Planning Commission voted to recommend denial of the Special Land Use. ✅ Moschelli ❌ Newman ✅ Azar ✅ Pawlica ✅ Hall ✅ Tsubakitani ✅ Brazen 🤐 Foster 😶‍🌫️ Showalter Then they voted to table site plan approval, as the applicant would like to make changes. All present voted 'yes', except Hall voted 'no.'

The car wash proposal will now be reviewed at this Wednesday's Planning Commission meeting. 6:30 PM at City Hall. People will rightly bring their pitchforks to this one, but maybe a better idea is to bring vacuum cleaners (there are electrical outlets in council chambers, right?).

"Parents have withdrawn their children from the public realm because they perceive the public realm as dangerous — and they aren’t wrong." archive.ph/Flwy2

Little Ghost is open now. A basic burger is going for $11. Fries for $4. #FerndaleEats

The changes in facilities, and in ridership, are always going to be incremental. But let's keep incrementing.

Packard Coup On Woodward North Of 8 Mile (c.1938) Ferndale, Oakland County Michigan. #vintage #photograph #ferndale #oakland #michigan #detroit #packard #cars #classiccars

One of our local festivals, which has been in a downward spiral due to mismanagement, pulled out at the last second. Ferndale city government stepped up and replaced it with Ferndale Market Days, happening this weekend. They could’ve advertised better but it’s the first year, so go check it out!!!!

Planning Commission meeting is now cancelled! Check back next month, I guess.

🧵 The Ferndale Planning Commission will review a proposal for an El Car Wash at its meeting this Wednesday, July 16, 6:30 PM at City Hall. The project would go on the former Tim Hortons site at 22230 Woodward (SE corner of Woodward & College). (1/9)

"So now when the phone rings you've got to answer 'Vander Ley Industries'." "Vander Ley Industries? What do I do?" "...You scam Ferndale businesses." archive.ph/ITgVF

A proposal to build an El Car Wash at the former Tim Hortons site (22230 Woodward Ave) will be up for review at the Planning Commission meeting on July 16 at 6:30 PM at City Hall. I will follow up with more info when the meeting agenda is posted.

"Project Highlights: • Does not include any bike lanes on the roadway. Instead, the project expands the existing sidewalk to a 10ft multi-use path on the north side of 11 Mile." This is annoying, but there are occasional parcels that eat up an extra chunk of the usual right-of-way width.

Syndicate's owner plans to open a barbecue restaurant called Smokehaus in the M Brew house later this summer. She has also taken over the lease at Bobcat Bonnie's space, but not decided on a concept. #FerndaleEats

Graffiti Kitchen is advertised as "coming soon" in the windows of 157 W 9 Mile. Empty since 2020, this space was formerly La Feast Mediterranean Grill, and China Ruby before that. Same owner as Qahwati, apparently, so perhaps it will open in 2026...? #FerndaleEats

Why would a Ferndalian lie about their taxes when it's an easy look-up on BS&A? 1) This guy actually pays $8,900. 2) The Royal Oak house will be uncapped next year and then its taxes will be $12,500. So almost the exact opposite of what he claims. Lies and misinformation.

When we push for walkability, bike lanes, and good transit, it's called "forcing a lifestyle." But when the auto industry traps you in a car-dependent society and drains your wallet, that’s somehow called “freedom.” Got it...

MDOT is having two open houses on their Woodward Corridor Plan, which could include bus and bike lanes if we speak up! The first is at Birmingham Baldwin Public Library, 3-6pm on Thursday, the 12th. The second is at Cadillac Place in room L150, 2-6pm on Tuesday June 17th.

Better transit, you say? This is a Ferndale city council candidate worth watching. (I also know of one other candidate who is not worth watching, and I have not heard what the two incumbents are doing yet.)

Many people are saying

Local restaurant chain Bobcat Bonnie’s has closed another one of its stores following months of financial turmoil.

