VBT planners approve repainting of Auto Lab from red to white

Auto Lab at 10625 Belleville Rd. will be able to repaint its upper façade from the former red to white, following action of the Van Buren Township Planning Commission at its regular meeting May 14.
Danielle Callahan was filling in for Dolce Motors representative Mark Sullivan, who was delayed because of traffic.
She said the person who was painting the sign didn’t know he needed a permit. One side of the upper façade is now white.
Vidya Krishnan, planning consultant from McKenna Associates, added that in looking at the pictures of the building, she can see two light fixtures are not in compliance with the code and they should be shielded or directed downward.
Brittney Williams, planning and zoning specialist, said they are taking a new business walk-through and the lights will be added to the requirements.
Commissioner Jeff Jahr said this business predates the Belleville Road Overlay District and is a legal, non-conforming building.
Krishnan said the white, a neutral color, is more in line with requirements for the overlay district than the red.
Jahr made a motion to approve the same white color all around the top of the building. He said they can’t make it less compliant and have it white in front and red on the sides. The motion passed unanimously.