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August 6, 2020 ASSOCIATED NEWSPAPERS OF MICHIGAN PAGE 3

NORTHVILLE
NORTHVILLE

City adopts new rules for ‘bigfoot’ homes

Don Howard in recent years that permeated F.A.R.
Staff Writer neighboring Plymouth, ” She said builders and local
After years of complaints and Northville homeowners are now These are established neighborhoods Realtors, who she hesitates to
protests about the invasion of complaining as builders contin- - we don't want builders doing name, have pushed back and
monstrous new houses and radi- ue to cram houses of monstrous sent out more than 1,000 mailings
cal remodeling, a zoning ordi- proportions on small lots. whatever they want - we're to residents in opposition, as “the
nance amendment to limit the In 2017, at a time when 20 losing all our houses. This is nuts. new ordinance will hurt their
size of homes by a ratio of square homes were under construction bottom line.”
footage to lot sizes has been in the City of Plymouth, the city “These are established neigh-
approbed by members of the commissioners, under pressure, borhoods - we don't want
Northville City Council. ushered in new restrictions to the regular Northville City naire. The city received 341 builders doing whatever they
The construction of giant- restrict over-building and ram- Council meeting. responses to the questionnaire. want -we're losing all our houses.
sized homes on small lots has pant reconstruction. The average The ordinance amendment Mike McClish, a Northville This is nuts,” she said.
become all too familiar in Plymouth lot size is 7,200 square calculation takes the square resident since 1986, said in a let- “We're hopeful we're at the
Northville and Plymouth in feet. The city adopted a .40 floor footage of the house, excluding ter to the commission that his end of the road now, after three
recent years, along with accusa- area ratio ordinance, the lowest the basement, divided by the Orchard Heights neighborhood public hearings.”
tions that builders are over-build- considered by members of the square footage of the lot and the is “afflicted by overbuilding,” Jon Forslund also supports
ing and over-selling to boost rev- commission, although some resi- result cannot exceed .36. A porch where current ordinance allow F.A.R.
enue, while Realtors cash-in on dents sought to make it even or detached garage is excluded homes to be built too close the Forslund, who has lived in
high-priced luxury homes on more restrictive. from the calculation. property lines, having inade- Cabbage Town for 29 years, said
small, neighborhood lots. Often blocks of uniform hous- F.A.R, sometimes called floor quate green space. the new oversized homes are
Northville residents have es are broken with standout space ration (FSR) or floor space “The character of my neigh- changing the character of the
complained to officials that the structures that are two to three index (FSI) is nothing new, com- borhood is rapidly changing from comunity and the drastically
so-called big-foot homes are times larger and often much monly used in zoning to limit moderate-sized homes on a lot reduced green-space brings
changing the complexion of the more contemporary in design. urban density and is sometimes with reasonable green space and other problems, like flooding of
community, ruining the quaint Trees, grass and landscaping are manipulated with existing ordi- reasonable setbacks from neigh- streets and ponding of water
tree-lined streets with well-mani- stripped from the lots, which in nances to take advantage of boring homes to so-called after a hard rainfall.
cured lawns that have made the Northville average close to 11,000 building codes, official said. McMansions, which essentially “Aside from arguments sur-
city a serene picturesque com- square feet, Dirt is often mound- Northville Mayor Brian jam a massive home onto a too- rounding the aesthetics of the
munity for more than a century. ed in the center to create more Turnbull said he's received 327 small lot.” changing character of our town,
Throughout the city, signs lot height nd towering structures letters from concerned residents, Cabbage Town, an old there are some very practical
reading “It has gone FAR with high rooflines consume the both pro and con to F.A.R. Northville neighborhood platted issues we're facing with the
enough,” pepper lawns in properties. amendment, adding that the in the 1880s, is not in the city his- increasing size of structures...
Northville. An organization of Some call the over-built planning commission has taken toric district. “The infrastructure of
neighbors has set up a website homes McMansions. two years to study the problem. Lucy Klinkhammer, a retired Cabbage Town was built for
for support, https://northville The revised ordinance, FAR In 2018, the Northville educator, has lived in Cabbage fewer, smaller houses,” he said
far.com/home. .36 or Floor Area Ratio, refers to Planning Commission members Town for 39 years in a renovated The second reading of the
Homeowners are continuing a the size of the building com- authorized a study of new home house she says was built some- F.A.R. ordinance was adopted by
to voice their frustration and city pared to the size of the lot. The trends and the impact on time in the 1900s, “and directly a unanimous vote during the
officials apparently listened. first reading of the new ordi- Northville, soliciting resident next door to a “bigfoot.” Aug. 3 meeting of the members of
Similar to the rampant growth nance took place last month at opinions through a question- Klinkhammer supports the the city council.
Sweet so long

