City of Grosse Pointe Farms

The agenda for the Regular Meeting of the City Council includes several items for consideration. Key topics are the City Employee Recognition Program, consideration of closing Kercheval Avenue for the "Thrive on the Hill" event, and multiple items concerning the Board of Zoning Appeals, specifically applications for 239 McKinley Road and 112 Kercheval Avenue. Further discussions involve the Lake Shore Road Seawall Feasibility Study, an interlocal agreement, and a consent agenda covering reappointments to the Historic District Commission and Board of Review, and approval of January 2026 invoices. Reports scheduled for receipt include the January 2026 Public Safety Report and the Quarterly Financial Report for the six months ended December 31, 2025.

The meeting included the presentation and receipt of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (CAFR) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2025, with emphasis placed on the City's AAA bond rating. Public comment addressed odor issues from a nearby sewage district pump station. The Council conducted a site plan review and conditionally approved the site plan for a stormwater pump station at 352 Chalfonte Avenue, with several non-binding recommendations related to landscaping and noise mitigation. Following this, the Board of Zoning Appeals heard appeals regarding a dimensional variance request for a swimming pool, hot tub, and fence at 231 Lake Shore Road, which was granted subject to specific conditions, including an indemnification agreement related to an underground water main. A second variance request for a garage expansion at 303 Hillcrest Avenue was tabled for future consideration. The Council also authorized the publication of a notice of intent to issue municipal bonds, not to exceed $12 million, for the Pier Park Pool and Bath House Project, and approved the proposed City Council Regular Meeting Schedule for 2026.

The special meeting included a public hearing regarding the proposed Village Market Parking Lot Reconfiguration and Street Realignment, intended to improve pedestrian safety and traffic flow. Key discussion points included the net gain of parking spaces, confirmation that Village Market would bear the reconfiguration costs, and concerns regarding fire apparatus maneuverability and landscaping. Numerous public comments emphasized safety needs, requesting specific traffic controls such as right-turn-only restrictions, a comprehensive traffic study based on the McKenna report, and clarity on easement terms guaranteeing shared parking access for all adjacent businesses. No formal action was taken on the Village Market proposal. Subsequently, the Council approved the Wayne County Annual Permit for work within county rights-of-way. Updates were also provided on an odor investigation related to a sanitary district pump station, the progress of the sewer separation project, and the incorrect angling of recently installed parking lot lights at Village Market.

The City Council meeting addressed several agenda items. Key discussions included a promotion ceremony recognizing Public Safety Officer William Madsen to Sergeant and Sergeant Veronica Cashion to Lieutenant, following the retirement of Lieutenant Matthew Hurner. The Council considered a preliminary site plan review for an early childcare center at 107 Kercheval Avenue, which requires a use variance as education use is not permitted in the B1 zone, and also considered a dimensional variance request for a garage bay addition at 417 Barclay. Furthermore, the Council reviewed the consideration of a Memorandum of Understanding with GPPSS for Emergency Camera Access, Mayoral appointments to City boards and commissions, and approved the 2026 City Council Regular Meeting Schedule. Additionally, the Council authorized the publication of a notice of intent to issue municipal bonds, up to $12 million, for the Pier Park Pool and Bath House Project.

The City Council meeting included discussion and presentation of the June 30, 2025 Audit and Annual Comprehensive Financial Report. The Board of Zoning Appeals discussed dimensional variance requests for properties on Lakeshore Drive, Hillcrest, and Barclay. The council reviewed the site plan for the proposed pump station at 352 Chalfonte Avenue. They considered a resolution to authorize the publication of a notice of intent to issue bonds and reviewed the City Council Regular Meeting Schedule for 2026. The council also discussed design-build services for the new Pier Park Pools and Bathhouse, and a request to approve a one-year contract for property and liability insurance.