City Council - Regular Meeting

under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. Roll call, please. Madam clerk, Beagle, I'm present tonight. Deputy Mayor Gotcho, here. Council member Berman, present. Council member Gland Fox, here. Council member Kennedy here. Council member ODay here. Council member Simmons is excused. Thank you. Changes or additions to the agenda as presented tonight? City manager Brown. Mayor, I have no changes or additions. Assistant City Manager Benson. I have none, sir. Do we have any from the DAS?

All right. Seeing none, we'll move on to approval of minutes. We got one set of minutes to approve tonight and that's from the regular city council meeting of February 10th, 2026. Do I have a motion? Move to approve support. Any discussion? Seeing none, I got a motion and a second to approve the um minutes of the regular uh city council meeting of February 10th, 2026. All those in favor, please signify by saying I.

I opposed. Motion carries. We have no correspondence tonight, which pulls us to the first call to the public. I'll read the rules for the call to the public. They are as follows. The public shall address the council during the call to the public, which I'll be included on the agenda immediately after correspondence and again immediately after new business. The first call to the public immediately after correspondence shall be limited to agenda items only. A person shall not address the council in excess of five minutes unless the time is extended by a majority vote of the council present. Persons wishing to address the council shall identify themselves in their place of residence and shall state their reasoning for addressing the council and all comments by the public shall be made directly to the council. Do we have anybody for the first call to the public? Start the timer on this one.

I started it three minutes ago.

Good evening, mayor, members of the city council, staff. My name is Mike Dornan, and I reside at 2192 Headingham Park. I um here this evening uh regarding the item concerning Wald Schools. I uh I got into the 100 plus page uh packet of inspections and and reviews and I couldn't help uh feel disappointed, saddened, and dismayed over the reaction and nonresponse back to uh staff members. Um, those of you who know me, um, know that I have a purchant for storytelling and, uh, stories. I've got a story that's relative, um, this item. long, long time ago. I'm not going to be all night, but a long long time ago when the galaxy was young and I was much younger, um I worked for a city to the east with the initials of FH and was a full service city. We had zoning department, planning department, engineering, uh building, all the trades and uh we uh while I was there, Farmington Board of Education decided they were going to build a junior high school on Middle Belt Road, uh just south of 11 Mile Road called East Junior High. And um they uh totally stonewalled the city at that time just as uh outlined in

paragraph two of your report to the city council from the city manager. You did a nice job you guys on um summarizing the state law. And the fact of the matter is schools are exempt from municipal review, inspections, so forth, which is really a umbrella insurance policy if you looked at it that way. That it's it's a prudent planning uh to have uh your local inspectors who do the job day in and day out come and inspect your work. Well, in Farmington Hills, uh we weren't able to uh get into the school and uh school started beautiful on a in a within four weeks of the school opening. We received uh a call to our first responders that there had been an accident at the school and a young man had been electrocuted using a grinder that was um improperly uh installed in a bad bad outlet, never inspected. Um, that's the downside of um what you're looking at here and I hope uh you get the word through and to uh the superintendent. I enjoyed reading your letter. I thought it was right on the mark. Thank you.

Thanks, Mike. Anybody else for the first call of the public? Good evening. Good evening. Michael McDonald, Wix of Michigan. I too want to talk about the school that's going up on Maple Road. Uh I live off Lon Lake Road and twice a day Lon Lake Road becomes a parking lot. people taking their children to school. Now, the school has vast amounts of property and I don't know why we don't encourage them to make it parking so that the parents that want to drop their children off and pick them up get off the main road, get off the road. I also work in Milford and I go over to Buno Road and I go through Charms Road twice a day and Charms Road is impassible from about quarter after 7 until quarter after 8 because all of the traffic. Now, I will point out that that school on Sarah Banks there has a lot of property that you could put a lot of asphalt down and make a staging area for all of these parents that feel they have to take their children to and from school. I I really don't know why we're running buses, but evidently that's what they want to do. Now, Maple Road has no shoulders, and I I would suggest someone just told you that they don't give you much leeway to what to do, but I hope we're having discussions about how many people are going to try to

get on Maple Road cuz it there's nothing at the uh west end, but more dirt. So, somebody has got to take the bull by the horns and say, "Listen, we if you want to build your school there." I'm I'm trying to figure out why we building a new school when they just closed the middle school on Pontiac Trail, which has a great traffic flow and a great parking lot and great everything. But no, we have to build a new school. And again, I'm in that traffic four times a day. And believe me, it's it really gets unusual when there's a lot of snow, too. So, I would encourage the city to take a hard stand about what are we going to do and how many tickets are our police officers going to write telling people you can't park here. You can't do this. This is this is just wrong. It's poor planning on Wall Lake School's part, but that's what you come to expect. Thank you and have a good evening. Thank you. Anybody else with the first call to the public?

Good evening.

My name is Ryan Fischer. I live at 2176 Hingham Boulevard. I too would like to speak on the new Wixom Elementary School. Um I am uh concerned just like these gentlemen. Um I see what happens at Wald Lake Elementary on Maple. um the backup to get into that school is is frankly asinine and it's dangerous and Mr. McDonald's is exactly right. There are no shoulders on Maple. So, it's only a matter of time that somebody's going to end up in some sort of uh ditch, reservoir or whatever along Maple Road trying to turn around because what's going to happen is come pickup time, they're not going to want to turn left into the school. So, they're all going to go down to the railroad tracks, turn around and line up on the uh eastbound side of Maple to get into the school and something's going to happen. I would implore the council and the city to do everything in their power to compel the school district to install deceleration, acceleration lanes, to install sidewalks. I understand that the plan is not even to have a sidewalk in front of the school. Absolutely ridiculous. Ridiculous. You can't even walk in front of a school. And uh whatever is in your power. Um if they need a water permit, they don't get a water permit until they agree to do something about the traffic flow. They need um to tie into the grid. They don't tie into the grid until they agree to do something about the traffic flow and about serving the citizens of this community correctly. Thank you.

Thank you. Anybody else for the first call of the public?

Hi, my name is Michelle. uh my mayor and council. I have been a resident for 27 years. I've had four kids go through Wald schools. Um they were Wixom Elementary students. I currently work at Wixom Elementary. So I want to give you my input as secretary at Whitom Elementary. I'm track today. I didn't leave work till late because grandparents still picking up children at 4:15 4:30. I'm sorry. Could you could you talk into the

Sorry. Much better. today. Um, I didn't leave work till 4:15, 4:30. I still have parents picking up children. Um, we dismiss kids about 3:50 every day. We have 72 parents that usually pick up kids at the end of the school day. Um, we had to split the traffic to do on the south side of the school and the north side of the school in order to be able to allow for the parents to get off of Wixom Road to pick up all their students. We have four and a half buses that take students to all of their residences at the end of the day. Um, and that's like a typical day. Yes. Um I the gentleman that spoke earlier today about traffic by Wald Lake L and Sarah Banks. We have the same issue and I know Wixom Road. We're trying to get the people off the road right now and we feel like getting to Maple Road's going to make it better. We're still going to have the same problem with parents wanting to pick up their children and not using the public transportation. When my kids went to Wix Elementary, everybody took the buses. We didn't have as many kids getting picked up by parents. I'm a resident of Hillsboro. I'm the second house in the gentleman that spoke about all the traffic on Maple going all the way down to the end and turning around in the dirt road and coming back. That is a possibility, but so is pulling into my sub and parking in front of my house and turning around the island and waiting to pull out to go the opposite direction. There's just not enough like space to handle all these cars. And I drive every day to Wixom. I have to wait even as it is right now a couple of lights sometimes to get through to get onto Wixom Road. There is no right turn lane. The left turn lane to get on Wixom Road probably could maybe hold two buses if they were making a left turn to go to Waxford Muse. I just don't know how they're going to handle five, six buses

