City Council - Special Meeting

How you doing? Good to see you, D. Long time no see. Guys, I know I know it is 6 o' I know it is 6 o' um but as you can see it's only me currently and so we wait 15 minutes and if they do not show up then we have to schedule was everybody. Did you hear me? Guys, did you hear me? Did you hear what I said?

How you doing? This service is me. Okay. So, um I do have a few council members that are showing. They will show up or that are going to be here. They're just running a little late. Oh. That's not

What's this? doesn't do any I don't need That's already right. That's right. Right. Beautiful. Sure, you should work.

Jason school. That's something wasn't sure. Hello And what is that?

That's the information for the workshop. All right. Is it me or are you getting younger around here? Yeah. Is it the center? Yeah. Oh, yes. Me getting younger. You look younger. I ain't going to tell you no lie. Oh yeah. It's a problem there. I got an issue with that all day long. Oh, see what we got here.

So, there are three members here, but Mrs. Robinson is on her way. She did say she's running late. So, we give her a few minutes and see if she arrives. And we Where's the council president? He's not here. He's not here. He's not here, sir. He called for the meeting, but he's not here.

Interesting. So, as you know, this is our notice of our special meeting workshop for today, uh, Monday, January 12, 2026, 6 p.m. here at Robert Blackwell Municipal Building and our council chambers. It is just a workshop to um have this information presented to us and have some discussion from city council um to those individuals. Unfortunately, Mr. Thomas, our council president, is not here today. He called for the meeting, but he's not here. I find that funny. He had a family emergency or something.

It's always a family emergency, but the but but the bottom line is he called for the meeting, but he's not here. So, this information um is useful to all the city council members to help them make their decision going forward in the council meeting whenever it presented at council. And I'm sorry. Can everybody hear me? I just want to make sure everybody can hear me. You can. Thank you. Yeah, your voice carries pretty well. Is your microphone on? Microphone. Yes. It doesn't sound like That's why I was asking. Yeah, we can hear you though. It just doesn't sound

I find that amazing. The council president calls for a meeting, but then he doesn't attend. He's got a family emergency. How convenient. You know, I almost decided not to come. Truly. Well, we thank you for that for coming. We thank you.

That workshop. He's been fighting us on workshop three years straight. No workshops. But all of a sudden, he has a special workshop. Interesting. I mean, this is a man's been fighting us on workshop for three years. He refuses to have them, but he calls this workshop sounds real funny to me. So, council, if you haven't had an opportunity, and I know you haven't, the packet that um CED director just brought in um for our workshop, please take this time while we're um waiting a little bit to maybe look over that information. It's titled McKenna. Didn't we Didn't we deal with Bartlett already?

I could have sworn. No, no, no. Hold a second. Hold a second. I could have sworn that we approved Bartlett's special usage over a year ago. brought it before council at the last meeting and requested to come to work. So this is like really I could have swore we dealt with that. It was a done deal. That's why Okay. Does everybody have a pen or pencil?

So maybe looking at some of the information that we have, you can write down a few questions. I know I did on my paper or at least some examples or definitions. I don't know why I could have swore.

Thank you. I don't know why, but I could have swore and I'mma go back over my notes. I could have swore that we approved Bartlett over a year ago. I I'm actually going to respond to what you were saying. I just want to give Miss Robinson opportunity to get situated and then she can take over the workshop. Uh yeah, cuz I don't understand why they jumping through a hoop again. And I could have swore we approved them over a year ago. We just talking. I just look over their information that was given out. I apologize for being late. It's all right. Council pro 15 calling workshop to order. May you call the role please madam clerk. Councilwoman Mana here. Councilwoman Martin here. Councilman Shaki

present. Pro Robinson present. Council President Thomas. Unfortunately the man that called the meeting is not here. I can get some situ.

You're absolutely right. He's not here. He had a family emergency being our president, Mr. Thomas. Hi, I'm Councilwoman Timmy Manica and the first district and our prom uh councilwoman Miss Robinson is here as well as everyone. The The meeting is or the workshop is to discuss Bartlett number one and second avenue reszoning to MUV which is mixed use urban village district and IRD industrial redevelopment district. Number two, Oakman and Doris Street reszoning to MUV mixeduse urban village district as well. Yes, ma'am. Who's presenting? Mr. Donovan Smith, can you come up to the podium for us, please?

Pro tip. Yes. Before we get started, I don't know why it's messing with me, but I could have swore that over a year ago, we approved Bartlett. Uh, what? We approve over a year ago. You're right. We did approve um they wanted to make a gas station. I think that's what Yes. Uhuh. I remember that gas station. I remember it and I remember that we approved it. So why are they here again? When we when we approved that resolution, it wasn't for I don't think it wasn't. He wanted to sell it, but um the CD director go right in.

I got so so what um so what we approved in the past was for a different project. That was for 20 Bartlett. This is for 52 Bartlett. That's the red apple, correct? Okay. Are they cool with the reszoning that they're trying to do? Yeah, it it went to planning commission. It was approved through planning commission and at the last council meeting, uh, we brought the recommendation from planning commission to the council and the council asked to move it to a workshop. Okay. So, that's why we're here. Okay. Okay. Okay. So, this is a different Barkley 52. Yes. Okay. This is a red apple. Yep. Okay.

All right. Okay. So, so, so, so now that clears up some things for me because the other barland I know we approved that. That that was Mr. Curus. I know we approved it. Okay.

All right. Good evening and thank you all for having me this evening. U, so you what you have before you are two reasonzonings and I'm just going to take a kind of quarter step back just to kind of give context to how we got to this point. Uh since McKenna has stepped in to the planning department uh we've been inbounding uh planning applications, site plan applications or when individuals want to occupy a building uh what the responsibility of planning is is to make sure that before they move into that building uh they are permitted to be in that space and then they follow the zoning ordinance process for site plan um and other entitlements like that. So, both of these resonings were preempted by uh property owners or residents that are within that area that express they want to occupy a building or occupy a space and and put a business and then operate their business out of that space. Um, but as I mentioned, before we can approve a business to occupy, it has to comply with the zoning ordinance and the zoning map itself. Um, so that has to happen first before you can really get into a lot of additional conversation about uh how it's going to be used, what it is, and things like that. Um, so first I'll start with the uh existing Oakman zone change. Um, and I want to make

it's on the back here. Oh, okay. It's on here. Okay. Thank you. And I want to make a a point to this map at the top. Uh notice all the yellow uh properties. All what that yellow signifies is residentially zoned land, which means that land is only suitable for single family homes as it's defined in your ordinance. But what we also know in real life, Oakman is not a residential street. It is not a single family residential street at all. At all. Correct. So what that means are houses,

correct? There are houses on Doris. Uh yeah, on Doris, but I I'll get to those two. So what we know is Oakman is not a residential street. However, there are uh quasi industrial buildings and some commercial buildings. And if anyone wants to occupy or put a building, I'm sorry, or put a business in one of those spaces, they have to comply with this map. This map says you can only put single family homes or or live in one of those spaces as a single family home, which is not the appropriate zoning designation to allow businesses to occupy that corridor. So, the property owner in that area requested to put a vehicle restoration business in one of those properties. We had to deny their application because it's zoned residential. You can't put a business uh vehicle restoration in a commercial district, which gets us to the resoning. In order to allow that business to occupy that space um go forward with the business license process, go forward with the permitting process, the underlining zoning must allow that use to go forward. So this Oakman resoning is requesting to change the residential zoning designation for the parcels along Oakman and on doors to go from single family residential to mixed urban village. And that does a few things. One, it allows all those properties along Oakman to now be used for commercial businesses. uh those businesses still have to comply with the zoning ordinance but they transition from residential only to uh a proper zoning designation which is commercial. Yes.

