07-23-18 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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REGULAR MEETING July 23, 2018 the South. That lot has already deteriorated to some degree. The weeds are higher than normal and they seem to not be keeping up the lot. This will be an addition and an economic stimulus to the area. In this particular case, the owners would like to operate a nice and clean car lot with only twenty-seven (27) cars maximum. Councilmember Oliver Davis interjected, Are there issues regarding safety in terms of if all twenty-seven (27) parking spots are full, with only one (1) way in and one (1) way out, are there safety concerns with that issue? Mr. Feeney replied, There are actually two (2) curb cuts at this location. There is one (1) on the South Side of Bonnie Doon and Bonnie Doon was a circular affair where you came in at either of the curb cuts and left via the other one (1). Councilmember Oliver Davis followed up, So, therefore, if there were safety concerns and everybody is there,and there are fire problems and anything else,people can evacuate without any problem. That is your understanding? Mr. Feeney replied, Absolutely. Councilmember Oliver Davis then followed up, When it comes down to car dealerships and everything else, is there anything in our current zoning law that prevents more car dealers from being in an area? Mr. Feeney replied,None,in so far as I know. There was a car dealer North of the alley and within one hundred (100) feet of this location. That car dealer died and that property is being offered for sale currently. Whether or not it will be occupied by another car dealer following that use is any body's guess. We have already seen in that area the conversion of a car wash into something different from what was originally intended. Further to the South on the East side of Michigan Street is a used-to-be-car wash that is now a display area for vehicles in any state of repair. Councilmember Oliver Davis followed up, I understand. If it had been a zoning law that would have prevented car dealers from being in this type of zoning, would you have brought this to us? Mr. Feeney replied,No, it would have been a waste of my client's time and money. Councilmember Oliver Davis followed up,And so,therefore,there is nothing in our current zoning law that prevents this type of issue? Mr. Feeney replied, If the property is rezoned to Local Business to Community Business. Councilmember Jake Teshka stated, The block to the North that you referenced was previously used as a car sales area, is currently zoned LB, Local Business. Do you know how that was used under that zoning for car sales? It is my understanding that in order for your client to use this property for what they want to use it for, we have to both up-zone it and add a special exception. So my question is how was a car lot able to operate in a lot that was zoned LB? Mr.Feeney replied,That car lot pre-dated any of the current zoning there.The building was painted various colors and it is no longer operating as such. Councilmember Jake Teshka followed up, Do your clients have any plans for additional signage out front? From the site map, it appears the front four (4) spaces on either side of the North curb cut are to be used for customer and employee parking. What distinguishes the back part of that lot as a car sales lot? Mr. Feeney replied, The owners have offered the commitment in compliance with what DCI had requested, if you decide to rezone this, they will provide islands in there that would differentiate the areas for restaurant parking and used car sales parking. Councilmember Jake Teshka followed up, My question was more about seeing what would flag someone who was driving down Michigan that there is a used car lot in the back of this restaurant? Mr. Feeney replied, The sign standards for Bonnie Doon are still out front and it could be used to advertise the car lot, provided the sign meets the sign regulations currently in place. 3