VBT Planners jump a step to facilitate plans for Atchinson Ford

The usual procedure is to wait at least two weeks after a preliminary site plan approval for a final site plan approval for the Van Buren Township Planning Commission.
But at the Oct. 28 planning commission meeting, commissioners unanimously approved jumping right to final site plan for Craig Atchinson who said he was under pressure from the Ford Motor Company to get his new car sales building at 9800 Belleville Road upgraded.
Sally Hodges, the commission’s planning consultant, had recommended preliminary site plan approval, after some details were attended to in Atchinson’s plans.
Architect Wayde Hoppe, who lives in Van Buren Township, presented the plans for the building.
He told the commission that in March 2014, they began to bring in the Ford Land plans for a proposed addition that would make the new car area 50% bigger. But that would trigger the Wayne County requirement for storm water management on site.
Atchinson would have to put in an underground basin, which would be costly, or a large pond. They needed that area for parking cars. Ford wants all its buildings to look alike, Hoppe said.
Atchinson decided to wait for the VBT Downtown Development Authority’s proposed regional pond and they waited about a year. Hoppe said with the change in administration at Wayne County the regional pond is on hold.
The agreement with Ford will expire if something isn’t done immediately, Hoppe said. The decision was made to scale back the size of the addition so the pond is no longer a requirement.
He said he and Ford Motor began a long journey on design on how to get the Ford look on the building and still get what the township wants.
Hoppe said Ford wanted all existing brick covered with corrugated metal painted dark grey, but he pushed for natural stone and they agreed on a thin sandstone or limestone bonded to aluminum backing and hung on the side of the building.
They will be taking the brick off the face of the south side and replacing it with a new brick that will blend in but is not exactly the same brick.
“We’re not putting on an addition, just a new look on the building,” Hoppe said.
Hodges pushed for Atchinson to work with the condo area to the west of the property to have trees or shrubs put in on the residential side, since Atchinson’s blacktop goes right up to the property line. She said since it adjoins the residential area it should be buffered.
Hoppe said 34 trees have already been planted along the property line with 10 fairly mature. He said the condos have their retention pond there.
He said Atchinson has a problem with vandalism and people hide along the fence and then go through the car wash or the shopping center to vandalize cars.
“We don’t want to make it difficult,” said Treasurer Sharry Budd. “I’m good with letting it just wait.”
Hodges said they haven’t had new plans to review.
Hoppe said Ford is pushing for action and they are already a year past due. Ford wants an assured date of completion by next fall. Construction can begin in November.
“They are pushing me,” Atchinson said. “It was supposed to be done by now and they are done extending me. I signed a letter of intent.”
VBT Director of Planning and Economic Development Ron Akers said engineer Dave Nummer from Wade Trim said there were no engineering problems.
Akers also said the zoning ordinance would allow the commission to give final site plan approval immediately.
Commissioner Don Boynton made the motion to grant final site plan approval with conditions outlined by Hodges, as well as eliminating the requirement for residential buffering and other items. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Bryon Kelley and passed unanimously by the commission. Commissioners Bob McKenna and Joan Franzoi were absent.
Dealership owner Atchinson, architect Hoppe, and contractor Harlan Davenport left the meeting wearing big smiles.
In other business at the Oct. 28 meeting, the commission:
• Approved the meeting schedule for 2016;
• Approved minor revisions to the commission’s by laws;
• Was informed by Akers that he administratively approved two businesses: T-Rex Arms, 44800 I-94 North Service Drive, an indoor shooting range using an existing building, and Purewater Properties, 12300 Haggerty Road. This is a warehouse use where a vacant industrial building has been purchased and the new owner is using it to store equipment from his offsite business. All storage is indoors and the applicant is working to fix the property up and bring it to current zoning ordinance standards; and
• Discussed the Freedom of Information Act and how it would work with private tablets with private information also being used for planning commission information. He provided information from the Michigan Municipal League on the subject. Akers said if members are using their personal iPads, he could reach out to the township attorney for a more detailed opinion.