November 27, 2023
City of Dexter City Council Meeting
Monday, November 27, 2023 at 7 p.m.
3515 Broad Street, Dexter, MI 48130 and via Zoom
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Meeting ID: 881 4138 1694#
Meeting Agenda: https://files.dextermi.gov/City_Council/2023/Agendas/2023-11-27-CC-A.pdf
Meeting Packet Part 1: https://files.dextermi.gov/City_Council/2023/Packets/2023-11-27-CC-P_1.pdf
Meeting Packet Part 2: https://files.dextermi.gov/City_Council/2023/Packets/2023-11-27-CC-P_2.pdf
PRE-ARRANGED PARTICIPATION
Pre-arranged participation will be limited to those who notify the City office before 5:00 p.m. Monday of the week preceding the meeting, stating name, intent and time requirements. (10-minute limit per participant)
Marianne Wendt, the City’s Recreation Coordinator, will present the Farmers Market and Community Garden End of Season reports.
David Lutton, representing Baker Holding, LLC, will address Council about his request that the City annex part of what is commonly known as the Sloan-Kingsley property. (see discussion/consideration item below)
NON-ARRANGED PARTICIPATION
Non-arranged participation will include those in the audience not listed on the agenda that wish to speak. At the Mayor’s discretion, members of the audience may be called on to speak at any time. Those addressing the Council will state their name, and address. This section is limited to 5-minutes per participant or 10-minutes for group representative.
As always, there are two opportunities for non-arranged public participation: one near the beginning of the meeting and one near the end of the meeting. See the agenda for details. Just state your name and address and then share your thoughts–it’s that easy!
VARIOUS UPDATES
Council will review (1) minutes of its most recent meeting(s) and (2) the upcoming meeting list. We will also hear various updates from staff, including the City Manager and the Mayor (note that corresponding written reports are included in the meeting packet).
Updates that might be of interest:
Public Safety Facilities Update. Staff participated in a Public Safety Facilities Group meeting on Tuesday, November 21, 2023. David Gassen with Partners in Architecture presented updated internal and external building renderings to the group. A copy of the presentation is attached to this report. Mr. Gassen indicated that he is looking for consensus on the current design draft before moving into detailed budgeting and schematic design. The group provided feedback on the concepts presented, such as the placement of doors/windows, exterior architectural elements, signage, and parking on Alpine. also Staff is working to set-up a meeting between the City Attorney and Cunningham-Limp to review and discuss the draft Construction Manager contract for the public safety facilities project. Staff is targeting the week of November 27th. See beginning page 65 of the packet for an update from the committee and recall that the current direction is a demolition of the existing fire station and new build at the same location (i.e., 8140 Main Street).
8050 Main St. Staff is working on compiling the information requested by City Council related to 8050 Main St. Staff has contacted real estate professionals regarding value estimates, contacted the Dexter Historical Society, and solicited proposals for an abstract title search. Staff is also working to update assessing record information. Staff anticipates bringing the information back to Council for continued discussion for a meeting in December. Note that this is the City-owned property that formerly housed Hotel Hickman.
Citizen Advisory Board to the Downtown Development Authority (DDA). The City is still looking for five more residents that live within the DDA boundary to serve on an advisory board to the DDA. Contact the City if you are interested.
Recent Market Studies. The DDA received a draft set of four market studies as part of its Strategic Plan update. The residential, real estate, demographic and economic market studies are included in the November DDA meeting packet found here.
CONSENT AGENDA
Following the presentation and any discussion of these reports, Council will consider (i.e., take formal action on) the following items as part of the Consent Agenda. Unless Council votes to do otherwise, these items are voted on as a single bundle without Council discussion.
Bills & Payroll in the amount of: $173,024.40
Dexter Daze Committee Road Closure Request for Holiday Light Parade on December 2, 2023
The City of Dexter has received a park use permit request submitted by Dexter Daze for the Holiday Light Parade on December 2, 2023. This includes road closures along the parade route and a 20’x10’ tent in Monument Park. The parade will include closures to the following roads:
Inverness between Forest and Dexter Ann Arbor (4:30pm to 6:00pm)
Kensington between Forest and Dexter Ann Arbor (4:30pm to 6:00pm)
Dexter Ann Arbor/Main St. between Inverness and Jeffords (6:00pm to 7:00pm)
Water Service Line Replacement by M&K Televising and Jetting for an Amount not to Exceed $6,587.50
Amendment to Approved Final Site Plan for Champion Gymnastics to Allow for the Installation of a Fence
City Council is scheduled to consider a recommendation from the Planning Commission regarding an Amendment to the Approved Site Plan for Champion Gymnastics, located at 2362 Bishop Circle East. The applicant, Launie Aben, is requesting an amendment to allow for the installation of an eight-foot- tall wooden fence along the rear property line, as a substitution for the majority of the landscape screen that was required as a condition of approval. The applicant is still proposing a juniper screen along the south side of the additional parking spaces at the rear of the building. The remainder of the site plan is consistent with the site plan approved by City Council.
DISCUSSION AND/OR CONSIDERATION ITEMS
In addition to any items described under Consent Agenda (above), Council will consider (i.e., take formal action on; “C”) or discuss (i.e., take no formal action on; “D”) the following business:
Excusing Dan Schlaff’s Absences from City Council Meetings Held from December 11, 2023 Through January 8, 2024 (C)
Per Charter Section 5.05 Vacancies, Forfeiture of Office, Filling of Vacancies
(b) A Mayor or Council Member shall forfeit that office if that Mayor or Council Member:
(1) Fails to meet the residency requirements, or
(2) Violates any express prohibition of this charter, or
(3) Is convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude, or
(4) Fails to attend three (3) consecutive regular meetings of the Council without being excused by the Council.Council Member Schlaff has indicated that he anticipates being absent from City Council meetings held between December 11, 2023 and January 8, 2024.
The Pelham Condominiums Preliminary Planned Unit Development (C)
On November 6, 2023, the Planning Commission considered a revised preliminary PUD plan for “The Pelham Condominiums,” a multiple-family residential development consisting of two (2) 4-story buildings, each with fourteen (14) owner-occupied dwelling units, 40 underground parking spaces (20 for each building), and 16 surface parking spaces, along with stormwater management, dumpster enclosure, landscaping, and other site improvements, located at 8180 Main St. The applicant, The Pelham, LLC., has entered into a purchase agreement with the property owner is 76 Properties, LLC, represented by Nate Pound.
Staff often includes suggested motions for consideration items and has offered the following in addition to an alternative motion to postpone action pending the incorporation of to-be-determined comments and concerns.
Suggested Motion #1:
Based on the information provided by the applicant, staff, CWA, OHM, and DAFD, and in accordance with the standards in Section 19.05(E), the City Council accepts the Planning Commission’s findings and recommendations, and moves to (APPROVE/DENY) PPPSP23-04 The Pelham Condominiums, application received July 7, 2023; preliminary PUD plan, revision dated September 29, 2023; and revised building elevations and cross section, received October 2, 2023, subject to the following:
City Council finds the proposed 28 units multiple-family condominium development at 8180 Main Street:
will not result in a material increase in the need for public services, facilities, and utilities and shall not place a material burden upon the subject or surrounding land or property owners and occupants or the natural environment.
is compatible with the Master Plan and is consistent with the intent and spirit of the PUD District.
will not change the essential character of the surrounding area.
has acceptable phasing and timetable.
will be under single-ownership.
City Council finds the Preliminary PUD Plan provides the following recognizable and material benefits, per Section 19.01(A)(1):
Redevelopment of a grayfield site.
Extensive landscaping beyond the site plan requirements.
Property with difficult site conditions due to shape of parcel, the topography and abutting railroad embankment.
Mitigation of off-site impact on public facilities through the extension and looping of the public water main.
Significant use of sustainable and site design features including a rain garden.
City Council finds the Preliminary PUD Plan demonstrates compliance with the standards set forth in Sections 19.01(A-L) and qualifies for PUD designation.
The maximum density of the PUD shall not exceed 28 multiple-family dwelling units.
The following deviations shall be permitted:
A 7.6-foot minimum front yard setback.
A 43% front build out.
A ground floor height of 8 feet.
A maximum building height of 47 feet and 4-stories.
A partial sidewalk on along the sites Main Street frontage.
Fifty-six (56) on-site parking spaces.
Four (4) street trees.
Twenty-three (23) shrubs and no masonry wall.
Sloan-Kingsley Property Request for Annexation (D/C)
On November 8th, the Scio Township Interaction Committee (STIC) met with Mr. Lutton, at his request, to discuss how he would address the goals Council discussed during its work session on Sept. 11th. Those goals are included in the packet for reference. For the meeting Mr. Lutton provided a packet of information, which is included in the meeting packet. See the packet (Part Two, beginning on page 31) for copious documentation.
Review of Annexation Request
The STIC offers the following comments for Council’s consideration:
The City Council established the following policy and general guidelines for “planning for properties outside of the current city limits, in the City’s Master Plan.
From to time, and under mutual agreement between the City of Dexter and adjacent Townships, the municipal boundaries of the City may expand. Municipal expansion of the City boundaries will typically occur in relation to a corresponding extension of sewer and water facilities into underserved areas of adjacent Townships.
The City’s water and sewer systems were designed to serve City property within the present boundaries of the City. The City has made a significant investment in building the capacity, quality, and reliability of the water and sewer systems to serve existing areas of the City, but limited capacity is currently available. Due to the significant investment in these facilities, the City will carefully consider the following general guidelines in accepting potential municipal service expansions:
1. The City of Dexter is willing to work with surrounding communities in developing appropriate agreements that may include the extension of municipal sewer and water services. These agreements must be beneficial to the economic development of the City of Dexter and bring new tax base. Ideally, agreements would benefit the economic development of the surrounding community.
On April 24, 2023 Dave Lutton presented a development concept for the Sloan-Kingsley property (the annexation of 45 acres for residential development, an agrarian development (Many Hands), and preservation of Open Space for Scio Township). After which, Scio Township Clerk, Jessica Flintoff asked that City Council speak directly with the Scio Township Board in a “good faith discussion” regarding the property.
On May 8, 2023, City Council created the Scio Township Interaction Committee (STIC), consisting of Council members Aldag, Semifero, and Hubbard and Community Development Manager Aniol, as the representative from City Staff.
On May 17, 2023 Baker Road Holdings, LLC submitted a Request for Annexation in to the City of Dexter.
On July 14, 2023, August 11, 2023, and September 22, 2023, the STIC met with Scio Township Board representatives, Flintoff, Knol and Reiser. STIC presented Council with a summary after each meeting (attached for reference).
On November 8, 2023, the STIC met with Mr. Lutton, as referenced at the beginning of this memorandum.
On November 14, 2023, the Scio Township Board of Trustees adopted a Resolution regarding the Township’s position on the application for annexation by the City of Dexter for the “Sloan-Kingsley” Property. With the Resolution, the Township Board has taken an official position “that the proposed annexation request does not promote or meet Township goals of open space and preservation or pathways” and the Township will have no further discussion “until a formal request for annexation of the property is received from the City of Dexter.” A copy of the Resolution is included in the packet (Part Two; page 311) update.
Dexter Bicentennial Celebration (D)
As a part of the June 2024 Bicentennial Celebration, the Arts, Culture & Heritage (ACH) Committee, Bicentennial Subcommittee (BSC), and City staff have been looking into hosting a Bicentennial Carnival downtown. Over the last few months, ACH has discussed the concept of the carnival, with two main ideas being at the center of the conversation: (1) contracting with a carnival company (a “drop-in” carnival) or (2) a City-run carnival that would be pieced together through multiple smaller vendors. As the discussion progressed, staff and ACH felt that the “drop-in” carnival in option #1 would provide the best experience and route forward. While these options were being looked at, staff made contact with a representative from WadeShows (based out of Livonia, MI), Michael Prelesnik.
During the site walk, staff originally was looking at a possible closure of both Main Street and Central Street. But during the site walk, staff recognized that closing an additional block of Central Street would allow greater flexibility and room to support the carnival rides and activities than a combination of both Central and Main.
After the site walk, Mr. Prelesnik indicated that the event was feasible for WadeShows to do, and that the City could fit into their schedule. Additionally, staff has taken a deeper look into the finer details with Mr. Prelesnik regarding action items. These items include trailer and RV parking for staff and equipment before, during, and after the carnival ends; access to water; possible electricity access; and carnival layout and necessary road closures. During the site walk, both Superintendent Stewart and DPW Foreman Augustine believed that all the needs of the carnival aforementioned could be accommodated by the City, if permitted.
If Council is supportive of this concept, staff will draft a letter in December to residents who live along Central from 4th to 5th to notify them of the possible closure and give them the opportunity to speak with City staff regarding any questions they may have. The carnival proposed an end time of 11:00pm Thursday through Saturday, but staff would suggest a cut-off time of 10:00pm so the carnival does not operate too late into the evening. This would be close to the Dexter Daze closing period. The only time the carnival may cause noise later than 10:00pm would be on Saturday night, as they begin to breakdown the carnival to leave town in the morning for the Livonia Spree. Staff will confirm with Mr. Prelesnik whether the majority of breakdown will take place in the PM of Saturday or AM of Sunday.
For parking, WadeShows intends to arrive on Sunday, June 16th after the leaving Hamburg Township. They would park both its RV’s for their staff and trailers at the gravel lot near 3045 Broad. Staff feels that this location would be an appropriate location for the parking. If any additional parking is needed, staff may potentially utilize 3045 Broad.
One of the benefits of utilizing WadeShows for this project is that the City does not have to pay WadeShows to host the carnival. Rather, WadeShows generates revenues through ticket/wristbands sales and the sales of food and beverage.
Attached to this memo, staff has included a draft of the road closure permit that would be approved by City Council at the first meeting in December if this concept is supported by Council. Staff wanted to bring this forward as a discussion item first to make City Council aware of the potential scale and planning that has taken place so far/will need to still take place to coordinate the carnival. As mentioned previously, staff is confident in the City’s ability to support this scale of an event.