VBT planners OK hot dog stand near exit door of Menards building

The Van Buren Township Planning Commission unanimously approved temporary land use for not to exceed one year for a hot dog stand near the exit door at the front of the Mendards building at 10010 Belleville Rd.
The action was taken at its Aug. 9 regular meeting.
Shekita Long said she and co-owner Mark Middlebrook have a lease agreement with Menards through Oct. 31. They will decide whether to come back in the spring after they see how it goes.
She said they just started their business and it is woman owned/veteran owned. Long said people like the carts at Home Depot and they have expanded into vegan hot dogs. There will be no seating and will be open noon to 5 p.m.
Commissioner Bernie Grant, an architect, said the cart is within the confines of the Menards’ construction and it is an extension of the store’s business. He asked why they have to get approval.
Dan Power, director of planning and economic development, said it’s outside the exterior walls and his evaluation is that it needed special approval.
“It’s something to consider,” Director Power said. “I’ll look into that.”
Power said they opened the cart sometime at an undetermined time without approvals and it was shut down on Aug. 1. (Its website said it was set up on July 23.) The fire marshal had done an inspection on July 25 and it was approved. Power said the fire marshal required them to have just one propane tank on the cart.
They wanted to reopen it the day after the meeting, on Aug. 10.
Long said the hot dog stand is intended to capture pass-by traffic from patrons coming out of the store and store employees.
Power said the table and equipment used for the hot dog sales will be disassembled and stored each night after use.
The applicants had obtained a license from the Oakland County Health Department for their operation and VBT is requiring they verify that Wayne County Health Department licensure is not also required. A peddlar’s license must also be obtained from the VBT Public Safety Department.
In her request letter to the planning commission for Raw Dog Hot Dog Cart, Long wrote: “We created Raw Dog for trainsitioning meat eaters and sell plant-based hotdogs as well as Angus beef hot dogs and Leon’s beef sausages with various topping concotions on a Challah hot dog bun and other miscellaneous foods (chips and sodas) from our Heritage Hot Dog Cart for vending and catering.
“In the fall we also offer hot mini donuts, hot apple cider, coffee, and fresh lemonade made to order. Our hot dogs, donuts and lemonade are served under a 10×10 tent and we set up our cart next to the tent when vending and catering,” she wrote.
In other business at the two-hour-and-six-minute meeting, the commission:
• Was introduced to its new member, Peter Creal, who has a computer science background, according to Director Power. The commission now is at its full number of seven. Creal previously served on the Environmental Commission;
• Heard Power give updates on several projects that don’t need to come to the commission for approval, including minor demolition and construction of a new 5,290-square-foot addition to an existing hangar and office building for Kalitta Charters at 49910 Tyler Rd. Extension at Willow Run Airport. Power said a 777 flight simulator and flight trainer is being installed;
• Also, heard about the renovations to roughly 50,165 square feet of interior space for a relocated Merchant Services Center for DTE Electric at 8001 Haggerty Rd.
• Also, heard about the construction of a minor storage area and restroom addition for Mike’s Kitchen at 11511 Belleville Rd. The variance was approved in 2020 and lapsed and approved again in 2022. The building permit application is currently under review. If there are fewer than 20 seats on the proposed patio, the plan won’t come back to the commission for action;
• Also, heard about remodeling taking place in the former Diamondback Saloon at 49345 S. I-94 Service Dr. for conversion to a different event facility, bar and food service by owner Eric Nemeth. A final site plan will be shared with the commission once it is available. Power said he was told it will be a gathering place with bar, food, line dancing, concerts, magic shows and bridal and wedding showers;
• Also, heard about the remodeling of the former Belleville Exchange to serve its new tenant Purpose Dental at 45520 Tyler Rd.;
• Also, heard of the remodeling of the Walmart store at 10562 Belleville Rd. with changes including installation of off-street parking spaces in a designated deferred parking area for pickup orders and other minor parking, landscaping and striping improvements;
• Was informed Camping World renovations is now moving forward after a long lull. Power said officials will walk through soon to get things under way. The permit for reconstruction was ready and was issued, he said;
• Heard Commissioner Jackson Pahle say that from his “other job” he has learned that OUR Next Energy on Ecorse Road will have its prototype up and running by the end of the year. His other job is working for State Rep. Reggie Miller;
• Discussed zoning ordinance amendments for child care uses to eliminate the 1,500 feet between child care homes to allow for more badly needed child care sites. The commission asked Power to bring the proposed ordinance back to it with more flexibility;
• Discussed Industrial and Office Future Land Use, Zoning and Development as suggested by Power. Commissioner Grant said businesses are evolving and it’s worth looking into current uses. He said the ordinance zoning should be consistent with the use. Power said he would move forward with studying this issue; and
• Discussed a potential joint meeting between the city of Belleville and Van Buren Township planning commissions to discuss mutual matters, as requested by Commissioner Medina Atchinson, who was absent and excused from the Aug. 9 meeting. The last such meeting was in 2017 and included Sumpter Township. Power said he would contact the city and township to set up such a joint meeting.