So where does church fall into that? A church is permitted in a sing in the single family residential district. So the which church are you referring to? door open. It's actually on Kindle. It's behind Oak Philadelphia right now. Okay. On Oakman. That church is an existing uh church that's permitted by the ordinance. So, they are not impacted. They can continue to operate as if they were previously. They would just have a commercial designation. So um no taxes or nothing else would like

zoning doesn't impact taxes. Planning and zoning strictly and only is responsible for uses and where they are located on land. That is so we don't get into taxes and if they're tax exempt things like that. Okay. 74 Kendall Greater Philadelphia is uh you can see that parcel it says 74 on it. That's in a residential district on Kindle. So they're not included in the scope of the resoning for Oakland. Um, additionally, that mixed urban village district does allow uh single family homes to remain, which would be those homes on doors, but it also allows additional residential uses such as town homes and duplexes that can also exist on those homes. So if those individ individuals want to continue to have single family homes, they can. They're not being penalized. and they don't have to demolish them and build anything else. However, if they want to demolish their home and build a town home or demolish their home and build a duplex, they would now have that ability to, whereas prior to uh this resoning, they would not have that ability at all. So, it does two things. It allows the commercial uses to exist and then it gives the existing residents that have property in that area the opportunity to uh build up their homes or build up their properties to other permitted residential uses.

Okay. I remember vividly at the last plan commission meeting that I came to I asked all of these questions that's in front of us right now. Yes. because of the Joe Lewis Greenway that's in Atlanta that I'm very familiar with and they have excuse and all this homes and condo stuff and you said no not right now but now it's not I'm sorry can you ask that specific question again and you denied that that's what you were going to do I'm I'm not I'm sorry I'm not following what you're asking

I asked you were they going to were you going to build in this process homes and condos up and down the Jolo Greenway. You said no, not at this time. That's not a part of this. No, that is not a part of this. No. Okay. That your assessment is correct. We are not building homes up and down the greenway with this resoning. This resoning only is taking those residential parcels and allowing a commercial use.

Okay. With that being said, if you have a residential home, can you turn that into a business? It depends on the homebased businesses are permitted. But in your typical description of business, no. Okay. Like for instance, I know that a lot of them open up their garages and turn their garages into a business. That's facing the greenway. Is that not that I'm aware of? Question. Okay. So, um, say we approved this reszoning. Yes. Just say we approved it.

Mhm. Okay. Uh, does that mean that once it's reszoned, can people do something else other than what we were hoping to accomplish with the mixed use? No. So in in short, what I'm saying is and and you know the buzz around the city is all around the city. I'm sure you heard about it. Does this open the door for ICE facility here in the city of Highland Park? It does not. So a a detention facility. It would be the technical use per the zoning ordinance is not a permitted use at all. Okay.

In the zoning ordinance. So again, as I mentioned, before you can put a use or business in a building, it has to comply with the zoning ordinance and the district any district in the city must allow that use. It is not a permitted use in the city.

Okay. Okay. So say um so say it's it's it's not a permitted use, would they have to come before this council to get a special special um special permission for that particular use? Yes, it's not a special land use. It would require a complete change of the zoning ordinance itself. We'd have to define the use, assign it to a district, and then that has to go through a zoning text amendment process, planning commission, city council, and then that buck ends there. And then if they were to occupy, there's a whole site planning process. There's a whole separate process. But short answer, uh it would require a change that comes before city council. Okay. Okay.

Yes, ma'am. Okay. So, with that being said, as far as the ICE detention facility, would this zoning allow for a residential sanctuary? I do. What is a residential sanctuary? Go ahead. It's like if it's related anything anything to that particular use we discussed, then no, it is it is not a permitted use. Okay. I have anybody questions? I have questions. Okay. So, this map that we're looking at right here. Yes. Okay. So, we're talking about Oakman and Doris, correct? Going from the single family residential

Mhm. to we're It's an orange because we're talking about it going to mixuse. Yeah. It's it's going to go to that red that's next to it, but it's just showing up as Okay. And so this red right here, this is I know this street is Hamilton. I get that. Correct. Does that mean that this G like the gas station would be right here? I believe so. Yes. And so on the other side of that gas station there's houses. So they would be mix they would be considered in that resoning. Is that Yes. So they they are considered in the resoning to go from residential to mixed use. And and the reason being is if you notice just north of it that gray

the gray area is industrial. And it is not common to have industrial next to residential in the long long-term scheme of things. Ideally, in a perfect world, that would be a commercial area. But what this resoning does is it acknowledges that it's next to industrial and it probably should be commercial. However, the resident the residential use for single families is still a permitted use and those homeowners or property owners are not being pushed out. They're just having more options if they want to do alternatives with their property. Okay. So, you're saying they're not being pushed out? No, there's nothing in here that uh deems their property non-conforming or illegal or anything like that.

Okay. And then you got that gray building, but then you got that colorful Barney looking building. You know, I'm talking about the the blue and purple or whatever. I think so. That building and then there's the NSO. Are they included also in this what we're talking about right here? I think those are further down. I don't think they're in that. Okay. We're not talking about that in this section. No. Okay. So then can you let me know what this is? Is this the the church and then there's like some like town or apartment buildings or something like that? It's like a church and then there are some like industrial buildings along that strip, but they're all boarded up and closed. There's really nothing going on.

And then so there's the industrial buildings, right? They're all boarded up and then there's like a church and then there's like a long it's like in between like there's a park and but in between that park and those industrial buildings there's like I don't know like apartment buildings or something like that. Mhm. That that's on the it's further on the Detroit side. Yeah. Okay. So that's not so right where that big warehouse ends. That's the end of the city. Got it. And then it goes is not included at all either. No. Oh, just the purple. Just the purple building, right? Yeah. Purple building is included. Yeah. Okay. So, and that's industrial. I mean, not industrial. That's urban residential. It's residential. That's the problem.

That's residential. That big purple building. That's the problem. Yes, it's residential. That whole street is residential. We're trying. We're trying to fix it. I don't have the background. How the hell did they vote on that? The current ordinance I believe is 20 one is 2014, one is 2010. The ordinance is one date and the map is another date. 2011. 2011. 2011. The ordinance is 2011. The map is 2014. And And you you probably can't answer this question, but so in that purple building, where they plan to have people live in there or something?

