted. Roll Call Vote: Aye – Roach, O’Neal, Gerlando, Matway, Morrissette, Tomlinson, Trombley, Weiss. Nay – None. Absent – Landa. Motion carried.

APPROVAL OF AUGUST 9, 2001
APPROVAL OF AUGUST 23, 2001
APPROVAL OF SEPTEMBER 3, 2001
APPROVAL OF OCTOBER 11, 2001

Motion by Ms. O’Neal, supported by Mr. Roach, to approve the reports of the August 9, 2001, August 23, 2001, September 3, 2001 and October 11, 2001 meetings as submitted. Motion carried.

Mr. Silbernagel stated there will be site plan approvals for the next meeting agenda. He added that the Chairperson for the Planning Commission of Chesterfield Township has inquired as to whether the Clinton Township Planning Commission is interested in meeting with Planning Commissions from surrounding cities to discuss ideas and concerns.

Mr. Gerlando suggested that the Planning Director could get more information and further discuss whether to appoint a liaison from the Planning Commission.

Mr. Silbernagel stated that the Township is considering updating the Master Plan.

Ms. Weiss stated her opinion that the Public Hearings should be advertised in the C & G Newspapers so that more of the public would be aware of the Public Hearings.

Motion by Mr. Morrissette, supported by Ms. O’Neal, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 6:49 p.m.

Respectfully submitted

Denise C. Trombley, Secretary
CLINTON TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION