BERKLEY, Mich. – The city of Berkley and Vinsetta Garage’s tried to reach an agreement Monday after parking issues stretched on for more than seven years, but could not.
UPDATE: Berkley approves Vinsetta Garage parking plan after years of issues
Customers have been forced to valet their cars or try to find street parking near the popular restaurant.
Vinsetta Garage’s owners bought neighboring property to build parking lots. A lawsuit was filed against the city when it refused to rezone the area for parking.
Monday night, the Berkley City Council agreed to table a decision. The next meeting date has not yet been set, but due to a court ordered deadline, the decision has to happen in January or face a court hearing, according to the city’s mayor.
The restaurant would be able to knock down four homes it owns to build two parking lots. Restaurant owners would need to build two new houses and must have a wall separating the houses from the lots.
A few sticking points include lack of planning commission input, the wall that would be built around the parking lot, and more.
“It’s not perfect. I think anyone would say that. That’s the thing with a settlement -- both sides have to give up a bit, but given the array of options we had in front of us this is the best of the options,” said city manager Matt Baumgarten.