That so that was just the way they designated the land. How it's used is a kind of different question. But when they whoever updated the map in 2014 or or prior to

this is the scheme they laid out over the city, they designated that area residential. They did the same thing on Bartlett and and there are some other anomalies throughout the city. And because those are miszoneed, I'm not going to say incorrectly zoned, but missed, it makes it difficult to attract uh developers and individuals that would want to buy it and develop it because this process is the hurdle. They have to put an application in. Like if someone wants to take that purple building and put a um a widget factory in it, they would have to go through a reszoning specific to that site, spend $1,000. Takes about two to three months to get through that process. And and there's a potential that it could get denied with no refund or anything like that. So, when you have property that is zoned correctly, it makes it more attractive uh for developers and people that want to bring business into the city, which is why we're proactively correcting the entire corridor rather than fixing one parcel. It's a comprehensive approach.

So, listen up. So, you said something earlier about nobody's being pushed out. That's really important to me. Okay. friend or foe. Whether you like me or you hate me, I could care less really. Uh, but I don't want anybody in this city pushed out. So, my concern is this resoning. How does it affect the current businesses that are currently on Oakland Avenue? Currently, well, I I should say Oakland Boulevard, I should say. Today, no business can operate on Oakland Boulevard. Okay. It is a com It is a residentially zoned district and the only thing permitted by right there today are single family homes.

Okay. So they would be grandfathered then they would be changed to a district that allows them to operate. Okay. Legally. Okay. Because it's a lot of businesses. Oh no. And it is very difficult for them to get uh certificates, vacuum seats, and business licenses because if someone says, "Donovan, I want to open up a a Chick-fil-A on Oakland." I have to deny it. It is zoned residential. There's nothing I can do about it unless we go through this individual reszoning process. So, this is a proactive zoning change to allow businesses to occupy in a commercial district.

Well, I would say this to you. I will I will say this to you. Even though you made that statement about they shouldn't be uh uh uh uh be operating, that has not stopped the code enforcement for writing tickets for a lack of a license. And and that is also one of the problems, right? Because we have commercial businesses in a commercial corridor grandfather or operating and they can't get the proper certificates because we can't approve it because it's zoned residential. Right? So we're in a a very weird cycle, right?

So Right. Right. So we're So we're knowing we're knowing our mistakes. We're knowing there's a problem here. Yet we're still writing tickets to the business owners in that district to the tune of $500 to $1,000 or better with no remorse. So make that make sense to me. We we have to fix the zoning map to stop that process.

I tell you, all I'm saying is the administration is still writing the tickets, which makes no sense to me. If you know there's a problem and you know it needs to be fixed and you know that this area is improperly zoned, yet you're still going to take advantage and write tickets. I got a problem with that alone. That's the issue for me because everybody up and down Oakman Boulevard, they've been there for God knows how long. They've been there a very long time. Some of them have been there like 20 years or better and they're getting tickets for something that they shouldn't be getting tickets for because the area isn't properly zoned. This should have been fixed a long time ago. A very long time ago.

I agree. So, Mr. Smith, the area that's all in the red Mhm. is the only place that we're reszoning as it relates to Oakland. Yes. As it relates to Oakland, the box both sides of Doris and then all the properties on the south side of Oakland and duplex example, what are they zoned as? If say if they were already there or if we wanted to do duplex somewhere else, what would that zoning be? It it still wouldn't be residential. What would duplexes are permitted in the residential districts and the MUV district? So duplexes. I'm sorry, correction. I'm doing this from memory, so I apologize. That's okay.

Duplexes are not permitted in the single family residential district and that's what we currently are in this area. They are currently single family. So by changing the district, we're allowing duplexes, town homes, and uh mixed residential I'm sorry, mixed retail uses. Okay. So, um, Pro Tim Robinson also mentioned how people use their garages. They changed them. So, a lot of times we see it turn into a mechanic or what a automotive place. Is that permissible? I think that was kind of the question. I don't know if you meant those kind of businesses, but we see that a lot. Uh, they may turn it into a a store in from their garage. Is that permissible or no?

They would have to go through the site planning process and meet the site plan requirements for commercial uses. So while cuz they still have residential homes that don't meet commercial building requirements. So you can't just turn your house into a commercial store. You have to go through that site planning process. It has to meet all the requirements. So it's not like a flick of a switch for them to do that. Okay. Thank you, Mr. Don. Yes. Okay. So, oh, I'm sorry, ma'am. Yes, please. Sorry. Please forgive me for um so the current businesses that are over there.

Mhm. Um some of them have their business license. When you reszone this area, will they have to go through the process of re of of redoing their business licenses or will those business license simply be grandfathered in? They will be grandfathered in. Okay. So, they wouldn't have to go through that process again. No, only the uh new businesses would be primarily affected by going through that process because they're new, but all existing businesses wouldn't be negatively affected. Okay. Okay. And in fact, any existing businesses that are having licensing issues related to zoning would be alleviated of that problem. Okay.

Yeah. Um first question is it doesn't matter if the building is privately owned, they would still have to correct the same thing. Correct. Okay. And then my second question is the I'm going to call it the Barney building. What is going to be the use of this building? The building. So we don't determine the future use. you know, someone whoever whoever the private owner is, when they sell it or decide to put a business in it, they will dictate what they want to do with that building as long as it complies with the mixed urban village district. So, right now, we have we have nobody interested in that building. We're just being proactive. Is that what you're saying?

Yes, we're being proactive. So, hypothetically, if someone did want to purchase the building out of state, before they could occupy it, they would call me and say, "Donovan, can I put a dance facility in the building?" and I will say, "Okay, it's zoned residential. You cannot." And then he would hang up and go away. Okay. So, you know, or if he wants it, I would or if we proactively reszone it to a mixed urban district, then he would say, "Can I do a dance facility?" I say, "Yes, it's permitted by right." And then he will likely purchase the building and put that use in. You know, dance facility is not a bad idea. Um,

we got to change it to allow it. Um so you know I kind of heard the same rumor that um Mr. Ashafi uh was talking about about ISIS. My question to you is in the event that let's just say cuz I've heard that there's some officials that want that. My question is we zone it for a mixed use would that even be possible or it has to be something else as something else. it. So, currently the way the current zoning ordinance reads, it does not permit a detention facility, a ice facility, depending on how you want to define that use. I I haven't seen one. Would that open the door for it? It No, that's the question, right?

It would it would not. It would not. So, it would have to be reszoned again. It would have to be reszoned again. The zoning ordinance would likely need to get changed to allow the use. Okay. which is a full process between planning commission and city council. It's not something that if we approve this today, it could even if it becomes privately owned, doesn't matter. Like let's just say especially if it's privately owned. Let's just say we do reszone it and then somebody out of state was like I want to turn it into a dance facility and then they say you know what on second thought yeah detention facility they would say Donovan is this detention facility permitted in this district at this location and my answer would be no. Okay. Is it would have to be reszoned for detention? Would it be something like that?