Veteran police officer retires

Northville Police Capt. department, and for his work Krueger said he was hum-
Dustin Krueger worked his last with the people of Northville. bled by the attention and had
day in nearly 27 years at the He thanked him for staying mixed feelings about leaving,
department on Friday, July 21. beyond his planned retirement knowing he would miss the job
An informal party for staff in April due to the COVID-19 and the people he interacted
members and friends helped pandemic. In 2018, Krueger with. He said, “I'm not who I am
him celebrate his retirement served as interim police chief because I'm a police officer. I'm
under the awning of the police from July to December and was a police officer because of who
department entrance. named “Police Officer of the I am.”
Krueger's wife, Claudia, who Year” by his peers. Sgt. Greg Krueger was a trainer in the
was on the Northville police Hannewald was promoted to department both for officers
force for 11 years, and former captain following Krueger's and for staff safety measures. It
Police Chiefs Mike Carlson and retirement. was common for Krueger to
Jim Petres were among the Krueger received official visit staff offices and leave
guests. proclamations from Wayne behind some mini candy bars.
Police Chief Alan Maciag County Commissioner Terry True to form, after his depar- Cpt. Dustin Krueger holds a shadowbox of his police badges and
commended Krueger for his Marecki and State Rep. ture, staff found small bags of honors as he celebrates his retirement from the Northville Police
service, his contributions to the Matthew Koleszar. candy on their desks. Department. Photo by Liz Cezat

CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CANTON Notice of Public Hearing
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL Charter Township of Canton
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Charter Township of Canton, 1150 Canton Center S, Canton, Michigan will accept sealed Program Year (PY) 2020 Action Plan
proposals at the Office of the Clerk up to 3:00 p.m. Thursday, August 27, 2020 for the following:
The Charter Township of Canton is adopting its Annual Action Plan for Program Year (PY) 2020 from July 1, 2020 to June
5 YEAR CONSOLIDATED PLAN FOR HOUSING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT 30, 2021 for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds at $365,820.
Proposals may be picked up at the Finance and Budget Department, on the MITN Purchasing Group website at https://www.bid- The Finance Department encourages all parties to participate at a VIRTUAL PUBLIC HEARING on Tuesday, August 11, 2020,
netdirect.com/mitn/cantontownship or you may contact Mike Sheppard at: 734/394-5225. All proposals must be submitted in a at 5:00 P.M. on the township website at www.canton-mi.org. Otherwise all communications should be addressed in writing
sealed envelope clearly marked with the proposal name, company name, address and telephone number and date and time of pro- to the Financial Analyst, Canton Township- Finance Department, Mike Sheppard, 1150 Canton Center S, Canton , Michigan,
posal opening. The Township reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals. The Township does not discriminate on 48188.
the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age or disability in employment or the provision of services.
Canton will provide technical assistance to citizens and groups representative of persons of low and moderate income that request
MICHAEL SIEGRIST, CLERK such assistance in developing funding request proposals and in the review of program activities and program performance. In
addition, Canton will make adequate provisions to assist non-English speaking residents in interpreting program opportunities
Publish 8/6/2020 CN2090 - 080620 2.5 x 2.062 and provisions on a case-by-case basis, as well as provide auxiliary aides and services for individuals with disabilities. Requests
for special accommodations must contact Mike Sheppard at (734) 394-5225, e-mail mike.sheppard@canton-mi.org or in writ-
ing to the Finance Department, 1150 Canton Center S., Canton MI 48188 ATTN: Annual Action Plan Hearing. Requests for
special accommodations must be made with reasonable advance notice.
CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF NORTHVILLE
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO BE HELD ELECTRONICALLY Mike Sheppard
August 25, 2020 - 7:00 PM Financial Analyst
Finance Department
The Charter Township of Northville Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on August 25, 2020. The meeting and pub-
lic hearing will be held by electronic remote access. The Planning Commission will receive comments on the Township's 2021- Publish: August 6, 2020 CN2089 - 080620 2.5 x 3.091
2026 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). The CIP is required under the Michigan Planning Enabling Act of 2008 and identifies
multi-year capital improvements and projects for the purposes of long-range planning for the Township. The meeting will begin
at 7:00 PM. CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CANTON
ACCESS TO PUBLIC MEETINGS
The public is invited to participate in this public hearing and express their comments or ask questions. For information on how
to participate in the meeting and view the documents for the public hearing, please visit the township's website at
https://twp.northville.mi.us/. Written comments regarding the proposal will be received by the Township Planning Commission, The Charter Township of Canton will provide necessary, reasonable auxiliary aids and services to individuals with disabilities at
44405 Six Mile Road, Northville, MI 48168. the meeting/hearing upon notice to the Charter Township of Canton.
In accordance with the requirements of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ("ADA"), the Charter Township
Eric Lark, Chair
Planning Commission of Canton will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities on the basis of disability in its services, programs,
or activities.
Publish: August 6, 2020 NT0084 - 080620 2.5 x 2.308
Employment: The Charter Township of Canton does not discriminate on the basis of disability in its hiring or employment prac-
tices and complies with all regulations promulgated by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission under Title II of
the ADA.
INVITATION TO BID
Effective Communication: The Charter Township of Canton will generally, upon request, provide appropriate aids and services
leading to effective communication for qualified persons with disabilities so they can participate equally in the Charter Township
ROMULUS COMMUNITY SCHOOLS of Canton's programs, services, and activities, including qualified sign language interpreters, documents in Braille, and other
ways of making information and communications accessible to people who have speech, hearing, or vision impairments.
Notice is hereby given that sealed bids will be received, opened, and read aloud by Romulus
Community Schools at the District Administration Building located at 36540 Grant Rd., Romulus, Modifications to Policies and Procedures: The Charter Township of Canton will make all reasonable modifications to policies
and programs to ensure that people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to enjoy all of its programs, services, and activi-
MI 48174 no later than 2:00 PM local time on Tuesday, August 18, 2020 for the following work: ties. For example, individuals with service animals are welcomed in the Charter Township of Canton's offices, even where pets
are generally prohibited.
Romulus Middle School - Boiler and Water Heaters Replacement - 37300 Wick Rd, Romulus, MI
48174. Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to par-
ticipate in a program, service, or activity of the Charter Township of Canton should contact the office of Barb Brouillette, Human
Resources Coordinator, Charter Township of Canton, 1150 S. Canton Center Road, Canton, MI 48188, (734) 394-5260 as soon
All bids shall be submitted online at: as possible but no later than 48 hours before the scheduled event.
https://app.buildingconnected.com/public/55a1292ff1a96708004a19dc
The ADA does not require the Charter Township of Canton to take any action that would fundamentally alter the nature of its
programs or services, or impose an undue financial or administrative burden.
Please contact jared.marinelli@bartonmalow.com with any questions.
Complaints that a program, service, or activity of the Charter Township of Canton is not accessible to persons with disabilities
The School Board will not accept any bid submitted after the indicated due time and date. Bidders should be directed to Barb Brouillette, Human Resources Coordinator, Charter Township of Canton, 1150 S. Canton Center Road,
will be required to submit with their Bid Proposals a Bid Security by a qualified surety authorized Canton, MI 48188, (734) 394-5260.
to do business in the state where the Projects is located. All Bid Proposals shall be accompanied by The Charter Township of Canton will not place a surcharge on a particular individual with a disability or any group of individu-
the following two forms: Familial Disclosure Form (in accordance with MCL 380.1267) and an Iran als with disabilities to cover the cost of providing auxiliary aids/services or reasonable modifications of policy, such as retriev-
Economic Sanctions Act Form (in compliance with Michigan Public Act No. 517 of 2012). Bid ing items from locations that are open to the public but are not accessible to persons who use wheelchairs.
Proposals that do not include these two sworn and notarized forms shall not be accepted. Publish: 08/06/20 CN2088 - 080620 2.5 x 4.72