[{"_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",6389499,"mediaKeyId","2113291-993aed767bfa94dc707ff14f19b7aefb","parentId",2113291,"title","Residents press council on noise barriers; council outlines MDOT policy and ethics complaint options","audioSeconds",648,"startMs",1630195,"endMs",2278665,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2113291-993aed767bfa94dc707ff14f19b7aefb&start=1630&end=2278","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2113291-993aed767bfa94dc707ff14f19b7aefb/thumbnail_1630195.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6389499/Taylor/Wayne-County/Michigan/Residents-press-council-on-noise-barriers-council-outlines-MDOT-policy-and-ethics-complaint-options","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6389499-29637c9dce22a2259dcd303e63a1d4cb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190446&Signature=LJO3V23N~mX2P8zArYnVUCi0JHVEnjZbb5s8kzUIBhYt7JzWPC5pe1EmEBrkvn1uTGCQl~8AaQSl~9ewsLXJv2jfAK6Rs3XuRMFzjkq97Y0xQE5zBme3vWLHZbeAfr0AAX0SILDhOyDxdltygqfqYpzn3zvP9-qbRSKPkoLxDvaApiTqnByvJrsj4p1EfVSgpXdQrQXBvipChhu3iuoTgpIVDHXAFFkI7Lbu2GbaiNH2034918MaPN1ZFb4w0As4GfwmxdN7K~CmJxaJNm-PS7GREx2UnTkqT3CQHC5gJfuPlApAo7dYsXT9PNl1J5s4br12VaZPy3f2psiqUj4l8Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Taylor MI","date","2025-01-07T00:00:00Z","article","Residents used the public‑comment period to press the council on two community issues: highway noise mitigation requests to MDOT and allegations about a council member’s candidacy for a county job.

On noise mitigation: A resident asked the council where the resolution previously sent to the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) stood. Council members and staff said the city sent a resolution to MDOT and that MDOT replied with a policy explanation: MDOT typically considers noise‑barrier construction when a freeway is built after homes are constructed; if the freeway pre‑dated the housing, MDOT does not usually construct noise walls under its program. Staff noted there are other parameters MDOT considers and recalled a similar resolution from 1975.

One council member said MDOT used federal funds to erect attractive walls in areas where federal funding was available at the time of construction and that downriver communities have received fewer such treatments. On airport‑related soundproofing, staff said assistance was similarly governed by whether flight‑pattern changes came after homes were built and that eligibility varies by program.

On allegations and ethics process: A member of the public read aloud texts alleging a council member had contact about a county parks plumber position. The council discussed the comments on the record: the council president reminded speakers that public comment is protected speech but asked citizens to pursue formal complaints through appropriate legal or ethics channels when they believe misconduct has occurred.

Councilman Johnson responded on the record that he is a master plumber and confirmed he interviewed for a county position; the mayor stated, “nobody in the city of Taylor gets free golf. I made that very clear when I got in here,” addressing an apparent assertion in the public comments. Council leadership advised anyone alleging illegal activity to bring first‑hand evidence to law enforcement or the Wayne County prosecutor; for ethics complaints, they directed residents to the Taylor Ethics Committee and clarified that the city’s ethics process requires sworn, first‑hand statements and is intended to prevent baseless allegations.

Why it matters: The MDOT explanation clarifies the limits of municipal influence on freeway noise mitigation and sets expectations for residents seeking barrier construction. The public‑comment exchange also illustrates the council’s guidance on how residents can escalate allegations of illegal or unethical behavior for formal review.

Next steps: Staff said the city has MDOT correspondence on file and will publish meeting materials. Officials urged residents with specific complaints or first‑hand evidence to file with the appropriate legal or ethics authorities so the matter can be formally reviewed.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council\tJanuary 7, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Residents asked the Taylor City Council about a resolution the city sent to MDOT requesting noise barriers along northbound I‑75; council staff said MDOT’s policy limits barriers to cases where the freeway was built after homes, and council described channels for ethics complaints after a public allegation about a council member’s county job application.","taxTitle","Taylor, Wayne County, Michigan","taxId",5036,"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},6389504,"Council approves clerk training, amusement permit and IT renewal; no nomination made to fill council vacancy",270,1346179,1616245,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2113291-993aed767bfa94dc707ff14f19b7aefb&start=1346&end=1616","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2113291-993aed767bfa94dc707ff14f19b7aefb/thumbnail_1346179.jpg","/articles/6389504/Taylor/Wayne-County/Michigan/Council-approves-clerk-training-amusement-permit-and-IT-renewal-no-nomination-made-to-fill-council-vacancy","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6389504-a8d8722ffd29d2e8db2285cd50596bd0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190446&Signature=E83ZibKzMfwRsa8ngZrzQ3swE0Si6mKa7wbWv4nw84ZFzBeVFzfNVlPne-Mn840VEf~SL3Wycg6ArLijn4DtXsMcoOezcnjYRY3d3k3EGCpnOR0Ijaye7J1Ya0BdT0gSjdTdWknJyRaXzt-AlsHjVz3QqICnG-i~gQbagmf6pTeq0Uk2n-sOMswN7NqzS43f0SwL12BqjvL1bmeEWcO~w3kJzmVMfMFPc3FcAA-j~QY4JX4lOnJl4HohAPfb8mzlZ05p1sYtyTG2oNYXTEVkXJN5PW9jSVHIZG5II52ZUkGY83XNb3RRsqsbEsc6ePijzp1zgBNzgaEmHbSu4q0Gng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Taylor City Council handled a set of routine administrative items and recorded no nominations to fill a vacant council seat during Tuesday’s meeting.