that twice a day are going to go through that light at the end at in the morning. Those six buses or five buses are going to have to go straight through the light to get to the bus garage. So, even though the drop off is at 8:50 in the morning, they're all going to be lined up on Maple Road to get through the light to get to the bus garage, which is off Maple a little further down the road. I don't know how we're going to handle that when people are trying to get to work, doctor's appointments, whatever. I know some people say, "Oh, it's no big deal. It's only twice a day." We have people in our subdivision that have appointments and have elderly parents that they're taking care of and appointments to get to. It's still going to affect everybody and I know they're building a new subdivision again further down the road by the railroad track. It's just going to add more traffic flow to Maple. I'd like to have some consideration at least of a left turn lane to allow people to pull off to wait to turn left into the Wixom Elementary, the new one. They say that the traffic flow is going to accommodate everybody to be able to pull in off the road. I don't see that happening. I know there's just so many cars um right now. We we've had to have police help at the beginning of the school year just to help manage traffic flow. Um it happens every year and we still have parents that want to drive. And I and then we have a preschool program. So I know you're only thinking about K through five. We have a preschool program. There's going to be at least four preschool classes that will be offered at Wixom. And that means that they're going to start at 8:00 dropping off. And all those parents do not have public transportation. And those will be car riders that are going to be on Wixom Road either making a right off onto Maple or making a left from Wixom Road to get to the school to drop off for preschool. That's a pickup and a drop off every day. So pickup for preschool is around 3:15. Then you roll into dismissal for the K through five kids and that's going to take you to almost 4:15. So you got to think about those time frames as well.

all the traffic and anybody that's trying to avoid the traffic is going to try to then put their appointments before or after those times. So, the road is just going to be constantly busy is my thought. So, I would like to see something proposed maybe about at least a middle lane that goes all the way down so it can accommodate us so we can get into our sub and maybe consider a right turn lane to get onto Wixom Road. I know the wirehouse is there right now. I don't know how they're going to make that happen, but I don't know how we're going to make that traffic flow work. And um I've been a resident for 27 years and I can see already in the last year or two the traffic has just really increased a lot on Maple, especially when they did all that construction on Pontiac Trail. We saw heavy heavy traffic on Maple during that time. And I know they're going to be putting more businesses down at the end of um Maple Road which could affect traffic flow again with trucks and everything else. So some other things to consider. Um, but anyway, I just I wanted to give you that information just from the insight from Wixom Elementary and what I deal with every day and thinking about what's going to happen when the new school is put in with parents and trying to figure that out. So, thank you.

Thank you. Anybody else for the first call to the public? Seeing none, I'll close the first call to the public and we'll move on. City manager reports January 2026. Do we have any uh questions for the department? Council member Gotcho. Thank you. Excuse me, Deputy Mayor Gotcho. Thank you. Um the economic development report, I have a few few different reports, but on that one, it I noticed there was a note that the pedestrian refuges went back to um DDA for discussion, which I think was today.

Yes. um just kind of I don't know what that discussion was like but I based on my what I had shared last time I was hoping it would be more of a council discussion not just a take it back to them and see what we're going to do you provide some update on the plans for that

yeah in in the aftermath of uh city council's motion to table the item at a minimum because we had a regular scheduled DDA meeting we thought it was important to at least give them an update on what city council had discussed U and and and really try to gauge, you know, what what their perspectives are, especially because this is a project they had budgeted for and kind of planned for. So, u we want to just give them an update. Um we'll cover it in greater depth. Uh I anticipate that we'll bring it back um you know, under old business at a future meeting um to but in general, I mean, they continue to support the project um in in their district. Um, and that was really the key thing that they talked about today is that um, you know, they acknowledged that there are probably needs in other areas of the city, but they can't contribute to things that are outside of their district. And, you know, their priority to try to improve the pedestrian safety and slow down vehicles coming through the district. Uh, I I think that's the best way I can summarize their their points. U, but again, we'll be able to summarize that a little better when we bring the item back u under old business at a future meeting for council.

Okay. and just I understand that they have it in their budget. I like I don't know where everybody else falls on like the position here, the location of them, but I'd be disappointed if it comes back just as it is to say, "Oh, well, it's already in the budget." Um, but we change things to address like the cleanliness or the aesthetic. I I we can help them save money if it makes sense in other spots is kind of my thought on that. Um, in terms of another report, the construction and development, um, thank you for providing the details about the rental inspections for apartments and everything like that. Um, there was one comment in there. It said, uh, we had a 100% compliance rate for rental inspections. Does that mean at the time of inspection all units were 100% compliant or there may have been some that needed improvement and were eventually brought into improvement. So now we're calling it 100%. Do you know?

I do not know how many units that were inspected that were out of compliance and then later brought in. It doesn't specify to that end. It's just at the end of the day they were able to get all the units into compliance if that makes sense. Okay. Maybe if we can get a further breakdown of like is that they were all set and perfect initially or not. Um and then how did we come up with our rules for handling that? Do you know?

I do not. The rental ordinance uh it's been around for a long time. It did predates me by um a large extent, but I believe u my understanding of only doing a percentage is really just based on a the volume of work, b the expense of it all. Um, that's actually one of the issues we run into with hotels, too, is that um, there's a balance between the cost for the operators to be able to pay for all of these inspections and then the basis that they're doing them on and our ability to keep up with the workload. So, that would be my guess as to why it's done on the on the basis it is, but it's based in the ordinance. Okay. I think if we could I might like to revisit or just have a discussion about it if we can gather more information from other surrounding communities. Like for example, I called Southfield building department just to see what they do and they were very open in terms of sharing like they do 20% of every apartment complex every year plus all vacant units and if you are if you have 80% compliance rate or more then they'll come back in 3 years. If you have less than 80% then they come back the following year and do another 20% plus all vacance. So it seems like there is some maybe room for adjustment or we find out we have the best. But um I think it's that we inspected like 54 the formula would be like 54 apartments at the village every year and that maybe if that's the wrong number I'm sorry but um based on the complaints we got it maybe it's not an adequate amount in my mind. So maybe there's room to discuss and see where we stack up with other communities and potentially adjust if it needs to be.

The number one thing and and I was even surprised by this when we were doing the research. I was actually surprised we we only had six last calendar year across all of our major apartment complexes. I would have assumed it was more. I do I do wonder if you know I do wonder if there are calls that maybe don't get logged. Either way, I would um I think you know, we certainly get complaints out there, but it's not as much as I guess you would think. Um there are certainly issues but

yeah I it might be and I don't know what you would probably get people who are just unhappy but if we had like an anonymous survey that went out or was published for our renters to fill out of like what do you think the state of things are if you make a complaint or do you have infestation infestations or water issues something along those lines where being anonymous they there's not going to be any retribution from the landlords, but that I think was a part of the um resident's complaint at the last meeting was she had spoken about all of these documented issues, but then there were a bunch more that she had claimed that were undocumented entries into her unit for bug bombing and things like that where we're clearly not being made aware of those issues. So there's some discrepancy as you alluded to between what makes it to us and is documented versus what stays in house with the property manager and it could be an absolute mess. So thank you council member Bman.

