[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6485300,"mediaKeyId","5444101-eefc3f53b5f8e4bd44558e9a9a99ddd2","parentId",5444101,"title","Council approves rezoning and special‑use permit for Assumption Church recreation center, limits weddings and alcohol events","audioSeconds",376,"startMs",2819000,"endMs",3195000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5444101-eefc3f53b5f8e4bd44558e9a9a99ddd2&start=2819&end=3195","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5444101-eefc3f53b5f8e4bd44558e9a9a99ddd2/thumbnail_2819000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6485300/St-Clair-Shores/Macomb-County/Michigan/Council-approves-rezoning-and-specialuse-permit-for-Assumption-Church-recreation-center-limits-weddings-and-alcohol-events","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6485300-646d9adf8fad7609ef9ab844d9bcf6fd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770820093&Signature=maisfbINA63MhaMRfgm2D9wR2SSGdDA-M4S1eg1pVtnBz8Kazpswa1bHJmLcuMyJ1ZL4vEXpBSaBkoBCryHjEkl56Ept6uyGfkDBe6pD4FqKLeisqreFOIqmzvsu9G~uESBgdmq8VXuS7NOXe729WwKhzLl46sK6fDYd-OORYt8CWp8v~aRCRHYm2zUKTpNdWSRjWu7dpFunJ2iy7x53-Z1iCvNc3ZvjRFSf2iowRdXrd7d~oCfdAonwE1Ih2xkjxDJISSu53T~84HzyR1TOp4DipW6F8LGghXxIYP8KMKfC2sL75kr8Ai3vfqsS7RGix5aNnwAdAPu-Z2LlYRLNmA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","St. Clair Shores","date","2025-07-22T19:43:03.79Z","article","Saint Clair Shores council voted unanimously to rezone a portion of property at 21800 Marta Road and to approve a special land‑use permit and site plan for a community recreation center proposed by Assumption Greek Orthodox Church.

The council approved changing the zoning designation from RM‑1 (multiple family low‑rise) to RF (residential facilities district) for the portion of the site in St. Clair Shores. Planning staff said RF is intended to accommodate institutional and community recreation uses as special land uses. The planning commission had recommended approval.

Why it matters: The project converts a parcel previously zoned for multi‑family use into an institutional/recreation classification to permit a community recreation complex for church members and the general public. The church’s plan includes an 80‑foot setback from residential property on the north side, added landscape screening and a design the council said was responsive to neighbors’ concerns.

Approvals and conditions
Council approved: rezoning the St. Clair Shores portion of 21800 Marta Road (the parcel overlaps with Grosse Pointe Woods) from RM‑1 to RF; a special land use for a community recreation center limited to sports/recreational activities (the motion explicitly prohibited hosting weddings or alcohol‑related events in the facility); and a site plan for the recreation center with the following conditions: 10–12‑foot white pines planted in staggered pattern along the north side for additional screening; the north setback shall be 80 feet; and the church must obtain a 37‑foot south‑setback variance from the ZBA where required.

Site and operations details
Architects described a multiuse facility that will include eight indoor pickleball courts and community training fields. The site plan was revised after meetings with neighbors to push the building farther south and increase landscaped screening; the council noted the building will be roughly 80 feet from northern residential properties. Planning staff said the portion of the property that lies in Grosse Pointe Woods will require separate review and approvals by that jurisdiction.

Timing and next steps
The council approved the site plan and asked the church to secure the required ZBA variance for the south setback. The project team estimated a construction timeline of roughly one year once permits and final approvals are complete. Church and project representatives said they will continue to coordinate with Grosse Pointe Woods planners and return to St. Clair Shores planning if the out‑of‑city portion changes the approved design.