Key votes at a glance

• Amusement device permit — The council approved an amusement device permit for Kittleton, Inc., 23000 Eureka, for four claw machines under Chapter 4, Article 3 of the City of Taylor Code of Ordinances. Motion carried on a voice vote.

• Clerk training — The council authorized one clerk’s office employee to attend the Michigan Municipal Clerks Basic Institute at a cost not to exceed $1,250 plus out‑of‑pocket expenses. Motion carried on a voice vote; council corrected a clerical spelling error in the backup paperwork during discussion.

• DocuWare renewal (IT) — The council approved a sole‑source renewal with DocuWare for $6,129, funded through the general fund IT contractual services account. A resident, Tracy Cooley, asked for details about the vendor; staff explained DocuWare is a cloud‑based document‑storage and license renewal and said the package includes 10 gigabytes of storage and additional DocuWare Cloud Professional seats for city users. Staff said the city is conducting a broader IT review to reduce risk from outdated systems and that the renewal cost is reasonable for IT services. Motion carried on voice vote.

• Appointment to council vacancy (Item 7.6) — The agenda item to nominate and appoint a person to fill a vacant city council seat per Section 4.5 of the Taylor City Charter produced no nominations at the meeting. The clerk announced that petition packets for the 2025 local elections (mayor, clerk, treasurer and seven council seats) will be available starting Thursday, 9 a.m.; candidate filing requirements were summarized: age 18, registered voter, one year residency in the city, affidavit of identity, 150–300 nominating signatures (150 valid signatures required), a statement of candidacy, and a filing deadline of Tuesday, April 22 at 4 p.m.

Procedural notes: Most of these items were routine and passed on voice votes after brief discussion or clarification from staff.

","At the meeting the council approved several routine items — an amusement device permit, clerk training attendance, and a $6,129 DocuWare IT renewal — and recorded that no nominations were made to fill a vacant council seat; nomination process remained open and the clerk announced upcoming election filing deadlines.",{"_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},6389508,"Council opens review of Planning Commission's five‑year master plan report; staff to pursue full update",228,1014080,1243040,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2113291-993aed767bfa94dc707ff14f19b7aefb&start=1014&end=1243","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2113291-993aed767bfa94dc707ff14f19b7aefb/thumbnail_1014080.jpg","/articles/6389508/Taylor/Wayne-County/Michigan/Council-opens-review-of-Planning-Commissions-fiveyear-master-plan-report-staff-to-pursue-full-update","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6389508-5082f454787e600945674043c908ee8a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190446&Signature=GDDDcFsawFTrNY3g69wAY8-sp--3SHgPWVGwdYBY1TEkK7fc1ZiY8BEvog-N4SCIWyZj0Cyi9a1beB8myRieU1~IC9gdE5hhYX8p3QdiLKOFuzHdDPS914z0VBJYgMZNype8H9Ca-BL8vyLd7mmyr7376dCas7hMDGQ0qV4PpTSCBLut5C4agG4x6L8ktgQB~XE8dJ2JrmDZ5Y6-kPni-HUjPL7IKrX3CQHBSHciqqtJQ-V3zkOPdKEnJCEgoog22kf5RxBaOsazoiSZqfFlNk0RLqhqvVzs0W-gBMq9Wd8y0k2Cfp898fCoSpVZHbnkHgHDv5sI-5G~IdB4qryk4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Taylor City Council voted unanimously to receive and file the Planning Commission’s five‑year master plan review, beginning a process council members and planning staff described as the start of a full master‑plan update.

Council members and planning staff said the existing master plan dates to 2007 and that a complete revision is appropriate to reflect changed conditions and resident input. Planning staff said the planning commission’s five‑year review identified a small number of items that stood out but recommended a comprehensive, city‑wide update rather than piecemeal changes.

Planning department staff said they plan to convene an internal plan of attack and work with boards and the public; the update will include public hearings and broad resident and business outreach. “It is going to be a complete new updated master plan since it’s been so long,” said Laura Fell of the planning department. She said staff expect to hire a consultant and to hold town‑hall meetings, workshops and hearings at multiple locations.

Council members emphasized the need for resident and business input. One council member noted the master plan guides land‑use designations (R1A, R1B, business, industrial) and that rezoning questions — like the Telegraph Road item the council considered earlier in the meeting — relate back to the master plan.

The motion to receive and file the Planning Commission’s review was made by Councilwoman Witten and supported by Councilman Johnson; the motion carried.

Why it matters: A master plan sets the city’s long‑term vision for land use and development. A comprehensive update can change recommended future land uses and shape zoning, infrastructure investments and development incentives.