Um I I just wanted to add on to that same conversation at this point. Thank you for the information uh that was put together regarding the uh inspections. Um, I I do do think that maybe 10% of the units eligible seems to be a very low number. I mean, I I know I have a a single family uh rental and it has to be inspected every every third year by the city that it's in. And I feel feel like maybe perhaps us upping that percentage would would help keep these uh rental communities uh slightly nicer in our city. So just something to consider. And I I agree with looking at what other cities are doing. But um even if other cities are only doing the 10% like we are, maybe we maybe we need to be higher. Um because I I or maybe we need to up our standards because I it feels like we must not be looking for anything if we're not finding anything. With the age, the size of some of these communities, I'm there has to be more out there. Um that's all I have to add to that report. Anybody else? All right, we'll move on to the consent agenda. All items listed under the consent agenda are considered routine by city council and will be enacted by one motion. There'll be no separate discussion of these items unless the council member still requests in which event the items will be removed from consent agenda and added to the regular agenda at the end of unfinished or new business. Do I have a motion?

Support. I got a motion and support to approve the consent agenda as presented tonight. All those in favor, please signify by saying I. I opposed. Motion carries. We have no unfinished business tonight, so we'll move on to new business. New business number one is a recommendation to approve a resolution to support the issuance of a Michigan Liquor Control Commission resort class C on premise retail liquor license and specially designated merchant off-remise retail liquor license. authorized the insurance issuance of an Sunday AM and Sunday PM sales permit for Sierra LLC at 49 809 Grand River Road. Do a motion?

Some moved. Second. Thank you, Susan. City Manager Benson, the floor is yours.

Thank you, Mayor. Uh good evening, members of city council. Before you tonight is a request, as as stated in the recommended motion, for a resort class C uh liquor license. This would be for on premise consumption, sale and consumption of liquor, beer, wine, spirits. Um, the one key thing just to note right off the bat is that this is different than a traditional quota class license. Um, this is a special license and I'm I'm going to quote the mission Michigan liquor control uh code. Uh, a special category of retail license issued to establishments that meet statutory criteria related to tourism, recreation, food service, lodging, and assembly uses. uh then we provide more detail of what those standards look like but the core point is that um it would not impact the city's quota um and I believe they are non-transferable um their application from Authentica Indian Cuisine and Banquet uh for this license is in response to the city's standing policy resolution 2005-32 where the city suspended consideration of quota class C licenses for all establishments located outside of the village center area zoning districts Um, at the time I believe that was done as a economic development incentive to retain new quota licenses uh to spur development downtown. Um, so historically we've required new licenses to be uh transferred into the city for newer establishments. Think like um Longhorn Steakhouse and those kinds of places. Um the applicant was, you know, heard our response to their initial application and amended their application to then seek the resort class C license. Uh they're also seeking a specially designated merchant for off-remise consumption and that's really our understanding would be to support carry out uh you know sales of food, wine, beverages. Um so the the application in front of you tonight was reviewed by the city's construction development services department, the city attorney's office, and the police

department who did a background check. Uh those reviews are included in your agenda packet. Uh the long story short is that we do not uh we didn't find any specific reasons that uh would would impact their candidacy for issuance of this license or these licenses and permits. Uh and we recommend approval. We also do have the applicant and their representative here in case you have any questions for them. And in addition, I'm available if there's any questions you have. Happy to try and answer them. if this with this liquor license. Um, it's off premise, too. So, like if they did a banquet or something like that, they can serve alcohol at the banquet, you know, if they let's say they're going to cater a wedding at the community center. Does that allow them to serve liquor there or

I'm not certain about that because then I think the liquor licenses gets into um, you know, the facility that you're at. I can't really speak to that to be honest with you. I'm not sure. Do we have any questions? Council member McGra Fox. Thank you. So, Mr. Benson, in you, you addressed it a little bit just now, but on the um the last bullet of that first page, it says um we do not believe this license would be subject to city council policy provisions. So, do we know that it's not going to affect our quota license or do we not? Yes. In conferring with the city attorney's office, they they they've confirmed that this would not impact it is it's designated as not qua.

Okay. Thank you. Thank you, mayor. Anybody else? Would the applicant like to speak or

Good evening, uh, Mr. Mayor, members of council, Patrick How on behalf of Sira LLC. Uh, thanks for having us tonight. Um little background as assistant city manager indicated we we thought we were off and running with the quota license uh which the city has available and as you know the city gets one license for every 1500 people um and then learned that it's it's only eligible for downtown. Um that gave us two options. Uh we could either purchase a license from somewhere in Oakland County which is currently going for about $130,000 or we could apply for a resort license. Uh the state gives out five per year. We think we're early enough in the calendar year that we could potentially get allocated one. Um, and those cost $20,000. Uh, it doesn't impact your quota uh in any way. Um, and it doesn't the SDM doesn't impact your quota either. So, you get uh one SDM license for every thousand people. Um, this is a non-transferable only for the applicant uh for this building. Uh, if it moved across the parking lot, they couldn't transfer it. So, it's literally just for this business. Um, we think they meet the other criteria set forth by the state, which would be up to liquor commission, but they have 182 seats, which is well above the 100 minimum. Uh, they meet the hour requirements. Um, they meet the definition of a a business that's not solely for the purpose of selling alcohol, and we think they do qualify as a destination restaurant. Um, the assistant city manager referenced Longhorn. That's a resort license. Uh, so that's a transferable resort license that was brought into the city. So, it's a tough situation in Oak County right now uh with the prices of these licenses and a small business like this. Uh this license will go a long way. Um so, as indicated in the in the application packet, uh this is just accessory service of beer, wine, spirits with meals. It's a very small bar. Uh the SDM would be for a takeout order. Um you know, to your question, can they serve at a private wedding? They could if they get a catering permit. So, we'd have to come back and get a catering permit. But if you wanted to have a party at your home and you got a catering order and you said, "Hey, like a couple bottles of

wine with that." This would allow them to capture that to go sale. Um there's no plan for any market or anything like that for beer wine to go. Um as indicated in all the reports, everything's really checked out with the applicants. It's family business, husband and wife. Um they're here to answer any questions you have. Um this would really go a long way to help establish the business uh for a long time in the city. It did open in July and and so far they're doing great. So I'm happy to answer any questions you have. Um, you know, we think we meet the the requirements in in the city code and uh, Venot and Sedura from Mary are here to answer any questions you have. So, thank you for your support. Any questions?

All right. Seeing none. Great. Thank you. You're welcome. I've got a motion in a second to approve the recommendation to approve a resolution to support the issuance of a Michigan Liquor Control Commission Resort Class C on premise retail liquor license and specialty. this designated merchant off- premise retail liquor license and authorize the issuance of a Sunday AM and Sunday PM sales permit for Sierra LLC at 4989 Grand River. All those in favor, please signify by saying I. I opposed. Motion carries. Good luck. Thank you.

New business number two. Discussion regarding the Wall Lake Consolidated School District, new Wixom Elementary School proposed at 3515 West Maple Road. Do I have a motion? So move. Sister Edger Benson.

