The Wayland City Council Monday night severely wounded, but did not kill Gun Lake Investments’ plans for a residential development at the former Cars2Go used car dealership at the corner of Reno Drive and West Superior Street.
Council members almost unanimously voted to table the economic arm of the Gun Lake Tribe plans to build an apartment complex on the now vacant lot at perhaps the busiest intersection in the city limits. Councilman Steve Stepek cast the lone dissenting vote.
Cars2Go went belly up nearly a decade ago and the huge lot since then has been a barren greeting for motorists coming off the U.S.-131 expressway.
The problem for city officials since the plans were first unveiled last October, has been traffic congestion, but council members threw in a few other concerns, such as changing the plans three times.
The City Planning Commission last month heard a presentation from Gun Lake Investments and granted conditional preliminary approval for a site plan for mixed use for a planned unit development (PUD) at the lot, which now is zoned B-2 commercial
Gun Lake Investments has noted that a new and improved traffic light could be installed at Reno Drive and West Superior. In fact, the Michigan Department of Transportation has announced plans to upgrade West Superior and perform the updated light.
The proposal originally was for 130 residential units. This time it was 58 units on 2,600 square feet of property in the 10,000 square foot empty lot.
Councilman Norm Taylor commented, “I think you missed the boat on traffic… It’s backed up from the expressway (along Superior Street) all the way to the high school.”
Councilwoman Grace Sefranik explained that it’s her duty to represent the people in the city, saying, “I don’t see where this is what they (the people) would want… It’s a prime piece of real estate, a good place for people to spend their dollars.”
Mayor Jennifer Antel said, “I’ve worked very hard to try to gain unanimous approval for this project, but it keep changing.”
However, she added later in the meeting, “I don’t think this should be a no forever. I think we should keep working on it.”
Citizen ChrisTaylor said she doesn’t believe the results of Gun lake Investment’s traffic study, which indicated the city could handle it. Furthermore, she said public services such as police and fire would experience even more stress.
Holly McPherson agreed with an earlier comment by Sefranik, saying Wayland needs more business besides move affordable housing, which is the impetus of Gun Lake Investment’s project plans.
“We want to provide affordable housing for people who want to live and work here,” a spokesman for the Gun Lake affiliate said.
He acknowledged that the project’s average monthly rental cost would $987.
Consultant Kelly McIntyre said the project “is a departure from what currently exists.”
In other business at Monday night’s meeting, the council:
- Agreed to grant pay raise to members of the Board of Review, their first since 2014,. From $75 for a full day and $37.50 for a half day to $100 for a full day and $50 for a half day.
- Held a second reading on an ordinance to change procedures for purchasing policy and adopted the proposed ordinance.
