For Immediate Release | Official Press Release

PRESS RELEASE 
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
 
36300 Warren Road | Westland, Michigan | 48185
Office 734.467.3200 | Fax 724.721.2310

WWW.CITYOFWESTLAND.COM

Westland City Council Confirms Two Re-appointments
Westland, MI - On Monday, November 7 at the Westland City Council meeting, the council approved the re-appointment of Mark Diehl to the Economic Development Corporation/Tax Increment Finance Authority (EDC/TIFA) and Andy Spisak to the Planning Commission.

The City of Westland TIFA/EDC Board is governed by a nine (9) member board   appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council. The purpose of the Tax Increment Finance Authority /EDC (TIFA) is to promote economic and business development through programs and public improvement projects that create economic opportunity, provide entrepreneurial support, and preserve property values. Regularly scheduled board meetings take place the second Tuesday of every other month at 8 a.m. at Westland City Hall and are open to the public.

The Planning Commission is a nine-member board appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by City Council.   The Commission reviews and recommends to City Council all applications for amendments to the Zoning Ordinance or zoning map, applications for special land uses, site plan approvals and planned unit development and enforcement officer recommendations regarding effectiveness of the ordinance.  The Planning Commission meets on the first Tuesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at Westland City Hall and are open to the public.     

"These two gentlemen have 30 years of experience between them on their respective commissions" commented Mayor Wild.  "Their years of experience within the City of Westland makes them valuable assets to their respective boards they are both committed to continuing the betterment of the city."

 
Mark Diehl's term to the EDC/TIFA will expire on November 5, 2020
 
Andy Spisak's term to the Planning Commission will expire on November 5, 2016


For more information, contact Aubrey Berman, Administrative Secretary, at
734-467-3200
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Westland, Michigan is the state's 10th largest municipality, with a population of over 84,000 people who exhibit a great deal of pride in their All-American City.  Westland has a thriving business community along with beautiful residential areas.  The citizens enjoy a wide array of amenities and a quality of life that is second to none.

 
In 2014, Westland was rated as one of 24/7 Wall Street's America's Best 50 Cities to Live, offering residents and visitors an ideal blend of single-family affordable homes, apartments and condominiums, great schools, and access to numerous outdoor activities.  Public safety is delivered by full-service, professional law enforcement and firefighting personnel. Westland Police Department, whose motto is protect and serve, provides emergency dispatch services to four cities and over 100,000 residents; the Western Wayne Fire Association firefighters collaboratively serving the Cities of Wayne and Westland are licensed paramedics who responded to over 13,000 calls for service last year, about 85% being medical based.  They never forget their mission of preserving life and property.

 
Westland is well-known as the premier destination for shopping and dining in Wayne County with hundreds of shops and restaurants anchored by the Westland Shopping Center, one of the country's original four regional malls.

 
Infinite opportunities are available in Westland for the recreation aficionado including, more than 40 parks and 1,500 acres of trails, a 9-hole golf course, hockey arena, athletic fields, playscapes, a Farmers and Artisans Market and more.  One of Michigan's most environmentally friendly cities, Westland has a progressive curbside recycling program with one of the highest participation rates in the nation and the City is raising the bar for cultural experiences with the placement of public art throughout the City.

 
The City is served by two public school districts; Wayne-Westland Community Schools serving 12,000 youth was recently named one of the Best Schools in Michigan by WXYZ-TV and is the proud recipient of 14 Golden Apple and two Michigan Blue Ribbon Exemplary School Awards.  Livonia Public Schools, educating nearly 15,000 students, is proud of their MEAP/MME scores that exceed state averages and the District has also earned Golden Apple and Michigan Blue Ribbon Exemplary School Awards.

 
Westland's philosophy is that government should embrace good business principles.  Providing oversight over the City's operating budget of $60 million dollars, Westland is the only community in Wayne County with a 3-year balanced budget and an approximately 10 percent budget surplus.

 
The City provides competitive incentives for those who are interested in investing in Westland, making it one of the hottest investment markets in the region.  Our Fast-Track to Business Team, which consists of key decision makers who work diligently on a development plan will "cut the red tape" and expedite the approval process for new business development.

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