Good evening again, mayor and members of city council. Um, as referenced by a few members who spoke during public comment, uh, the purpose of this discussion item is just to provide a little bit of an update and more information for the city council and, you know, any folks who are watching or in the audience. Um, regarding what we know from the city administration perspective regarding the new Wixom Elementary School. Um, I know that there's been a lot of interest. We've received obviously a few calls um, and I, you know, city council members have asked questions, too. So, uh, included in your agenda packet is basically every piece of information that we have to this point. Um, my intention at this moment is not to go through all of those individually. I am happy to try and answer questions about individual components if you have them. But the long story short is that, you know, as a whole, I think I think we believe that this this investment from the district is a positive for the community and replaces one of the oldest schools in the district with a brand new facility. However, there are components of this project that that are clearly problematic. Um, these are issues that we've brought up to the district and uh for what it's worth, I want to give them some credit for at least giving us some information and working with us to some extent. Um, as as uh one member of the audience mentioned, there are some districts that choose to completely stonewall and and win won't interact at all with their local communities. So, um, they did give us some site plan information, some traffic study information, and has been willing to accept comments from us over the last 4 months. We've kind of gone back and forth with them. They gave us initial plans, we gave them initial comments, they were submitted revised information, we gave them revised comments, and that's essentially what you're seeing in your agenda packet tonight. The long story short is is, you know, we identified from a staff perspective four overarching categories of of issue that we would like them to to better address as a part of their plans. Um, and our recommendation tonight, uh, we drafted a a potential letter that could come from

the city city council, um, to communicate those concerns directly to the Wald Lakes Consolidated School District Board of Education as well as their administrative staff. to date we have really not had much interaction with their school board and I'm not sure what extent that they're aware of the the details of the site plan that that is being proposed. Um just very quickly to kind of walk through them. Our first concern is that there is uh relatively limited details on the plans provided to us um you know such as the number of proposed teachers and students to verify adequate parking. um some incomplete building and accessory structure information. Um as an example, firet truck turning radiuses aren't haven't been provided to date. Uh there's landscaping and light information that they did not provide to us. All of those things are normally handled via the city's zoning ordinance and our site plan review process. Those are not applicable in this case. They're not subject to site plan review from us and our zoning standards don't apply to them. So, I just want to put that particular piece, especially when it comes to like landscaping and um you know, those kind of things. We probably don't have a great leg to stand on, but at a minimum, we want to communicate here's what the city standards are and we'd encourage them to try to meet those as any private development would need to. Um the second kind of key point is the omission of a sidewalk along the north side of their property. So they would be on the south side of West Maple and they propose to have all of their students use the existing sidewalk network on the north side of the road. Their their justification for that is that um currently there would not be sidewalk connections to the east or the west of of their site. Um in response to that, it would not be difficult for the city to facilitate a connection over to Wick to Wixom Road. Um we've talked about that internally. We've communicated to them that that's an investment that we would need to work

with city council on. is it it's doable. Um to the west maybe a little bit harder, but um you know we can work with them and we request and recommend that they proactively install their portion of sidewalk and help build the city's overall pedestrian um you know network. The uh the third specific concern that we highlighted is the lack of a signalized pedestrian crossing at the crossing they're proposing. So there they proposed to have two uh curb cuts on West Maple. The one to the east closer to Wixom Road would be for uh parents, vehicular traffic, you know, passenger vehicles to then come in and loop around in the site. Um so there is some effort to try to pull cars off the road. Uh their western entrance would be for the buses and that would create a four-way intersection with Headingham Boulevard and they're not proposing any signalization of any kind at that four-way intersection where the crosswalk would be. We find that, you know, in our opinion to be concerning. Um, and so that's part of what we cite as, you know, an item to bring to your attention. Uh, and and then the fourth is that this their their plan does not include any meaningful improvements or um investments into West M West Maple Roads infrastructure. Uh, whether that's a left-hand turn lane, even adjustments to the passing flare that they would be augmenting at the Hettingham Boulevard on the south side for their new driveway. Um, again, all of these things are provided in kind of greater detail in the reviews that have been shared with the district. Um, you know, in the long run, there may not be a ton of hammers for the the the city to be able to use. We do have to um we're responsible for water, sewer, and rightway permitting. To date, we have not issued any of those permits. And we have indicated to the district that at the bare minimum, we would like to see the review comments and approvals from the state that, you know, they've looked at these intersections. They've looked at all of this information and they've

granted approval. Uh because, you know, quite frankly, we we're concerned about being responsible for issuing permits on a design that we don't believe is adequate. Um today we have not gotten any um written confirmation from the state's reviews. Uh they have not provided that to us. So that's kind of the current standing and I know there was a lot of information in the agenda packet. So really from here you know this is an opportunity for you all to ask questions and to have a discussion about you know your experiences. cuz I know we have issues at other schools in um in the area uh and and you know how you all would might like to proceed. Um whether you like the sending a letter idea uh if there's anything else you know you you guys have ideas on this is you know a forum to discuss that.

Council member Bearman. Thank you. Um, so for background it was October Novemberish when we first Excuse me for one second. Council, Deputy Mayor Gotcha, sorry. Um, I did need to note before the discussion that uh we checked in with the city attorney. I'm the golf coach of Walding Northern High School. Although I'm an independent contractor, I'm still paid by the school district. So, um, the city attorney determined there's no conflict of interest, especially since there's no, uh, monetary considerations on this, but just wanted to make that, uh, apparent ahead of time. Thank you.

I appreciate that. Go ahead, Council Member Bman.

Thank you. Um, so it was, I believe, October when we what first got the plans or started seeing the plans for the school and then November 11th came very quickly when they did the groundbreaking uh with virtually no feedback from the city at that point. Um, I know that's when internally the city started having uh conversations with the school. Um, I myself found myself at the school board meeting in December where I did give public comment to the school board with concerns particularly for the traffic on Maple Road. I think their failure to provide acceleration or deceleration lanes or a lefthand turn lane um are just idiotic. Um, the day after that school board meeting, I did receive a voicemail from the superintendent, uh, Dr. Lans letting me know that their traffic people looked at it and were they're perfectly fine building it as proposed. Uh, they don't care. Very clear from his message in his voicemail he left me that next day, they have no indication on changing anything. Um, I think this letter is fine. Um, I think this letter should have gone out last year, uh, when we first started hearing about it. I think the letter should probably be slightly firmer. I agree that we should withhold any permits we can to get them to come to the table. um the fact that our next business item uh is for um you know a dozen or 15 homes and uh we went more in depth on that with the sidewalks out front and the the the the road cutouts than we're getting for a school that's going to uh serve this magnitude

of people. It's just crazy to me. I over I overlooked the site plan of the school versus the current school. The the number of parking spots uh that they're proposing is is is about twice as many as what's at the current school. So I I mean I would I would venture to guess that parking is going to be better there. um the traffic plan that they proposed that circles around that entire parking lot, there's going to be more room to get more cars off the street. Um so hopefully some of that's going to be better. But if we were to do a left-hand turn lane into the school and if we were to just do an acceleration deceleration lane from where the entrances to the buses to the entrance to the cars, that would allow people to be out of the traffic flow if they're looking to get into the school and they're not going to be stopping the traffic. As the street is right now, if people are backed up trying to turn left into the school and no one can get into the school and a fire truck needs to get down to my neighborhood or all of your neighborhoods, it's not going to happen because there's going to be no way for an ambulance or a fire truck to go around it. So, I I absolutely think we need to at the bare minimum have a lefthand turn lane to go into the parking lot for the for the cars and probably the buses. I know the buses are just once a day. Um I don't think we need a traffic light for the buses, but I do think some sort of safety device for the people crossing the street would be prudent. I I think no, the sidewalks need to be fixed. We've already as a city discussed extending the sidewalk down to at least

Wixom Road and in the future we can continue going the other way as well. But there's zero reason why the school system has allowed it to get to this point with having no common sense for the safety of of the residents and the parents and their staff that's going to be going there day in and day out. There needs to be some improvements to the site plan and there needs to be some improve improvements to Maple Road and we as a city need to really also go back and and and and take a look at the other extension at the end of Maple Road. I know we've been talking about that, but this is a very good reason why that needs to go forward. Uh because that connection at the end of Maple Road to Pontiac Trail would help solve all these safeties concerns as well. Um but I mean for the point being anything we can do to force the table the school to the table um I'd be in support of

Council Ar Kennedy.

