Board votes to support the city's Master Plan and community by denying permits for an asphalt mixing plant.
Good morning, #Detroit! At 09:00 AM, I’ll live-tweet today’s Board of Zoning Appeals meeting for #DETdocumenters. 🧵
Our partners: @DetDocumenters, @media_outlier, @BridgeDet313, @chalkbeatDET, @CitizenDetroit, @Detour_Detroit, @freep, @metrotimes, @PlanetDetroit, and @wdet.
07:35 AM May 17, 2022 CDT
Join online, by phone, or in-person at the Erma L. Henderson Auditorium (2 Woodward Avenue, Floor 13, Suite 212): https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/MIDETROIT/2022/05/13/file_attachments/2158433/May%2017,%202022.pdf
Notes, recordings, and archived documents from this meeting will be available from Detroit Documenters: https://detroit.documenters.org/assignments/bza-hearing-asphalt-specialists-inc-12155-southfield-3877/
Schedule:
09:15 AM — 18017 East Warren Avenue (Timothy Flintoff, employee recruiting center)
10:15 AM — 7741 Lyndon Street (Flexible Construction Inc., cannabis grow/retail facility)
11:15 AM — 12155 Southfield Freeway (Asphalt Specialists Inc., asphalt mixing facility)
18017 East Warren Avenue: Employee recruiting center in an existing 13,600 square-foot building. Architect Timothy Flintoff seeks a setback waiver to build off-street car parking. Renderings from Flintoff’s 4545 Architecture suggest the project is for the Payne Pulliam School.… https://t.co/mQJrPO0NNt
7741 Lyndon Street: Cannabis growing/retail facility in an existing 13,580 square-foot building. Southfield-based Flexible Construction Inc. is short five car parking spaces, required by the city’s parking space minimums. They seek a waiver from that requirement.… https://t.co/MIjLckkLdW
12155 Southfield Freeway: Asphalt mixing facility on a 43 acre site. Asphalt Specialists Inc., based in Pontiac, is appealing @DetroitBSEED’s permit denial. The agenda notes there would be “very high-impact manufacturing or processing” and “over 100 trucks daily” at the site.… https://t.co/igsnK0rXx9
Asphalt Specialsts proposed the plant last year. It would be built on the former Farmer Jack headquarters site, next to I-96 and industrial facilities operated by Detroit Public Works and Waste Management. @annalise_frank for @crainsdetroit: https://www.crainsdetroit.com/manufacturing/asphalt-facility-proposed-northwest-detroit-site-old-farmer-jack-headquarters …
However, the city rejected Asphalt Specialists’s proposal after many nearby residents and environmental activists voiced opposition to the project. @j_e_n_a_b for @Detour_Detroit: https://detourdetroiter.com/asphalt-specialists-detroit-plant-opposition/ …
BSEED denied the building permit, a rare move. They received 200 emails in opposition. Now, Asphalt Specialists is appealing the denial. @violetikon for @DeadlineDetroit: https://www.deadlinedetroit.com/articles/29955/asphalt_plant_proposal_rejected_by_detroit_not_dead_yet …
On a related note, #Flint residents are fighting the construction of an asphalt plant in their city, after @MichiganEGLE approved the construction. @amydiaze for @FlintBeat: https://flintbeat.com/attorneys-to-appeal-decision-allowing-asphalt-plant-on-flints-border/
❓ The Board of Zoning Appeals reviews building permits that have been approved or denied by @DetroitBSEED and city officials enforcing the city’s zoning ordinance. The city council appoints boardmembers, who meet weekly. https://detroitmi.gov/government/boards/board-zoning-appeals …
Find something inaccurate? Email documenters@outliermedia.org with the subject “Correction Request”. I’ll add corrections at the end.
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Those are my pre-game notes. See you in a bit!
In a weird move against accessibility, the meeting body has disabled live transcription. No subtitles today I guess. https://t.co/aZ7Ide3Ms7
⌚️ At 09:02 AM, the meeting starts! Debra Walker (District 6) calls the meeting to order. #DETdocumenters
They’re recording the meeting. Everyone’s gone silent… https://t.co/wijyRoHsIU
Court reporter Kelly Madden says they can’t understand other boardmembers, and I’d have to agree.
Now we’re hearing other boardmembers. They’re speaking directly to me… They say they don’t have a quorum yet, so they’re in adjournment.
Daniel Arking, city Law Department, is here remotely.
