The site plan had been recommended unanimously for approval by the Ann Arbor planning commission at its April 17, 2012 meeting. The commission also granted a special exception use for the project.

The project entails building a one-story, 929-square-foot addition onto the west end of an existing 3,111-square-foot preschool building, for a new total of 4,040 square feet. The preschool has an agreement with the Korean Methodist Church at 1526 Franklin Street to use eight parking spaces at the church lot. On-street parking is available on Miller Avenue and Franklin Street.

The special exception use is required because the project is located on a site zoned R1C (single-family dwelling district). According to a staff memo, the preschool includes programs for children up to 5 years old, with one or two afternoon enrichment classes serving children up to 8 years old. The programs will have a maximum of 14 students each (with 8 for young children attending with their parents) and one or two staff members teaching the programs. The preschool programs will be held mornings on Mondays through Thursdays, with enrichment classes held in the late afternoons. The number of children at the preschool will increase from 25 to 42, with a maximum of 50 in the future.

In December 2010, the planning commission had previously granted special exception use and recommended site plan approval for a project proposed by the preschool at a different location. That plan had called for demolishing the existing building and constructing a new 1,101-square-foot preschool building in a residentially zoned district at 1515 Franklin St. The preschool subsequently decided to pursue a different project.

The site plan (but not the special exception use) required approval by city council.

This brief was filed from the city council’s chambers on the second floor of city hall, located at 301 E. Huron. A more detailed report will follow.

The rezoning request was to change half of a parcel located at 1200 S. Main to the P (parking) zoning designation.

The rezoning to P (parking) is part of a two-parcel site plan proposal – for which the city planning commission provided a positive recommendation at its March 6, 2012 meeting. At that meeting, the commission took two votes on the 1200 S. Main parcel – the site plan and the rezoning proposal. And on both votes, the planning commission split 6-3. For the other, adjacent parcel at 1100 S. Main, the city planning commission voted unanimously to recommend the site plan for approval.

The two parcels, at 1100 and 1200 S. Main, are across from Michigan Stadium. An AAA branch built in the 1950s is located there. The owner wants to build a new branch on a different part of the site, tear down the existing building, and reconfigure parking spaces.

The two parcels are part of a 1.5-acre site containing four parcels owned by the auto club and all zoned O (office). Located on the 1200 S. Main parcel is the current one-story branch building with walk-out basement and 36 parking spaces, with exits onto South Main, Berkley and Potter.

The 1100 S. Main site is a surface parking lot, which has 72 spaces and exits onto both Potter and Keech. The owner is requesting to build a one-story, 5,443-square-foot new branch building on the northeast corner of that site, with parking for 21 spaces. A second phase of the project would include an eventual 2,230-square-foot addition to the south side of that building. There are six landmark trees on the site, and the plan would require removal of two that are located along South Main, near Keech. Other trees would be added elsewhere on the site.

After the new structure is completed, the old building at 1200 S. Main would be torn down and a 14-space parking lot would be put on that parcel. And to do that, the proposal asked that the northern 123 feet of that parcel – about half of the parcel – be rezoned from O (office) to P (parking), so that parking could become the principal use for that site. A site plan for that parcel is also required.

The owner’s overall plan called for a total of 35 spaces – a reduction from the current parking on the site, which was approved in the mid-1970s but no longer conforms with existing zoning. The 35 spaces would be four more spaces than the 31 maximum number permitted under the O (office) zoning, based on the new building’s square footage in both phases. That’s why the owner requested that a portion of the overall site be rezoned for parking – in the P (parking) district, there is no maximum.

This brief was filed from the city council’s chambers on the second floor of city hall, located at 301 E. Huron. A more detailed report will follow.

The project also needs a variance to the 15-foot conflicting land use buffer requirements along the east side property line, adjacent to Riverside Park. DTE is requesting a variance that would allow 33 trees and 38 shrubs to be planted along the far western side of Riverside Park instead of on DTE property. The city’s park advisory commission recommended approval of that variance at its Feb. 28, 2012 meeting.

DTE is building the new Buckler substation in the utility company’s Ann Arbor service center to provide an increase in electrical power to the downtown area due to increased demand for electricity. A DTE engineer told commissioners that within a mile radius of the current Argo substation on Broadway, peak loads were 17% higher in 2001 2011 compared to 2009. He described the Buckler substation project as a $10 million investment in the city.