I was going to say much of the same thing about the traffic and my concerns about people backing up on the road especially without there being a turn lane there feels like untenable. Uh, also wanted to add on the crossing right across from the the road would make a four-way intersection and I believe a lot of people be crossing right there. I saw it at Wald Lake Western when I was younger. Same thing happened where they have bunch of housing right across from the school. Kids go across there every day. In the winter when it's dark and roads are a little slippery. I saw a kid get hit. there wasn't enough lighting and I didn't see anything in here to provide for any of that. Um, the whole thing just looked kind of unsafe to me. I would like to see improvements. Anything we can do to make that happen, I would be completely in favor of.

Thank you, Council Member Grillin Fox. Thank you.

So, again, Mr. Benson, um, basically it sounds like we have very little of any recourse. Is that correct? I would uh broadly speaking I think if they can provide us the documentation that the the the the state has has approved these right and there's a very specific level of detail that we're going to require to feel comfortable well I'm not even going to say comfortable but uh that that that will put us in a more difficult position. Um, that's basically what we think how this ends up happening is they've got to demonstrate to us that the state said this was okay cuz it certainly doesn't meet our own standards and then we will have to make decisions from there of whether their documentation is adequate. And more importantly, um, depending on what the state's reviews are, you know, we may be able to lodge some of these complaints there that that we think they've submitted in in um, incomplete information. Where that goes though, it's hard to say. So in in talking about the the um the sewer connections, the water, the the different things that we have the city locally has control over, how far can that get us? I mean, ultimately, what can happen?

In the absence of of having an attorney, and I will defer to

Yeah, I I wouldn't I'd hesitate to speculate on that. We all we can do is what we can do. Um and eventually um notwithstanding any action on our part that there might be a way to force action on that one way or the other is my concern. Um but just as a quick summary, what we're trying to do this this evening is just bring this information to your attention in a public manner so that people are aware that later when the same problems that have existed at at Moon Lake and have existed at Sarah Banks exist at this location when the school opens. I don't want it to become a why did the city do something about that? Right? We've been trying to do something about this. We brought it to the attention of the school district multiple multiple multiple multiple times, concerns that we have about traffic safety. Uh the things that that council member Barman's talked about in terms of public safety, in terms of of a fire truck or an ambulance trying to get through a situation where it's locked and loaded because of the fact there's no turn lane, there's no other mechanisms to try to lessen the traffic impact on that two-lane road. Um it's it's going to be a problem. Uh we know it's going to be a problem. I feel that the school district knows it's going to be a problem. And

we're just bringing it up publicly so that people that live in that neighborhood hear about it, that you hear about it, uh, and potentially you could take additional steps, direct us to do the letter, uh, direct us to conduct a public hearing, which I would be firmly in favor of to to bring more attention to this. Um, that's that's the purpose of our action this evening is just to bring it to the public's attention that this is going on. Um, and it's not going on because the city thinks it's the right thing to do. I agree with the letter. I agree with everything that's been said. My concern is I want to make sure that the residents know right there. There's very very very little that we as a local unit of government can do. And the best thing that people can do is go to the schoolboard meeting. I I I I agree with sending the letter. I think this is horrible what they're doing. They're supposed to be concerned about kids and and the safety issues here are just it amazes me. Um from the the turning radius, the um the sidewalks, the the traffic issues. It it really is disappointing. But I just want to make sure because I think a lot of people think residents think that we have this control over the schools. Same as we have some kind of control over DTE or we have control over the railroad. We don't. And so I really would encourage people to go to the school.

And that's an excellent point. You talk about the level of oversight and and things that we require of this of the lowest level of development in the city, right? without anywhere near the traffic impacts, without any near the number of people, uh the number of vehicles that are going to be involved, um we would we would have a great deal of of uh control and and making sure that things were addressed in a safe manner. And in this situation, we don't period. Uh and we just want to make sure that we bring that to the public's attention. I appreciate you accentuating that.

Totally totally agree with everything that my council fellow council members are saying. And again, I would encourage every resident in this city, especially if you have a child that goes to that school, go to the schoolboard meeting and a public hearing would be another mechanism to to assist that, right? And we we authorize public hearing.

We give notices to people in the surrounding area and everything else. We can get information out in a more formal manner uh to direct bring it to people's attention so they become aware of it and then perhaps they can do things you're talking about going to schoolboard meeting perhaps bringing their concerns there. And as as uh assistant city manager Drew Benson mentioned, we don't know exactly what level of of communications uh taking place uh between the state and the school district or between the school district and the school board. Um I think that's partly what we're trying to accomplish too to make sure people are aware of those different locations, our concerns, residents concerns. Thank you. Thank you, Mayor. You're welcome. Deputy Mayor Gota.

Thank you. Um, so I share a lot of the concerns that have already been spoken about. Um, to get, I guess, into more of the numbers side of backing up to Lon Lake Elementary, I see the traffic get stacked up for, uh, pick up and drop off on Lon Lake Road. Um, one resident who's moved out of the city years ago used to call, text, and email me quite frequently, um, extremely upset about having to be late to work trying to weave in and out of cars on Lon Lake Road. Um, I did, for the sake of my um, owning, tried to measure the distance, at least on Google Maps, of their roundabout for stacking drop off and pickup traffic. um and tried to match it with what's sort of on the site plan using some uh geographic features. There's only about 130 more feet and so that's maybe 8 to 10 more vehicles could fit in the the circle at the proposed um roundabout or circle. There are a lot more cars than 8 to 10 extra sitting on Lon Lake Road every single day. Um, so I think just from a a standpoint of planning for their own traffic, as you alluded to, we don't know how many um teachers or students are going to be there. They don't even account for managing their own traffic without creating overflow as uh Mrs. Aly got into. People could foreseeably sit and I've seen it at other schools. They sit in a neighborhood entrance waiting for their kid to walk down the sidewalk to them and then they drive off uh that Oakley Park Elementary. I see that in the neighborhood across the street when I drive by there. Um, so the fact I understand we don't have a lot of control, but we wouldn't allow a business to open up that can't account

for their own traffic generation issues. Um, aside from that issue, um, I'd like the point about the city investing in a sidewalk on the south south side of the road. um their mile busing rule presumably is going to have children from the VCA area walking to the new elementary school. They're not going to cross the south side of Maple Road to cross back to the north side. So, that's something I think we can look at um to partner with them on like you put it in, we will also put it in to help your students and parents that are going to walk or ride their bikes. Um, it is really disheartening the level of communication between every level of government that we seem to run into, whether it's the road commission, the school district, the state, the federal government. Um, you would think we all want to help enrich the lives of our fellow residents and citizens, but um, that doesn't seem to be remotely the case for some people. Um, in terms of the pedestrian concern that was put into with the the road flare out and whatever they're going to turn that into and how traffic comes in or out because it doesn't look like that um western driveway is going to attach to the main parking lot. Do we know what that is going to be used for? Have they at least shared that? Yeah, the western driveway is it's intended essentially for two things. One, um they're going to use it for buses. So, the buses will come in and out of there. Um and they'll, you know, go into the roundabout and park and come in and out. The other thing though, that's and this is a key consideration on our part. There is an existing access easement

from the property to the south in that exact location. That's why they put the driveway there is because the property itself has a legal right to take access through that area. So the intent is that that also um you know the southern property owner is aware of that and if they ever develop down there they would want to use that for some level of access. So that's why it's located there and that's how the school district intends to use it in the short run. So that became not say it's going to happen since there's Hillsboro um residents here but the last proposal was like apartments and condos back there. That would be the entrance is what you're saying.

