By Meg Peters
Review Co-Editor
Lake Orion Village Planning Commissioners held off approving a bar/ restaurant proposed for where the Wagon Wheel once stood.
Instead, they requested a re-submittal, after addressing commissioner’s concerns, at a special meeting loosely scheduled for two weeks.
‘I think they have good points. Scott and Steve Auger are going to look into it right away, add the additional information, so we can bring it back and push it,? site owner Dia Zaraga said after the meeting.
Zaraga also owns Sagebrush Cantina, 28 S. Broadway, just north of Verwood Apartments, 54 S. Broadway.
Steve Auger and Associates Architects (SA&A) first introduced site plans in October, and were scheduled to present at the planning commission meeting April 6. However the meeting was cancelled due to a lack of quorum.
The meeting Monday night was the first meeting where commissioners discussed the proposal publically.
One of the larger concerns among commissioners, including small spatial issues with its interior and loading area, and explaining a scrolling marquee more completely as well as noise levels.
‘It’s a project everyone wants to see. It’s going to be an attractive building, but it should not have a negative impact on the people living there,? Chairperson Dikka Berven said.
Irene Nowak, owner of the Verwood Apartments about 20 feet from 102 S. Broadway, attended the meeting Monday night with the same issue.
‘My main concern is we will have problems renting,? she said. ‘I don’t mean to be a bad neighbor to Dia, but I have to look after my investments too.?
According to conditional site plans, the new building would be about 20 feet from the apartments. Final seat count of the building will be determined by the future tenant, but current plans can legally house 380 occupants. Occupant level will depend on the season, and whether the tenant opts to use the second story for additional seating.
Nowak requested the seating outside be ‘minimal to none at all? and that speakers could not be used on the outside of the building. ?
If outdoor music was permitted, Berven said she would prefer it end at 11 p.m. at night.
‘I would love to see something like that come into existence here,? she said.
‘It’s just a matter of conforming to what their sound requirements are, and addressing the couple items to make sure it works with the size. It’s nothing huge, just a matter of circling back and getting it done,? Scott Reynolds, architect for the site plan, said.
‘It won’t be as loud as the Wagon Wheel, that’s for sure,? Zaraga said.
Commissioners are excited to see the site revitalized.
The Wagon Wheel, most popular for its rock in roll shows in the 1960s, has housed a hardware store, youth center, State Theatre, and restaurant, among other businesses. ??
‘I can remember a time being in the Wagon Wheel and screaming as loud as I could and nobody could hear me,? Van Portfliet said. ‘I’m glad those days are over.?
Commissioners expressed interested in approving a plan allowing minimal background music.
‘I think it’s important for you to realize what we want,? Berken said. ‘We have to see more things on the plan.?
Reynolds of SA&A encouraged commissioners to explore the fact that the downtown is lacking in restaurant space, and to approve the conditional terms consistent with commissioners? concerns.
‘I want to see it go forward, and I’m not willing to try to hold it up, I don’t want to do that,? Van Portfliet said.
‘The community is eager in having that site development,? Berken said.