Menard's plans to search for new Ann Arbor area location after Pittsfield denies rezoning request
Menard Inc., the Wisconsin-based home improvement chain, won’t be building a new store on Carpenter Road just south of I-94 in Pittsfield Township.
The Board of Trustees on Wednesday night unanimously voted to accept a Planning Commission recommendation to deny the rezoning request for the 56-acre parcel from light industrial to commercial.
Rezoning the land would not have been in keeping with the township’s Master Land Use plan, said Township Clerk Alan Israel. While the Master Plan is in the midst of revision, the area off of Carpenter Road, between Morgan Road and I-94 remains zoned light industrial. Menard's has 262 stores in 13 states.
Menard's now says that it will consider building a store at a different location in Pittsfield or elsewhere in the Ann Arbor region.
"It's no secret that we've been looking at possible store locations in the greater Ann Arbor area for quite some time," Jeff Abbott, Menard's spokesman, wrote in an email response to news of the denial. "We are still interested in exploring our options when it comes to building a new store somewhere in this region whether it's in Pittsfield, Washtenaw County or some other location in the greater Ann Arbor area."
Menard’s had made a request last December to rezone the land from limited industrial to general commercial, which would have allowed the private, Wisconsin-based chain to build a 162,000-square-foot store.
The township’s Planning Commission earlier this month voted to recommend the board turn down the request.
Issues included the traffic and congestion the project would create and setting a precedent for commercial zoning on both sides of Carpenter Road. The report also noted the township has few other areas zoned for light industrial development while it has plenty land zoned for commercial development north of I-94 and in other areas.
The location is owned by Ashley Capital, which purchased it in 2007. Two of Menard’s chief competitors — Home Depot and Lowe’s — operate stores a couple of miles north on Carpenter Road.
Janet Miller is a freelance reporter for AnnArbor.com.
Comments
cbirm
Sat, Apr 30, 2011 : 1:42 p.m.
Right on. Come to Scio Township. Probably won't work out though, remember Costco was trying to build here???? that didn't work out either.
jjc155
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 5:51 p.m.
WATER ST, WATER ST, WATER ST, call us Menards, lets talk. LOL Oh wait that would mean that the City of Ypsi would actually get taxes, sorry we can't have that.
tegel
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 5:23 p.m.
Gotta love all these armchair city planners. If any of you know-it-alls bother to read the Pittsfield Township master plan (<a href="http://www.pittsfieldtwp.org/masterplan_draft-chapters.html)," rel='nofollow'>http://www.pittsfieldtwp.org/masterplan_draft-chapters.html),</a> then you would find a very well-written and comprehensive document (this is in high contrast to the pithy complaints that anonymous posters feel compelled to "contribute" to this site). I took 10 minutes to scan through the doc and found several reasons why the Menard's store is not a good fit for that space. (Hint: There's more to consider than tax revenue). Maybe some of you could do the same and come back to make a case as to why your plan is better.
Basic Bob
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 11:35 p.m.
I would hope it would be well-written after 24 months. But after the board fell all over themselves to rezone occupied office space for Costco, we'll see whether it holds up to a court challenge.
treetowncartel
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 4:44 p.m.
Kind of shortsighted don't you think? This is a store that assists property owners in maintaining and improving their real property. If that property is maintained and improved, then the property will have a better chance of holding its taxable value or actually increasing its taxable value. That taxable value in turn results in more taxes collected by the local tax authority. looking at the use for the property in sole relation to the taxable value of that individual property is not what a fiduciary for the community should be doing. i suggest Menard's look at the old GM site in Ypsi Twp or the perhaps the service drive off 94 at Huron/Whittaker. Good location, taking them closer to western Wayne County and Monroe county, which is more populated than Saline and Dexter. People living in Chelsea and further west can easily make it to the Jackson area to save big money.
WhyCan'tWeBeFriends
Sun, May 1, 2011 : 7:51 a.m.
Appreciate your point but west of downtown AA has just Lowes, and for those suggesting that Dexter people go to Jackson - that is rather far. Another competitor to Lowe's would be good in Scio, Dexter or Webster Townships, and less traffic to get there than going east out of AA.
blahblahblah
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 10:38 p.m.
Wow, that logic is way too rational for politicians to comprehend. Your point is right on the money. Homes have turned into depreciating assets, especially for those who can no longer afford or care to keep up with basic home maintenance issues. From the looks of it, many people are taking better care of their cars then their homes. not keeping up with basic upkeep like new roofs, paint, etc.
81wolverine
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 3:11 p.m.