Ending: Council members praised the church’s outreach to neighbors and the project’s screening and setback changes; planning staff and the council tied future approvals to the church’s receipt of necessary variances and Grosse Pointe Woods’ parallel review.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting - July 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Saint Clair Shores council voted unanimously to rezone a portion of 21800 Marta Road to an RF residential‑facilities district and approved a special‑use permit and site plan for a community recreation center proposed by Assumption Greek Orthodox Church.","taxTitle","St. Clair Shores, Macomb County, Michigan","taxId",4092,"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},6485303,"St. Clair Shores council presses Priority Waste on late pickups, phone hold times and crew conduct",2814,326000,3140000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5444101-eefc3f53b5f8e4bd44558e9a9a99ddd2&start=326&end=3140","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5444101-eefc3f53b5f8e4bd44558e9a9a99ddd2/thumbnail_326000.jpg","/articles/6485303/St-Clair-Shores/Macomb-County/Michigan/St-Clair-Shores-council-presses-Priority-Waste-on-late-pickups-phone-hold-times-and-crew-conduct","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6485303-cbb0b6700c95770bf0cd013c2dc42d55/orig.mp4?Expires=1770820093&Signature=kOXB1d04xLANaVpiCIrPOpJiVGggi0EbW7M5RfH4hCU9z0U3lJPtYzbpeu2Az6o8B2l2D276Vsg3RwomjDYlBzyCdyarmRMAuc2mm3KhpYjJa~LODEn8K0IA3QxVMYWot8oL8T9Mcr8SQiZFU3mM4rxvSHAF12jSg4s24WeHO6aeaXPGFHOmivtVkD0WsDnkwWWL2iCR~Y7vyV0uJzcbWxBFMu-qhDAWCDj1sanRe~Msvsb~fT0kA-Hw1qqnfUWSXbcyJucqafNsNimxgs83-5rcKmjA2R3M9E06SA-qOAPzZo7SedIZTAx29ykrXTHyxBxhYj3ayNlBZojbgSrPGw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","St. Clair Shores council members and residents pressed Priority Waste executives on Tuesday over repeated trash-collection failures, long customer-service hold times and safety and training lapses that left some residents’ yards and curbs strewn with waste.

Council members and residents said missed stops and slow responses have been a near‑daily problem since Priority Waste assumed city contracts in 2024. Vince Hoiampa, general counsel and chief of staff for Priority Waste, acknowledged the company had not met expectations and described steps the company has taken to improve service, including adding trucks, hiring staff and changing operations-management personnel.

Why this matters: Council and residents said the problems are not isolated incidents but a persistent service decline that affects quality of life, increases staff time spent resolving complaints, and could require municipal intervention before the contract’s June 30, 2026, expiration.

Priority Waste’s response and timeline
Priority Waste executives told council the company has ordered and taken possession of additional trucks, has restructured parts of its operations team and is expanding its customer-service staffing. Hoiampa said the company has acquired about 40 trucks so far and ordered 100 total; he said additional trucks would be delivered over the next 30–90 days.

Hoiampa said Priority Waste is boosting daily route briefings for drivers and monitoring routes with in‑vehicle cameras and “third eye” technology. He said the company now meets daily with lead drivers and managers to review missed stops and is exploring a dedicated St. Clair Shores phone queue and other digital contact options for residents. He promised to deliver a written recovery plan to the city manager within two weeks and to return with a progress report at the council meeting in one month.

Council and resident complaints
Council members recounted frequent personal and constituent contacts with the hauler: dozens of emails per day to staff, residents forced to spend hours on hold or repeatedly contact the company, and multiple incidents in which yard waste or recyclables were improperly handled. Council members gave specific examples: crews leaving yard‑waste debris strewn on streets after rain, drivers allegedly tossing recycling into garbage trucks, and a widely shared social‑media photo showing cans stacked but trash not picked up.

Several council members and residents criticized the phone system — described by one councilmember as having only four receptionists for Priority Waste’s region — and questioned whether the company’s central intake queue mixes billing and service calls in a way that lengthens hold times. Dan Venet, the city’s municipal representative to Priority Waste, told the council he receives an average of seven emails per day about service problems and said the volume has not improved enough despite repeated promises.

Operational and staffing concerns
Council members pressed Priority Waste about the company’s decision not to assign route supervisors in pickup trucks — a lower‑tech approach used by previous contractors — and instead rely on remote monitoring. Hoiampa said Priority Waste believes in remote monitoring and multiple on‑site cameras, but acknowledged field‑level turnover in logistics driver coordinators (LDCs) had weakened oversight; he said the company has replaced managers and LDC staff.

