Goodwill Request Passes Dearborn Plan Commission, 5-4
"The fourth time's a charm," said Goodwill Director of Donated Goods Jeffrey Ukrainec about the Monday night passage of the nonprofit's request to build a store in Dearborn.
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After four months of public debate and three tablings of the issue by the Dearborn City Plan Commission, Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit got its final vote Monday night on a special land use request that would pave the way for the opening of a retail store in Dearborn.
With all members present at a meeting held at City Hall, the commission passed the request with a 5-4 vote.
"They say the third time's a charm–well, for us, the fouth time's a charm," said Goodwill Director of Donated Goods Jeffrey Ukrainec of the approval. "We're happy that everyone showed up ... it was all or nothing."
Goodwill announced in November of 2011 that they hoped to lease a property on Newman Street in west downtown Dearborn, just west of Military and south of Michigan Avenue. Because Goodwill is considered a "second-hand store," the plan requires City Plan Commission approval, as well as a waiver from the Zoning Board of Appeals allowing it to be within 700 feet of a residential area and school.
Absent commissioners were the biggest roadblock for a decision on the matter, as a Special Land Use request requires a majority vote of the entire commission, not just a majority of those present.
At the January City Plan meeting, five of nine commissioners were present, and a vote on the issue couldn't gain the majority support necessary to pass, so the issue was tabled.
In February, the commission was deadlocked on the issue–four in favor, four against, with Commissioner Tawfic Hassan absent.
In March, the issue was tabled a third time at Goodwill's request when they learned that four of the nine commissioners would not be able to attend.
At Monday night's meeting, much of the discussion centered around the proposed location of the store, which is close to the central west downtown district.
Several commissioners and members of the public said they felt that Goodwill would be a fine addition to Dearborn–in another location.
"The (former) Borders bookstore seems like an attractive place, or around that area, because it is a mixed use,” said Commissioner Said Deep, who suggested that the store would actually get more traffic at the Ford Road location thanks to Ford Motor Company employees who frequent the shopping area.
“Lost in all of this debate is that fact: Dearborn welcomes with open arms Goodwill," he added. "The decision is whether or not this special land use should be allowed.”
Commissioner Susan Binder disagreed, saying that Dearborn's mentality of waiting for the perfect business was stopping the city from getting any business in the downtown area.
“I’m a little dismayed by an attitude I grew up with in Dearborn and that I thought we’d outgrown, and that’s that we’re waiting for something better to come along," she said. “We can approve and let this be a catalyst for better things to come, or we can just sit back and let our buildings languish and wait for the good guy to come galloping in on his white steed.”
The building that Goodwill hopes to lease has been vacant for over a decade.
The issue will go before the Zoning Board of Appeals at their April 18 meeting. That board will be charged with deciding whether Goodwill has met the requirements to receive a waiver to be within 700 feet of a residential area and school.
To that end, Goodwill in December gathered petition signatures from residents, as well as letters of support from local businesses and Sacred Heart Catholic Church and School.
Ukrainec said they are confident they have the support they need to receive the Zoning Board waiver, and they hope to open the store by late August or early September.
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Dearborn City Hall
13615 Michigan Ave, Dearborn, MI -
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Sacred Heart Parish
22430 Michigan Ave, Dearborn, MI
M. Imsosure
12:16 pm on Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Late August or early September, how long before our genius city puts in paid parking in that lot? I can see it now.
anonymous
5:39 pm on Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Do you think it will take that long?? I can see it now...Another tax hike to pay for yet another defunked paid parking plan.
Rich
1:28 pm on Tuesday, April 10, 2012
While I am extremely happy for Goodwill to be past the Planning Commission phase I unfortunately believe that they will go through a similar 'trial' to get the variance.
I sincerely hope that I'm wrong but ..........
william schanz
1:54 pm on Tuesday, April 10, 2012
this is a big waste of city time and money.
it's only a goodwill store !
ust do it !
Marium Wilke
2:15 pm on Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Sorry to see that this city has given it up for another resale discount store..Time will tell which direction this will take us too..I know for sure we won't be getting anything better then goodwill in here from this point on..20 yrs to be in fact...I hope all the people that wanted this will enjoy the ride...Enjoy your shopping....and another resale discount store....Should open the doors for a more valuable city... What more could you ask for...Happy Shopping !
