VBT planners OK McDonald’s site plan, Stellantis tree removal

At the 52-minute meeting of the Van Buren Township Planning Commission on July 23, the planners approved the final site plan for the rebuilding of McDonald’s on Belleville Road and a tree removal permit for the Wayne County Airport property that will hold a huge Stellantis warehouse.
Vidya Krishnan, planning consultant from McKenna, said the McDonald’s plan includes a new bench at its northeast corner, an extra exit at its northwest corner at the current drive into the shopping center, and a “right turn only” sign at the exit onto Belleville Road in an effort to avoid crashes.
Consulting engineer Paul Kammer from Fishbeck said since this is a rebuild, many things are the same. He said there will be an underground detention system and the roof drain must go into the detention system first. They are waiting for Wayne County approval on the drainage.
Both consultants recommended approval and the commission approved the final site plan.
The commission was operating with a bare quorum, with four members present. Vice chairman Jeff Jahr presided. Absent were Brian Cullin, Bernie Grant, and Medina Atchinson.
The commission also approved a tree removal permit for the wooded 354-acre area on Ecorse Road between Beck and Denton roads, up to Van Born Road at the railroad.
This is the site of a 2.1 million square foot warehouse for Stellantis, labeled Project Venture by the township.
Krishnan said there are 12,573 trees on the site and 3,247 will be preserved and 9,146 removed. There are 2,405 trees regulated by the township’s ordinance on tree removal and replacement and 1,708 will be removed. Stellantis agreed to pay $100,000 into the township tree fund in payment in lieu of the replacement shortfall of 1,199.
A part of the property is regulated wetlands and trees cannot be removed there except for safety access, she said. No trees can be in the Willow Run Airport runway crash zone at the southwest triangle of the site, she said.
She said the project is working with Wayne County on water detention. She recommended approval of the permit with stipulations.
Commissioner Peter Creal pointed out the township signed a development agreement with Stellantis. He made the motion to approve the permit and stipulations which was passed unanimously.
The commission also considered a letter from Wayne County responding to the planning commission’s question about public sidewalks being required along street frontages for Project Venture.
The July 9 letter from Sami Khaldi, county director of engineering, said: “… The county has investigated the project site including Beck, Ecorse, and Denton roads. At this present time, the county has conculuded that installing sidewalks along these road would create both environmental and safety concerns due to additional wetlands impact and high speeds within the industrial corridor.
“Additionally, Beck Road has an open drain on the west side of the road which will be challenging to install a sidewalk at this time.”
Ron Akers, director of municipal services, said the planning commission had said the sidewalks shouldn’t be required there and Jahr affirmed the thoughts expressed at a previous meeting.
Krishnan said sidewalks are for pedestrian connectivity and it doesn’t apply here presently.
Jahr said the planning commission can’t waive the sidewalks and it would have to go to the Board of Zoning Appeals.
Akers said sidewalks should be on Beck Road when it is paved in the future, but he thinks the sidewalk should be deferred now until the road is paved.
The commission wished Project Venture / Stellantis luck at the BZA.
Akers reminded the commission of the tri-community planning commission meeting for Belleville, Sumpter, and Van Buren Township at 5 p.m., July 30, at Belleville High School.
Eric Schubert of Red Rocker Brewing Company, which has a liquor license in Canton, was present to ask about his liquor license request. He wishes to move his license to Van Buren Township.
Akers said he expects that to be considered at the Aug. 5 Van Buren Township Board of Trustees meeting.
The township has to approve the business before that can be sent on to the Liquor Control Commission for a final decision.