According to a staff memo, the project will include two 15.5-foot tall electrical transformers and related electrical equipment on raised concrete pads, and a new power delivery center (PDC) – a 630-square-foot, 12.5-foot tall steel structure. The project also will include a new six-foot tall perimeter chain link fence with one foot of barb wire and a concrete block retaining wall. The source of power will be transmitted through underground sub-transmission cables in an existing manhole and conduit system.

Because of floodplain issues, DTE has proposed to build raised transformer pads by bringing in 800 cubic yards of fill. To mitigate that impact to the floodplain, DTE plans to remove 1,155 cubic yards of earth on the MichCon site at 841 Broadway. [MichCon is a DTE subsidiary.] The proposal also calls for removing a building on the MichCon site, which will give the company an additional 55 cubic yards of ”floodplain mitigation credit.” The proposal for this MichCon portion of the project was presented in a separate agenda item, and unanimously approved by planning commissioners.

The Buckler substation project is expected to return to the planning commission at its next meeting on June 5.

This brief was filed from the second-floor council chambers of city hall at 301 E. Huron, where planning commission meetings are held. A more detailed report will follow.

The MichCon site plan approval is contingent on three things: (1) obtaining variances from the city’s zoning board of appeals (ZBA) to exempt MichCon from providing a new stormwater management system; (2) obtaining a Michigan Dept. of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) permit for work within the floodplain and Huron River; and (3) indicating water main and storm sewer easements on the site plan and providing the city with legal descriptions for those easements prior to the city issuing grading permits.

The remediation site plan entails removing 1,155 cubic yards of earth on the MichCon property, including the site’s most heavily contaminated soil. The company would get another 55 cubic yards of “floodplain mitigation credit” as a result of removing a building on the site. The remediation is intended to offset impact on the Huron River floodplain that’s expected when DTE brings in 800 cubic yards of soil to build raised transformer pads at the new Buckler substation.

According to a staff memo, a ZBA variance is needed to exempt the company from building new stormwater detention systems. Because contaminated soil will remain on the site after remediation, the company has indicated that installing new detention systems would be harmful to groundwater and the Huron River. Detention systems would not be required if impervious surfaces were removed on the site. However, removing impervious surfaces would allow contaminants in the soil to leach into the Huron River and groundwater. The proposal calls for leaving the existing impervious surfaces in place to provide a cap on contaminated soils.

The MichCon remediation requires only approval of the planning commission, and does not require action by city council.

This brief was filed from the second-floor council chambers of city hall at 301 E. Huron, where planning commission meetings are held. A more detailed report will follow.

The commission had previously approved the project at its March 20, 2012 meeting. But that vote was rescinded because Scio Township residents on Calvin Street had not been included in an original public notice mailed out for the commission’s March meeting. There were no changes to the plan in the interim period.

The project is located on 2.96 acres at 1649 N. Maple, north of Miller Road between North Maple and Calvin Street on the city’s west side. At the March 20 meeting, Bonnie Bona and Eric Mahler had voted against the project.

The plan calls for combining two sites – 1649 N. Maple and 1718 Calvin – and demolishing an existing single-family home and detached garages there. Two 3-story apartment buildings would be built with a 64-space parking lot and eight bike spaces. The project also includes building a private street to serve seven new single-family houses near Calvin Street, but with an entrance off of North Maple. According to a staff memo, there will be no access to Calvin Street, which “is a private street with a checkered history regarding access rights.” The apartment complex would have a separate entrance, also off of North Maple.

Each apartment building would contain a total of 18 one-and two-bedroom apartments ranging from 745 to 1,057 square feet. The plan calls for each apartment building to have a rooftop patio for use by residents, with the possibility of a vegetated cover (green roof) for the remainder of the roof surface. The staff memo noted that the city has requested a $26,660 parks contribution, but the developer has declined to make that contribution.

The site has two zoning designations, which the project accommodates. The eastern half of the parcel, adjacent to North Maple, is zoned O (office), but residential uses are permitted as long as the project conforms to the area, height and placement regulations of office zoning. The maximum height allowed is 55 feet, but the proposed apartment buildings would be 44 feet tall. The western half of the site, where the single-family homes are planned, is zoned R1C (single-family residential).

Site plans for two previous projects had been approved by the city (in 2005 and 2008) but neither project was built. Planning staff had recommended approval of this current project.

