HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 1975.08.27 - 38534OAKLAND COUNTY
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
SPECIAL MEETING
August 27, 1975
The meeting was called to order at 2:20 p.m. by Chairman E. Frank
Richardson in the Parks and Recreation Commission Room.
COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT:
Chairman E. Frank Richardson, Vice Chairman James Dunleavy, Velma
Austin, Fred Harris, George Kuhn, Dr. Joseph Montante, Richard
Vogt, Richard Wilcox.
COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT:
ALSO PRESENT:
R. Eric Reickel; Jon J. Kipke; Robert Bomia; County Commissioners
Dana Wilson and William Patterson; Mayor Virginia Solberg, Madison
Heights; Art Selahowski, aide to Senator Bill Huffman; Jack Yemec,
Director of Parks and Recreation, Madison Heights; Don Childs,
Bills/Childs Associates; Robert Salogar, Anthony M. Franco, Inc.
Chairman Richardson announced the special meeting had been called
for the purpose of hearing the presentation from Don Childs, Bills/
Childs Associates, regarding the proposed golf course on the Red
Run Drain property.
Mayor Solberg, Mr. Selahowski, Mr. Yemec and Commissioner Wilson
were welcomed to the meeting.
RED RUN DRAIN:
Chairman Richardson introduced Don Childs of Bills/Childs Associates,
consultant for the Red Run Drain project.
Mr. Childs presented a rendering of the total section under study
and explained what his firm essentially proposed in the preliminary
plan stage for two separate golf courses.
He explained the north portion of the property, with access from
Thirteen Mile Road, could be developed initially and would be the
least expensive as it would require no additional land acquisition.
Due to the narrowness of the corridor and the close proximity of
residential structures, a 9 Hole, Par 3, Pitch -Putt Golf Course
was recommended for the north sector.
Mr. Childs proposed the existing Hiller Elementary Walkway be used
as a natural division between the two courses.
(Special Commission Meeting, August 27, 1975)
An 18 Hole Executive Par 3 Golf Course was proposed for the South
Course which would entail the combination of the central and south-
western portions of the drain property. Some additional land
acquisition would be necessary prior to development of this course.
Consideration would also have to be given to the best means of
conveying golfers to the west 9 holes of the course. Mr. Childs
proposed a pedestrian overpass to bridge John R. as opposed to a
signal light or tunnel underpass.
General discussion followed on all aspects of the development of
the property. Mayor Solberg said she would like to pass on any
golf course west of John R. for the time being, because her council
would be hesitant to give up a portion of the Madison Heights
property bordering on the drain.
Mr. Harris asked Mayor Solberg if she would be receptive to the
idea of presenting the proposal to the Madison Heights City Council
to get suggestions from them. She concurred and felt the proposal
to the council could be combined with a public hearing.
Mayor Solberg stated some excellent suggestions had been put forth
about combining the two areas (from John R. to 13 Mile Rd.) into
a regulation 9 Hole course and asked the consultant if he could
prepare an alternate plan for the beginning; reversing the 9 Hole
course to where it would start at the John R. area rather than
13 Mile Road. She expressed the thought there would be more space
for parking, less congestion, and would allow easy ingress and
egress to areas on both sides of John R. She felt it w-as a more
reasonable way of starting the whole plan.
Chairman Richardson stated the Parks and Recreation Commission
thinking was to start with the proposal as presented because it
was free of property acquisition and the project could be started
immediately.
Discussion followed on the alternate plans, contacting the Incinera-
tor Authority, and scheduling a public hearing.
Chairman Richardson remarked that before approaching the Incinerator
Authority, the Parks Commission should have a proposed plan formu-
lated, with alternatives, and it was determined that the consultant
would present the alternates at the Parks and Recreation Commission
regular meeting on September 12, 1975.
Mr. Wilcox suggested cost estimates and user ratios be available
for the next meeting.
Moved by Mr. Harris, supported by Dr. Montante to
defer this item to the September 12 Commission Meeting
to hear a presentation on the alternate plans which
include a 9 Hole Golf Course from John R. to 13 Mile
Road with a proposed overpass at Hiller Walkway and to
study the possibility of a driving range at John R.
West or 13 Mile Road toward Dequindre.
Motion carried.
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(Special Commission Meeting, August 27, 1975)
GROVELAND-OAKS:
Mr. Reickel requested permission to go out for bid for the
demolition of the farmhouse, chicken coop and cottage at Groveland-
Oaks.
Moved by Mrs. Kuhn, supported by Mrs. Austin to
receive bids for the demolition of the buildings.
Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 3:15 p.m.
Betty Guest
Recording Secretary
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