Yeah. Zoned R3 for single family homes. So yeah, you know, but whatever it turns into, but um okay, so yeah, a big big concern is them showing the crosswalk unsignalized across Maple Road, saying everyone needs to use that sidewalk. Um you can see someone getting hit um trying to cross the road, especially if there's big buses pulling out or somebody trying to pass. Um, we had a student get hit on Potter Road a handful of years ago and get killed. Um, that was one of their students at Walt Lake Western High School. Um, my family's been impacted by it. I really don't understand the lack of consideration for the people they're serving. Um, so I do appreciate the letter. Um, I would hope it actually makes it to the um, board members and not just filed away in a garbage can since um, whoever is in charge over there doesn't seem to care based on voicemails they're leaving. Um, but it even if it's a matter of us encouraging people to go to a schoolboard meeting, us as council members going to a school schoolboard meeting to read the letter to them if the board isn't even aware of the issues, which I they probably are not. Um, it's probably more of a staff issue and they have a lot going on over there that is related to staff issues. So, um, it's it is concerning that we have no control. um they don't seem to care about the people they're serving. So, I would also be in favor of um withholding every permit, not just until we get state paperwork, but if we need to have discussions with the state agency that reviewed it as well um before issuing stuff, I think that um becomes the the game plan. Like I don't think this should be a anything we make

um super easy without making sure that we're protecting our residents and students and they're protecting their students and families. Thank you. Council member OD.

Thank you. uh would also just like to echo a lot of the sentiments of uh my fellow council members with regard to being in favor of the letter as well as uh a potential public hearing. I think that would be a great way to get folks hopefully they come out in the same room and hear the messaging. Uh I I can't imagine any school I've ever seen that doesn't have a sidewalk in front of it. I mean to me that just sounds absurd. So, I'm shocked that that wasn't given consideration um previously. And then I guess the only other thing I would say is just living right there in at that area of Maple Road as well. Um I'm not even sure I mean I'm sure there are ways. I'm by no means a um engineer, you know, road study person. Uh but the infrastructure is such that because you've got homes on either side of the road the majority of the way um I don't know how much consideration was given um prior to this site being chosen. Um I I don't even know how does anyone have any idea? Do you do you uh city manager or assistant city manager have any idea how much room we would even have to build out on Maple there if we wanted to have a left turn lane or you know some kind of additional roadway? Yeah, we actually do have uh it's not uniform across the entire length of of West Maple, but the city has intended to get 120 ft of rightway along the length. So, there are sections that we do. I don't have the map up in front of me, but there there's often more rightofway um available. Plus, the district has said that they would intend to donate or to yeah to dedicate their frontage as right of way and you know, being consistent with others. So functionally in the short run there

would be some challenges. You couldn't you we couldn't make it a threelane road tomorrow. Um but I think especially along their frontage considering they're the ones giving it to us that would be a little easier to at least for their portion. Um and we can figure out how to connect to the east. There would be some limitations getting up to Wixom Road. The wirehouse was mentioned for right-hand turns. We acknowledge that that's that's an existing problem. So, um, no, it wouldn't all be solvable immediately, but you know, when we've communicated that to the district, that doesn't have to be the immediate expectation. You know, what can we accomplish within the constraints of the space that we have and you're giving us, you know, what can we do?

Okay. And just one last question, it may have been here and I just didn't see it. When is the proposed or hopeful open or school year for this site? I believe they're intending for fall of 2027. All right. Thank you.

You're welcome. I too echo uh the sentiments of everybody up here. Um it's not the residents of the city of Wixom uh's fault that they have to play dodge car on all these roads because of school district's lack of planning. Um, I would like to find out from the school district themselves if they feel that this is a school district problem or a city problem. And if they say it's a city problem, then we'll take care of it for them. We'll find them the alternative route. Um, there's been numerous accidents in front of banks because the cars you can't see and the cars coming out of banks turn a left, they don't stop. They just think they have the right away and they they come out. There's been numerous accidents in front of there. uh Hidden Creek, you can't drive. If we had a a situation where we needed a emergency vehicle to come through at pickup time, they can't come through. There's 30 to 40 cars. And it's the same thing that's going to happen in and hedge ham over there. The the it's their parents aren't going to wait in line. They're going to pull over there. The kids are going to cross the street. Um this is something that we need to get done. The city of Wixom residents shouldn't suffer for lack of planning from Wall Lake schools. It's their issue that they have a uh the buses you can't ride a bus within a mile of the school. It's their rule, but yet they don't want to give a safe route for the students to walk to the new Wixom Elementary. They want you to cross here, cross there, cross here, cross there. No, that's they have no it's asigning to me that that they don't have any thoughts on this. It's just we're going to build a new school, put a parking lot in, and so be it everything else. And if there's an issue, eh, you know what? No big deal. Um, so I think we need to have a public hearing. I think we need to invite the school board and all of the

administration there. And then when they don't show up to the public hearing, it's just going to show how involved they are with this and that they really don't care. And then um we just we just need to go from there. But it's not our residents that play dodge car, you know. And I don't mean to sound selfish or anything, but I know this happens at other elementary schools without throughout the I I don't really care about that. All I care is about the ones that are in Wixom. Okay? and there's a problem and we need to cut it off at the path before the new school comes and at the other schools in Wixom. We need to take care of that situation. So that's my my opinion on that. Any other further discussion? So go ahead.

I was just going to say uh we do provide a a recommended motion authorizing the distribution of the letter. Um, I would I I would support having that done as a motion just because then it's in the record as, you know, a vote of city council and we do recommend having you sign the draft letter if you support it. The other thing is is a um I think a motion to direct us to schedule the public hearing, it just wouldn't be bad. I think we have consensus to that end, but if you wanted to make a motion to that end, um, could be good as well. Council member Bman. Yeah, I'll make a motion to recommend the approval and signing of the proposed letter by the existing council members and to set a public hearing. Um, do we want a date for that or just to set a public hearing?

Yep. I'm sorry, March 10th. To set a public hearing on March 10th for the discussion on the new Wixom Elementary School. All right. I got a motion and support for uh the letter and to uh set a public hearing on March 10th. All those in favor, please signify by saying I.

I opposed. Motion carries unanimously. So, we'll go on with that and we'll move on to new business number three and that is a recommendation to approve a final site condominium plan proposed as a cluster housing development at 4038 West Maple from Pine Grove and Pine Cove Investments LLC for the development of 18 single family resident lots on two parcels totaling 9.35 acres zoned R3 one family residential partial identification number 17-31 1-151-046 and 17-31-151-047 with cons conditions as recommend run as recommended by the planning commission. Do I have a motion?

Support. Assistant city manager Benson. All right. Three for three. Uh before you tonight is an item that the city council has seen before. Some newer members uh may not have. Uh but this is a proposed subdivision condominium um that has been recommended by the planning commission. This is step four of four steps um that is required for all um new subdivision approvals. Um I will invite Matteo Pasalqua, the city's uh planning consultant to kind of walk through the details here. Um but the uh proposal here tonight was recommended by the planning commission at their meeting. Um and uh recommended for approval of the city council. Thanks for introducing them for me, too. You're welcome. I know it's been a while.

