[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6574278,"mediaKeyId","3091009-e3a6dedf6dc660d5b551a81bf946cc49","parentId",3091009,"title","Votes at a glance: Westland City Council actions April 21 — ambulance, sidewalks, land uses and appointments","audioSeconds",177,"startMs",8831000,"endMs",9008000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3091009-e3a6dedf6dc660d5b551a81bf946cc49&start=8831&end=9008","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3091009-e3a6dedf6dc660d5b551a81bf946cc49/thumbnail_8831000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6574278/Westland-City/Wayne-County/Michigan/Votes-at-a-glance-Westland-City-Council-actions-April-21-ambulance-sidewalks-land-uses-and-appointments","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6574278-2ef52e3162188eb6133c64d1654d675e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198794&Signature=Hn4T6r0P8LYpUoyAT1m31i5p-TVVuB5lXzNaz~iGaVaBe1BCbjw3vhJ-0WbsKSGE6X5i5uQVF-EQFmzmbs5-n15GV-9uNxVA-B2NDnH1dNUmrTND~eVwklvNHv5OvIo3--vrW-teINT1wsm29pKccnTPNx4hIII8EPmkbOMZ8PMl3G6YkRjqFqqvxk2kMRVYDoR0e9w5x2XF~tZNtY6ydR9kgs0VzPazSF0-vMCv8ebiGmoi1UDxDdNSO3nACUyw1uJmGOmQAFV92QEkJy~ejlP8SbojUaxBW80zeL7kiFmMTkBc3cTdi95cUIuHOSAb3A1gqKed~UADiH-NHjbMUw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Westland","date","2025-04-23T00:19:47.843Z","article","At its April 21 meeting the Westland City Council took a series of votes on procurement, appointments, land‑use requests and capital projects. Below are the formal actions recorded in meeting minutes and the council’s stated outcomes.

Approved items

- Ambulance purchase (Business Item 6): Council approved the purchase of one ambulance for the fire department in an amount not to exceed $293,943. Council discussion explained the vehicle replaces a 2017 frontline ambulance; staff said a staggered purchase schedule is preferable to buying multiple units at once. The motion passed without recorded dissent. (Action: purchase; source: Fire Chief comments and roll call affirmation.)

- Cherry Hill sidewalk connectivity (Business Item 5): Council adopted a resolution authorizing allocation of ARPA funds up to $400,000 for the Cherry Hill sidewalk connectivity project (Wayne Road to Wildwood). The item passed on a council motion with no dissent after members described the importance of filling sidewalk gaps near Wildwood Elementary. (Action: capital allocation; source: Council President remarks and unanimous vote.)

- Pet crematorium special land use (Business Item 7, Planning Case 1608A): The council approved special land use to retrofit an existing 4,600‑square‑foot building at 38092 Abruzzi Drive for an electric pet‑cremation facility. The petitioner, Dr. Green (veterinarian), said equipment will be electric with an estimated 30,000 kWh annual usage and “no real emissions.” The planning commission recommended approval; the council approved the special land use with no recorded dissent.

- Church and fellowship hall special land use (Business Item 8, Planning Case 1453H): The council approved a special land use for a church and fellowship hall at 220–230 South Benoit (about 4 acres). The planning commission recommended approval; council members praised the petitioner’s outreach and life‑recovery mission and the motion passed unanimously.

- Dunkin’ Drive‑thru site plan and special land use (Business Item 10, Planning Case 2274): The council approved a site plan and special land use to demolish an existing building at 34215 Ford Road and build a Dunkin’ Donuts drive‑through. A traffic study accompanying the application found no significant impacts and staff noted adequate stacking. The planning commission recommended approval; the council approved the item unanimously.

- Zoning Board of Appeals appointment (Business Item 3): The council reappointed Eileen DeHart Schoof to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a three‑year term effective upon confirmation to expire 05/12/2028. The appointment passed unanimously.