By the way, here are your appointed members of the Board of Zoning Appeals:
• Robert G. Weed, District 1
• Vivian Teague, D2
• Elois Moore, D3
• Michelle West, D4
• Robert Thomas, D5
• Debra Walker, D6
• Anthony Sherman, D7
Timothy Flintoff of 4545 Architecture, representing the development at 18017 East Warren Avenue (employee recruitment center), is here remotely.
Boardmembers are still chatting and waiting for quorum. The late boardmembers are coming in one by one.
⌚️ At 09:18 AM, the meeting starts (for real, this time). It’s calls the meeting to order.
👤 Roll call! Boardmembers Sherman, Moore, Weed, Walker, Thomas are here.
Boardmemmbers approve the minutes from last week’s meeting, with revisions.
They’ve now enabled live transcription and subtitles. But now everyone’s muted… https://t.co/iSM9V6RN22
Ah now can hear everyone again.
📣 At 09:21 AM, the board proceeds to a public hearing regarding 18017 East Warren Avenue (employee recruitment center, Timothy Flintoff). Again, Flintoff is present.
Purofoy now presents some images of the property. Tim Flintoff and the property owner swear in. https://t.co/BCdFZC5ILV
The grassy area next to the parking lot is in question. They need that space to build the parking lot. https://t.co/MFNp3PsH2B
Flintoff says the building color in the photos isn’t the final color. He says it’ll be for the Detroit at Work Center (not the other organization I mentioned earlier).…
He says he presented the project to the East Warren Neighborhood Association and received their support.
Boardmembers have no questions.
Jayda Philson, BSEED, is here to detail why they approved Flintoff’s permit with conditions. The board has no questions for Philson.
Helen Sharpley, Planning & Development, says her department recommends the board to approve the proposal. Their design staff will still oversee the project, who suggested that the dumpster be moved away from the street and into the lot.…
The department is also concerned about the development’s encroachment on the sidewalk and property line. Flintoff says they aren’t, as they’re 24 inches away from the property line.
Flintoff says his development meets all of the criteria so far. He anticipates that he won’t ask for more variances in the property dimensions. He also said that he’s talked with the neighborhood association and they posted about the development on social media.… https://t.co/dgqIKNXZAg
Jim Budziak, property owner, says their intention upon buying the property was to renovate it and find a tenant.
Flintoff says the building isn’t city-owned property, but two of the parcels were. The city’s Detroit at Work organization will use the building though. No questions from the board.
Now onto public comments… No-one raises their hand.
Boardmember Moore says “it’s always good to see businesses grow, particularly on the east side where need it so much. If the parking requirements are such an issue, I think the community wants to see the growth, and they have no problem with the parking as it is.”
Moore also approves of the developer talking to media about the development.
Another boardmember, boardmembers Walker and Thomas agree with Moore’s comments.
Boardmember Weed moves to approve the proposal.
The motion is seconded. The board approves the proposal for 18017 East Warren Avenue unanimously and the application is granted.
Flintoff asks how soon it could be released. Boardmember Thomas says there’s a 72-hour waiting period.
Thomas now says we’re in recess.
The board plans to reconvene at 10:15 AM for the hearing for 7741 Lyndon Street. https://twitter.com/civicDetroitDan/status/1526541972466434048
I’m off to eat some breakfast and I’ll come back in a bit. These mics are hot, let me know if you hear some hot goss 😉
And I’m back. (The board isn’t yet though.)
A boardmember remarks, “we’re expecting a big crowd today, huh?”
📣 At 10:15 AM, the board proceeds to a public hearing regarding 7741 Lyndon Street (cannabis growing/retail facilities, Flexible Construction Inc.).
They started recording the online meeting again.
Someone in the meeting room is watching the online meeting and it’s creating audio feedback.
The site’s current zoning is for a factory, in line with what the applicant is seeking to build. It isn’t in a “drug-free” zone.
Inspector Purofoy presents photos of the property and adjacent vacant property, near the intersection at Cloverdale and from Cloverdale Street. Daniel Lopez, property owner spokesperson, and Anthony MacBride, Flexible Construction, join to swear into the meeting. https://t.co/gmQmK8OTaT
Arking asks if they’ve closed on the sale of the property. MacBride says yes. https://t.co/tt6tKOIj8i
Lopez says they’re just seeking a relief for parking, and he doesn’t think it’ll impact the neighborhood negatively. https://t.co/TL6E2oixwj
Boardmember Walker if they engaged the community. Lopez says MacBride has talked to several people. They also plan to purchase a Zone B4 property adjacent to what they own, to build more parking. https://t.co/NDHEe7IS5Q
Jayda Philson, BSEED, talks about the proposal.