Next steps: Planning staff said they will meet with boards, develop a public outreach schedule and solicit consultant proposals. Public hearings and notices will be published when specific meetings and draft documents are available.

","The Taylor City Council voted to receive and file the Planning Commission’s five‑year master plan review and described plans to pursue a full update of the city master plan — the first comprehensive rewrite since 2007 — with public hearings and consultant support.",{"_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},6389514,"Council rejects conditional rezoning for proposed self‑storage on Telegraph Road",820,192510,1013060,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2113291-993aed767bfa94dc707ff14f19b7aefb&start=192&end=1013","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2113291-993aed767bfa94dc707ff14f19b7aefb/thumbnail_192510.jpg","/articles/6389514/Taylor/Wayne-County/Michigan/Council-rejects-conditional-rezoning-for-proposed-selfstorage-on-Telegraph-Road","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6389514-b009f87e76cfdc4e43974340ba9ea552/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190446&Signature=DxyLhCy-muHvWBk968o~tCGt2tiqqgnG~6AXsiavmG~0HROibJmoAH1hLNQEpCH-Ew4l1NarjH8uPQrl9rDbsq138nyVch6BEBD0r4s6omblzPN8QJpurvr8qxB~owCYUIKp1nNRJS6l50o-EH62jGhbHeNaRkqEpkL17Hzuxirg07U-RHcajMyldrbAtnHrLUMfssmGonIXCX7eZkEFjSg5017ExKawvr-jBXVGgAzpxGMTd64e9WFESg167WL1~MZ2Obk6Uzz2iYQBHFW6-gIV4pzA4qxjde0FRCPdKIJqGPGBxkrgtnlUMd8HrGcFAV3iUXSjyVZCT8HKZrUqsQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Taylor City Council rejected a second‑reading ordinance Tuesday to conditionally rezone a roughly 2.07‑acre parcel on the east side of Telegraph Road from B3 General Business to I1 Light Industrial, a move proponents said would clear the way for a self‑storage facility and opponents said would add an unwanted use to the neighborhood.

The motion to approve the zoning change (case no. 24‑32 ZC) was made by Councilwoman Witten and supported by Councilman Johnson. After public comment and questions of planning staff and the project architect, the council voted 2 yes, 4 no and the motion failed.

The applicant’s consultant, Hunter Galbraith of Design House Architecture, told the council the petitioner supplied two recent market studies. “The first one is from Storage 101 that shows that there's roughly a 46,000‑square‑foot unmet demand at a 2‑mile radius,” Galbraith said. “The second one from BDO shows that within a 3‑mile radius there's roughly 221,000 square feet of unmet demand.” He offered the studies to the council and attendees.

Planning staff said the petitioner had offered additional conditions and buffering and that the planning commission had unanimously approved the rezoning. Planning staff also said the development agreement would allow the city to place conditions on uses inside the facility and prohibit outside storage and running other businesses from storage units.

Several nearby residents urged the council to reject the rezoning. Lynn Montroy of Crowley Street asked, “Is there a real need for this?” and expressed concern about locating another storage use in an area some neighbors had opposed in the past. One resident noted prior council action had denied an extension for a proposed storage project on Telegraph, and asked why this application was being considered.

Council discussion touched on vacancy and blight at the parcel, public safety and visibility from the road, drainage and lighting concerns raised by neighbors, and the balance between encouraging redevelopment and limiting specific uses. One council member said the subject parcel is set back from the road and that the proposal included extra buffering and landscaping compared with prior applications for similar uses.

In roll call the votes were recorded as follows: Miss Daniels — No; Mr. Johnson — Yes; Miss Winton — Yes; Missus Bridal — No; Miss Rose — No; Mr. Geiss — No. The motion failed, 2 yes, 4 no.

The council and staff noted the project will return to the planning commission for final site‑plan review if the applicant pursues other entitlements; however, the rezoning requested in this ordinance will not proceed.

Votes and motions in the record: Motion to approve second reading of case no. 24‑32 ZC (rezoning B3 to I1 for parcel on Telegraph Road) — motion by Councilwoman Witten; second by Councilman Johnson; vote 2‑4; motion failed.

Why it matters: Rezoning decisions change what uses are legally allowed on a property. Council members weighed neighborhood preference, the condition of a long‑vacant property, market‑study evidence from the applicant, and the planning commission’s recommendation.

Next steps: Because the rezoning motion failed, the property remains B3 General Business. Planning staff said the applicant may pursue additional planning commission approvals if the petitioner revises the proposal or seeks a different entitlement.

","The Taylor City Council voted 4–2 against a second‑reading conditional rezoning that would have allowed a 2.07‑acre parcel on Telegraph Road to convert from B3 General Business to I1 Light Industrial following presentation of market studies and public comment.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents press council on noise barriers; council outlines MDOT policy and ethics complaint options

Council approves clerk training, amusement permit and IT renewal; no nomination made to fill council vacancy

Council opens review of Planning Commission's five‑year master plan report; staff to pursue full update

Council rejects conditional rezoning for proposed self‑storage on Telegraph Road