Consent calendar and other routine approvals

- Consent calendar: Council approved consent items including minutes of the April 12, 2025 budget study session and three low bids: remove and replace parking lot at the Dorsey Center (amount not to exceed $58,240), remove and replace dumpster enclosure at Jefferson Barnes (Olson Cement Work Inc., amount not to exceed $17,540), and replace the fire alarm system at the senior center (Summit Fire Protection, amount not to exceed $34,833). Council confirmed the consent calendar as amended and approved payment of vouchers.

Tablings and postponements

- Public Park tree/boulder contract (New Business 1A, formerly D): Council tabled the $15,796 bid award to Frank’s Landscaping and Supplies LLC for tree and boulder installation at Public Park (2301 S. Wildwood) after discussion that the project needed a fuller design and potential ARPA funding options. (Outcome: tabled for further design/funding review.)

- Nursing/rehabilitation center site plan and special land use (New Business 9, Planning Case 1707J): Council postponed action on the 98‑suite skilled nursing center at 1155 North Wayne Road after residents raised concerns about pipeline safety, traffic, tree removal and use of emergency services; council members asked staff to develop an ordinance addressing service expectations for long‑term care facilities and to meet with residents and the petitioner before returning the matter to the council. (Outcome: tabled/postponed.)

What this list does not include

This summary is confined to formal council votes and recorded outcomes at the April 21 meeting. Many public‑comment items and administration updates (e.g., CDBG/HOME public hearing) were discussed and will return for future council action; the council set a May 5 deadline for final CDBG/HOME project adoption.

If you need the official roll‑call vote sheets or ordinance text drafts, contact the City Clerk’s office or view posted minutes and attachments on the city website.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Westland City Council Meeting - April 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council approved multiple items including a $293,943 ambulance purchase, $400,000 ARPA allocation for Cherry Hill sidewalk connectivity, special land uses for a pet crematorium and church, a Dunkin' Drive‑thru, and reappointed a ZBA member; a park‑improvement contract and a nursing‑home site plan were tabled.","taxTitle","Westland City, Wayne County, Michigan","taxId",4547,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6574283,"Council postpones decision on proposed 98‑room nursing and rehabilitation center after resident safety, traffic and service‑load concerns",211,7466000,7677000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3091009-e3a6dedf6dc660d5b551a81bf946cc49&start=7466&end=7677","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3091009-e3a6dedf6dc660d5b551a81bf946cc49/thumbnail_7466000.jpg","/articles/6574283/Westland-City/Wayne-County/Michigan/Council-postpones-decision-on-proposed-98room-nursing-and-rehabilitation-center-after-resident-safety-traffic-and-serviceload-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6574283-477622e14d4843695cb81163d47f7b7f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198795&Signature=Ptk~RNWoJBuKBmXCQGri8jStXElctLH9ELDu4~DmhUU5BKPM1wNlv7VRa9loZCWptDanZuGHddPxMz-D10-EBzhJuMw3xU8NU7lJyBAWgvMxnJzcEOCXIfeFtXy2sL~oj9J6ZlB-G7Ow6puJgcn2i9o-KjcI2zi1SOvXRda-wI9iMxx~iBFRgcTOCOfNm1~h8b40xJc2QXuGmqylHCHkvEXVL6oTrpi2DBsFRFBnZulzCL9AU8~-x1MoYjjlFDB-4PdHgGCqmPF~I7Kxny3mZDU-w1QjnRlQL7UNtWXLf-7iJ9E5copTiSHU7ye4qb-UaGIFC5ea~-SCX-peBnb01A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Westland City Council on April 21 postponed a decision on the site plan and special land‑use application for a proposed 98‑suite skilled nursing and rehabilitation center at 1155 North Wayne Road after sustained public comment and council concern about emergency‑service impacts and neighborhood impacts.

City planning staff summarized the proposal: the 17‑acre site, rezoned earlier this year to CB‑1 to allow the use, would be developed with a 30‑foot building of residential character containing 98 private suites with private bathrooms and showers, a dining hall, therapy spaces and a range of resident amenities. The plan showed two driveways with access from Marquette and (previously proposed) from Campus Drive; following resident feedback the petitioner removed full access on Campus Drive, provided a gated emergency‑only vehicular access at Campus Drive’s north end, and indicated the main entrance and mailing address will be on Marquette.

