Academy Award Best Picture nominee Wolf on Wall Street, Intriguing Italian film, and Ann Perry novel Highlight Baldwin New Titles 3/25/2014

  Death on Blackheath by Anne Perry: Investigating evidence of a violent struggle at the home of Ministry of Defense member Dudley Kynaston, Pitt and the Special Branch discover the brutally murdered body of a young woman before realizing that Kynaston is not who he appears to be. Check Availability

Tempting Fate by Jane Green: Gabby and Elliott have been happily married for eighteen years. They have two teenaged daughters; they have built a life together. So why does forty-three-year-old Gabby feel like she has only three more minutes left of youth? Why do her friends so desperately try to hang on to their attractiveness? And why does she ever even look at the handsome guy--ten years younger--at the other end of the bar one night? Gabby is the last person to have an affair--a physical one, at least. But Matt makes her feel sparkling, fascinating--something she hasn't felt in years. Surely there's no harm in continuing a long-distance friendship? Surely there's no harm in an emotional affair? As Gabby steps ever deeper into the allure of attraction and attention things turn perilous. If she makes one wrong move she could lose everything--and find out what really matters most. Check Availability
  

Exodus: A Memoir by Deborah Feldman: Traces the author's life as an independent young woman and single mother searching for an authentic and personal Jewish identity, describing how after leaving her Hasidic community she pursued healing in a circle of like-minded outcasts and misfits. Check Availability
 

The Wolf of Wall Street (DVD): Sex. Money. Power. Drugs. Brace yourself for an outrageous true story from legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese. Jordan Belfort, a young stockbroker, is hungry for fame and glory in New York City, where corruption is king and more is never enough. Check Availability

The Great Beauty (DVD): For decades, journalist Jep  has charmed and seduced his way through the glittering nightlife of Rome. Since the legendary success of his only novel, he has been a permanent fixture in the city's literary and elite social circles. But on his sixty-fifth birthday, Jep unexpectedly finds himself taking stock of his life, turning his cutting wit on himself and his contemporaries. 
Check Availability

Mayor Hardy Writes: Woodward Avenue Landmark Kingsley Radisson Hotel for Sale.

                          


 The Mayor revealed that in the current Spring 2014 edition of the Hills Highlights, the official newsletter of the City. Writing in a front page article she claimed  "the  only thing official about the news (of the for sale status) is that  it is true !" 

She then adds,  "That when  the sale officially takes place, we predict  the site will be one more  inviting  destination in the fair City of Bloomfield Hills."


The matter was discussed at the March City Commission meeting under the catch all topic "other business" which usually occurs at the last item on the Agenda. While not mentioned by name the predominant location of the Kinsley  was hinted at, as was the fact that it is zoned differently on three of the four sides. The rooms on the second floor of  the motel like adjacent structure also present zoning problems.

Commissioner  Sherr said the proposed sale was perfect  for a PUD or Planned Unit of  Development.
 According to the Michigan Association of Planning, a PUD is a development processes that ties the a site plan to zoning approval and allows modification of zoning standards  where innovative design can achieve significant benefits to the community. Mixed land is usually the key in a PUD. It has also been said that PUDs are all about negotiation between City and Developer.

There are requirements for a PUD and one of them is minimum site area. Commissioner McClure said a PUD was more applicable when considering something large like the sale of a golf course. Significant natural features or unique site characteristics are also requirements.

The Plaza Shopping Center on Woodward at Long Lake is a recent example of a PUD for development purposes.  Today  it is still debated today as to whether the City or developer or for that matter the city residents got the best deal of that PUD. There the property was much larger than the Kingsley's  It also had uphill topography on two sides, and was intended to replace a gas station and historic building with a  shopping center, and parking while maintaining a pleading countenance.

Most recently at the April City Commission meeting  that PUD was revisited  with an amendment to replace the closed  Fox  Grill with another restaurant. Visible outdoor topics of discussion in the amendment approval process included signage, entrance awning, and landscape.

In the City of Bloomfield Hills as every citizen and City official knows  however,  "For sale" is not absolute. In many cases the"for sale" sign (if there even is one)  means "just fishing"  It is a bit of a game in the City of Bloomfield Hills. So stay tuned.

April 8th City of Bloomfield Hills Commission Meeting

To see the meeting in its 1 hour and 36 minute entirety Click Here

CITY OF BLOOMFIELD HILLS 
City Commission 
Agenda for Meeting April 8, 2014 

The regular meeting of the City Commission will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, 
April 8, 2014 at City Hall 45 E. Long Lake Road Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304. Phone 
248.644.1520, FAX 248.644.4813. 

1. Call to order and Pledge of Allegiance. 

2. Consent Agenda 
A. Bills Payable for March 2014. 
B. Department Reports: 
a. Finance Director / Treasurer 
b. Public Safety 
c. DPW 
d. Building 
e. Engineering 
C. Minutes: 
a. City Commission Regular Meeting held March 11, 2014. 
b. City Commission Special Meeting held March 18, 2014. 
D. Correspondence: 
 a. Memo from City Manager: 2013 – 2014 Goals. 

3. Recognition of Citizens in the audience. 
4. The commission will consider an Agreement with Baldwin Library and adoption 
of a resolution to approve ballot language. 
5. The commission will consider adoption of a resolution setting a fee schedule 
under the grass and noxious weed ordinance. 
6. The commission will consider approval of an agreement to join the Major Case 
Assistance Team for the Department of Public Safety. 
7. The commission will discuss the north city entrance sign. 
8. The commission will hear City Manager comments. 

9. The commission will hear an update on individual lead responsibilities. 

10. The commission will consider other business. 

CITY COMMISSION WORK SESSION IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE REGULAR 
MEETING TO DISCUSS THE 2014 / 2015 BUDGET. 

March 11 City of Bloomfield Hills Commission Meeting

To see this meeting in its 2 hours and 35 minutes in its entirety   click here.