Utica Denies Apartment's Building Request after Residents Complain
A company that has leased out an apartment building in downtown Utica for traumatic brain injury victims was denied their request to continue to make changes to the building.
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After hearing pleas from residents during a public hearing, the Utica City Council denied Communicare Michigan’s request to make further building changes to apartments they manage for victims of traumatic brain injuries.
“It really upsets me that they would even consider to give a variance to a business located in our residential area,” said Utica resident Cherie Martin, who was mad that the multi-family development was ever even allowed to be built in a single-family use area.
Communicare Michigan is a Rochester-based company that leases out apartments at 44612 Davis Drive for these victims, and provides at home attendant care.
Nearly half a dozen residents addressed the council with concerns about Communicare’s request for two variances, which would have allowed the company to convert the 11-apartment building into 10 and build a community center for residents.
In March 2012, Utica Mayor Jacqueline Noonan issued stop-work orders against Communicare Michigan after the city building inspector said renovations to the more than 50-year-old building exceeded city-issued permits.
Since then, Noonan has requested that Communicare Michigan supply the city with very detailed and formal site plans, which needed to be examined by the building inspector, before any more work could be issued.
“We can’t make them tear it down but we have to limit what they can do with it,” Noonan said at the meeting.
While officials have been watchful of the company’s building activity, several residents have accused the company of not being honest about the type of facility that is being run there, and the severity of the tenants medical needs.
“Everyone thinks they’re using the apartments for rehabilitation not regular apartments,” said Karolyn Deater, who lives across the street.
Deater has circulated petitions against Communicare Michigan because she runs a licensed daycare out of her home, and by law, a daycare cannot be within 1,500 feet of any type of adult foster care home, drug rehabilitation center, or adult correctional facility.
Communicare Chief Operating Officer Benson Pulfer reassured residents and the council that the company simply rents out apartments for victims of traumatic brain injuries and helps supply them with care.
“Rehabilitation does not occur at the site,” he said. “Some individuals are provided attendant care, though.”
Pulfer told Patch there has been a grand lack of communication between his company, the residents and the city.
“I passed out some of my cards and I hope they call,” he said.
C.M.G.
9:39 am on Monday, July 16, 2012
I am appalled that people would oppose the renovations proposed for these apartments just because people who have brain injuries happen to live there. Clearly it's not the structural changes they object to, but the residents themselves. How neighborly.
Susan Duby
1:47 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012
C.M.G. You are right! See my comment below. Sue Duby
Susan Duby
1:45 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Shame on you residents. What in heaven's name (!) are you afraid of? It's sounds pretty uppity and aren't we to love our NEIGHBOR. I live in Macomb Twp., but am very familiar with Utica, and I had no idea that there were such snobs living there. What exactly can this building or its residents do to you that would subtract from your very old & established neighborhood? I'll repeat myself, shame on the residents and shame on the mayor. Sue Duby, Macomb
Jeffery Berz
2:05 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012
From watching the Utica Council meetings it appears that the company that operates the apartment has been less than forthcoming about their facility.
The residents and the City of Utica deserves the whole truth before making any final decisions.
I used to live in Macomb Township. A new house was built three doors down from us. I went over and asked the builder who was moving in. He told me that three older ladies would be sharing the home. Soon it was learned that the house was to be used for a small group of mentally and physically challenged people. The neighborhood had no problems whatsoever with this. What we ultimately got rammed down our throats aided by the State of Michigan was a group of six men who were titled NGRI or Not Guilty by Reasons of Insanity. Now EVERYONE had a problem. It was called fear! There was usually one female attendant there to monitor these men night and day. The Sheriff’s Department and the Macomb Fire Departments were at this home all of the time. It was a frightening ordeal especially when you had young children. The surrounding neighborhoods came together and we had a huge Town Meeting at Dakota High School where members from the State of Michigan Health Department and our State Senator came to answer our questions.
Not too long after this meeting the current residents of this home were removed and a group of handicapped people were brought in. Safety was restored.
Residents and City Officials have the right to know!