Carl Holbrook, corporate executive director for the petitioner Progressive Quality Care, said the facility would be a $26 million investment and employ an estimated $5 million payroll. “We will be using mostly local plumbers and HVAC people, electricians…we hire subs locally,” Holbrook said.

That did not allay neighborhood concerns. Sandra Powers, president of the Abbeys of Westland condominium association, and other Abbeys residents objected to tree removal, potential wildlife habitat loss and traffic and said the Abbeys association and residents sought and reached understandings with the petitioner on five conditions, including placing the entrance on Marquette, limiting construction traffic to Marquette staging areas, and maintaining a 50‑foot offset from Campus Drive with additional landscaping.

Joyce Henry, an Abbeys resident, questioned whether a new nursing home is needed given other area facilities and raised safety concerns about an underground petroleum gas pipeline that runs near the site. “What if the worst happens here and the pipeline is punctured causing a leak or worse an explosion?” she asked. Several residents also asked whether property values would be affected.

Council members debated public‑safety and service‑load issues. Councilwoman Rakowski said many existing elder‑care facilities in and near the city have relied heavily on city emergency services, including non‑emergency calls that tie up police and fire resources. Rakowski moved to postpone action until the council can review a pending ordinance (staffed by the fire chief and city attorney) and hold additional meetings with residents and service providers; she said an ordinance to address calls and service expectations from long‑term care facilities is under development. Her motion to postpone was seconded, debated and carried.

Planning staff said the planning commission had unanimously recommended approval after the applicant modified the site plan to address Abbeys residents’ concerns. Staff also noted the project provides parking in excess of zoning requirements and includes landscape screening and stormwater detention; Wayne County will review stormwater plans.

Why this matters: The proposal built to modern private‑suite standards would add a significant institutional footprint and jobs, but nearby condominium residents and council members raised safety and municipal‑service concerns. Councilmembers requested additional staff work—an ordinance to clarify public‑safety expectations for long‑term‑care facilities, plus additional resident outreach—before making a decision.

Next steps: Staff will continue ordinance work with the fire department and city attorney, hold follow‑up meetings with Abbeys residents and the petitioner, and return the site plan to council after the ordinance and outreach are completed.

","A proposed 98‑room skilled nursing facility at 1155 N. Wayne drew resident objections about traffic, tree removal, pipeline safety and public‑safety service load; the planning commission recommended approval, but council members voted to postpone after calls for ordinance review and community meetings.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6574288,"Council tables $15,796 park improvement plan after residents and council ask for fuller plan",1385,3581000,4966000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3091009-e3a6dedf6dc660d5b551a81bf946cc49&start=3581&end=4966","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3091009-e3a6dedf6dc660d5b551a81bf946cc49/thumbnail_3581000.jpg","/articles/6574288/Westland-City/Wayne-County/Michigan/Council-tables-15796-park-improvement-plan-after-residents-and-council-ask-for-fuller-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6574288-ac4b48ae2659bfba7483ad3bde269950/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198795&Signature=TURon3qMoaxZcWa5hHROzuWv4eZu-d6jBf6d9U8R~7HHwv5xU8yGzbNq-ZmfC83Lgrq2DXnlbL14q6w6mykbYDjt5JnveUzMTf8VODQj5U6TXTVg6P73JfrKjvss~sG34ytip3q4shL6ozlfF1d-OHJhFX96~7GC1JGZHv4J~TeFKWDbfB1NSaB1l1-CozWN30xakfiDOwPGbsCQv8qX3x9oU8QDnAFXmQFgF7gGoewUhVS8t3IOH1AKThHEuzbQOx7jCF7tC7XjG8AXa9rXgM6yuZonW4VLRttPJCfWoN2cHxa~NV~oSZtsU8QY1ES82FVX9VkDij-qqifNtR6K2A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Westland City Council on April 21 tabled a $15,796 bid award to install 19 trees and 36 boulders at Public Park, 2301 S. Wildwood, after extended discussion among council members and neighborhood stakeholders about design, funding sources and community input.