The entire ordinance would have to be amended to allow detention. Yeah, I Okay, so um I did some research and it said how a warehouse could be legally used for housing. It said the property would need to be reszone from industrial to residential or mixed use. Correct. So that's what we're doing right now. This budget zone is exactly what we're doing. Yes.

That's what I thought. Okay. So now with that being said, when we approve this on the 20th, you already have developers that's going to come in and start only for one of the properties. Yes. So we will talk about that one property tonight. Uh it it is not the scope of the reasoning but I mean I can tell you about it if you please. It's for it's for auto restoration business. Okay. They want to restore cars.

That's the only active use that is being proposed in that district. And the reason and they preempted this request because it's zoned residential and they could not put that use in that industrial commercial building because it was owned residential. Are we still talking about open? Yes. Okay. So, with that being said, we're not going to have a lot of junk cars and cars all parked up and down Oakland and stuff like that. No, they all have to go through the proper site planning process. If they're existing, that's a code enforcement issue. But any new businesses would have to comply with the site plan process, uh, fencing, screening, landscaping, the whole gambit.

Okay. So before that happens, we have to look at any previous ordinance we have already for something similar to what prom is asking, you know, a ordinance that would prohibit that from occurring. So currently that is protected inside of your zoning ordinance. So there are site plan and requirements for uh outdoor vehicle storage um storage of operating or salvage yards all those are outlined on how to administer and review those in the zoning ordinance. Okay more questions with this resolution.

Oh for the audience the purple the Barney building is the old Sanders building the old Sanders building. Was it a school? It was bakery Sanders. Sanders bakery. See what you started, Miss Martin? Everybody's calling it a barn. I mean, that's the color it is. It look like a bar. I mean, they went crazy with it. Started. And it was interesting. Why were they able to paint it so fast boarded up and it's a residential zoned? Well, boarded and painting don't require any special things. So, you can paint a building whatever color you like to paint your building, right? So that I guess that doesn't require no type of permit or anything like that. Same thing with boarding.

But that's not included in this. This that is industrial zoned industrial. Correct. You know the address off top of your head? I could probably give you an answer. It's I don't know the address. It's it's not in the in the parcel here. So the box it runs along behind the box. If you look at the picture, the 14445 would be the 70 and the 100. Oh, those are not included in Weren't they doing demolition? So that's industrial. Those are industrial. Those are going to remain industrial. Yes. Weren't they doing demolition behind that building too at one point? That's the greenway. No, no, no, no. It was before the greenway even came, but Okay.

Yeah. Yeah. That's going to remain industrial. That's not a part of this. But do we have any more questions about the um the resolution in regards to Yes. the Oakland Boulevard area? Yes. Um so um so um so what would be the environmental impact here? We have in our review we did not identify a perceived negative environmental impact. It's a commercial corridor that's zoned residential that we're going to designate to be commercial. So if we were going from a industrial to a residential, I might have some.

Okay. If we were going from commercial to residential, I might have some. But we're going from commercial zoned residential to properly being commercial. So we don't have any. Okay. So, so um so so the businesses that may or may not operate there, would there be a um um a strict um regulation for chemicals and storage and things of that nature? Any Yes. So any you what I would also just recommend just this just just might clarify uh in the back of the zoning ordinance, it lists all the uses that you can have within this this district. Okay, that is our Bible in determining what can and can't be there and what criteria control which uses.

Okay, can we get a copy of that? We don't have that. Oh, it's on the website. If you Google City of Highland Park Zoning Ordinance, it'll pop right up. But I can get you Yes, I can get you a copy. Can you make a hard copy and stick it in our mailboxes for us? Yes. Okay. I appreciate you. Yes, we can. Thank you so much. No problem. Is there a lot and it's going to be the mailbox? Uh, it's uh it's about 197 pages, I believe. 197 pages. only. Well, you know, you know, you know, you know, doublesided. Doublesided just 197. The young people, they like the computers. I'm an old man. I prefer paper. We can't send it to his TV and he watch it on the screen. I have a hard copy printed, too. So, I'll get you a hard copy. Yes. Okay.

Another question, Mr. Smith. So, say I already have a business. There's a gas there was a gas station there or there was a store there. By the way, I have a business. I already have a license and then now it's reszoned and I want to establish another business. I have to get another business license. Now, that doesn't that's not going to be grandfathered in. No, that would be a new business and it would comply with the new MUV district. It wouldn't No matter if I already have one.

Yeah. Your existing business is grandfathered. That's that's going to be able to continue. If you want to add a new business, so like if you do a hair salon and you want to add a a separate building and a barber shop, separate address, that's a new business and a separate building. So that's a whole separate process. But as far as your existing salon or whatever that business may be, that can continue. Okay. Any more questions? I have one. Will any of this reszoning affect Act 51? for for which I'm I'm not aware of. We have 51 funds for the streets. Okay. Will this zoning affect any of that?

No. Okay. With that being said, if we don't have any more questions about this particular zoning area, we can move to Tony Bartlett. Okay. Um so, you want to flip that map over. And I apologize. I realize I didn't box out the area, but very similar to the last item, if you look at the map on top, all of that yellow is residentially zoned, uh, property. Everything south of the railroad, um, we know that is not residentially zoned land. That's weird cuz it's all commercial. I know for a fact it's all commercial.

Ah, that's the problem. So, uh, the site that's labeled Sears is the former Sears, U and then it was turned into apartments. So, that is zoned residential. That district is okay. Um, but again, it's apartments and apartments aren't single family homes, right? So, we have to go to a mixed urban village district to legally allow those uh homes to remain. The challenge being is when you're non-conforming, meaning you're a multifamily on the residential single family, you're in nonconforming and it gets into issues with trying to rebuild if there's a fire. It it causes more problems than it helps. So, that parcel needs know how they got built. No,

you're reszoning something that should have been resil. So what likely most likely happened is when it was built, it went through the process. It had proper zoning. I don't know how old that building is. Maybe 19 maybe 1980s, 1970s. At that time, the zoning lined up. It had the proper zoning. It went through the process. It was approved and built.

20 years later, for some reason, which I we don't have the background on, that zoning was changed. So, it went from what was likely a multifamily zoning and it was changed to single family zoning. What that did was it made those homes legally non-conforming, which means it was approved at the time it was built. However, in today's code, it is not.

When you have a legally nonconforming building, if 50% of it burns down, you cannot rebuild it. So if there was a a fire or incident and we lose half of those buildings, they cannot legally rebuild that property because the zoning is wrong. So by changing it to a mixed district, which does allow multifamilies and town homes, if that site were to catch fire 50%, you can rebuild it because it complies with the current ordinance. And and it's like that with all these residential properties that are not misoned. So all those commercial buildings on Oakland, if they catch on fire, you can't rebuild them. You have to put a single family home in its place because that zoning tells you what you what's supposed to be there.

