Aerial view of Dusty’s Collision site.

The proposal calls for building a 30,537-square-foot, one-story auto collision repair facility on a parcel that’s currently vacant. A previous building at that location was torn down in 2013. The new building would include 5,285 square feet for office use, a waiting area of 5,227 square feet, and 20,025 square feet for the repair area and garage. The project is estimated to cost $2 million.

The site will include 106 spaces of exterior parking, including 24 spaces that will be deferred until needed, according to the staff memo. One bicycle hoop – for 2 bike parking spaces – will be located near the front of the building.

The planning commission’s recommendation for approval, made at its June 3, 2014 meeting, was contingent on the owner – Whitney’s Collision West of Ann Arbor – providing one footing drain disconnect before the city issues a certificate of occupancy. [.pdf of staff memo]

At the July 21 city council meeting, Christopher Taylor (Ward 3) asked for permission to refrain from voting, as it’s a client of his. Taylor is a local attorney. Permission was granted by the council.

This brief was filed from the city council’s chambers on the second floor of city hall located at 301 E. Huron.

Untreated water from the broken sanitary sewer line flowed up to the street via manholes, according to the press release. The untreated water then made its way into the city’s stormwater system, to Malletts Creek and, ultimately, to the Huron River. A report has been made to Michigan Dept. of Environmental Quality about the incident, according to the city.

In a conversation with The Chronicle last week, public services area administrator Craig Hupy explained that as the colder weather wears on, the frost level goes deeper. The frost does not freeze the water pipes, but it does cause the ground to shift, which can then cause the pipes to break.

The notification of all press outlets about such incidents reflects a policy change implemented by the city in the summer of 2013.