Parks and neighborhood staff recommended Frank’s Landscaping and Supplies LLC as the low bidder for a not‑to‑exceed $15,796 contract to plant trees and install boulders to prevent vehicle access across the grass and to add a walking path. The item had been moved from the consent calendar to new business after council direction.

Pro Tem Sampey told the council she is “not excited” by a plan that she said would simply place many boulders in a neighborhood park and urged postponement so staff could develop a more attractive design that included additional landscaping and reduced hardscape. “That’s not appeasing to me,” she said during debate.

Council members, including Councilwoman Rakowski, Councilwoman Rokoski and others, agreed the neighborhood should be offered a fuller design discussion and that the city should consider whether ARPA funds could be redeployed to improve the park in a more substantial, long‑term way. Director Joanne Campbell said she and Parks Director Kyle Mulligan met with Norwayne neighborhood leaders and that the plan was informed by public input; she also said a new play structure (funded separately) and a walking path are planned for the site and that the trees and boulders were intended to prevent drivers from using the park as a through‑drive and to provide shade.

Councilman Hart said he would support the work after learning that Norwayne leaders had provided input, but several council members requested more design information, including a placement drawing and clarification about timing and funding. “If we went out for a rendering for what this looks like, the cost to pay an engineering firm to give us a rendering…is going to exponentially and potentially eat into whatever budget we want to allocate,” Councilwoman Rakowski said, arguing for a careful approach.

After debate, Councilwoman Rakowski made a motion to table the item for further discussion; the motion was seconded and carried after roll call. The council requested staff provide a site drawing showing the location of trees, boulders and walking path and to return with options that consider ARPA dollars or other capital funding sources.

Why this matters: The item shows tensions between quick capital fixes and broader park improvement planning tied to community priorities. Council members cited equity across parks and asked for a more intentional design and funding mix rather than a single, small capital purchase.

Next steps: Staff will provide the park plan drawing and funding options; council requested a follow‑up discussion and possible budget amendment to use ARPA funds if the body chooses a larger scope.

","Council postponed a planned contract to install 19 trees and 36 boulders at Public Park (2301 S. Wildwood) after council members and residents asked for broader design work, a possible use of ARPA funds, and more community input.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6574293,"Westland council hears public input on $1.3 million HUD grants; Norway neighborhood requests larger share",435,2264000,2699000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3091009-e3a6dedf6dc660d5b551a81bf946cc49&start=2264&end=2699","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3091009-e3a6dedf6dc660d5b551a81bf946cc49/thumbnail_2264000.jpg","/articles/6574293/Westland-City/Wayne-County/Michigan/Westland-council-hears-public-input-on-13-million-HUD-grants-Norway-neighborhood-requests-larger-share","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6574293-4e54cf26c751d9e38031c10c07435069/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198795&Signature=AQRu8zs-y7DNd6WaNR6BAqKnNiGqeExZnPil0OFQza-HiHkpBHq2FaymKC8thKL-ZtVdnDwAgPZ01~fWwK0ByycFWalLVXorH8XA1mB1SYP7xTZa3TB0FnXnDm3nfl6dxE0cuZeoNPxHdvqT~mI~5x3iuc0zZHArW0dg0YrfHGwbkXwQOhJafslgIi8DiR8omDex40zQUDIsB4Xo6nY5HEvehxni75vZYVVuafiB0imHNi7dZ0Yc7MzG1jxxGIMaK7DI8QN22Yys~fKze9awv8ibzdhlfK03ZHSa8X6n1wq-9~GNreGom7hbS1CV4CWYjZIz6xa894wOn3BtbhS6wA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Westland City Council held a public hearing April 21 on the city’s draft Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) 2025–26 annual plan and heard more than a dozen residents and nonprofit representatives press for funds for neighborhood programs and infrastructure.

Joanne Campbell, the city’s director of community development, told the council the city is estimating $1,011,372 in CDBG and $286,930 in HOME funds for the coming fiscal year but cautioned the amounts are estimates until HUD issues final allocations. “HUD regulations require the city to receive citizen input on the use of these funds,” Campbell said, and the council will adopt a final budget on May 5 before the city submits its application to HUD.