Several neighbors attended the May 1 meeting and spoke against the project for a variety of reasons, including density, flooding, aesthetics and traffic. Commissioners also voiced several concerns, but it was the two proposed entrances that prompted the most discussion and ultimately the move to postpone. Wendy Woods pointed out that the city’s traffic engineer had advised that a single entrance would be preferable. The city code allows for two entrances, however, based on the property’s lineal frontage.

A representative of the owner told commissioners that the owner was committed to two entrances in order to market the apartments and single-family homes separately. Mahler cautioned commissioners that after a postponement of the vote, the developer still would be under no obligation to make changes. No date has been set for when the project will next appear on the planning commission agenda.

This brief was filed from the second-floor council chambers at city hall, 301 E. Huron St., where the planning commission holds its meetings. A more detailed report will follow: [link]

Eric Mahler, chair of the Ann Arbor planning commission. (Photos by the writer.)

Approval was given for (1) zoning changes allowing an expansion of the Shell station’s retail store at Ann Arbor-Saline and West Eisenhower Parkway, (2) a site plan and special exception use for the Allen Creek Preschool, located at 2350 Miller Ave.; and (3) a slight revision to the special exception use for the Michigan Alpha Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon house at Tappan and Hill – increasing by one the number of beds allowed at the fraternity.

The brevity of recent planning commission meetings will be offset by packed agendas anticipated in May. The May 1 agenda items will likely include: (1) review of a possible revision to the city’s medical marijuana zoning ordinance, as directed by city council at their April 2 meeting; (2) update of the city’s capital improvements plan (CIP); (3) a master plan review; and (4) reconsideration of the Maple Cove project, after it was discovered that notices hadn’t been mailed out to all nearby residents for the previous planning commission meeting.

Two other major items that have been in the works since 2009 will be making their way back to planning commissioners soon. A draft report from the R4C/R2A zoning district advisory committee is nearly completed and might be reviewed as soon as the commission’s May 8 working session. Also, a consultant’s report on a zoning ordinance reorganization effort known as ZORO will be presented to planning commissioners in the coming weeks. Rampson told commissioners that the consultant described Ann Arbor’s current zoning ordinances as some of the worst he’s seen – complex, convoluted, and conflicting.

After being briefed on upcoming topics at an April 10 working session, planning commission chair Eric Mahler quipped, “The days of the marathon meetings are back.” Commissioner Diane Giannola gave this advice to the newer commissioners: “Come prepared with snacks.”

At least one new member will be joining the commission this summer. Following the April 17 regular meeting, commissioner Erica Briggs told The Chronicle that because of other time commitments, she would not be seeking reappointment when her term ends this July. She said she wanted to alert others who might be interested in applying for the position.

Shell Station

The Ann Arbor planning commission was asked to consider a request from owners of the Shell service station at the northeast corner of Ann Arbor-Saline and West Eisenhower Parkway – to revise the zoning regulations associated with the parcel.

Owners of the station are asking for revisions to the site’s planned unit development (PUD), which would allow them to build additions onto the existing 1,000-square-foot convenience store. The new additions would total 4,089 square feet, including 2,189 square feet to the north and east of the store. Their plan also calls for converting the 900-square-foot carwash area into new retail space. The existing access drive to the carwash would be landscaped, and the parking lot would be reconfigured for a new total of 16 spaces.

According to a staff memo, the PUD revisions were recommended because they are seen as providing an overall benefit to the city, by: (1) supporting the continued viability of retail options for the surrounding neighborhood; (2) creating job opportunities from this expansion; and (3) controlling the architectural design standards of this building as a gateway into the city.

The commission had postponed action on this item at its March 6, 2012 meeting. Planning staff had recommended postponement because additional information and analysis was required. That information was provided, and planning staff recommended approval at the April 17 meeting.

Shell Station: Public Hearing

Brad Cousino, the project engineer for this expansion, spoke briefly at the public hearing. He noted that the owner and the owner’s family were at the meeting, and everyone was glad that the planning staff had recommended approval.

Shell Station: Commission Discussion

Bonnie Bona referred to a letter from the owner that responded to various concerns, including one that she had highlighted at previous meetings regarding outdoor sales. The letter had indicated that there would be no outdoor sales in front of the building after the addition is completed, she said. Currently, there are ice coolers and propane tanks on the front sidewalk. Bona said her intent was not to require that those items be removed completely, but that the sidewalk should not be obstructed.

From left: Planning commissioners Diane Giannola and Erica Briggs. Terms for both commissioners end in July, and Briggs has announced her intent not to seek reappointment.

