Novi City Council votes to move forward with possible tax break for new hotel
City follows state's lead in granting tax breaks for developments associated with convention centers
October 18, 2011
 
Novi, Mich. —  At a time when the City and State are granting tax breaks to foreign companies competing against American companies, it seemed odd that at Monday's Novi City Council meeting some on Council argued against a break for a Novi-based entity wanting to expand.

At issue was a proposal to approve a Commercial Rehabilitation District at the site of the current Suburban Collection Showplace - something state lawmakers foresaw and legislated earlier this year. This would allow Council to then approve a tax abatement, allowing for the building of an adjacent hotel at the site. The hotel is something the Showplace owners believe is necessary for the business.

It was noted that the Showplace brings a lot of business to Novi, while others were concerned that the new hotel would be at an unfair advantage over other area hotels.

After considerable debate, Council approved the measure with only Member Fischer voting nay.

Council is expected to take up the discussion again at the next meeting, when they will likely decide whether or not to allow the tax break.

In other business before Council on Monday:

CONSENT AGENDA: Approved as presented

A. Approve Minutes of: 1. September 26, 2011 – Regular meeting

B. Enter Executive Session immediately following the regular meeting of October 17, 2011 in the Council Annex for the purpose of discussing pending litigation, labor negotiations, property acquisition and privileged correspondence from legal counsel.

C. Approval of Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment 18.252 to update the Novi Site Plan and Development Manual in its entirety and to amend the City of Novi Zoning Ordinance at Article 25, “General Provisions,” Section 2516 “Site Plan Review (All Districts)” in order to update the existing Novi Site Plan and Development Manual. Second Reading

D. Approval of an addendum to the previously approved and executed Preliminary Engineering Agreement with CSX Transportation, Inc. for the review of the portion of the Ten Mile Road Pathway project (CSX Railroad to Catherine Industrial Road) located within the CSX railroad right-of-way.

E. Approval of a Resolution Concerning Acquisition and Approving Declaration of Necessity and Taking and authorization of Offer to Purchase in the amount of $2,105 for a permanent easement and temporary grading permit on the Comau Pico, Inc. property (parcel 50-22-23-376-008) for the purpose of constructing a pedestrian safety path on the north side of Ten Mile Road between Catherine Industrial Road and the CSX Railroad.

F. Approval of a Resolution Concerning Acquisition and Approving Declaration of Necessity and Taking and authorization of Offer to Purchase in the amount of $1,810 for a permanent easement and temporary grading permit on the Suppliers Investment Co. L.L.C. property (parcel 50-22-23-376-014) for the purpose of constructing a pedestrian safety path on the north side of Ten Mile Road between Catherine Industrial Road and the CSX Railroad.

G. Approval of a Resolution Concerning Acquisition and Approving Declaration of Necessity and Taking and authorization of Offer to Purchase in the amount of $2,434 for a permanent easement and temporary grading permit on the Suppliers Investment Co. L.L.C. property (parcel 50-22-23-376-013) for the purpose of constructing a pedestrian safety path on the north side of Ten Mile Road between Catherine Industrial Road and the CSX Railroad.

H. Approval of a Resolution Concerning Acquisition and Approving Declaration of Necessity and Taking and authorization of Offer to Purchase in the amount of $858 for a permanent easement and temporary grading permit on the Shaffer property (parcel 50-22-23-376-004) for the purpose of constructing a pedestrian safety path on the north side of Ten Mile Road between Catherine Industrial Road and the CSX Railroad.

I. Approval of Traffic Control Order 11-31 requiring westbound Summerlin Blvd. to stop at West Park Drive.

J. Approval of Claims and Accounts – Warrant No. 853A and 853

MATTERS FOR COUNCIL ACTION

1. Approval of an application fee for future potential PA 198 tax abatement projects; Two-tiered fee: $1,000 application fee and $1,500 processing fee as recommended by the Ordinance Review Committee. APPROVED

2. Approval of contract award to University Lithoprinters, Inc., for design and printing of three editions of Engage! in the amount of $125,325 and three editions of Enhance in the amount of $4,575, for a total rate of $129,900 annually, with the option for two renewals. APPROVED

3. Approval of Resolution to establish Commercial Rehabilitation District for 46100 Grand River Avenue, proposed hotel and meeting facility for Suburban Collection Showplace. APPROVED

4. Approval of Sign Ordinance Text Amendment 11.100.41 to amend the City of Novi Code of Ordinances at Chapter 28, to add regulations concerning the placing of signs in the PSLR, Planned Suburban Low-Rise Overlay Zoning District. First Reading APPROVED

5. Approval of the establishment of the Suburban Low Rise Overlay District and related regulations, including:

A. Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment 18.253 to amend the City of Novi Zoning Ordinance to add Article 23B, PSLR, Planned Suburban Low-Rise Overlay District; to amend at Article 24, Schedule of Regulations, Section 2400 Height, Bulk, Density and Area by Zoning District; and to amend at Article 25, General Provisions, Section 2509 Landscape Standards: Obscuring earth berms and walls, right of way buffers, and interior and exterior landscape plantings; Section 2519 Performance Standards and Section 2520. Exterior Building Wall Façade Materials; and

B. Zoning Map Amendment 18.700, initiated by the City of Novi, for rezoning 131.7 acres of property in Section 17 and Section 20, located north and south of Eleven Mile Road, east of Wixom Road and west of Beck Road, by overlaying the PSLR, Planned Suburban Low-Rise Overlay District on properties in the R-1, One-Family Residential; R-3, One-Family Residential; RA, Residential Acreage; RM-1, Low Density, Low-Rise Multiple-Family Residential; and I-2, General Industrial Districts. First Reading APPROVED