Councillors also raised pay and training questions for CDL drivers and reported instances of unsafe conduct, damaged property and incomplete routes. Priority Waste said residential driver wages have risen since 2018 and are currently in the mid‑$20s to $30s per hour range and that disciplinary review processes are being followed when employees are accused of misconduct.

Council direction and next steps
Council asked for a detailed memo and recovery plan describing: additional trucks and staffing dedicated to St. Clair Shores; changes to the phone and callback system including any timeline for a dedicated local phone queue; training and supervision changes for LDCs and drivers; complaints and resolution metrics; and whether the company will provide a dedicated operations contact for council. Hoiampa agreed to provide the report to the city manager within two weeks and to appear at the next regular council meeting in one month.

Council also discussed forming a procurement subcommittee and noted the Priority Waste contract expires on June 30, 2026; the mayor said the city will evaluate all contracting options — including rebidding, multijurisdictional consortiums or in‑house service — before the expiration date.

Context and resident impact
Residents and several council members said the problem has required them to spend uncompensated time reporting missed pickups and communicating with the hauler, and that visible debris and wet yard waste have created public‑safety and stormwater concerns. Multiple speakers said social‑media posts show mixed sentiments in other communities the company serves, indicating the problems are regional rather than strictly local.

Priority Waste executives repeatedly apologized, described concrete steps already taken, and accepted the council’s request for a written progress update and a one‑month follow‑up presentation. The company and council said they will continue to track daily completion reports and complaint resolution times.

Ending: The council did not take formal enforcement action at the meeting, but the company’s commitment to a written recovery plan and a return visit in one month gives the council scheduled checkpoints to monitor improvements.","City council held a lengthy public hearing with Priority Waste after months of resident complaints about missed pickups, long call hold times and on-street crew practices. Company executives pledged equipment and staffing changes and agreed to provide a written recovery plan within two weeks and return to council in a month.",{"_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},6485287,"City OKs site plan for Michigan Schools & Government Credit Union drive‑through at former PNC on Harper Avenue",2740,3530000,6270000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5444101-eefc3f53b5f8e4bd44558e9a9a99ddd2&start=3530&end=6270","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5444101-eefc3f53b5f8e4bd44558e9a9a99ddd2/thumbnail_3530000.jpg","/articles/6485287/St-Clair-Shores/Macomb-County/Michigan/City-OKs-site-plan-for-Michigan-Schools-Government-Credit-Union-drivethrough-at-former-PNC-on-Harper-Avenue","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6485287-816a76237d18e820bd24f3bb78771d1e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770820093&Signature=cRUAIOD-Kpwd6819HlmC78CS2mk77D8hmhInK9DDXQQsR8rdhhDseZums7TV1WtFsyu~c2byteprdCkf1-vbqcGu890y4KMqeHvaqAdqLsWQn~N8LEMWKmTDc~8e-DRT6iIr7bBZ9jXUokus2qsSjx0qTiQKsSpY561RL0yGQa6BmV6v5JilraOviYULQ8YLmwQCMpIJFwk7O~KmjZHlKnkGMfc5EzX~ftWn-m-Yb9ch4r2raYa~rT8njuuJdA8PSi1kgeS30qjV0QlKQBLStCOH~ZUqHDAt7H4FKWXQw44hyk2OL8uPcD361wRPL-Lj1DvmBOB3wqFcyN-tGju2tw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council approved a site plan for a new Michigan Schools & Government Credit Union branch with a drive‑through at 31320 Harper Avenue, replacing the vacant former PNC building. The lender’s design team said the existing building has a water‑flooded basement, failing HVAC and electrical systems, and that a new slab‑on‑grade building is the preferred option.

Why this matters: The drive‑through branch is commercial redevelopment of a visible Harper Avenue property; the project triggers overlay‑zone requirements and several variances because the new building will not meet certain façade and setback standards in the Harper overlay.