Well, at least Menard's is still interested in Ann Arbor. Hopefully, they will be able to find another location pretty quickly. Otherwise, this decision by Pittsfield is going to look pretty bad. That land is going to sit there unused for many years (other than farming) with the current state of the economy. Turning away good jobs and some tax revenue is questionable to say the least. I agree with others that Jackson Road probably will be where it ends up. They've just spent a lot of money upgrading the Baker Rd. I-94 intersection, and also widening Jackson Road to Baker. So, the infrastructure is basically already in place.
Ann English
Sat, Apr 30, 2011 : 11:44 p.m.
Maybe the basic idea behind turning Jackson Road into a boulevard (with islands and left-turn lanes built in to keep thru traffic steadily moving): attract businesses to the area.
xmo
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 2:07 p.m.
Just keep voting for the same old party and you will soon be out of a job but, you will have a great zoning plan!
ferdcom
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 2:02 p.m.
ERMG I think zip was being sarcastic.
zip the cat
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 2 p.m.
Time to vote NO May 3rd.
AA
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 1:46 p.m.
Pitts Twp. is wrapped really tight. Loosen up officials. Turning down a tax stream and jobs? UNBELIEVABLE.
cibachrome
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 1:41 p.m.
Yeah! Send them up to Brighton as promised at M59 and US-23. We need the tools, straight limber, appliance parts, and all other stuff at 2/3rds the cost of Jimmie Johnson or Joey Logano. Turn the rejected land into a public housing project, or a medical mariuana facility, or better yet a church complex that doesn't pay property taxes. Maybe UofM could take the land and use it for the Jennifer Grandslam 'Blow us Away' testing facility or The Achievement Gap Institute. The Obama Library? A Project Grow where they plant corn, tomatoes and lettuce and sell it for $500 a pound? Debbie StabitNow Book Club headquarters? Plenty of Ann Arbor area projects could be imagined. (OMG, a trailer park or prison, eh?).
a2huron
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 1:14 p.m.
When Menard announces in a few weeks its new site location in Pittsfield, what ya'll going to say then? That the original site wasn't so great after all?
blahblahblah
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 2:59 p.m.
The only better site in my opinion would be at the US-23 and MI Ave. intersection - either side of the highway is fine. Otherwise anywhere farther down MI Ave towards Walmart will have worse traffic consequences. All the Menard's I have seen have freeway exposure so that's the only other Pittsfield location left I can think of.
Etail4
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 12:57 p.m.
Shame on the people here tying Menards to public safety. I own a business in Pittsfield and have seen first-hand how a quick police response time can make a difference. They possibly saved lives by getting there quickly and defusing a really bad situation before it got worse. Shudder to think what would have happened if they were not there for me and my employees. I have no problem paying a small increase to keep this service and I pay more than any homeowner would. These officers don't make enough as it is to be on the receiving end of a pointed gun and take down a violent drunk. Not even close. Since Pittsfield pays far less in taxes and wages to its officers than other nearby communities (Ypsilanti Township? Dexter? Ann Arbor?), that is quite a bargain. And I haven't even seen the fire people in action but I'm sure they are just as good. Don't cut off your nose to spite your face.
DennisP
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 5:05 p.m.
Without weighing in on your opinion, I just want to point out that Dexter and Dexter Twp contract police services with Washtenaw County Sherriffs. The county sets and pays their wages.
glimmertwin
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 12:54 p.m.
Build on all that land that Ypsi has by the river. Nothing else is going there.
ksr48
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 12:26 p.m.
Are people really that shortsighted??? If you radically alter a master plan for a business like this, when there are clear alternative locations, then you will get other developers coming forward to demand approval to plop a commercial business right next to your houses. You will also give the Platt/Bemis developers an easy way to appeal their rejection to the courts and get it reversed. Every action has a consequence. If you want to ignore a master plan and just let anyone build anywhere, then don't complain when one pops up next to your house.
True Facts
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 12:06 p.m.
I was voting yes on the tax increase but not now. I suppose because they won there ruling for platt and bemis they arent going to allow any more development...
snoopdog
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 12:04 p.m.
Based on this outcome you would have to be an idiot to vote yes on the saftey millage. Good Day
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Sat, Apr 30, 2011 : 1:58 p.m.
Yes, because not violating the township's master plan, and thereby protecting property values across the township, is such a stupid thing to do. Just what the township needed--another big box store Almost as stupid as not voting for the public safety millage because Menard's was not permitted a variance. Good Night and Good Luck
golfer
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : noon
come to ann arbor. jackson road would welcome you. try scio township sorry they are just as nuts as pittsfield. the master plan should be adjusted for jobs, and taxs. just a bunch of people who think they are so so smart. i have heard of people that deal with pittsfield and they say nothing but bad things.