The station’s owner, Abe Ajrouch, told commissioners that the reason those items are located outside is because the current store is so small. Bona replied that she wasn’t sure he’d want to have the propane tanks inside the store, even if there was room. She asked staff whether the PUD’s supplemental regulations could include a statement indicating that there won’t be outdoor sales in certain areas, to ensure a clear pedestrian walkway.

Bona said she wasn’t trying to be rigid, but this location is a gateway to the city. Having that merchandise located outside on the side of the building wouldn’t be a big deal – it’s the front that’s more important, she said. Bona added that this was one of the nicest designs she’s seen for a gas station.

Ajrouch said his intent was not to simply make it the best gas station in Ann Arbor, but maybe in all of Michigan.

Erica Briggs raised the issue of vehicle access between the site and Cranbrook Shopping Center – at previous meetings, she has expressed interest in finding a way to make that happen. City planner Chris Cheng explained that because of a severe grade change between the Shell site and Cranbrook, a cut-through wouldn’t be possible.

Outcome: Commissioners voted unanimously to recommend approval of revisions to the Shell station’s planned unit development (PUD) zoning. The request will next be considered by city council.

Allen Creek Preschool

The planning commission considered a site plan for the Allen Creek Preschool, located at 2350 Miller Ave., as well as a special exception use for the project.

Aerial map of Allen Creek Preschool site provided in the April 17 meeting packet. The large east-west road in this image is Miller Avenue. (Links to .pdf of larger map)

The project entails building a one-story, 929-square-foot addition onto the west end of an existing 3,111-square-foot preschool building, for a new total of 4,040 square feet. The preschool has an agreement with the Korean Methodist Church at 1526 Franklin Street to use eight parking spaces at the church lot. On-street parking also is available on Miller Avenue and Franklin Street.

The special exception use is required because the project is located on a site zoned R1C (single-family dwelling district). According to a staff memo, the preschool includes programs for children up to 5 years old, with one or two afternoon enrichment classes serving children up to 8 years old. The programs will have a maximum of 14 students each (with 8 for young children attending with their parents) and one or two staff members teaching the programs. The preschool programs will be held mornings on Mondays through Thursdays, with enrichment classes held in the late afternoons. Hours of operation would be limited to between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays. The number of children at the preschool will increase from 25 to 42, with a maximum of 50 permitted.

Before building permits are issued, the preschool will be required to pay $257.74 into the city’s street tree escrow, based on the site’s street frontage.

In December 2010, the commission had previously granted special exception use and recommended site plan approval for a project proposed by the preschool at a different location. That plan had called for demolishing an existing building and constructing a new 1,101-square-foot preschool building in a residentially zoned district at 1515 Franklin St. The preschool subsequently decided to pursue a different project.

The only person who spoke during a public hearing was Mark Pascoe, a senior project manager with Stantec, saying he was available for questions.

Allen Creek Preschool: Commission Discussion

Tony Derezinski asked where the nearby vacant gas station was located, in relation to the preschool. It’s at the corner of Miller and Maple, city planner Chris Cheng replied, west of the preschool. Did that pose any hazards for the children? Derezinski asked. Cheng indicated that he wasn’t aware of any possible hazards – the properties are separated by a chain-link fence.

From left: Chris Cheng of the city's planning staff talks with Mark Pascoe, a senior project manager with Stantec, who's working on the Allen Creek Preschool project.

Wendy Rampson, the city’s planning manager, reported that the city has received an application for a new Speedway gas station at that location. The plan – which she said wasn’t yet ready for consideration by the planning commission – calls for tearing down the existing station and building a new one.

Bonnie Bona asked about the parking requirements, in relation to the number of students at the preschool.

Chapter 55 of the Ann Arbor city code (Section 5:10.2) allows child care centers to operate with a special exception use, but with certain conditions. As described in a planning staff memo, the parcel must have a minimum of 7,500 square feet of gross lot area, one off-street parking space for each caregiver required to staff the facility at its state licensed capacity, and two off-street or on-street parking spaces – plus one additional space for each 20 children, for drop-off and pick-up use within 250 feet of the preschool.

Cheng clarified that the current preschool site has the minimum number of parking spaces for its size (9) plus another eight spaces at the Korean Methodist Church lot, as well as nearby off-site parking on Franklin and Miller.

