Berkley to Distribute Woodward Transit Study, Add to Master Plan

At Monday evening’s meeting, City Council approved several proposals, from events to appointments. A bulk of the meeting, however, centered around city planning and potential updates to Berkley’s master plan.

In addition to discussing a reprogramming request for 2009 Community Development Block Grant funds to provide for sidewalk ramp reconstruction at the 12 Mile and Coolidge intersection, council discussed the .

The study looks at cities along the Woodward corridor and provides suggestions for improvement and highlights areas with potential in issues such as transit, parking and pedestrian and bicycle traffic.

“(The study) first debuted in January when LSL (community planning consultants) finished it and the Woodward Action Association and a number of communities from Ferndale to Birmingham have been working together on it,” Berkley City Planner Amy Vansen said.

Council authorized distribution of the study at last night’s meeting and Vansen explained she will prepare and send it out this week to surrounding communities and underlying agencies.

In accordance with the Municipal Planning Act, Vansen said the Planning Commission can integrate part or the entire study into the city’s master plan after 42 days have been allowed for comment on it.

“Each community is taking their own spin on it to adopt it in part or whole as the master plan,” she said. “Berkley’s main concern was making sure that if any transit comes through, make sure there’s a stop in the city.”

More meeting highlights:

• Gary Matcovich was appointed Berkley's new city’s hearing officer.
• The 11th Annual Berkley Art Bash was approved. City Clerk Cheryl Printz said the outdoor, downtown area art show will take place 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on June 9 on 12 Mile Road.
• A public hearing was scheduled to be part of the May 21 City Council meeting to discuss the 2012-13 city budget. That meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at .