Two Northville residents who live on High Street spoke to Northville City Council Monday about a traffic and parking hazard on their streets from patrons of the newly opened Garage Grill & Fuel Bar. 

The story on Patch generated a lot of buzz among readers.

"The restaurant is in downtown and so are the people that live on High Street," Terri commented on the story. "If you would like a quiet street move out on Main Street past Clement."

Carol Maynard said she agrees with Terri and that Northville needs to welcome new businesses to its downtown like Plymouth unless it wants to be a ghost town.

"I love walking in town seeing more business in this economy. You bought the house next to businesses so deal with it or move," said commenter Rachael to the residents with the complaints.

John. J. wrote that the addition of the Garage is refreshing and he hopes other night options follow.

"Garage, thank you for the amazing addition to the city. You did a wonderful job with this project and we support you," he said to the Garage.

Sandy Hughes O'Brien, who said her law practice is across the street from the Garage, said the practice is thrilled it's open.

"It's so refreshing to look out our windows and see that refurbished building and the beautiful landscaping," she said.

O'Brien said to cut the Garage a little slack and the parking situation will fix itself as people realize where the nearest parking lots are located.

Happy for Garage, not for parking

Joe Boelter, one of the residents who expressed concern about the Garage at the city council meeting, also commented on the Patch article. He said he loves the job done on the Garage in replacing a run-down structure.

But he said the surrounding neighbors did extensive traffic and parking studies before the restaurant was approved. 

"Only a town desperate for more tax dollars would have approved a project for a restaurant with seating for 240 people with a parking lot for 15 cars. Our studies pointed out this problem during the hearings. We were politely listened to but the council chose to ignore facts," Boelter said.

Julie said in her comment that asking the city to change parking in the residential area affected by the restaurant traffic is not anti-development.

"Creating a safer environment for the young children and teenage drivers who live on the street is prudent and will not harm the Garage's business in any way," she said.

The debate on whether the Garage's business is creating a traffic hazard continued on Facebook.

Ellen Leigh said she and her fiance were there Saturday night and noticed a large SUV limo that dropped off people for a party in the back room.  

"I can understand the neighbors not wanting that hulking diesel parked with the engine running," she said. "Maybe a few permit only parking signs or even just no parking on one side of the street would help the issue."

What the Garage has to say

Bill Evasic, one of the restaurant partners, said that the Garage is one of the only restaurants in downtown that has any parking. He said he hopes their customers are finding a place to park without causing issues for neighbors. 

"We've got some nice big lots around here that they can choose from, so hopefully they do that in a respective manner," he said.

Evasic said a lot of time was spent on evaluating parking and traffic during the restaurant's planning.

"We've done a number of things in the design of the restaurant and traffic flow patterns to try to help minimize any issues to that respect," he said.

After listening to the residents' complaints at the city council meeting, Mayor Chris Johnson said he would make sure the DDA and parking committee reexamined the situation.