That's correct. Oh, we're talking about Bartlett, right? Yes. But you just mentioned Oakland, right? Just as a reference, but yes, we're talking about Bartlett. Make sure we're in the same place. Yep. Okay. So my question is so are are we going okay so right now is the McKenna group looking over the map as a whole the city as a whole and be like okay all these reszoning is not correct or is there a reason why we're focusing on Oakman and Barlet

both so the reason why we're focusing on Oakman and Barlet is because property owners came into our office and said they want to occupy their properties, put a business in them, and we denied them because of the zoning. Instead of changing one parcel, which wouldn't be the the proper way to do it, we comprehensively corrected the area, which is why you see it in this fashion. So, it came to us because a property owner wanted to utilize their property and then we upgraded the request to be comprehensive. So, they're doing Oakman and Barlay.

We are reszoning. The city is requesting to reszone, the planning department is requesting to reszone these two areas to allow for the existing property owners to utilize their property. Right. Because some business owners came in. Yes. On Oakman and Barlac. Yes. But yet we don't know what Oakman is going to be used for. Not all of it. Just the one. We had one resident property owner. They requested to have the auto restoration business. So that would require the that one parcel to go from residential to commercial. Okay. In a sea of residential properties and which is why we're doing it comprehensively. So Oakman,

correct? Is going to be a auto restoration. No, no, no. Only one property. So inland map there are about 70 properties. One property is requesting to have a auto restoration business and which would require to change the zoning for one property from residential to commercial on Oakman on Oakland. One property that would result in a row of residential property that has a commercial property right in the middle of it which is improper. You have to correct the whole corridor. Okay. And now Barlet Barllet. Yes. Same thing.

Same thing. It's only one property that we're really that a business owner came in about. Correct. But we're create correcting the whole this whole area section. Yes. Which would allow other businesses to properly move into these spaces cuz currently they're all zone single family residential.

And you have they in the paperwork you have no idea what they're using these one properties for. some of them, but we're not proposing like these businesses are going to move in because we we don't have them. We only have the one. So, for example, 15004 uh second is the public storage building. Uh I believe it used to be a old ice cream factory or something. Okay. That parcel is zone single family residential. Currently operating in it is a public storage, right? And that's the problem. That needs to be an industrial or a different district. It shouldn't be single family residential.

Even though they've already done it, correct? They've been in there for as long as they've been there. But if they catch fire, if they catch fire more than 50%, they cannot rebuild unless they were going to build a single family home. They'd have to get rid of the whole thing and put a one single family home on that parcel and that whole. Correct. Correct. That's what the zoning ordinance is. That's why that whole parcel is zoned yellow. That means that whole parcel can only be a single family home as it is today. So the whole city 2.9 miles. How come we're not changing all zone areas to make the correction?

We we're we're doing both. So right now we had these two requests and we're addressing those while we're going through this process. We're looking at other areas of the city be because you can wait and do it all at once, but you're slowing development until you get to that point. There are smaller incremental changes we can make to keep development and keep things going while we address the the greater issues in other areas. Okay. So, in the resoning, we then cannot control what they do with that business. Only by the uses that are permitted in that district, which is in your zoning ordinance. That's how we control that, right? But soon as we reszone,

it's the zoning door just takes over. Yes. Okay. And so this also went before planning and zoning. Yes. Uh they went to the planning commission. Believe it's on your resolution October 8th 25. October 8th. October 85. Thanks again. Thank you. Yep. And then um what's my last question? Um I can't think of my last question. Are you okay?

Okay. So um on this map here, you got um I notice on Bartlett Mhm. the uh the the red apple is included in the reszoneing here, but behind the red apple is also uh the uh the meat processing plant. Which uh which parcel is that? Uh I believe that this is point. Yeah.

Yeah. Yeah, I believe it's that one. Are you on? He's at the the 1510. Yep. Bartlett and second. Yep. Okay. Zoned residential, right? Yes. Okay. Okay. So, so uh uh uh so first of all, allow me to say that I was beyond pissed when Red Apple closed cuz I used to shop there. Um what is the proposed usage for these two pieces of property if they're resoneed? Has anybody made an offer?

No, we are only proactively making the reszonings to allow for offers. Okay. So, so uh uh so by by um by doing the uh the mixed use uh and I know it's kind of like beating a dead horse, but I have to ask it again. Does tell you by us reszoning this mixeduse, does this open the door for potential ice facility usage? No. Okay. So, that's a no for sure. No, for sure. Okay. Um and then across the street at uh at 1511. 151. Okay. 1511.

Yeah. Yep. What is that one off the top? It's an existing building. I don't know what's in that building. It's an auto some kind of auto. Yeah. Is it auto? Yeah. some kind of auto mechanic and they sell cars too, I think. You know, cuz I know the green way is running right through this here. Correct. Right. Okay. Okay. Huh. Okay. I yield back, Madam Pro.

Okay. So, when we reszone Bartlett and Sears, is that going to be a major road or a local road? We are not changing anything about the roads. We're strictly Y. Okay. So, how does this is this a map amendment? Yes. Say zoning map amendment. The master plan.

It follows the master plan. So, both of those areas are zoned general neighborhood and neighborhood commercial are the future land use designations in your uh map and both of those align with the uh mixed urban village district. So it is a suitable and consistent with your master plan. Okay. So you did mention that on Oakman you have a business that's already ready to jump on this resoning. One of the properties. Yes.

One of the properties. So what do you have coming down the pipeline development on Sears and Bartlett once we approve this reszoning? There is a property owner on Bartlett that has inquired to utilize uh the property for uh offsite of a Honda dealership. So that is their proposed use. They can't do that in the residential district which is why they're requesting the mixed use. Any more questions? Uh not a question but Mr. Smith, can you point out because I know there was a lot of conversation mostly about Sears and Bartlett,

your actual because you you mentioned that you did not make a red border here. Could you make sure you point out what is being reszoned? Yes. So, the uh the parcel labored Sears, which is the town home development, is going from residential to mixed urban village. That will allow that use to continue. That's 52. Uh 52 is just north of that. 20. Say the last word. I'm sorry. Yeah. 52 is a red apple, right? The sear site 52 and then the red apple. Yes.

Are being proposed to go from residential to the mixed urban village. The public storage site 15004. the auto spot that was mentioned 1511 1501 and then 15001 is vacant that is pretty much industrially used zone residential so we're just going to push that into an industrial district so it' be consistent with what's there today and then those areas north of the Joe Lewis Greenway would go from residential to mixed urban village and that would allow mixed use commercial Okay. Okay.

Um, so that's from Woodward to Sears. It'll be just short of Woodford. Woodward to third. Okay. So, not 20 or 30 down. No, you're on the south side of the green the greenway. Go on the north side. It's going all the way down to the third. To third. Yep. That's the same thing with approve the um

I just wanted to make sure because I know there you don't see it. Is that the same thing with these two on Hamilton? That's that what that child care center. Those are existing. They're zoned commercial. We're not touching those. You're not? No. Okay. They're zoned right. Even though they're red, they're already correct. So, we're not changing those. No, those are fine. We're only changing the yellow to red. The red is good. The red that's on that map is supposed to be red. Okay. Yes.