Helen Sharpley, Planning & Development, says their department recommends an approval. Boardmembers have no questions.
A person named Miaz, Flexible Construction, joins to speak on behalf of Lopez and the company. They now review the approval criteria.
Diaz says that they can’t acquire the city-owned property across the street until they finish a process with the Detroit Legacy program.
Lopez chimes in saying “we want to work with the community the best we can [to resolve] any problems that come up.”
Diaz emphasizes again that they’re finishing their social equity (Detroit Legacy) application. He also notes that the building has been vacant for 15 years.
Diaz says that, hopefully by the time they’ve finished their Detroit Legacy application, they will have acquired adjacent property to build the necessary car parking.
They also have an pending purchase for the property across the street, but they can’t close the deal as the contract is under default.
Lopez says the development will “beneft everyone around.” Diaz emphasizes that it will “make things right” in terms of social justice. https://t.co/6Uh7wJR1ua
CORRECTION: Amru Meah is not a part of Flexible Construction but is representing the development.
Meah further argues how the development would promote social equity.
Now onto public comments for this development.
No-one from the public gave comment.
Boardmember Teague starts a discussion, saying that since no one gave comment, it seems that the developer has “done their due diligence.” Another boardmember and Walker agree.
Boardmember Weed moves to approve the appeal petition. It’s seconded. The board unanimously approves the petition and the application is granted.
The board congratulates the developers.
The board now goes to recess.
An attendee asks a board staffmember how long public commenters have to give comment. They respond “usually a minute” but they’ll have to ask the board.
The board is scheduled to reconvene at 11:15 AM to hear about 12155 Southfield Freeway (asphalt mixing facility, Asphalt Specialists Inc.). https://twitter.com/civicDetroitDan/status/1526541983573069826
By the way, I’m recording the online meeting audio. If nothing goes wrong, I’ll publish the recording on Detroit Documenters, where further notes and documents will be available: https://detroit.documenters.org/assignments/bza-hearing-asphalt-specialists-inc-12155-southfield-3877/
📣 At 11:15 AM, the board proceeds to a public hearing regarding 12155 Southfield Freeway (asphalt mixing facility, Asphalt Specialists Inc.).
A boardmember recites the development proposal.
Inspector Purofoy recites the appeal language. Current legal use of the property is for warehousing. Only one building remains. Asphalt Specialists seeks to build 50-foot silos to store asphalt and cement.
Asphalt Specialists has proposed to the Property & Development Department to install a tree line along the property line. Their application says they located their facilities close to I-96 to minimize impact on nearby residents.
Inspector Purofoy now presents some photos of the property. Helpfully, she’s annotated them. https://t.co/A7TAukkfzj
Boardmember Walker asks Purofoy to clarify which parts won’t be controlled by the petitioner, Asphalt Specialists. Purofoy says they won’t control land bordering the residential area. https://t.co/rQIQ8w1Vr4
Boardmember Thomas says the property address is confusing, as it’s a little far from Southfield Freeway. Purofoy says that’s how it is. https://t.co/w9QSmGic6Y
Lawrence Walker, attorney for the petitioiner, and Lily Wolle, environmental assistant with Fishback engineering firm, swear into the meeting. https://t.co/4hZH7XhmOQ
Petitioner attorney Lawrence Walker says that the land purchase is still ongoing.
Asphalt Specialists attorney Lawrence Walker wants to clarify that there won’t be a concrete crusher on the property, but an asphalt mixer.…
He emphasizes that Asphalt Specialists has been in business since 1978 and that they’re helping Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer campaign goal to “fix the damn roads.”
Attorney Walker says Detroit typically purchases asphalt from outside the city.
A boardmember asks the audience for quiet.
Attorney Walker emphasizes that Asphalt Specialists won’t build smokestacks. https://t.co/r6ZHEgRpG8
He also emphasizes that the emissions control technology that Asphalt Specialists will install at the facility “did not exist in the 1990s” when some environmental laws were established.
Attorney Walker now refers to maps of the site layout in the board’s meeting package. I wasn’t able to find the meeting package anywhere online.
It appears that the public audience has filled the four rows of seating behind attorney Walker.
Attorney Walker says that the asphalt ingredients in the plant will be heated but won’t come into contact in fire. A conveyor belt would cary asphalt into silos.
