Birmingham Commission Postpones Approval of Churchill's Bistro, Discusses Golf Course Deficits

Though the agenda was full and the house packed, Birmingham City Commission made relatively few decisions at its , shelving final decisions on the proposed Churchill's Bistro and amendments to the city's vendor and peddler ordinance after finding problems with both proposals.

City shelves cigar bar decision pending more details on ventilation 

The decision whether to approve the final site plan and special land use permit for the proposed has been postponed for two weeks, pending more information on the restaurant's plans to properly ventilate the building without polluting surrounding businesses.

The bistro would be owned by the same owners as , the longtime Birmingham tobacconist located down the street from the proposed bistro location at 116-118 S. Old Woodward Ave. The owners seek one of two bistro licenses the city issues each year and hope to open a cigar bar and restaurant, where patrons can eat, drink and smoke. Cigar bars are one of the few exemptions from the 2010 Michigan Smoke Free Law.

Plans for the bistro , as well as the Board of Zoning Appeals and the Historic District Committee. However, commissioners were concerned with Churchill's stated plans for its ventilation system.

Paul Weisberger, the shop's attorney, said the owners had plans for an advanced system similar to those used to ventilate hospitals. It would draw in fresh air while filtering the smoke, which would then be expelled outside. However, commissioners were worried about the lack of technical details and asked Churchill's representatives to return with facts on how neighboring businesses and passersby would be impacted by the smell of cigar smoke.

Commission sets fees for ice cream trucks, delays decision on vendor ordinance

Commission amended a city ordinance Monday night so that frozen confection vendors — such as ice cream trucks — will now be allowed to operate within city limits for a $500 yearly fee.

The original fee proposed by the was $1,865 a year. Normally, food vendors must pay the city $10 per day, per location during special events. City Clerk Laura Broski said the $1,865 fee was calculated by multiplying $10 per day by 365 days a year, and then dividing that figure in half (considering ice cream trucks operate six months a year).

According to commissioners, this fee is nearly three times that charged by nearby municipalities. Commissioners reduced the fee to $500, but instructed city staff to monitor the program's success this year to determine whether the fee should be altered in the future.

Meanwhile, commision made no decision on the proposed vendor ordinance, specifically the plan to set up moveable food carts in . Dozens of Birmingham business owners spoke against the plan, expressing concerns that outside vendors in the parks would compete with established businesses. Again and again, members of the public asked: is food in Shain Park something Birmingham residents really want?

"The most successful ventures find a need and fill it," said Barry Murphy, owner of . "I don't see a need for food (in the parks). Somehow I think being blocks away (from restaurants) will satisfy people's needs."

An ordinance allowing moveable vendors to set up shop throughout the city was first introduced at the Jan. 22 and then later discussed by the Planning Board. Alternative plans discussed Monday include pairing a food cart with one or more established restaurants in town or creating kiosks in the parks directing park-goers to nearby dining and shopping locations.

Commissioners Scott Moore and Mark Nickita pointed out that their job was to consider what is best for the city as a whole. Nickita urged city staff to consider the criticisms heard Monday night and treat the issue with sensitivity, but not toss out the ordinance simply because of initial opposition.

Commission encourages 'aggressive' action to boost golf course revenues

Commissioners also discussed the 2010 Golf Report, specifically how to confront last year's $144,558 deficit and a 12.2 percent drop in the total number of rounds played at both golf courses.

Specifically, the golf course saw a 17.8 percent loss in the total rounds played and ended the year with a $122,177 deficit. At the golf course, there was a 6.9 percent drop in rounds and a $22,381 deficit for 2010.

Representatives from the Parks and Recreation Department pointed out that the drop in Birmingham golfers matches a Michiganwide trend. In addition, the parking lot and clubhouse at Lincoln Hills underwent construction during 2010, a project that closed the park for a significant portion of the 2010 season.

For commissioners, it's all about increasing revenue streams so the golf courses can return to profitability. Mayor Gordon Rinschler encouraged the Parks and Recreation Department to be aggressive in their long-term planning and marketing efforts.

Commissioner Tom McDaniel said closing Springdale to save Lincoln Hills may ultimately be the city's only option if revenues continue to decline. "It may sound like some kind of heresy, but we can't afford these kinds of luxuries," he said.

However, Commissioner Moore was quick to defend the golf courses' value in the community. "The beauty of these courses ... (is that they) represent an increase in our property values," he said. "They act as an attraction to businesses and people. What is the cost of that? I'll put my tax dollars toward that."