The administration’s draft spending plan includes homeowner rehabilitation, down-payment assistance for first-time buyers, affordable housing development, public services for seniors and disadvantaged youth, homeless services, neighborhood services, Jefferson Barnes and Friendship Center improvements, Norway infrastructure and parks, and historic preservation. Campbell said federal rules restrict expenditures to qualifying populations such as low- and moderate-income households, seniors, disadvantaged youth and people experiencing homelessness.

Several speakers from the Norwayne neighborhood asked the council to prioritize neighborhood infrastructure and neighborhood-based programs when the council finalizes allocations. Christina Worm, chair of the Norwayne Community Citizens Council, described four major annual events the council runs—Family Prom, Back-to-School Bash, Harvest Fest and the holiday tree lighting—and asked the council to secure $26,000 in CDBG public‑service funding for the group. “These events matter. They create belonging, they lift spirits and they remind us that joy should never be a privilege,” Worm said.

Other residents and nonprofit leaders, including Annette Cutnick of the Norwayne Citizens Council and Dolores Flowers of the Family Beware Community Center, described summer camps, youth programming and community gardens that rely on public‑service grants. Residents also asked for clarification about line‑item budget amounts Campbell had earlier discussed in the consent calendar and whether unspent CDBG dollars could be moved to the general fund. Campbell answered that CDBG and HOME funds are distinct from the general fund and cannot be moved into it, and she confirmed the administration’s recommendation to drop the city’s 1‑for‑1 matching requirement for public‑service recipients; that change is planned to be included in the funding resolution the administration will present on May 5.

Several speakers pressed for more transparency on how line‑item balances will be used. Campbell said the administration has indicated there are “additional funds” for Norway infrastructure and Jefferson Barnes improvements but that specific projects have not yet been bid and that council approval is required before funds are reallocated. “We have some ideas, but nothing is set in stone until city council approves those projects,” Campbell said.

Community development staff told the council nine non‑profit applicants requested public‑service funding and the total requests exceeded the maximum the city may allocate to public services under HUD rules by about $53,000. Campbell said the administration’s recommendations aim to fund all nine applicants, with award sizes based on the number of people served.

Several speakers, including longtime Norway residents and volunteers, emphasized infrastructure problems—deteriorated ditches, culverts and sidewalks—and asked that an unclear $50,000‑plus balance shown in the consent calendar be applied to infrastructure rather than parking-lot or other projects. “We need our ditches and culverts done,” Christina Worm said. Campbell replied that the city has additional funds earmarked for Norway infrastructure and that city staff will move forward with culvert work as projects and bids are developed.

The public hearing closed after the council took public comment and later voted to close the hearing; Campbell said council action to approve the CDBG/HOME projects and budgets is scheduled for the council’s May 5 meeting.

Why this matters: CDBG and HOME dollars are federal funds with strict eligibility rules; allocation decisions determine which neighborhoods and programs receive dedicated federal support for housing, infrastructure and services. Residents from target neighborhoods told the council they want clearer, faster spending on neighborhood infrastructure and public‑service programming.

Campbell encouraged residents to call her office or view the housing and development pages on the city website for further details and to arrange follow‑up conversations about specific projects.

Looking ahead: The council will consider adoption of the CDBG and HOME project budgets on May 5 and the administration will propose removing the 1‑for‑1 match requirement for public‑service applicants as part of that resolution.","At a public hearing, city staff outlined an estimated $1,011,372 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and $286,930 HOME allocation for fiscal 2025–26; neighborhood groups including Norwayne Community Citizens Council urged more funding for local programs and infrastructure and asked the council to drop a 1-for-1 matching requirement.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Westland City Council actions April 21 — ambulance, sidewalks, land uses and appointments

Council postpones decision on proposed 98‑room nursing and rehabilitation center after resident safety, traffic and service‑load concerns

Council tables $15,796 park improvement plan after residents and council ask for fuller plan

Westland council hears public input on $1.3 million HUD grants; Norway neighborhood requests larger share