Deborah and Jerry Moceri are becoming familiar faces at Lake Orion Village Planning Commission meetings. The couple own Angel Center LLC and, during the March 2 meeting, the commission asked them back again for their April meeting.
All these spots on the commission’s agenda are to discuss the Angel Center’s zoning. It’s currently residential, but the Moceris and Angel Center supporters want the center to be available for commercial, retail, non-profit and recreational uses.
‘We’d like maximum flexibility for uses allowed on site,? Jerry said.
‘We want to provide services to families in need and better the community,? added Deborah.
According to the commission, the Moceris haven’t been specific enough about the center’s ‘mixed use? request.
Commissioners? top concern was the undefined allotted space for commercial use. The village’s planning consultant said there needs to be a certain percentage of the building used specifically for commercial, office use and recreation.
‘It would be unfair to residents to allow it to become all retail,? Ken VanPortfliet said. ‘It could become runaway if not defined.?
Other issues included updating the building’s capacity and parking space, fire suppression system, noise and privacy issues for the surrounding residential area and staying in line with the American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA).
‘We need to know how you’re going to make that building safe for those who use it,? said Commission Chair Dikka Berven.
What’s a bigger concern for the Moceris is the enormous cost of updating a historic building.
‘Forcing us to conform to these codes makes the cost totally unreasonable and impossible for building preservation,? Jerry said.
Accompanying the Moceris at the March meeting were seven area residents who got up to speak on the Angel Center’s behalf.
‘I ask you to help the Moceris,? Remnant Project Ministries Reverand Patti Olson said, addressing the commission. ‘They have integrity. They want to do things right. I’m asking you to work with them.?
For the April 6 Planning Commission meeting, Jerry and Deborah will return to address the commisson’s concerns. From there, the commission will make a recommendation to the village council on the center’s rezoning. Public comment is welcome.