Walker says, “There is no emission. There is no smoke, and quite frankly it boggles my mind how this mischaracterization of asphalt mixing has gone out to the public.”
Walker says the closest residents to the asphalt machinery would be 800 feet away.
Asphalt Specialists attorney Walker asserts that, “It was painfully discovered that BSEED did not follow the process that it was supposed to follow in order to make the decision” regarding their proposal.
Walker says, “They [BSEED] faile dto make any investigation or sufficient investigation,” and points to a February (2022?) letter that he sent to BSEED regarding this.
A boardmember asks attorney Walker whether the city should conduct the aformentioned study. Walker says yes. “It’s not for us to take the place of the Industrial Review Committee.”
Attorney Walker: “We sent a letter to [unintelligible] to come on out and look. You have to see this. […] There’s a science behind this and BSEED failed in making its analysis, and really failed in providing […] substantial evidence on their record in order to evaluate it.”
Walker says the only city official that came to inspect the property was inspector Purofoy.
He refers to a map that, again, hasn’t been published online. The board also isn’t showing their meeting packet to the online meeting.
Attorney Walker emphasizes that the North Rosedale Park neighborhood is a mile away from the proposed site.
A boardmember asks attorney Walker to “speed this [testimony] up a bit more”.
Attorney Walker refers to maps (that we still can’t see) that compare the size of the proposed site to an existing plant in Troy, Michigan which is situated in an industrial park.
Attorney Walker says that asphalt plants need to be near construction sites, within 50 miles, for it to stay warm enough while in transportation.
Boardmember Thomas asks for further clarification. Attorney Walker again asserts that BSEED did not “make the proper evaluation as required under the ordinance.”
Boardmember Thomas cuts off attorney Walker to proceed to a statement from Jayda Philson, BSEED.
Philson says there was illegal truck storage, inadequate screening on the site.
Philson says she doesn’t understand why they need to inspect the site unless asphalt mixing is currently happening there. She says the developer should have provided traffic and soil studies to them.
Philson says that, “This mixing plant is not even 1,000 feet away from a residential parcel, so I find that very disturbing.” She says BSEED are still opposed to the development.
Boardmember Thomas asks if that distance is a city requirement. Philson says no, but they are still concerned for the potential for residents experiencing fumes and odors at that distance.
Boardmember Thomas asks about the “screening”. Philson clarifies that this refers to landscaping that would sit between residents and the plant.
Boardmember Sherman asks how the proposal wouldn’t fit the city master plan, as the property is zoned for heavy industrial. Philson asserts that “this proposed use does not fit into [the master plan]”.
Helen Sharpley, Planning & Development, joins. She agrees with Philson that the “master plan designation is not conssitent with the proposed use.”
Sharpley: “The zoning ordiance allows for a more intensive use than [what] the master plan recommends.“…
Sharpley: “The current master plan designation is light industrial, which includes areas that generally consist of industrial uses of low intensity, that have minimum undsirable effects on adjacent residential or commercial land uses.”
Sharpley recalls that at BSEED’s initial meeting on this proposal in 2021, there was little opposition present but the Industrial Review Committee voiced some concerns.
Sharpley also says that an access drive will “run trucks directly behind homes with little buffering and connect to the neighborhood streets, [which] is also a concern”.
Sharpley: “While we appreciate that the applicant is locating operations as far from the residential areas as possible, the site plan would be vastly improved with a wider, denser planted buffer along all property lines near residences.”
Sharpley again says that the development would be “very heavy” industrial use, which doesn’t line up with the city master plan.
Attorney Walker says, “For the purposes of this hearing, I just embellished everything.”
The audience laughs. Walker walks back his statement, saying “I wouldn’t say embellished. I documented everything with science and proof.”
Boardmember Teague asks, “If the equipment is not running, how are they [BSEED] supposed to inspect?”
Attorney Walker says he and Asphalt Specialists provided specifications of the equipment, which are available through Michigan EGLE.
Boardmember Teague also asks if there was a city requirement on how far the industrial development should be from residents. Other boardmembers say there isn’t such a requirement.
Lily Woole, a senior chemical engineer with Fishback Engineering (spelling?) and representing the developer, now speaks. She says she has over 25 years of experience with air permit and compliance.
Woole says the asphalt plant exhaust would go into a “bag house”, a dust collector. “Those controls weren’t in place in the 1990s.” …
Boardmember Thomas interjects to ask whether there would be no particulate emissions. Woole says that would be untrue, but emissions would be “minimized from what they used to be” in the 1990s.