Okay. So, so allow me to be clear here. So on this map, what's listed as Sears is is the town houses, right? Yes. Okay. That'll be be mixed use. Yes. Okay. And then 52 Bartley, which is the Red Apple, that'll be mixed use. Yes. Okay. And then uh and then 1500, which is a meat processing plant, that'll be mixed use. Yes. Okay. Even though it's clearly commercial, it makes you say it's commercial. Okay. All right. Okay. Okay. Then after we cross second

to the other side, um 15 04 is commercial. Uh 15004 is the current public storage building. Okay. So that would still stay commercial. It's going to go to industrial. Okay. Which is permitted. Okay. So Okay. Okay. So everything on the other side of second is going to go go industrial. Yes. Between second and third, south of the greenway. Gotcha. Okay. All right. And then the red you see north of the greenway is going to go from residential to mixed use.

Okay. So So the print is kind of small here, but I want the public to hear these uh these addresses here. So that looks like uh what I I'll read 12. Is that 12? A 28. Yeah. Yeah. What you read? No, I'm sorry. That's a 15. It look like a 12. I'm sorry. It's so small. Okay. You're saying 15120 and 15 and 15841, right? are going to go from R1 single family to MUV mixed urban village district. Okay.

15004 1511 1551 and 15001 between second and third just north of Sears is going to go from residential to commercial. Industrial. Okay. Okay. To to industrial. Okay. Perfect. 52 Barlet 151000 the Sear site. Mhm. Um and then I'm going to jump north of the Jolo Greenway 15840 and then that parcel labeled in kind of funky. Um those are going from residential to mixed urban village district. Okay. And that concludes all the resonants in that area.

Okay. All right. Council council pro tip. I yield back. No. Okay. Um, at this time I would ask, do we have any residents that have any questions?

Thank you. Please. Hello, Carla Oliver. Yes.

So, this is my question in regards to the reasonzoning. Um, one, uh, the master plan in regards to Bartlett and second, the Bartland and second is specified under the master plan as a neighborhood, right? Those existing buildings already existing. So, they don't overshadow what you guys are trying to do. It's already exist. They're already there. So at that point, what's the point of making this whole block mixed use if those buildings that are there are already there? It then deters from the purpose of the master plan, which is neighborhood in that area. understanding that the proximity is very close to the greenway, which is why I honestly believe that this is happening. Um, but it takes away from the integrity of what the master plan is. And for the residents, one of the things about mixed use, it it that is also mentioned um is that it's supposed to help development within the city, right? is supposed to help bring jobs within the city. I have to be honest and no disrespect to anybody here, but look at the audience here compared to the city council in regards to the the reasonzoning. My question is all of these it sounds like it's already plans and and and talks of specific companies that's already slated for these slots. what is being done to make sure the Highland Park residents get employment.

So, personally, this honestly, especially Bartlett and second doesn't need to be changed to mixed use. It doesn't because there's already existing buildings. the the old ice cream shop just recently turned into a a storage facility. We already are only 2 point square miles. We don't need another dealership. There's other things that we can bring to this city other than storage departments, storage facilities, dealerships, and things of that nature and a and a car repair shop. We don't need another one. We need stuff that's going to bring employment and not for people who don't live here to come here, establish buildings, but then don't employ the residents that live here. That's basically all I have to say.

Thank you. Anyone else?

Thank Mattie. I'm actually the owner of 52 Bartlett and um we are bringing a dealership. We're trying to bring a dealership. The the main building was used for a warehouse and a grocery store. It was never changed in no master plan. It was always been commercial industrial that she talked about 2011. This buildings got changed without any of our knowledge or anything. We've been paying taxes. We've been paying water bill. It's clearly like he said red apple. It's clearly been a store. It looks like a store. There's no residential that's ever been there. So, for us to try to come to the city to to, you know, redevelop something, to turn it into something nice, which has been vacant for so long, I don't see where where anybody would would would oppose to that. Um, we've opened plenty of businesses in Highland Park. I I I clearly been hiring people from Highland Park. My dad has for 30 years. Everybody in the city knows us. We've been good to the city. for us to lose a property that we have a sale for. I see like no sense in that. We got a sale for a property we owned that we've been paying taxes for that's always been commercial and industrial. I'm I'm the one's been fighting this hoop to go through zoning. We went through zoning. Now we're at the step where we feel like we're getting cheated out of our building. Somebody's telling us that this building is is a is a single family home.

It's a 20,000 square foot building. It's got one bathroom. Where is the single family at? There's no single single family. The next building is 40,000 square ft. There's two bathrooms in there. Where is the single family home at there? There's no single family home. Somebody made these changes illegally. And I've been fighting this for a year. The man that's here is the guy trying to purchase the property. And for me to have to even go through all this, I see it. It's crazy. Now I'm at the point where either I got to come to a resolution and sell my property. I don't have the funds to make it a single family flat. I can't go knock the building down and put 50 homes there. Does anybody here want to give me a loan to go put 50 homes there? No. So, does it make sense to put 50 homes there? No.

Really? When somebody comes to Highland Park to put a business, and I'm a businessman. I've owned B four businesses in Highland Park. The guy that comes to my business has kids. They're going to stop at a gas station. They're going to put gas. They're going to stop at a restaurant. They're going to eat. They're going to drive through your city. Police department's going to give them a ticket if they drive too fast. This is all income coming to the city. The building's vacant. The taxes can be so much. You guys are not generating income. You need to let businesses come to Highland Park. You need to make every single building in Highland Park occupied. That's the only way Highland Park's going to move forward. If you keep being tough on this coming here and this coming here and this coming here, it's we're not going to go nowhere. We're not being tough. We just want some

No, I'm not saying you guys are being tough. But I'm saying uh when I came here today before I came here, somebody said that they thought an ice center was going in my building. I've been I've been talking to everybody for a long time. I don't see where they thought I was going to come to this property. When we we went to the city, we we we told them what we want to do. The people that want to buy the building, you know, tried to get a business license. And I'm sorry, I might be talking loud. I'm a loud guy and I'm talking through the microphone. All right. Pretty loud. You actually get an opportunity to speak. Yeah. And it's just workshop. Well, I haven't spoke in any of these workshops and I haven't even, you know, I went to the zoning and and and and got through that loop, but I I don't see how this is going to help Highland Park. This is a plus plus plus.

Okay. So, you you again, you're discussing something that we're just discussing the zoning. I understand because you're responding and normally in a workshop, we don't do a respond and you respond to the other person that responds. You got that. No, no offense. So, I'm just letting you know. So, it's okay. We you prom gave you that opportunity. No, that's exactly why I invited a lot of people here today so that they can stake their claim.