Diane Giannola asked whether there was a typo in the staff report regarding the hours of operation – a 7 a.m. start time seemed early to her. Andy Boschma, the preschool’s board treasurer, stepped up to the podium to answer Giannola’s question. Although no children are at the preschool until 9 a.m., staff could be there as early as 7. Most of the classes are held in the morning, but there is also an enrichment program that runs in the late afternoon for children who are 6-7 years old.

Wendy Woods asked about the parcel of public land that’s located east of the preschool site, at the corner of Franklin and Miller. That’s a small neighborhood “pocket” park, Cheng said.

Outcome: Commissioners unanimously recommended approval of the site plan, and unanimously voted to grant the special exception use. The site plan (but not the special exception use) also requires approval by the city council.

Sigma Phi Epsilon Special Exception Use

The Michigan Alpha Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon was requesting a slight revision to its special exception use – increasing by one the number of beds allowed in its house at 730 Tappan. The change would allow for 45 beds, including an additional separate bedroom for the required in-house manager.

The commission had granted the original special exception use more than a year ago, at its March 1, 2011 meeting. That had allowed the fraternity to convert a church at the northwest corner of Tappan and Hill into a fraternity house. The building previously had been the home of the Memorial Christian Church, which is now located at 5141 Platt Road. The fraternity didn’t acquire the property until earlier this year, and began interior renovations in March 2012.

The site is zoned R4C (multi-family dwelling district), which allows for fraternities if given special exception use approval. Based on the city’s zoning code, a parcel used for a fraternity must have a minimum of 350 square feet per occupant. According to a planning staff memo, this site’s 22,400-square-foot parcel could support up to 64 occupants, if granted permission by the city.

Sigma Phi Epsilon Special Exception Use: Public Hearing

Jonathan Kucera, the project’s architect, was the only person who spoke during a public hearing on the item. He said he was there to represent the owner. The project had been developed based on an assumption that all 44 beds within the house would be income-producing, he said – that is, that the 44 beds would be used by paying members of the fraternity. Realizing that they needed another bed for the required resident manager, the design was altered to add an extra room – but that required a revision to the special exception use that the fraternity was requesting.

Kucera offered to answer any questions from commissioners. There were none.

Outcome: Without discussion, planning commissioners unanimously approved the special exception use revision.

Commissioner Reappointments

After the April 17 meeting, Erica Briggs told The Chronicle that because of other time commitments, she would not be seeking reappointment to the planning commission when her term ends this July. She said she wanted to alert others who might be interested in the position.

From left: Planning commissioners Tony Derezinski and Evan Pratt. Derezinski also represents Ward 2 on Ann Arbor city council.

Candidates for planning commission are nominated by the mayor and confirmed by the city council. Briggs was appointed by mayor John Hieftje in 2009 for a three-year term.

Terms for two other planning commissioners – Diane Giannola and Kirk Westphal – also end in July. Westphal told The Chronicle that he hopes to be reappointed. Giannola said she has not yet given it serious consideration.

Another planning commissioner, Evan Pratt, plans to run for the office of Washtenaw County water resources commissioner. The primary for that office is in August, followed by an election in November. His current term on the planning commission ends June 30, 2013.

May 1 Meeting

Although Tuesday’s meeting was relatively brief – lasting about 45 minutes – commissioners expect a much longer session on May 1, when they face a packed agenda. At an April 10 working session, planning manager Wendy Rampson had briefed commissioners on upcoming meeting agendas, noting that while there’s recently been a quiet period for the group, several major items will be coming their way soon.

For the next regular meeting on May 1, agenda items will likely include: (1) review of a possible revision to the city’s medical marijuana zoning ordinance, as directed by city council at their April 2 meeting; (2) update of the city’s capital improvements plan (CIP); (3) a master plan review; (4) reconsideration of the Maple Cove project; and (5) a site plan and rezoning of the Chalmers Place parking lot.

Two other major items that have been in the works since 2009 will be making their way back to planning commission soon. A draft report of from the R4C/R2A zoning district advisory committee is nearly completed and might be reviewed as soon as the commission’s May 8 working session. Also, a consultant’s report on a zoning ordinance reorganization effort known as ZORO will be presented to planning commissioners in the coming weeks. Rampson told commissioners that the consultant described Ann Arbor’s current zoning ordinances as some of the worst he’s seen – complex, convoluted, and conflicting.

After being briefed on upcoming topics at the April 10 working session, planning commission chair Eric Mahler quipped, “The days of the marathon meetings are back.” Commissioner Diane Giannola gave this advice to the newer commissioners: “Come prepared with snacks.”

