David E. DeCoster

The meeting commenced with the approval of the minutes from the previous meeting held on December 16th. The primary focus was Case Number 26-01 regarding a property at 951 Harding Avenue, presented on behalf of Jonathan and Hyrick. The applicant sought variances to allow a two-family dwelling in an R1 zoning district, to deviate from the minimum total sideyard setback requirement, and to exceed the maximum lot coverage percentage. The discussion centered on the need for accessibility modifications due to the property owners using wheelchairs and the requirement for a caregiver's quarters, including a separate, accessible entrance and a warming kitchen. Board members expressed concern that approving the request as presented would constitute two family residences in R1 zoning, setting an unchangeable precedent. The board indicated willingness to approve dimensional variances but advised the applicant to redesign the plan to resolve the two-family dwelling issue, potentially by eliminating the kitchen, and then resubmit to determine the necessary variances.

The meeting addressed preliminary discussions concerning the status of the ice rink. The council approved the agenda and proceeded with the consent agenda items, which included approvals for various payment applications. These payments covered asbestos abatement services, construction project funding, architectural services for the EventHub project, masonry work, engineering consulting services, and master planning services. Other items approved included payment for outdoor furniture at the 11mi Road Alleys parking lot reconfiguration project, sewer cleaning/inspection, and the final payment for a sewer lining project. The council also authorized bidding for the 2026 Corridor Improvement Authority landscaping installation project and handled new/renewal license requests. Accounting reports involved approving invoices for legal services. Major discussion centered on bid awards for infrastructure work: the 2026 joint and crack sealing project was awarded to Michigan Joint Ceiling, and professional services for construction testing (TEC) for water main and Capitol Avenue rehabilitation projects were approved. Finally, the council reviewed the first reading of a proposed zoning map amendment for the property at 24850 Greenfield Road, rezoning it from PCD to B2, following extensive discussion with the property owner regarding the challenges of repurposing the former Rite Aid location.

The meeting commenced with a roll call and approval of the agenda. Key discussions centered on administrative approvals for two new businesses: one involving bicycle sales, repair, and a cafe, and another for an event rental business relocating to Oak Park. The commission held a public hearing regarding a proposed special land use request to expand a family daycare home located at 14411 Vernon Avenue. Testimony from neighbors and current daycare operators emphasized the need for additional childcare facilities. A second public hearing addressed a special land use request for another group daycare home at 26041 Marlo Place, which also received strong community support, emphasizing the need for more childcare options in the Orthodox community. Old business included an update on the master plan update process, for which the bid was awarded to GEL's Webster, with an expected completion time of 12 months. The meeting concluded with expressions of gratitude for the holidays.

The meeting centered on a rezoning request and site plan review for the Elcar Wash project, proposing to convert an existing Rite Aid building into an automatic car wash tunnel with seven enclosed vacuum spaces. The proposal required rezoning the property from the PCD (Planned Corridor Development) district, which does not permit car washes, to the B2 (General Business) district. Proponents detailed improvements including substantial landscaping enhancements (increasing green space from 10% to roughly 30% of the site), closing one curb cut on 10 Mile Road for improved traffic flow as requested by RCOC, and implementing a modern water reclamation system expected to reuse 90% of the water. Concerns raised by the public focused on the saturation of car washes in Oak Park, potential aesthetic impact, and increased traffic congestion at the 10 Mile and Greenfield intersection. The applicant emphasized their commitment to reinvesting in the community and mitigating neighborhood impacts, noting support from nearby religious institutions.

The meeting included the approval of the agenda and consent items, which covered the minutes for the January 5th, 2026 meeting, a payment request for architectural services on the event hub, authorization to bid the 2026 water main replacement project, the December 2025 public safety activity report, authorizations to bid the 2026 landscape and lawn maintenance projects, approval of an invoice for the 2025-2026 tree survey project, review of ACDC and Recycling minutes from 2025, CIA minutes from November 2025, and an agreement with the Berkeley School District for property tax levy collection. Key discussion points included a detailed annual audit presentation focusing on the Hub construction fund, noting its funding primarily through grants and previously saved city funds without external borrowing. The Community Center construction fund, initiated by a bond issuance, was also reviewed. Furthermore, the presentation discussed the general operating fund's performance, noting a favorable variance despite a planned drawdown, and highlighted increased revenues from property taxes due to high inflation in previous years, which allowed for a significant unplanned contribution to the Hub fund. Finally, funding for the $2.2 million 11mi parking district lot repair, largely covered by grants, was reviewed.