Yeah. But I mean, I'm sure anybody that like opens up a business in any city is going to hire people from the city. It's it makes sense for somebody not to drive 45 minutes out of the city to come work at a place. You know what I mean? It's going to it's going to, you know, they're going to be on time. It it just makes more sense when you hire people from the city to work in a place in a city. It it makes it easier. So, I just don't think we should even talk about who's gonna be hired because you know what? Honestly, they hear that all the time. Just being honest with you. They hear that all the time and then people don't get hired. So, we probably shouldn't even go there. Yeah. But in regards to the zoning,

it's unfortunate that whatever change council, we didn't change it. We just need to make these corrections. um if we are wanting to allow for this area to become mixed use so that other things can be done. Um I did have I wanted to make sure we pointed out that that's along that alleyway those other two spots between second and third and is it property that's already owned those two? You may have a seat. No problem. I'd like to include one more thing. In 2011 when those properties were changed, we were still operating as a business. Yes. So, okay. Yeah, we're good. We're good. We're good. Are you finished?

No, I think he was getting ready to answer my question. Can you ask again? I apologize. Can you ask it again? I apologize. The partial I think I think Mr. Shafi actually asked about them, but they're the two that's between second and third. Are they owned by currently a business? the the tealish the ones labeled institutional civic. No, you we're changing them between second and third. Between second and third on the other side of the railroad north north of the railroad labeled 1515120. Yes, absolutely. Yes. Those are going from residential to mix. No, no, no. I said are they owned already by someone? Yes.

Because I know that's that alley and we had an issue. we came to our um attention and I think pro mentioned a little while ago. It would be the one closest to second a resident was using it to house cars that they were working on the alley. They they were on the other side of the alley. Okay. Yeah. Like so who owns it? Do we know who owns it? Do we own it as a city or do the both of those parcels uh 15120 and 841 should be privately held the alley if it's not vacated I don't believe it is I have to check with DPW should be owned by the city.

Okay. Yep. Yeah. I want to say thank you for this workshop and allowing the residents to speak and allowing the businesses to come up and speak. So, we need to know. Yeah. So, I want to just give you just recognize you for doing that. So, I appreciate that. Thank you. Thank you. That's my problem. Thank you. So, do we have more residents that want Mr. Lodge? Really? Yeah. Caller right is Reverend Lodge. Thank you. Thank you. Well, based on what Councilman Kashid just said, Reverend Robert Douglas Lo Jr.

Correct. All right. Put some respect on your name. Right. Right. That's right. Bless you, sir. Yes, sir. Um, thank you, council, for allowing us to share our thoughts. I'm going to just ask that council consider putting in place safeguards to protect the concerns of the citizens in whatever changes that are being considered that this council has the power yes to put things in place so hypothetically if I can use that term

if something comes down that is not going to fit what is going to be the for the betterment of the citizens and the city, you have already put in safeguards to protect us and so thank you so much. Yes, ma'am. Jimmy Edwards. I'm a longtime Highland Park resident and I come supporting Red Apple. He's a second generation. I watched him grow up.

His dad gave to the community. His the family gives back to the community and still gives. And I would like us to honor the family because they still come back and they still give even though their businesses is not in operation. Thank you. That's right. It's right. Do we have any more? Yes, ma'am. Please state your name.

Hi, good evening. My name is Sandra Louise. Um I do have a question. Um during this whole workshop I kept um hearing that this does not open the door for detention facilities to open. I just want to know what guarantees that does not open the door for any other type of detention even you know um because there is always a loophole and this government is going through those loopholes

um and even you know just doing whatever they do

to put any detention facilities. So, I just want to I understand that there's changes that have to be made um for the betterment of the city, but like the gentleman back here um was saying that just please keep in mind the citizens that we're, you know, we're here. Um and um so yeah, I just wanted to speak of my mind and you know just just just um you know just maybe go into detail to see if we can put any other like statements or clauses that won't open the door for them to come inside.

Thank you. So with that being said, I have a question for you, attorney. Yes. Can we add um another therefore be resolved to put it safe in the resolution actual resolution that we're going and what can we put in place? We we we that's something we could look at. It's not the subject of today's workshop. Today's workshop through zoning, but that's something that you talk about at future council meetings. Yes, we have one last question from the audience. Yes, sir. State your name, please.

We need to look into that. My name is John Taylor and I am um first of all I'd like to thank everybody here. I've I've uh watched this evening uh the some hard work going on and there's a lot of there's a lot of uh questions that you have and um I'd like to introduce myself. I am the owner of Pure Honda and Ferndale.

Um my objective is to purchase 52 Bartlett. Um I'm a firm believer in community involvement as well as being a corporate citizen. I think that's hugely important. I know this could just come across as chat, but we're family-owned and operated. Um, I started in business in um, well, I personally started cleaning cars in 1982. Uh, and I worked my way through to become a car dealer. Um, we've been in uh, Ferndale since 2019. Um, I've I've joined the mayor's council. Um, we've done everything in our power to uh, help the city of Ferndale. um as well as our neighbors as much as plowing their driveway or whatever it may take, right? And when it comes to employment, we welcome everybody. Okay? Our our we have a hard time getting people to come to work for us. So, we're we're we're hiring 247. So, uh we'll we'll accept applications any day of the week.

All right. All right. That's how we operate. Thank God we have that opportunity, right? It's a part it's it's also a part of giving back. Yeah.

Um, so I just wanted to introduce myself and let you know that our plans are clean. We want to bring security. We want to bring a a a feeling of uh community service. Um, our objectives are to help um this community, not hurt it. And I'll tell you the reason why is because if we were to come into your community and hurt it, we would be hurting ourselves, right? And there's no there's no there's no um integrity in any of that. So hopefully we're going to be a a a part of your community one day soon and uh you know with that blessing um I I just want to thank you for the opportunity that you give me to chat tonight. Thank you. You're welcome Mr. T. Likewise. Thank you.

Do we have any more? Mr. Smith Donovan the president position. Thank you. Thank you. I just wanted to follow up to a couple points. Um, what I encourage everyone to do is if you Google City of Highland Park zoning ordinance, the ordinance will pop up. If you go to page 138, page 138 starts the list of all the uses permitted throughout the city and all the districts. Yes, I challenge you. Go to the that page, go to that table and find a use that would permit a ICE detention center, a jail or anything of that sort in the MUV district. You will not

you would not find that it's in there at all. I did. Yep. Yep. So, just, you know, for reassurance, it is not a permitted use and the hoops to allow it involves getting an approval from from this board. I did my research. It just feels better. Will you hear you say it? Oh, yeah. No, I'm I'm just saying that for the reassurances that requested. That's what they need. Yes. Yes. Thank you. No problem. Council, appreciate it. Okay. I I understand that,

Mr. Donovan wholeheart. And and I'm pretty sure that you guys have uh a lot of a lot of a lot of safeguards in your your your rules and your regulations for what you can and can't do with the property. We just want to go a step further and make sure uh there's nothing wrong with added protection. Okay? You know, uh if they made uh uh made uh made contraceptives into shorts, I would buy that. Okay. Okay. Okay. There's nothing wrong with added protection. Totally fine. Yes, sir. And uh so to your question directly about added protection, uh this is a resoning.

So the request is to change the districts, those districts particular. if you wanted to add additional criteria to control or uh restrict that use from coming into the city. That would happen in a zoning text amendment. Okay? And that would be a totally separate process than what we're in right now. Okay? So, and if you want to have additional conversation, I'm totally available to help you do that. That's not a difficult thing to modify the ordinance. That's what we do all the time. So, I'm totally available to help you out if that's what you want to do. Do we have anybody online? Hello.