Elaine F. Owsley
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 11:59 a.m.
Looks like folks who get elected to township offices believe it's a ticket to "rule the world". Over the past year, more than one township governing body has refused to allow businesses - Costco in Scio Township is one - to enter their hallowed space. More job? More tax money? They don't see the plus side of what they so casually turn away. Elections are coming, people. Find someone who does.
DonBee
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 11:56 a.m.
I vote for the Northeast Corner of Gotfredsen and M-14. Great location, lots of space. Already zoned properly. Freeway access, no residential traffic or stoplights to deal with. Location would draw from both Plymouth and Ann Arbor.
Bill
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 11:54 a.m.
Time to clean house in Pittsfield Township. Either vote the officials out of office or recall them now before they cause further damage to the community.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Sat, Apr 30, 2011 : 1:55 p.m.
Yes!!! Damn them for following the master plan and thereby protecting property values across the township. Hang 'em by their toenails!! I want a strip mall and a Big Box store in my back yard!! Good Night and Good Luck
WalkingJoe
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 11:27 a.m.
I have lived in Pittsfield Township for 25+ years and until recently have thought it was a great place to live. How the officials of this township turn away business after business that would generate tax revenue but then ask the ordinary citizens to pony up more money? Are they finally caving and trying to be like Ann Arbor?
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Sat, Apr 30, 2011 : 1:53 p.m.
"How the officials of this township turn away business after business that would generate tax revenue but then ask the ordinary citizens to pony up more money?" Business after business have been turned away? Really? You can, of course, cite what must be the dozens of instance where this happened, right? Good Night and Good Luck
A2Buckeye
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 10:11 a.m.
I live in Pittsfield and received the "Pittsfield Post" in the mail just yesterday. Basically, it was the township's elected officials using tax dollars to send out campaign literature promoting the public safety millage and the township's "master plan." Now this. A Menard's store would have been great in that location. Too bad the vote to deny rezonings was a formaility--the deal was done long before yesterday evening's meeting. Posters here who have commented on Menard's prices are spot on. It's usually easier to find what you're looking for there than at Lowe's or Home Depot, too. All that aside, a slightly larger tax base and a few more jobs wouldn't have hurt, either. The current supervisor, trustees and other officials got elected by striking the same corrupt bargain as public officials in other parts of the country have made with public employee unions for decades. This millage is their attempt to pay back their backers in the police and fire unions. The results of this kind of unholy marriage between public officials and public employee unions are now being seen around the U.S. in the form of completely out-of-control public employee pension liabilities and public employees (they used to be called "public servants") who seem to think they are entitled to whatever portion of taxpayer dollars they feel is appropriate. I will be voting against the millage, and I urge others to do so as well. The backers of this proposal are counting on a low turnout to cram this thing down the throats of Pittsfield taxpayers at a time when we are already being squeezed by stagnant or falling incomes and higher prices. Vote no on May 3!
ksr48
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 12:34 p.m.
That's a great idea, A2Buckeye. Let's cut our police forces and increase the fire/police response times because Menard's didn't follow the master plan. That will teach them a lesson. Oh, and when my 911 call doesn't get responded to in time to make a difference, then I guess I can always say they should have let that business have its way.
GoblueBeatOSU
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 8:07 a.m.
This is PROOF as to why EVERYONE should VOTE NO on May 3rd to all TAX INCREASES! If Pittsfield's budget was hurting for money Pittsfield wouldn't be driving away businesses and Jobs. Pittsfield has delayed Costco for almost a year now. That delay has kept the construction works from making a paycheck and that delay has kept up to 250 people from working right now. Menards would mean more construction jobs and I'll estimate another 200 jobs after the store is completed. Pittsfield has turned their back on, or delayed, roughly 450+ permanent jobs plus construction jobs. Think of the taxes that could be collected on the addition of two large stores and 450+/- jobs. Pittsfield clearly believes it is better to take money (tax dollars) from families than to collect tax dollars from a business. Does anyone wonder why we are in this mess?
John Alan
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 5:23 a.m.
Exactly as expected..... I guess Home Depot and Lowes can celeberate and can easily crank up the prices.... who is going to Jackson with $4+/gallon gas.... I guess the real looser in this denial are the consmers who do not get to enjoy the corporate price war and also the people that could have gotten job.... and of course the loss of potential property tax revenue which will not be there for decades due to the zoining disaster in that area (this one will be solve by adding some millage to the residents so it is not a biggie!!!).
jeanette
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 3:42 a.m.
come to dexter............