Woole says if this permit is granted, they would need to seek approval from EGLE, who conducts stack testing and air monitoring.
Boardmember Sherman asks again if there would be no emissions. Woole says there would be emissions.
The board now proceeds to public comment.
There are now about 60 people in the online meeting. Boardmember Thomas remarks, “Gee whiz.”
Boardmember Thomas asks online commenters in support of the petitioner to speak first.
They call up the first commenter, Patterson. They say they’re actually in opposition and the board moves on.
They also call up Mason, who says they’re actually in opposition.
A boardmember says they did receive some written letters in support.
The board calls for in-person commenters in support of Asphalt Specialists’s proposal. Nobody comes up.
Now they move onto commenters opposing the Asphalt Specialists proposal. Many “hands” in the online meeting are raised.
Chelsea Salame, economic development manager for Grandmont-Rosedale Development Corporation, speaks first: “[We are] not in favor of the asphalt plant and we do not believe it will be an asset to the community nor will it help our community in any way.”
The board has given each commenter 30 seconds to speak.
A commenter named Deborah: They have asthma and they oppose the asphalt plant.
Andy Goddeeris, for representative Rashida Tlaib: Opposes. “I’m really proud of the way that the community has mobilized […] We’re already going to see that rail depot expand and bring more pollution to our communities and we do not deserve to be polluted by this asphalt plant.”
Katheryn Savoy, ecologist and environmental health expert at Ecology Center: “I’m very concerned about the public health impacts and the quality of life in the community with additional trucks coming [there].”…
“This is not baking a cake. We don’t bake a cake with asphalt. […] We know that across the country, these facilities have numerous problems and impacts on quality of life.”
Sandra: “Unless they can control the weather, that [particulate matter] will go far beyond a thousand feet and even a mile” from the facility.
Tirria: “They may be able to decrease emissions, but there will definitely be emissions that will affect the community. I deal with asthma and my mother has health issues.”
Diane: Says the asphalt plant will “hinder future business”, neighborhood stability, and revitalization. It was hard to hear this commenter.
Michelle: “They [Asphalt Specialists] may say ‘minute emissions’ but I’m quite sure that it will be more than what they’re saying.” Says the 800-foot distance from residents is “not far” and that it is “disrespectful and is not in the best interest of our neighborhood”.
Christa: “I’m asking the boardmembers to look at the very detailed site plans.”…
“We looked at 111 pages of detailed drawings of the facility and reports, and what was not shown in the photos is that there is a 50-foot roadway extending south from the site directly behind homes […] and would connect to residential streets.”
Larissa Richardson, representing Grandmont Communities Association: “[We are] asking that BZA uphold the decision to deny this request.” …
“Considering that we have a number of seniors and small children within this community, we want to make sure that this decision is upheld to deny this request.”
They now proceed to in-person opposition commenters.
Commenter: “I just found out children in Detroit now have the highest asthma hospitalization rates than ever. We cannot afford any more high polluting industries in our community.”
William, who holds a sign that says “The Road to Hell is Paved”: They point to Asphalt Specialists’s website which does not mention people in neighborhoods, and poor online reviews from employees. “So you guys can take that cake and save it for Marie Antoinette.”
Jeff: They refer to a limit to air pollutants and that the Troy asphalt plant is facing a lawsuit from residents there.
Ernest: “He [attorney Walker] says there would be ‘strict control’ of emissions” but not no emissions. “Would you approve this if it was near your home?”
Darryl Brown, former Detroit police commissioner: “BSEED did its job and this company has already shown that they’re unwilling to follow the rules. […] As a former firefighter for the city of Detroit, I’m very familiar with that yard.”
Pam: “That Troy asphalt plant […] has been there since about the 1950s […] It’s been grandfathered [in].” Says there will be over 6,000 households impacted by this proposed plant.
Amena, Schoolcraft Improvement Association: Their organization, which represents small businesses, opposes the project.
Margaret: “I’m here to affirm and praise BSEED and the Planning & Development Department. […] Detroit is already an environmental justice community. Nothing in that presentation addressed the 50-foot piles. […] Nothing about mixing asphalt is like mixing a cake.”
Evan: “For much too long, suburban companies have intentionally located polluting industries in the city of Detroit. It is abundantly clear that [Asphalt Specialists] does not care about the health and well-being of the residents.”
Malis: “My wife and I are raising our 18-month old son in Rosedale Park. […] This board needs to consider […] if they’d like to prioritize an environmental disaster or prioritize investment in young families.”
