The K & M Dodge and Jeep dealership on North Main Street is planning to relocate to a site on Reno Drive across the street from the new carpenters and millwrights training center.
Mike Houseman of the Wolverine Building Group, representing A and R Development, owner of the parcel, told the Wayland City Planning Commission Tuesday night that A and R Development is working on a purchase agreement with K & M. So a request was made for the Planning Commission to rezone the property from I-1 industrial to B-3 regional commercial.
The Planning Commission voted 6-0 to recommend the rezoning to the City Council, which will have a public hearing at its meeting Monday, April 15.
Houseman told commissioners, “It’s going to be a nice looking building and it’ll be a real asset to the community.”
Lori Castello, representing Professional Code Inspections, said, “Where this is located is well suited for industrial and commercial. This is best suited for a larger regional sales business because of its proximity to the U.S.-131 expressway. And it will fit in well with the long-term plans of community.”
Planning Chairman JD Gonzales, agreed, saying, “It’s a good fit and it blends in well with its surrounding area.”
The new K & M site will be across the street from the training center and just down the road from General RV, which Houseman helped get the proper rezoning years ago.
Of course, not everyone is a winner. Leighton Township eventually stands to lose tax revenue when the dealership leaves.
K & M bought the old Wayland Chrysler dealership in October 2016. The ownership and name changed, and the outgoing owners wrote in a letter to customers and patrons, “For over 35 years we have enjoyed being a part of the community and serving everyone who has walked through our doors. It’s time to pass the torch to K & M Wayland Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram and see where they take this dealership.”
To Reno Drive.
Wayland Chrysler further back in history was Edward Alflen & Sons, selling Chrysler, Dodge and Plymouth vehicles and providing repair and maintenance service.
In other business at the Planning Commission meeting, it was decided that a public hearing will be held Tuesday, May 14, on amending the city ordinance restricting the size of accessory buildings to 250 square feet.
Castello said, “It is the most restrictive ordinance I work with.”
Those who favor amending the local law want the size to be determined by its percentage of lot size and make the rules more flexible.
Furthermore, City Manager Josh Eggleston said, “You don’t want to have to issues variances all the time,” which is what happened a couple of weeks ago with the Zoning Board of Appeals.
“I’ve got to be honest, I have a problem with this,” said Commissioner Sam Dykstra. “If they want that (a larger size accessory building), they should go outside the city limits.”
However, Castello provided a lengthy explanation on how it could streamline the process and still avoid oversized accessory structures, enough to get Dykstra to admit he might vote for it.