It's all right. We'll we'll get the name down. Don't worry about it. I'll I'll leave you phonetic notes for the next meeting. I'm just going to call you. I'm just going to I'm going to rename you Jack. That's

That's fine. Hey, you pointing works. I answer to it all. Uh Matteo Pasqua, Carlile Warman Associates. Uh we are the city's planning consultant. Uh as Mr. Benson had um alluded to in front of you this evening is a final site plan for a clustered housing development including 18 single family homes. On October 20th, 2025, a public hearing was held and the planning commission recommended conditional approval of the development to the city council. On November 18th, 2025, the city council granted condition uh conditional preliminary site plan approval for the development. Uh so the preliminary site plan conditions for approval were pretty minimal. Uh and the plan has not changed substantially since it was last in front of the PC or the uh the city council. Uh so on top of uh addressing the conditions at preliminary, the changes that have been proposed to the final site plan this evening is the increase of trees and shrubs around the detention pond in the northwest corner of the site. One additional tree is to be saved um up from 44 to 45 of the trees on site. Uh 15 trees are proposed along the eastern border of the site, more or less the southeastern border that borders existing single family homes. Uh and the sidewalk along West Maple has been reoriented to better intersect with the neighboring homes driveway to the east. All of those changes are elective. They are not in response to the conditions that were applied um in the consultant letters. Uh they were more or less a reaction to the comments made by neighbors at the public hearings for the planning commission. Uh so again those we foresee or we see those changes as improvements. Again the developer was under no um ordinance requirement to make them um but elected to do so anyways. Um so with that uh we do recommend that the following um that the following conditions uh if the council's uh so inclined to provide final approval to the site the only conditions that we had left were any issues cited by city engineering of which there were none. Uh any cited by public safety of which there were none. uh that an open space protection uh document uh in the form of deed restrictions covenants uh that run

with the land or conservation be agreed upon, executed, and recorded with Oakland County per the approval of city administration. Uh we do have those documents. Right now, we're kind of back and forth with the applicant, but basic redline stuff. Uh and that the lots will need to be combined as a condition of site plan approval and building permits being issued. Um with that, it's pretty short and sweet. It's pretty much the same plan you had in front of you a couple months ago. And like I said, the improvements uh have been elective based on the comments that the developer heard at the public hearing. So I'd be happy to answer any questions. Deputy Mayor Gotchel.

Thank you. Um I do appreciate the developers willingness to work with the the city and residents from uh Cameron Corps and like adjacent along West Maple to address the sidewalk. Um I do hope the landscaping and naturalness turns out the way that uh those on Cameron would prefer behind them. Um so it is it is nice that they came to the last meeting had already mentally kind of accounted for those changes. So that's nice. I did notice on uh page 24 of the bylaws, there's subsection R that talks about street trees planted by co-owner and says the co-owner of a unit shall be required to plant street trees per the approved landscape plan within 120 days of occupancy of the unit. However, in the parenthesis for 120, it actually said says 180. So just uh make sure we get that addressed whichever way it should be. Um that was just one kind of clerical thing I noted. Um, and then one question that I had asked last time or one thing I had asked for was some way to delineate between the lots and the preserve natural areas or that way um, homeowners don't just start mowing and taking over what is meant to be preserved even though it's by deed or covenant, however it's going to be handled. Has there been any thing that's been determined as this will be um the del delineation that way we don't just turn into all mode grass and I can and potentially the applicant can better speak to than I can. I do know that exhibit B in these deeds is the final site plan that does delineate the lines. I I'm not implying that a homeowner would look at that and automatically know where it is. Um, but

the final site plan is included in those documents and is at least kind of the first call it the warning shot over the bow to an owner to say if you have plans towards the rear of your yard, you need to check with the HOA and the city to see what's allowed and what's not. Okay. So, there's no like geographical feature that would be put down. Not that I'm aware from the site plan. Again, the applicant might be able to answer that question uh after me.

Um, I know mostly to the west side of the lot. It's like existing woods, I think, to a lot of it. then that's kind of like the more natural marker. But some of my question came from um a lot from the east the homes that would be on the east side of the development um because those look to be more grassy

natural areas and once things start to get open for construction is the game plan just all sod back there or like natural grass plant like I just want to make sure that we don't have people expanding their lawn. on just to have grass and more fertilizer rather than a natural habitat.

Yeah. On the east side, if I recall, there were not from the tree survey, there were not a lot of trees to be saved along that area. So there would I guess the the the threat of someone soding and expanding their lawn. I I get not having a delineation. I don't know that there's as much of a threat though about like endangering trees that were to be saved as part of the site or something of that nature. Yeah. I my concern is just like where somebody's lot ends. I want it to be beyond that point natural habitat for animals, what have you, not just more grass that someone's going to cut and call their yard.

Okay. Yeah. Again, I I would invite the applicant to answer that question. They've developed more subdivisions than me. Yep. Thank you. Thank you. You're welcome.

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Posalakqua. Mike Nolles, Matteo Pasalqua, thank you very much for that concise description. Uh, Mike Nolles with the Amalore Group, 49287 West Road in Wixom. I'm glad to be back with you again. Uh, Deputy Mayor Gotch. Yes. Um, one of the uh, items that you had in the last um, meeting when we were here for the preliminary was you requested th those lots back all the way up to the east line. There's not a open space on the eastern lots. The open space, it's about 40% 40 between 40 and 45% open space. It's primarily on the western side where we've got the wetlands and the woodlands and there's a little stream uh, down through there. But one thing you did ask us for which we um took care of was you asked us to um see if we could relocate some of that storm uh line that instead of it being right on the the property line, it was similar to what we did over at uh Timberside in the in the PY development. So we were able to do that. We relocated the storm line about 10 12 ft interior to the lot so that we could save some of that natural uh vegetation. Um it is still on the lot. So there is not a way to demarcate that. But um we we heard you. Um it was easy enough to do to relocate that storm system to save any of that uh natural vegetation. So that will be part of the plan to save that vegetation. The limits of disturbance will go um down there so that that does not get disturbed. As far as the western side, so there's a there's a wetland there. Certainly no problem. um most of the big area of the wetland on that side um is not behind lots. It's behind the the detention basin. So there really isn't the same kind of fear, but it it certainly would not be anything that um

Hay Moid, the uh owner of Pine Cove building would object to to put some sort of delineation where that open space is. There will already be lot irons and monuments um as part of that, but as you uh indicated, you know, those are buried improvements. Nobody will see those when you're mowing the lawn. You can go right past it. So certainly we could do something there. I know um we generally hesitate to put like a street type of sign right in somebody's backyard, but we've done some that were have been a little bit um they they serve both purposes. It's a 4x4 with an angled top with a with a placard on top of the angled top. So it's not sort of in your face. Don't come over here. But it is a physical demarcation of that line. We'd be certain certainly happy to incorporate that into the landscape plan.

I'd appreciate something like that just so I I know working in real estate myself like people back up to or if we go tour a house that backs up to some woods they think like oh where's this lot and then they immediately start talking well I'll take those trees out. Those aren't even your trees to take out. So that's what I want to um prevent. And I do appreciate the um explanation on the right side. I think I was just reading the hidden line that's used for the um utility as the end line for the lots instead of for what it is. So, thank you for that. No problem. Council member Brown Fox, my questions were answered. Thank you.

Very good. Council member Barman. Um I'm in support of the proposal. The only comment I had really was for city staff. Um, traditionally speaking, I think we usually have the draft minutes from the planning commission for our review. I think not having those could be problematic in the future if if there was an issue. I I I I think that the draft minutes from last week's meeting should have been in the packet for us this evening and there wasn't time for that, then maybe this should have been pushed out two weeks. Uh, I understand we want to rush things to get it done, but we should have all the information. Understood. Any other discussion? Right. Thank you.

Thank you. Seeing none, I got a motion in a second to approve the recommendation to approve a final site condominium plan proposed as clustered housing development at 4038 West Maple from Pine Cove Investments LLC for the development of 18 single family resident residential lots on two parcels totaling 9.35 acres zoned R31 family residential. Parcel identification number 17-31-151-046 and 17-31-151-047 with conditions as recommended by the planning commission. All those in favor, please signify by saying I.