Embarrassing. Ferndale councilmember Laura Mikulski writes about the need for more civil online discourse, then uses former mayor Melanie Piana's comment as an opening to publicly air an old grievance. Hard to reconcile the call for civility with immediately cranking up the temperature.

if you recognize this shape we've probably passed each other

Relevant for Ferndale

Thank you, Ferndale voters, for passing the Headlee override. And thank you, Mayor Leaks-May and Councilmembers Johnson and Pawlica, for having the courage to put this request on the ballot.

People in the Fabulous Ferndale Forum are frothing over identical water bills without realizing usage is charged by the centum cubic feet (CCF, 748 gallons). So, depending on where your last cycle finished, you could use, say 11.01 CCF or 12.99 CCF and be charged 12 CCFs in either case.

The Nine Kitchen & Bar is opening next week. #FerndaleEats

For #EarthDay let's look at how car-dependent infrastructure is threatening the biophysical basis of our own existence 🧵/16

Drifter Coffee intends to move to a new location on Livernois St. this fall. They are seeking $50,000 in crowdfunding.

Update on Little Ghost. #FerndaleEats

If you're a Ferndale voter, please vote yes on the millage restoration proposal on May 6. I received my ballot and this mailer from the city. Really disappointing that City Council and Yes Ferndale have done next to nothing to promote this. On the positive side, no pamphlets from THAT either.

Hero!

Tired of sky-high infrastructure costs? Shrink the asphalt, add greenery, and give people more ways to move. It’s cheaper, safer, and your city looks like it cares about people instead of just cars.

Let's make Idaho stops legal in Michigan please. @mallorymcmorrow.bsky.social @mikemcfall.bsky.social @jasonmorganmi.bsky.social

Coming this summer inside the Shell gas station at 8 Mile and Livernois. #FerndaleEats

Men's bowling league, Drayton Avenue Presbyterian Church, Ferndale MI, 1950s

Do NIMBY muscles atrophy if not exercised every once in a while?

Mich. House votes 80-28 to ban legislators and staff from entering into nondisclosure agreements. Helena Scott, who represents most of Ferndale, voted no. Mike McFall, who represents the portion of Ferndale east of the tracks and south of 9 Mile, voted yes. Pics from @jordynhermani.bsky.social

MDOT is taking a look at 25 miles of Woodward through different communities. One talking point will likely be bike lanes. Pubic meetings are next week.

Cars.

The applicant has eliminated outdoor/rooftop seating from the plans. A nearby resident, who likes the proposed business, voiced concerns about spillover parking on her street, which she says makes it difficult to park her third car. She suggests permit parking. Council approved the liquor license.

Coming soon to the Rust Belt Market

The owners of Mezcal plan to open Balam Cafe a couple doors down at 207 E 9 Mile. It will be "a coffee house, speakeasy, and art space which will offer small plates and a selection of wine, beer, and craft cocktails." City Council will review their liquor license application on Monday. #FerndaleEats

The Corner Shop, a bookstore and coffeehouse serving small bites, wine, beer, and cocktails, is planning to open this spring in the former Rouge salon at 23337/23341 Woodward. Plans include rooftop seating. City Council will review their liquor license application on Monday.

Spotted a new sign at 23420 Woodward: Morelia's Italian Fried Chicken. Quick service Italian restaurant coming soon. Turns out this was news back in September, but I just learned of it. #FerndaleEats

A change at 241 W 9 Mile next month.

Ferndale City Council debated last night how many mills to put on the ballot in its next Headlee override attempt in the May 6 election. They unanimously voted to set the amount at 5.4452 mills for 10 years, but Mikulski and Kelley fought hard for 4.7 mills.

The RTA just released their updated Regional Transit Master Plan. This document outlines their vision for the future of public transportation in Southeast Michigan, focusing on expanding bus routes and implementing Bus Rapid Transit on key corridors. Check it out!

Ferndale city manager candidates: • Vester Davis – City Manager, Springfield, MI • James Krizan – Assistant City Manager, Ferndale, MI • Colleen O’Toole – City Manager, Saline, MI