Owen
2:46 pm on Tuesday, April 10, 2012
As opposed to the last [nearly] 20 years that the Inca storefront has been left sitting empty?
The metro Detroit area has been dying for longer than 20 years, it's time to try to revitalize it with anything offered.
Dearborn Parent
2:00 pm on Wednesday, April 18, 2012
i have no problem with goodwill, but i would rather see us invest in new local businesses and shops. do we really think people that take a train from chicago to spend the weekend at greenfield village want to shop at goodwill or walmart? i want to raise my kids in a city i'm proud of. if dearborn wants to be just an extension of detroit, they are well on their way. i have had enough of walmart, dollar stores, kroger, big lots and other discount chains to last a life time. i would love to see us use our diverse, multicultural population as a way to attract new businesses and people, and hopefully young professionals and their families who want to grown in a community full of cultural and educational opportunities. but i think for this to work, we need to come up with creative ways to better "blend" our diversity into something that is recognizable as truly american, michiganian, and dearborn while still being true to our individual beliefs and backgrounds. we need to show the state and country how we, as such a diverse city, are proud of our ability to work together peacefully to creatively solve any problem we are faced with. as part of this, i think we all need to take an active role in keeping dearborn clean and safe (please NO littering), keeping crime out of our city, not driving faster than speed limit, maintaining our homes and yards, investing in our children and their education, respecting all residents, and engaging more as a unified community. lets do it!!
Marium Wilke
2:54 pm on Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Sorry to hear that you have made not Dearborns day...But Mr Newmans group. They have a 20 year lease and they really don't care what goes in there..As long as they can become richer then they all ready are...Congradulations! Mr. Newman you have done it again...Taken control of our city...
Silvio Davis
11:17 am on Wednesday, April 11, 2012
These comments are interesting...About the CIty making that lot 'paid parking' and please anyone correct me if I am work, but Newman owns that lot, the city can't just make it paid parking because they do not own it. As for 'enjoying the ride' comment, the building has had nothing inside it for 20 years, Newman has turned down many of companies that wanted to move in and Newman knows that he has made past mistakes, this is why he couldn't pass on this. Like it or not, Newmans properties are filling up which is a good thing for the growth of Dearborn. Should we sit on our hands and HOPE for something better to come around, possibly wait another 20 years for a chance like this? Goodwill is going to provide more traffic in Downtown Dearborn which will allow businesses to get more business. This is a positive for everyone! Itstead of being so judgemental about Goodwill, let them invest there $500,000 dollars into a building in Dearborn and give them a chance to prove what they can do to Dearborn.
Silvio Davis
11:32 am on Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Now for the reason why I came on here in the first place, The planning commission did a smart approach this time around. They left there input and comments for the end of the people's open floor. Some comments were made by Mr. Deep at the end of the meeting on topics of need, traffic, and want. Lets start with NEED, Dearborn needs a business in our vacant buildings, such as this one. Downtown Dearborn needs more businesses and attractions to this city besides eating and drinking. Goodwill being the respectable organization they are, surrounding communities will come in to support them as well as our community. Now TRAFFIC, in order to increase business sales and attracting people, we need to increase our traffic flow. Saying that its not safe to have traffic downtown is nonsense, we want/need more traffic downtown to increase business! We have cross lights, stop signs, etc. We also can go back to rule number one when crossing the street, "look both ways" if neccessary. More traffic in downtown Dearborn the more money being spent, which is what we want! Now for the WANT, over 70% of the surrounding residents signed in favor for the store, surrounding bussinesses except for one signed in favor, the Priest from Sacared Heart wrote a letter in support of the Goodwill store, all these people on Facebook and internet blogs support it.THE PEOPLE WANT GOODWILL IN DEARBORN. I'm glad a couple members wised up and stepped up in support of the store. Thats what will make the difference!
laplateau
2:35 pm on Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Way to go Silvio! Yes to all your points. When Doug Thomas was on the council he was alwys complaining about the ntraffic volumes through the weat Dearborn area on Michigan Avenue. You are absolutely right...just ask the merchants whetrher or not they was to curb the flow of traffic and I am sure they would be in favor of MORE traffic. That's what brings to the attention of potential customers regarding their businesses. Has anyone tried to fow thought that area during rush hour? You are forced to go slowly and while doing so anyone can take note of what businesses are there.
And, to those who say we need more diversity...what can be more diverse that a Goodwill?