Information on BSEED and access to this virtual meeting can be found at their webpage: . detroitmi.gov/departments/bu…

The hearing has begun, but the applicant is encountering trouble accessing the meeting. Here is a photo of virtual attendees/participants.

While we are waiting -- Detroit Documenters' coverage of past BSEED special hearings are available to the public at the website: . detroit.documenters.org/reporting/?age…

A city employee is now swearing in Cornelius Arnold. He had taken ownership of the properties in 2021. Jen said there are some outstanding fees that need to be addressed before BSEED issues a decision.

Jen clarifies to Cornelius that he's only responsible for 2022 and 2023 not all the fees listed on a document BSEED had sent to him. Jen confirms they mailed out notices to neighbors. Cornelius says they are planning to rent space to baby showers, bridal showers, send-offs.

Jen asks how Cornelius's business will advertise. He responds that he will advertise by a sign at the building, maybe some social media too. And word of mouth. 🙂

Inspector Ramos of BSEED provides a presentation of the inspection. The building is on the east side of Livernois as shown in the map. The sidewalk is currently in poor condition.

The site is a former catalytic converter auto building. The request is to establish a rental hall in this existing 2,514 square foot building. Cornelius confirms the information the Inspector presented are facts to him as well.

Helen Sharpley of the City says black is not in compliance so they will ask Cornelius to do a color palette in line with building ordinance. Cornelius says it's not black, it's charcoal grey; Helen responds she'll have the design team look at it and may ask him for manu. color.

Helen of the City asks Cornelius about the use of the second floor of the building. Cornelius replies ideally they will do a sit-down restaurant on the second floor; that's a goal/possibility further down the line. Jen who is the wife of Cornelius is sworn in, gives info.

Helen asks if Cornelius has spoken to the pastor next door; he responds he's talked with Pastor Glen who loves what he's doing, they're friendly. Helen asks if he's talked w/ neighbors; Cornelius says the neighbors he's talked w/ are v. happy, it's been vacant for a long time.

Helen of the City asks a few more questions on hours and security that Cornelius responds to matter of factly. Raquel of BSEED says she has no comments or questions at this time.

Paul of the Health Department asks Cornelius what type of kitchen they will have; Cornelius says it's a kitchenette (a fridge) and they will have no bar, they will use a caterer. Paul asks if they'll be using a licensed caterer and Cornelius confirms yes.

Pamela Lemme of DPW says the driveway would need to be adjusted and expresses concern over how parking spaces will align with driveway. Also: his scope of work should include repair to sidewalk that's adjacent to property [so owners inherit responsibility for damaged sidewalk??].

Pamela Lemme of the City and Cornelius discuss a topo survey. She says he will need to hire a surveyor when he asks how he would do that topo survey.

BSEED invites comments in support and then comments in opposition for this proposal. Tiffany, an aesthetician, speaks in support of the proposal. "Everything was really nice" when she had a graduation.

Jayda Philson of the City thanks everyone for attending and says the Director will take the matter under advisement for decision.

New hearing, 9:38am Jayda Philson is hearing officer. Participants: Scott Clark w/ First Merchants Bank. Jamie Rudnycky is project manager w/ AECOM. Philson of the City notes they mailed out notices to neighbors and placed in Legal News for Dec. 23.

Clark says they're proposing to build a 3,000 (?) square foot off of McNichols. He presents renderings and says they know it's a growing area, and feel there's a need in the community [for the bank].

Inspector Ramos of BSEED provides a presentation on the inspection for the proposal. The proposal is to construct a 3,090 square foot bank with drive thru on an existing parking lot.

Ramos of BSEED says this site was noted for illegal dumping just a couple days before the inspection and prior to that date in December as well.

Ramos of BSEED reiterates the request and identifies BSEED's jurisdiction in conditional land use.

Helen Sharpley of the City notes this is within the Livernois-West McNichols area and subject to additional design standards. Sharpley reports that the City design team had reviewed the proposal in the spring and provided approval conditional w/ some changes.

Raquel of BSEED Environmental Affairs asks if they have conducted any environmental site assessments. Scott responds yes. Raquel asks which ones. Scott responds phase I. Raquel asks if they found any environmental contaminants; Scott responds no.-

-Raquel says "good" and explains she had seen EGLE's report of environmental contaminants across the street. There is no more discussion on this issue. Raquel does not ask to see the report Scott says they had conducted.

