Mike Downey

The primary focus of the meeting included several items for consideration. Key action items involved a Special Land Use Request for a gas station with a drive-through restaurant window at 31406 Ford Rd. Additionally, the Council planned to call for public hearings regarding ordinance amendments to establish an Administrative Hearings Bureau and to address parking regulations for Public Service Day and annual fire inspections for multi-family dwellings. The agenda also listed a Consent Agenda that included receiving and filing reports and appointing a member to the Zoning Board of Appeals.

The regular meeting included a presentation regarding $2,400.00 in proceeds from a pool tournament benefiting Our H.O.M.E Food Pantry, and an announcement about the upcoming Police Citizen's Academy. Items for consideration included the approval of the Consent Agenda, a Special Land Use Request for 31406 Ford, and several Calls for Public Hearing concerning Ordinance Amendments. These amendments pertained to the establishment of an Administrative Hearings Bureau, Public Service Day Parking Regulations, and Annual Fire Inspection of Multi-family Dwellings.

The meeting focused significantly on the condition and future of the Quanis Park Raetball Court. Following a review by Hennessy Engineers indicating deterioration and high long-term maintenance costs, the Commission heard input from the Quantis Club representative, who indicated a preference for decommissioning the court to facilitate park improvements and address sightline/graffiti issues. The Commission ultimately voted to recommend that the City Council decommission the court, which would involve removing the structure down to a grass pad. The second major agenda item involved Quantis Club's long-term improvement plan for the park, which includes purchasing new picnic tables and garbage containers, upgrading playground areas (including replacing old equipment with options for various ages and handicapped accessibility), replacing fencing, and installing safety surfacing. Future plans also include adding a walking path in 2027 and upgrading parking in 2028 to accommodate increased traffic, with a long-term goal of adding a shelter with a bathroom in 2029. The Commission expressed support for the partnership and the Quantis Club's proposed changes, which are currently funded entirely by Quantis.

The meeting commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance. The agenda was approved, followed by the approval of the minutes from the regular meeting held on November 13, 2025. The primary business discussed was a special land use request (PPZ25-000014) to construct a gas station, convenience store, and restaurant with a drive-through at 32300 Ford Road in the C3 General Business Zoning District. Staff presented findings on compatibility with adjacent uses (commercial and industrial, with no nearby residential uses) and compliance with the master plan, noting the proposal aligns with the goals for C3 designation. Discussion covered traffic impact coordination with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) for ingress/egress drives, compliance with lot size and setback regulations, and specific drive-through requirements such as screening along the east property line and sound control details for speakers if an ordering station is present. The applicant, representing Sheets, discussed their brand, their made-to-order kitchen, and considerations for modifying the drive-through from a standard ordering/pickup model to an app-based pickup-only window, which impacts stacking space requirements. Staff recommended granting special land use approval contingent upon site plan approval and the applicant submitting revisions addressing noted issues, including adding notes prohibiting junk vehicles/sales, adding screening, providing speaker details, and securing MDOT approval for the Ford Road driveway approach.

The City Council held a Budget Meeting where the City Manager presented an overview of the 2026/2027 Fiscal Year Budget. The discussion covered the FY 25/26 budget spend, projected end balance, the budget approach for FY 26/27, details on scheduled roads projects, state shared revenue, Act 51 revenue, historic tax-values, debt payment, general fund balance, a capital projects overview, and a personnel cost summary. The Council subsequently discussed their budget goals for the upcoming fiscal year.