I opposed. Motion carries. Thank you. Thank you very much. And that concludes the new business portion of the meeting tonight. It brings us to the second call to the public. I'll read those rules once again. The public shall address the council during a call to the public which shall be included on the agenda immediately after correspondence and again immediately after new business. The first call to the public immediately after correspondence shall be limited to agenda items only. A person shall not address the council in excess of 5 minutes unless the time is extended by a majority vote of the council present. Persons wishing to address the council shall identify themselves in their place of residence and shall state their reason for addressing the council and all comments by the public shall be made directly to the council. Do we have anybody for the second call to the public? I didn't plan on talking about this tonight, but you mentioned trees. Okay. Now, trees don't live forever. Now, I've lived in this town 53 years, and you got a lot of trees around and a lot of deadfall. And after you saw what happened out in the Palisades in Maui, we got to start addressing all of the dead fall we have around here and how many bad trees we have because once a tree stops being perpendicular, it ain't going back that way again. And I suggest you hire somebody that knows and I'm thinking Pat Chur to drive around the city and say these trees got to come down quick and then have a program that we start addressing them because if you go along Lum Lake Road by the fin camp, you see some of them trees and believe me, if we got a snow like

they did on the east, we would all be cutting firewood for a long time. Now I live on Lamela at Lakeidge and there's an outlot across the street from me that is a low area and the city over the years has decided it's a drainage area for the ditches and the and the uh the uh road drains to go over there. Okay. And it's got all kinds of dead fall. And then somebody decided that behind me on Hopkins Hill uh that they weren't going to have a retention pond. They were going to have a retention area. And behind my house is probably 25 acres of dead trees that the water that was regulated in in the Hopkins Hill was was supposed to just trickle down there and then trickle down to the lake where it wanted to get to. Well, then when they built on the north side of Lon Lake, they ran his retention pond underneath Lon Lake Road and now they added that to that tree. So, there's all of And this is this is dead fault. This is stuff that I I didn't I didn't do it, but I I I would I was thinking about it. So, we we have to get together and have a tree plan for the future. Cuz I I've been out there 53 years. And I'm telling you, these trees just keep getting older. Everybody's think they're icons. You know, all they are carbon stores. Get over it. Okay? Plant more trees. We don't need the uh the other issue is a long time ago they had a master road plan and some people in administrations didn't really support it because if you go to the back of

uh uh Hidden Creek Boon Lake Road back there is pretty wide because it was it was supposed to go through to Witchum Road and all the way over to Charm. arms and catch the back end of all those subdivisions to give two pe people two ways to get out of that area. We're talking about traffic problems and it was it was addressed at one time and then people decided not to support it. That's a bad idea. And third, this is the end of it. Go nuclear. You hire a lawyer that has one with the schools and tell them we're not going to stand for this. This this can't happen like this. I don't know what you're going to do with a a cemetery and an old house, but it it it you you got to go nuclear. You just can't say, "Oh, the state I' I'd call in the state senator and the state rep and say, you guys got to do something about giving these schools carb blanch to screw up our neighborhoods." That's how you do it. Thank you. Thank you, mayor. Any other public comments tonight? Second call to the public. Seeing none, I'll close the second call to the public. We'll move on city manager comments. City manager Brown, welcome back.

Thank you, sir. I appreciate it. Good to be back. Thanks. Especially after a flight cancellation. Uh so, um on our city manager updates, uh the only thing we have on there is work anniversaries for employees and we have ranging from one year uh with Carrie Evans, our deputy clerk to Melissa Harrison and Carson Recreation with 30 years in March. So, uh, thank you to Melissa and everybody else for all the great work, uh, and time and effort that they put into making a Wixom a great place. Uh, it's appreciated by your co-workers, and I know it's appreciated by this council, and it's appreciated by residents as well. So, thank you to all the employees celebrating near their anniversaries this month in March. Very good. Thank you, assistant.

We have one more thing. I apologize. um Main Street Oakland County uh breakfast summit 2026 uh March 19th uh at the Lafayette Grand Banquet Facility in Pontiac. It's from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Uh there's an RSVP that's required by March 13th. If anybody's interested in attending that, um you can let us know in the city manager's office. We'll have a copy of the uh of the notification here if you can take a look at it tonight if you'd like. Very good. Thank you. Sorry about that. No problem. Just don't let it happen again. All right. I'll try not to I'll try to be better next time. Assistant City Manager Benson.

Uh well, I've said plenty today, but uh the only update I have is uh just continuing to pro provide updates on the data center ordinance discussion as requested by city council. Planning Commission did hold a public hearing on that last week. Uh we did receive some input u not a ton from residents, but we had some interested property owners as well. uh the planning commission ultimately decided to uh table the item and are looking at some additional revisions. So uh we'll likely go back to them again in March. Um should come to city council sooner rather than later, but just wanted to continue to provide you updates on where that that uh direction stands. That's all I have.

Is that it? Because there's a train going through so we got at least another 20 25 minutes before we can get through. So no, unfortunately not. Very good. Council comments. Uh, Council Member O Day,

thank you. Uh, congratulating all the staff on work anniversaries, especially a 30-year one. And that's impressive. Um, also just wanted to mention it was interesting. I was uh not feeling well two weeks ago for the meeting. So, um, uh, watched it the next day. Um, and it really it kind of gives you a different perspective to watch the meeting. So, I just kind of encourage uh my fellow council member members and everyone else to go back and um watch a meeting or portions thereof. You may have to fast forward through some of the boring parts. Um, that doesn't mean the whole thing, but um uh just just interesting little perspective. Anyway, so thank you You're welcome.

Council member Kennedy. Um, nothing much to add today. Just want to say that it's really impressive someone who stayed in the same job 30 years the city because it's a great place to work. Yes, true. Council member Gella Fox. I too would like to uh thank all those and wish them a congratulations employees celebrating their anniversaries. Thank you,

Council Member Bman. Thank you to the residents that came out this evening. It's nice to actually have some residents come. Even though something they want to complain about, but that's that's fine. That's what that's what we're here for. Um the only thing I'd like to add is the uh daddy daughter dance. Uh it was a a great time as well this year. It was my oldest daughter's uh last year that she can do it. as uh we were doing a dance at the end. She was actually tearing up when she realized it was the last year that she could do it. Um but you know, I remember going back the first year I did it uh with some familiar faces and I think it was your your your daughter's last year then. So it's um it's a good tradition we do. I'm glad we do it and thank you for all the staff that put it on again this year.

Yep. Deputy Mayor Gotel. Thank you. I also wanted to uh thank our residents that came to uh share what was on their mind during call public tonight. It's always nice to hear from you and how we can help uh better advocate for you in this case, but also better serve you, too. I mean, we don't get a lot of feedback up here. So, we don't know if we're doing things that uh people like or dislike until it reaches a point that the dislike grows to hate and then we get yelled at. So, it's nice to hear from people in between that um side of the spectrum. Thank you.

You're welcome. And I just I want to also thank everybody uh the residents for showing up tonight, too. It's um sometimes we don't know until the residents speak up. We have our own ideas of things and sometimes we don't know exactly what's going on and u people who elected us will come in and tell us and help us out and give us a different perspective on it. So, we appreciate you guys for being here tonight and I just want to thank everybody for uh celebrating their workversaries. Like I say, thank you for everything because it's a great place to work. And with that, do I have a motion to adjurnn? I got a motion and a second to adjurnn. All those in favor, please signify by saying I.

I opposed. Motion carries. Thank you everybody. Have a great night.