Approvals and conditions
Council approved the site plan and required engineering and permitting steps, noting several variances that must be obtained from the Zoning Board of Appeals: reduced glass percentage on the primary facade, parking in front of the building in the Harper overlay, and building location relative to the Harper center line. The council approved the design intent and directed that engineering plans addressing paving and drainage be completed as part of the building permit.

Site details and next steps
Project representatives said the new branch will resemble the credit union’s Little Mac branch design; the building will be slab‑on‑grade with a canopy for the drive‑through. The credit union team is scheduled to appear before the ZBA next month for the variances. Council noted the site is in an existing retail strip with cross‑access driveways and asked the applicant to keep that access pattern intact.

Ending: Council approved the site plan subject to standard engineering and permitting requirements and the applicant’s successful pursuit of variances at the ZBA.","Council approved a site plan for Michigan Schools & Government Credit Union to replace the old PNC building at 31320 Harper Ave with a new branch and drive‑through. The approval included required variances to be requested from the ZBA for building placement and façade glass percentage.",{"_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},6485292,"Council awards purchase of new marine patrol vessel to Safe Boats; vessel to be grant‑funded with city match",1163,9997000,11160000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5444101-eefc3f53b5f8e4bd44558e9a9a99ddd2&start=9997&end=11160","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5444101-eefc3f53b5f8e4bd44558e9a9a99ddd2/thumbnail_9997000.jpg","/articles/6485292/St-Clair-Shores/Macomb-County/Michigan/Council-awards-purchase-of-new-marine-patrol-vessel-to-Safe-Boats-vessel-to-be-grantfunded-with-city-match","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6485292-485d5f668fa818f769b7a833b7b7bee9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770820093&Signature=KMxME7DnpHB5lV9-Rlt1NXjim2MF4cyCjfi82QkXETw49w3TOGWRUxyGlV2ep~ZG9nn8D5GywV6bzc-YJ143BLwNy~n5aqsORqV1TZo0rgMyhUQiLxBuIIQ8x8GOKVsw0vlHF9q0G-6T63qOtFlMZ4Bydgg2sWpWXllGbceyWSlpOIKgRlE~bTsOxKWoqB70xpsoUgdeDszCIp4TSlFp~b7JV1qcFJLZ3DTT9xmc1WC8vQ0qjc7WXcl~ZOmJBfB4-rvIQFKyE5StSTbOzD~IQUPRpU0pQBjGr046OH5ABLi0oW2PmmKZezwjq6Xxo2MtJKIDC9TzwY3973S1roJkeQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","St. Clair Shores council approved a $371,383 award to Safe Boats for a new marine patrol vessel to be used by the police department. The purchase is funded primarily through a U.S. port‑security grant with a 25% local match; the council previously approved accepting the grant and using drug‑forfeiture funds for the city’s share.

Why this matters: The new vessel will allow police to increase water patrols during higher‑use periods, aid boaters in distress and provide a visible safety presence on the city’s waterways. Council emphasized timeliness and vendor ability to meet the grant’s timeline as an important factor in selection.

Bids, selection rationale and capabilities
Four vendors submitted compliant bids; city staff recommended Safe Boats (the second‑lowest bid) because its delivery window better matched the grant deadline. Staff said all bids met the technical requirements and that the lower bidder’s delivery estimate risked missing the grant’s funding deadline.

The selected vessel will include towing capability and other patrol features; the police and fire chiefs discussed tradeoffs between an integrated fire pump and portable pumping options and agreed the chosen configuration best fit current needs while allowing portable pumping equipment to be used for fire suppression if required.

Operational use and funding
The department said patrols normally run in four‑hour blocks timed for weekend and evening high‑use periods; overtime for boat patrols has historically been funded by grants. The grant covers an estimated $278,000 of the vessel’s cost; the remaining local match will come from drug‑forfeiture funds already budgeted.