Present: Eleanore Adenekan, Bonnie Bona, Erica Briggs, Tony Derezinski, Diane Giannola, Eric Mahler, Evan Pratt, Kirk Westphal, Wendy Woods.

Next regular meeting: The planning commission next meets on Tuesday, May 1, 2012 at 7 p.m. in the second-floor council chambers at city hall, 301 E. Huron St., Ann Arbor. [confirm date]

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The project entails building a one-story, 929-square-foot addition onto the west end of an existing 3,111-square-foot preschool building, for a new total of 4,040 square feet. The preschool has an agreement with the Korean Methodist Church at 1526 Franklin Street to use eight parking spaces at the church lot. On-street parking is available on Miller Avenue and Franklin Street.

The special exception use is required because the project is located on a site zoned R1C (single-family dwelling district). According to a staff memo, the preschool includes programs for children up to 5 years old, with one or two afternoon enrichment classes serving children up to 8 years old. The programs will have a maximum of 14 students each (with 8 for young children attending with their parents) and one or two staff members teaching the programs. The preschool programs will be held mornings on Mondays through Thursdays, with enrichment classes held in the late afternoons. The number of children at the preschool will increase from 25 to 42, with a maximum of 50 in the future.

In December 2010, the commission had previously granted special exception use and recommended site plan approval for a project proposed by the preschool at a different location. That plan had called for demolishing the existing building and constructing a new 1,101-square-foot preschool building in a residentially zoned district at 1515 Franklin St. The preschool subsequently decided to pursue a different project.

The site plan (but not the special exception use) requires approval by city council.

This brief was filed from the second floor city council chambers at city hall, 301 E. Huron, where the planning commission holds its meetings. A more detailed report will follow: [link]

The plan calls for demolishing a vacant building on the 2.23-acre site where previous restaurants, including Enzo’s and Gallagher’s, were located. In its place, a one-story 1,953-square-foot restaurant with drive-thru facilities would be built on a 1.18-acre site divided from the current parcel. The building would face West Ellsworth and use an existing shared drive on South State, as well as a relocated drive onto West Ellsworth. An outdoor seating area is proposed on the east side of the building.

The property is zoned C3 (fringe commercial), which allows for construction of a drive-thru restaurant. The planning commission’s recommendation of approval is contingent on two issues: (1) submission of a tree health evaluation form, and (2) approval of the parcel’s land division, prior to the city issuing permits for construction of the new building.

Much of the discussion among planning commissioners had focused on the proposed roundabout at State and Ellsworth. A spokesman for Tim Hortons said they’d found out about the roundabout plans late in the process, but are working to integrate their own plans to accommodate it. He indicated that if the company gets approval from the city, they hope to open in August. Construction for the roundabout is expected to begin in the spring of 2013, with completion in the fall of that year.

This brief was filed from the city council’s chambers on the second floor of city hall located at 301 E. Huron. A more detailed report will follow: [link]

The site had also required a rezoning, which the city council had approved at its March 19, 2012 meeting.

The property owned by the society, at 411 Long Shore Drive near Argo Pond, had been previously zoned public land, even though it’s owned by a private entity. The council approved the rezoning as a planned unit development (PUD), which allowed the group to build a a 220-square-foot, one-story addition to the rear of the existing lodge, on its east side. The site plan for that addition was the subject of the council’s April 2 approval.

The nonprofit society is a University of Michigan student and alumni club, focused on nature and the outdoors. Named for French-Canadian voyageurs of the Great Lakes fur trade, it was founded in 1907 and is one of the university’s oldest fraternal student groups. The lodge was built in 1925 – about the same time as the city’s first zoning ordinance and zoning map. Five student members live at the lodge, and society alumni gather there for potluck Sunday dinners from September to April.

This brief was filed from the city council’s chambers on the second floor of city hall, located at 301 E. Huron. A more detailed report will follow: [link]

The proposal calls for demolishing the existing 4,300-square-foot restaurant and building a new 2,679-square-foot one-story restaurant with a 615-square-foot enclosed patio at the front of the building. The 1.15-acre site is located on the west side of West Stadium, south of Liberty. The project would also reconfigure the existing parking lot and provide additional landscaping.

The planning commission had given a unanimous recommendation for approval at its March 6, 2012 meeting.

This brief was filed from the city council’s chambers on the second floor of city hall, located at 301 E. Huron. A more detailed report will follow: [link]