Northville Residents Express Concern About Garage Restaurant

The new restaurant Garage Grill & Fuel Bar opened last week in downtown Northville to high fanfare, but some residents are worried that the influx of people to that part of downtown Northville is creating traffic hazards in the residential areas. 

"There are 14 parking spaces for a restaurant that has seating for more than 200 people," said Mary Beth Widak at Northville City Council's meeting Monday.

She said her home's driveway is on High Street where many of the restaurant's patrons have been parking. When vehicles park on both sides of the streets, she said, they become so narrow that only one vehicle can pass at a time.

Widak also said the added traffic is bringing speeding drivers down the residential streets.

"We bought homes in residential areas," she said to city council. "Please don't forget us residents."

Joe Boelter also said the area was becoming a traffic hazard. He said he brought up the possibility of parking problems to city council when the restaurant sought its zoning change. 

"The parking has been packed from 5 o'clock I assume until midnight," Boelter said, which makes it difficult for residents to exit their driveways.

Boelter said the restaurant also promised it would install state-of-the-art odor control equipment. However, he said he has been smelling a strong grease and oil odor emanating from the restaurant. He said he is glad to see the business thriving but thinks these are issues that need to be fixed.

After listening to the residents' comments, Mayor Chris Johnson said, "I'll make sure the DDA and parking committee reexamine all of the issues that have come up."