Registered nurse: Opposes. “I would never speak of science as being able to be embellished,” referring to attorney Walker’s statements.
Becky Kndaris, Grandmont Rosedale Development Corporation: “It doesn’t matter how many hundreds of homes we renovate, how many flowers we plant, how many businesses we attract to the community if the people who live,…”
“…work, play in Grandmont still can’t breathe clean air. […] I know it’ll be a piece of cake for you to make the right decision.”
Kenneth: Frustrated that the evidence that the board received wasn’t brought to residents.
Schrad: Opposes.
Jacqueline: Opposes the development.
Denise: “We are being asked to sacrifice too much. […] We ask now that you support our efforts to protect our neighborhood.”
Kathy Garrett, Grandmont Rosedale Development Corporation: “Eight hundred feet is about the dsitance of a short jog.”
That’s it for in-person comments (for now?).
Attorney Walker returns to respond to comments. A boardmember asks him to keep it brief but Walker remarks that he’s paid by the hour.
Walker: “I heard a lot of, ‘We don’t want them because they are polluters.’ But where is the evidence of that?” Asserts again that environmental control measures are advanced enough.
Walker concedes that the plant would have emissions. “[But] there are emissions that come out of the tailpipe of your car. There are emissions everywhere.”
Walker points to the DPW and Waste Management sites next to the proposed plant, saying they get many complaints. “All the garbage from Rosedale goes to that [WM site]b ut they don’t have any concern with that!”
Walker says freshly-paved roads may “smell for a minute, but you get a good fine road.”
Attorney Walker asserts that he didn’t hear any evidence from the commenters. Then goes on accuse the opposition as an “army to make the loudest noise for political reasons and that’s totally improper.”
Attorney Walker refers to the support that Asphalt Specialists received from Detroit Blight Busters and Mona Ali from the mayor’s office. He talks about his client’s smaller base of support, saying, “We have a smaller army. But the smaller army is the more important army.“
Boardmember Thomas asks attorney Walker to “wrap it up”.
Walker rebutts statements on the roadway connected to residential streets, saying it is merely an “alternate” roadway.
Some boardmembers visibly look impatient.
Attorney Walker asserts again that BSEED didn’t provide a report to the board.
Walker asserts again that the development would be in an “intensive” industrial zoning district.
Boardmember Thomas cuts off attorney Walker. Now onto discussion among boardmembers. Boardmember Moore grimaces.
Boardmember Moore says, “It’s always good to see how we fight as people who live in the neighborhood, grew up in the neighborhood, and gonna die in the neighborhood.” Moore approves the environmental activists who oppose the development.
Boardmember Debra Walker affirms the master plan saying “It is important to plan a city because we need a plan that is for the future.” …
Boardmember Walker also rebutts attorney Walker’s statements on the opposition is an “army” – “People have a right to their opinions and we [the board] have to look equitably.”
Boardmember Teague: “There’s no way we’re going to learn anything from this amount [of information] in one day.”…
Teague also upholds the need to adhere to the city master plan. She speaks against attorney Walker’s assertions that BSEED didn’t “do their job. That’s not fair because they did do their job, and [Planning &] Development did their job. They just didn’t do it the way you wanted.”
Boardmember Weed agrees. “There are other locations that they [Asphalt Specialists] could have put this […] without having this effect on people who” live nearby.
Boardmember Thomas also agrees, and said “it was difficult for the petitioner to overcome BSEED’s findings.”
Thomas: “I did not find that Planning & Development nor [BSEED] made any mistakes.”
Teague: “I don’t see where they did not do a correct job and that’s something that the neighbors don’t want.”
The audience applauds now that Asphalt Specialists’s development has been denied.
There are no further public comments.
Boardmember Thomas congratulates the citizens who came to oppose the Asphalt Specialist development.
The Board of Zoning Appeals’ next meeting is Tuesday, May 24. They haven’t published any up-to-date meeting details, so stay tuned to Detroit Documenters: https://detroit.documenters.org/meetings/?agency=20
That’s my live coverage of this Board of Zoning Appeals meeting. Thank you so much to everyone for following along!
Check out Detroit Documenters to find more about your local government and how to become a Documenter yourself: https://detroit.documenters.org/
Detroit Documenters will offer more notes and archived materials from this meeting: https://detroit.documenters.org/assignments/bza-hearing-asphalt-specialists-inc-12155-southfield-3877/