Pamela Lemme of DPW explains changes that they would need to make on sidewalk, curb, and driveway on McNichols and provides her email for direct contact on these changes.

Jayda Philson of the City invites comments on support, then opposition, of the proposal. No one speaks up. Philson says they will wait on recommendation from Planning & Development, then Director will make his decision.

The second hearing concludes.

Jayda Philson of BSEED begins the 10am case. Development team: Adam Martinez, real estate. Blake Hill, McIntosh.. architects Kevin Heffernan, Stonefield Engineering Philson notes for the record the City mailed notices to neighbors and placed a note in Legal News.

Philson asks when the owner bought the building. Martinez says they're finishing the purchasing agreement with the City of Detroit. The building is a school building. Hillerman: "What we're looking to do is spark life...and bring benefit to the surrounding community."

Hillerman says they plan to gut the vacant building, repair and repaint, create 100 apartments for rental. Parking would be gated. Proposal includes two small playground areas. They received certificate of appropriateness from historical org/agency and are seeking a variance.

From my bird's eye, Heffernan's manner of presenting is quite confident.

Philson asks if these will be market rate or affordable. Martinez responds they will all be affordable. Neither Philson nor Martinez define "affordable" or what percentage AMI.

A BSEED staffer (williamsda) provides a presentation on the site and inspection. The address is 20119 Wisconsin [Aisha Shulle W.E.B. Dubois Prep Academy], designated historic, he says. Property is still owned by the City.

The BSEED staffer describes some of the surrounding area as single-family homes; notes damage of the building; reviews the protocol of the hearing and requirements if project [proposal] is approved.

Philson asks if the report was accurate to the development team's knowledge; Heffernan responds yes and they have "already gotten the jump on some of their engineering and building plans to address these concerns [of dilapidation]."

Blake Hill of the "development team" adds they are seeking tax credits, and the clay tile roof should look brand-new once they are done with it.

Helen Sharpley of the City says the design team noted items for changes: - complete screening of some parking areas; - surface of the parking lot be an "approvable material;" - suggested wheelstops for increased pedestrian [mutual] safety.

Sharpley asks if there will be on-site property manager, Martinez responds they are looking at that, will be combined with other properties they own. Sharpley asks how many employees they will have. Martinez responds will include "two part-time janitors" and others.

Martinez refers to conversations with community on a possible small black-box theater space for community use. Blake Hill says they are talking w/ N'Namdi on possible public art in a prominent area (not murals).

Sharpley asks if they did any community engagement. Martinez responds they have been working w/ N'Namdi, at this time there's been a pause. Community engagement as he lists it (construction schedule, use of the space) sounds more like "community informing" to me.

Raquel of BSEED Environmental Affairs asks if they have conducted any environmental assessments of the property. Blake Hill says they've done a Phase I assessment & an asbestos test(?). They are working w/ SoM that's requiring a Phase II that will be needed for City tax credits.

Raquel says they can work with her on this process of permitting. Rod Hardamon says they have had an ROE for the property for over a year now. Raquel asks about a lead survey. Martinez says they are not "100% sure" on that, he will get back w/ her on that question.

Pamela Lemme of the City discusses potential easements. They are pushing public sidewalk onto private property which would require public access easement would need to talk w/ the City on this proposed modification of the curbline. Scope of work needs to include sidewalk repair.

Philson of the City invites comments in support or opposition of the proposal. Hazel on iPhone, president of Garden Homes Community Association, makes comment: What they presented looks different from what they presented during community meetings, esp. second building.-

Hazel: One of the biggest concerns is traffic the buildings would bring. "I hope as they move forward they reach out more to the community that will be affected..." She doesn't recognize anyone from impacted area on this call; she asks them to send her materials she can relay.

Hazel notes the activity is positive because the building has been vacant for years. Philson says the proposal will now be under review. If Director approves the proposal they will still need to go to Board of Zoning & Appeals.

The hearing on the proposed conversion of the former school and school grounds to apartment buildings concludes.

That concludes my coverage of today's BSEED, Special Land Use Hearings meeting for @DetDocumenters. For more meeting coverage, please check out . detroit.documenters.org

@DetDocumenters If you believe anything in this coverage today is inaccurate, please email documenters@outliermedia.org w/ "Correction Request" in the subject line. ✍️