WhyCan'tWeBeFriends
Sun, May 1, 2011 : 7:46 a.m.
Dexter would be good too!
grye
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 2:18 a.m.
Please come to Ann Arbor. Somewhere closer to the Northeast side would be nice.
WhyCan'tWeBeFriends
Sun, May 1, 2011 : 7:45 a.m.
True, there is nothing there like this.
Jim
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 1:50 a.m.
It would be nice to put it in the Saline area around the new Walmart. It would have Michigan Ave business. Of course it would take a decade to get passed.
blahblahblah
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 1:48 a.m.
Hopefully Scio Twp learned its lesson with Costco and welcomes Menard's with open arms.
Mick52
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 1:41 a.m.
I second the motion for Jackson Rd on Scio Twp. Perfect location.
ksr48
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 1:28 a.m.
Please. A Menards would bring in $35,000 in township taxes a year. Maximum. The rest goes to the county and state. Hardly enough to pay for all the shoplifting calls. Plenty of other sites in the area and they know it. Menards just selfishly wanted to back up to US-23 and probably got a fire sale option for the land.
ksr48
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 12:18 p.m.
The tax return is a fact. Heck, the Brighton Costco only brings in about $45,000 to that township. Shoplifting costs a township because that takes away officer time otherwise spent patrolling township streets or responding to other calls. If the officer isn't out driving through a sub and acting as a deterrent, or can't respond as quickly to another call, then you get the idea...
Mick52
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 1:45 a.m.
Is that really all? I suppose depending on where they plop down though some satellite stores might pop up like they did around WalMart. But more taxes is more taxes. How is it that shoplifting calls will cost anything? If a police officer is on duty and has to respond, that does not cause the twp any more money than if the same officer is driving on patrol. Where is the added cost of shoplifting calls to the PD?
DennisP
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 1:06 a.m.
Great locations on Jackson Rd between Baker and Zeeb. Can join Lowes, Weingartz, Tractor Supply, Meijer which already attract a lot of the customers Menard's is interested in to that part of the Ann Arbor area.
WhyCan'tWeBeFriends
Sun, May 1, 2011 : 7:42 a.m.
Yes, please, this area would be ideal with the development happening west of AA. I think the township learned a lesson when Costco pulled out, though that plan was not according to the master plan, apparently.
tdw
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 12:35 a.m.
Yep and they want to raise taxes or cut services BTW Why does it say it was posted 23 hours ago and then says it was posted tomorrow ?
Trouble
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 12:31 a.m.
The area in question is just " beautiful ". I'm sure a brand new, landscaped Menard's store will taint Pittsfield's beautiful " light industrial " specimen. And Pittsfield doesn't need anymore jobs... save for Police Ofcr's who may soon be laid off. Unbelievable.
dconkey
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 12:27 a.m.
It is too bad. Menard's does offer a different selection than Lowe's or HD, but as my job takes me past the ones in Jackson and Toledo, it is no big deal for me. That said, the TWP I live in needs to reconsider that parcel of land for re-zoning. Outside of the contract farmer who uses the land, it has been vacant for years and I do not see anyone wanting to put in a small industrial park as it is currently zoned for. As far as the planning commissions' take that it would add more traffic, the road there is five lanes wide and can handle the traffic. I will file this one in my memory banks for the next TWP election.
Tom Joad
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 12:07 a.m.
The Menards up in Traverse is great. They have a great tool section and lumber yard, plus an entire store of good deals. Jackson Road would be ideal. Pittsfield is much too congested. A trip to the lumber yard is never a one-time affair.
wlinsenbigler
Thu, Apr 28, 2011 : 11:57 p.m.
Hahaha that's a great idea people!!! That's almost as bad as the thriving metropolis of Ypsilanti denying IKEA. Outstanding!! Not enough lining of the pockets? More tax revenue and jobs or traffic during construction? And salaries are paid to people to make these kinds of decisions?
bruceae
Thu, Apr 28, 2011 : 11:44 p.m.
So I'm confused. One article says they are laying off police if the good people don't pony up more taxes and then you have your elected officials turning down a new tax source? Glad I don't live there.
zip the cat
Thu, Apr 28, 2011 : 11:41 p.m.
come to scio twp,we will welcome your business
a2rider
Mon, May 2, 2011 : 3:32 p.m.
Scio Twp never said they didn't want Costco just didn't want it where they wanted to build it! Jackson rd is a perfect place for Menards.
Sandy Castle
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 7:12 p.m.
Scio Twp is just as welcoming to new business as Pittsfield Twp is.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 1:06 p.m.
Yes, just like it did Costco. Good Night and Good Luck