Group approves street vacation, car recharging site

The Flint Planning Commission Sept. 13 recommended that the Flint City Council vacate a street west of North Dort Highway and approved site plans for an electric car charging facility for GM employees on Van Slyke Road.

The group approved a request to vacate part of Webster Road west of North Dort Highway to the deadend at the railroad tracks.

Applicant Ron Killbreath said the request is needed because multiple thefts have taken place around RPM Auto Salvage. He said he has spent thousands of dollars on security devices, but the thefts continue on items such as parts, junk vehicles and manhole covers.

Killbreath also said the former Choppers Bar next to the salvage, which went bankrupt, was bought by RPM for offices and is now part of the salvage property.

A representative of the Flint Water Department said only one water main would be needed to be shut down, but the city wants a gate key for access by the police and fire departments and that an access easement will be used as a passage without obstructions.

Killbreath said that a fence will be at the vacated street with swing gates and an electrical device. The group voted to approve the plans on the condition site plans be submitted for approval.

Site plans for a solar-powered car charging facility at 3248 Van Slyke Rd. were approved.

Architect Nancy Moore said that the facility, at the Flint Engine Plant, will have six stalls specifically for Chevrolet Volts in a 6,394-square-foot area. Moore said that the area will have an 18-foot entrance and 10.5-foot stalls. The excess energy will be put in the factory grid.

Moore said three handicap parking spaces would be eliminated and a canopy will be built to hang over the sidewalk.

Architect Torrence Jones said that the stalls are only for GM employees and management. The public can go to Al Serra Chevrolet for the same charging.

Jones said that Sunlogics has a 10-year lease agreement to run the facility in which solar panels are used to absorb energy and add electrical power to the charging devices.

Jones said that a mechanism is installed to prevent movement and once the charger is plugged into the car it cannot move for the maximum of four hours. After it is unplugged it can move.

The group will meet next at 6 p.m. Oct. 11, Oct. 25 and Nov. 8 in the city council chambers of City Hall, 1101 S. Saginaw St. Call (810) 766-7355 for details.