Oxford residents voiced their concerns at last Tuesday’s Village planning commission meeting regarding new requests made by the builder of the Centennial Commerce Center (formerly Pat’s Place) in downtown Oxford.
John Gjokaj, from developer Promark Properties in Orion, is requesting adding a basement under a portion of the 14,000 sq. ft., two-story building, which would house a steakhouse restaurant and ice cream parlor on the first floor and offices on the second, and requested squaring off the building on the west side for an extra 50 sq. ft. of space.
The third request of constructing a fenced outdoor seating and water fountain area along the entire south side of the building drew the most criticism because the outdoor area would encroach 30 ft., or approximately 1,000 sq. ft., into the village owned Centennial Park.
Village manager Joe Young said village council approached Gjokaj about adding an outdoor area to the building, which was consistent with the pending Downtown Master Plan.
Young said Gjokaj wanted a ‘big, elaborate entrance? on the south side as opposed to the original entrance facing Washington, hence the need for the outdoor area.
In a memo to the planning commission dated June 20, the DDA stated they supported the concept of the building, but had reservations about the outdoor area, stating it would be ‘utilizing public space for private gain.?
They also were concerned with squaring off the building on the west end, which would take up sidewalk area. Young said the planning commission would accept the squaring off under the condition Promark pays for the widening of the sidewalk.
Joe Bullen, chairman for the Oxford Beautification Commission said his concern with the fence, is it would essentially make village owned public property private.
He also said it’s important to preserve the beauty of the park’what little is left.
‘Will Rogers said many years ago, ‘they quit making dirt,?? Bullen said. ‘We only have so much dirt in Oxford. To give up an inch in Centennial Park is not acceptable to me.?
Jan Burns spoke on behalf of the Oxford Garden Club, who’s spent the last 20 years planting and maintaining the gardens in the park.
‘We looked at (the plans) yesterday and the whole garden’s going to be gone to a patio,? she said. ‘A lot of those plants can’t be transplanted. They’re too big, they’re too old, they can’t be moved.?
Young said Gjokaj offered to provide $2,500 to the garden club to rebuild the garden area.
‘He’s not the bad guy here, he’s trying to get response to it,? Young reassured the audience. ‘He’s been very cooperative and open to any suggestions.?
Oxford resident Betty Sera threw a curve at the commission members when she asked if the restaurant was applying for a liquor license, which would be a problem if it was to be served on the patio.
‘There’s no alcohol allowed in the park,? she said. ‘I’m opposed to the whole thing.?
Young, in an interview later, said the commission hadn’t even thought about the alcohol issue.
‘Legally, it could be worked out,? he said. ‘Politically, you could see there wasn’t a lot of support for that.?
Other planning commission members, like Tom Schultz, Paul Cervenak and Sue Bossardet, also had problems making the outdoor area private.
Bossardet suggested eliminating the patio idea and putting in large doorwalls that could be opened up to give an open-air restaurant feel, like she’s seen done in Pontiac and Royal Oak.
Young said after Gjokaj comes back with his revised site plans, he will need to approach the DDA, the Parks and Recreation Committee, the Beautification Commission for their input.
If the planning commission accepts the revisions, it will ultimately be decided by the village council because of the property issue.