Ending: Council approved the purchase and the city will coordinate delivery scheduling, any necessary outfitting and training with the police department; staff said the new vessel should increase marine response capability on the lake and in local marinas.","The city approved awarding the bid for a new 25‑foot marine patrol vessel to Safe Boats at $371,383, using a federal port‑security grant to cover 75% of the cost and drug‑forfeiture funds for the local match. The new boat will expand patrols and carry towing equipment; delivery timing was cited as a factor in vendor selection.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6485297,"Council votes 5–2 to place 4.9192‑mill police and fire operating proposal on November ballot",1576,4100000,5676000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5444101-eefc3f53b5f8e4bd44558e9a9a99ddd2&start=4100&end=5676","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5444101-eefc3f53b5f8e4bd44558e9a9a99ddd2/thumbnail_4100000.jpg","/articles/6485297/St-Clair-Shores/Macomb-County/Michigan/Council-votes-52-to-place-49192mill-police-and-fire-operating-proposal-on-November-ballot","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6485297-ede0ff3c0e7c6d0090418be3491a3b70/orig.mp4?Expires=1770820093&Signature=WGURcfmFp0-KG5I75a6y~RPvUgZr67~L72Els8UU8O0T53XskDDvdCKDLEo8Z4K3kPxlIv9oXWKjTjNNNmJFJ0TrCgWwUUS14U5I8Ergxvm-Pg~1dlZS3rCgov-6UaEu8BkOV~-ok-tqn73tiBFxlcfaEJVSUhfHeEgNZT-w0FKdyN~9XAKwsnIYirMeRaDHz4ClCFTgXC1Kff1akz~e1yWkr~yqkIfc70eCmuVvFeqfVB6Yd2oF7-lMDpL9NxELalSnM3bfXwDMrJqyviM1BhjSkvky-tHx6S59aqhm~k~QuKe2Fb-fM8Bt6fUGvTUEWSX0SD9dNL5fDMSp6buLMA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","St. Clair Shores council voted 5–2 to place a police and fire operations millage question on the Nov. 4, 2025 ballot that would renew the existing levy (4.4192 mills) and add a 0.5‑mill increase, producing a total of 4.9192 mills for three years if approved by voters.

The motion directed city staff to forward the proposal to the Michigan Attorney General for ballot language review and to include any necessary non‑substantive edits. The council recorded a roll‑call vote of five in favor and two opposed.

Why this matters: The current police and fire millage authority is expiring; council must submit a question to voters if it seeks to continue or change the funding source. The item drew extended debate over public notice, the range of options presented to voters and whether the council should seek a straight renewal versus a modest increase.

Debate and council concerns
Council members who opposed placing the proposed 4.9192‑mill question on the ballot argued that packet materials did not clearly present alternatives for public review before the vote and that the public had not been given a meaningful choice. Opponents said the city’s financial position and rising assessed values have already increased revenues and advocated for a straight renewal rather than an increase.

Supporters said the proposed increase is modest, that police and fire services require stable funding for staffing and operations, and that ultimately the voters should decide. Supporters also noted the millage would not cover total department budgets; it contributes to police and fire operating costs.

Procedural outcome
The council motion — moved by Councilman Rubello and seconded by Councilman Frederick — passed 5–2. Council instructed staff to prepare the ballot language and forward it to the Attorney General for review. The city attorney will make any non‑substantive changes requested by the attorney general.

Ending: With the council’s vote, voters will see the police and fire operations proposal on the Nov. 4, 2025 general‑election ballot; the council will not itself change current operations but will rely on voter approval to maintain or supplement current funding levels.","By a 5–2 vote, St. Clair Shores council directed staff to place a charter amendment on the Nov. 4, 2025 ballot to renew existing police and fire operations funding and add a 0.5‑mill increase (to 4.9192 mills). Council members debated transparency, budget context and whether the public had been given a clear set of choices.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves rezoning and special‑use permit for Assumption Church recreation center, limits weddings and alcohol events

St. Clair Shores council presses Priority Waste on late pickups, phone hold times and crew conduct

City OKs site plan for Michigan Schools & Government Credit Union drive‑through at former PNC on Harper Avenue

Council awards purchase of new marine patrol vessel to Safe Boats; vessel to be grant‑funded with city match

Council votes 5–2 to place 4.9192‑mill police and fire operating proposal on November ballot