There's nobody online. Thank you, Mr. L. Okay. You got Okay. One one question. That's it. I'm done. So, so in regards to the to land use and I'm sorry, what's your name? Enra. Enra, right? Um, instead of necessarily making the whole block mixed use, doesn't the city have the ability to do a special land use approval for this company to be able to sell it as a company as opposed to make an entire city block mix use? We do

due to the proximity for the greenway. You are correct, Mrs. Oliver. We do have that ability.

Yeah, we do. Uh short answer is no. Um as I mentioned that property is zoned residential. The zoning ordinance table of permitted uses page 138 dictates what uses are permitted in said districts whether those uses are permitted by right or they are permitted by special land use. It is a residential district. The use that they are proposing the dealership is not permitted in residential districts. It is not permitted by right. It is not permitted by special land use. So there is no alternative way to allow that use to exist. It is zoned residential. You cannot have a dealership on a residential. It must be a commercial or an alternative appropriate district as it relates to and I'll go a quarter step back by the planning and zoning enabling act that we are regulated by. We cannot have what is called a spot zone. Okay,

a spot zone is if you have a sea of residential parcels and you want to change one parcel to commercial or one parcel to industrial.

It's a big no no. You can't do it. You're not supposed to because those parcels are zoned residential. And this is the same on Oakman. The corridor is zoned residential. The parcels over here on Barlet are zoned residential. It would not be proper to change one parcel for the sake of one person to allow that use. You'll have a sea of residential parcels with one commercial parcel. The proper way to make this correction is to comprehensively correct all the zoning at least in that immediate area. It doesn't require that you change the zoning for the whole city, but at least where its relationship is to other parcels, it makes sense to comprehensively correct all the zoning, which is why we chose to elect to reszone all the parcels in that area because we see that they're zoned residential and that is not the correct zone.

Okay. So everything you just said I so then maybe you can explain and and my apologies because it really has nothing to do with these two properties. So when we had the means groups and we knocked down all those houses and we had the one greenhouse. Are you telling me are you telling me that that whole big means group everything was reszoned to be commercial use and the one house was a residential? I don't I don't I don't have that much detail, but I will say and you can look at the map today. All that was zoned residential. It was a couple hundred single family parcels zoned residential.

At some point there was a reasonzoning. That changed the zoning just like how we're doing it today. 2008 and 2014. Yep. In 2008, Windom in 2014. Okay. So in 2014, those parcels are reszoned from residential to industrial to allow that building to be built. You cannot build that building on residential land.

Now, if there's a parcel that didn't I I I don't know about that, but it's procedurally those parcels were zoned residential. You can see it on the map today because the map has not been updated. You can see on the map those parcels were zoned residential. They had to be changed in this process from residential to industrial to allow that building to exist for the one greenhouse that was sitting there six eight months all all the residential land that was used should have been reszoned to industrial to allow that building to exist. We've been here since November.

He's gone. Yeah, but if you want to talk about it more, I'm I'm totally available. I don't even think the memes group, you know, Mr. Smith, I don't even think you were here then. I was not. Yeah, that's what I'm saying. I don't have that much. I wanted to ask the one person I know that was here then to be able to answer that question, but he's not here. So, because based on what you just said in that scenario, that doesn't even make sense. So yeah, that doesn't even make sense because it was one spot that had it was a residential. It was a large portion of me.

Yeah. It was a large portion of properties. So if you look at Oakman, Oakman is that row of residential and we talked about changing one single parcel to commercial. Means is different. means is a couple hundred residential parcels and they all were changed to industrial except one. No, it was all and it was a collaboration between two cities because not all of that is owned by the city of Allen Park. A quarter of it belongs to Detroit. All right. Well, Madam Pro, I'll yield back. I have one last question and then we can turn. Yes, ma'am.

I guess I can make that too. I just want to ask a question and I'm going back to Woodward and Bartlett. So, okay, you had the school district, you had Sears parking lot, then you had uh um Cuttinghams. All of that was in commercial. So, how do you have existing buildings and then illegally make it residential and then come back and penalize the owners? I was just asking that question. That's what we're That's what we asking. Okay, we are the echo. Yes, sir. Can you come up to say Did you just say that? Yeah, he just lost it. Right. The name is Yes.

So, my question is actually with regard to statement I heard in the gallery here. Sir, your your what was your name again? John Taylor. Mr. Taylor. Yes, sir. Owner of Pure Hunt. Yes, sir. Owner, sir. Yes. Pure Honda. So, your interest was in which property? 52. 52 Bartlett. So, Red. So, I purchased an automobile from your dealership about a year and a half ago. The salesperson was Lexi Anderson, right? But I found something you stated to be trouble. Okay. You said that you hire people, but no one's coming to work.

You can't get people to come to work. I say we'll hire we're trying to hire. Okay. Well, so what's what's what's bothering me is that so I noticed because I spent a lot of time at your dealership. Long story short, you have one American African where I consider myself as African African-American, but I'm American African is where I go by. So one one male American African. And where is that? at your campus there on Woodward of that person. Um he well that person works I want to say I think he's a used dealer. Are you is he a car salesman? He's a used car salesman.

Okay. My service uh advisor here and I have uh Mo who's my parts manager who's been with us for over 30 years or with the company for over 30 years. So I have more than And then you discharged you discharged actually um Ted Noles. He was one of Ted Nobles was one of the one of the excuse me after you have anything. So well I think what we're do it's important it's gerine to what we're discussing here today because after all when people come here uh we want to uh bring businesses development jobs to your

look you have to have skin in the game no problem and that hasn't been happening okay so we want to be clear we want to be clear when people come in and just start leveling and hurling statements about what they've done all the good work that they've done in the community

a lot of this stuff couldn't be further from the truth. And I I I say that from firsthand experience. Okay, I get out a lot. Like I said, I purchased car from his dealership about a year and a half ago. And from what I saw going on in his dealership, it looks nothing about or shall we say related to what he's saying as far as this this embrace in the city where he's going to come here and do right by the city with regard to employment for words. You know, we don't just want jobs. We kind of want jobs. We actually what we want is career. Okay, that's what we want. You know, we don't want a job that we're paying work. So, uh yeah, you you guys can have

Okay, but I so no disrespect to the council, but I just again I just think these things are important. Yes. When we we come to these meetings, we want to, you know, come across as though we have good hands and we have the best intentions for the community, but in actuality, you don't. Yes. Okay. And I invite you to please continue to come to the meeting and speak up like this. Oh, for sure. Yes, sir. Thank you for Thank you for your time. Thank you. God bless you. You bet. So, with that being said, like the motion for the motion to Did we all just three do at the same time? Yes, we did. Yeah, we did. Clearly, we're ready to go.

It is 7:35. Madam clerk, meeting is ajourned. Uh, how are you Mr. Smith? You're very informative today.