Planning commission approves Eckstein Park parking lot and 8-foot path with conditions

The City of Warren Planning Commission approved a site plan to build an 8-foot asphalt path around the Eckstein Skatepark and an asphalt parking lot at the Eckstein Park site, subject to multiple plan revisions and conditions from planning staff and other agencies.

Olivia Germonte, of the City of Warren Engineering Department, described the project as “a 8 foot asphalt path that's gonna be going from Mound Road around Eckstein Skatepark and connecting to a parking lot that will be built at Eckstein Skatepark also.” She said the project will include rain gardens approved by Macomb County to meet stormwater standards and will tie up and finish the skate park.

Planning staff provided a long list of required corrections and conditions. The commission’s recommendation required resubmitting labeled site-plan sheets (paving, path, planting, soil erosion), adding parcel numbers, legal descriptions and addresses on the paving plan, clarifying landscaping sheets, and labeling accessible parking rather than “HCP” or “handicap” spaces. Staff also asked the applicant to consider replacing the two-foot limestone shoulders with lawn because loose stone can migrate onto the path, to add signage and to ensure all lighting would be shielded and limited to fixtures no higher than 20 feet. The plan must also show how trash will be handled if a trash enclosure is not included, and gazebo construction was flagged for Historic District Commission review if it is to be included in this project.

Members of the public and the Warren Village Historic Commission spoke. Cindy Hogan, who said she lives at 31684 Eckstein and is a member of the Warren Village Historic Commission, said the commission’s architect preferred a design “more organic” than the rectangular lot pictured and expressed concern that a long rectangular lot “is just gonna be a drag strip for cars coming through.” Another resident asked whether lights were part of the project; Germonte said no new lighting was proposed and that an existing fence would remain and be extended to deter nighttime access to the path.

Commissioners asked staff about floodplain risk near the Red Run drainage easement. A commissioner asked, “Is this park in a flood plain of any kind?” staff said the lower part near the detention pond and Red Run easement is considered a flood plain and that applicable floodway regulations must be followed. Commissioners also asked staff to consider signage recommending helmets and other basic safety measures for skatepark users; Germonte said she would speak with Parks & Recreation about installing advisory signs.

The motion to approve the site plan for the parking lot and path at Eckstein Park, with the Planning Commission’s standard conditions and the specific items detailed in the staff recommendation, passed on a roll call in which commissioners present voted to approve. The commission instructed the petitioner to submit revised plans addressing the required labeling, surveys to resolve parcel combinations and easement descriptions, and to provide any recorded drainage or easement agreements with the Red Run intercounty drain district when available.

The commission’s approval includes multiple follow-up steps, notably: submission of revised and labeled site-plan sheets in the quantities specified by staff; provision of a survey that confirms parcel boundaries, easements and flood-zone limits; combination of identified parcels where required; and recorded easement documentation between the city and the Red Run drainage district.

The commission closed the item after the conditions and follow-up requirements were recorded; staff noted no bond is required for this city project.