[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6357889,"mediaKeyId","2213607-5c74a8758ffeca1e6a3f351fdde1ceab","parentId",2213607,"title","Planning board recommends approval for Social Kitchen & Bar outdoor enclosure pending variance or design change","audioSeconds",1030,"startMs",429000,"endMs",1459000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2213607-5c74a8758ffeca1e6a3f351fdde1ceab&start=429&end=1459","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2213607-5c74a8758ffeca1e6a3f351fdde1ceab/thumbnail_429000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6357889/Birmingham-City/Oakland-County/Michigan/Planning-board-recommends-approval-for-Social-Kitchen-Bar-outdoor-enclosure-pending-variance-or-design-change","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6357889-f2af076ab374dfa9d4b31400a6e666cd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163425&Signature=mY5-XsUzqOsqNHdX-DQUjJ9x0lCTIV3Pz~bUum3Nxm1k4nQU~TKemSz1tBWudEovAbrpk7LeAl2Hr0pNeoAZxPnGWhgAXEE1-X2bXI-nL9rz6MhMD09NXztGctBKBOiKTOG4OPaV5RcsUzjW1BgC5-WsArOrScTdT0mq5ADhP1jRS3OWnUoONjfPM1Zpo87yPgj2Yq~zAsXVsy4EtarV-ZKpoF9b6y7YJJZq6olIjS6Ko5-xhSk~wKf~wOYE~yoPj1TevOvfFuQuvbG4jao91DaApHJrhkKW39pglmM-JnRH5UaXhNTRxCyLriySWzoMYOHd0aKuB-YNP4hTfXjuQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Birmingham, MI","date","2025-01-22T00:00:00Z","article","The Birmingham Planning Board on Jan. 20 recommended that the City Commission approve both a special land use permit and a final site plan and design review application for Social Kitchen & Bar, 225 East Maple, with conditions requiring either removal of the proposed enclosure or a variance from the Board of Zoning Appeals and compliance with city department requests.

Planning staff presented the application as an amendment limited to outdoor dining. Nick Dupuy, planning department staff, said the application keeps the restaurant’s existing indoor seating, rooftop and façade unchanged and focuses solely on replacing an existing vinyl/isinglass enclosure with an aluminum pergola-style structure, polycarbonate roof panels and magnetized marine-grade side glazing. Dupuy noted the restaurant’s existing outdoor capacity is 56 seats, a preexisting legal nonconformity under current zoning standards for bistros.

Jacob Newman, representing SkyView Detroit, described the proposed structure and materials and introduced Trenton Guthrie and Social Kitchen & Bar chief operating officer Josh Humphreys. Newman said the project uses a 25-millimeter triple-wall polycarbonate roof and marine-grade strata glass sidewalls; he added the structure’s framing will support a 50-pound-per-square-foot snow load and include internal gutters that will drain through a column.

Board members said they viewed the replacement as a marked aesthetic improvement while noting the existing outdoor seat count exceeds current ordinance limits. Daniel Sher (board member) and Robin Webb (board member) said they supported the application as an upgrade that does not increase the overall footprint or seating. Brian Williams moved to adopt the planning department report and recommend approval of the special land use permit subject to two conditions: resubmit plans without enclosures as defined in Article 9, Section 9.02 of the zoning ordinance or obtain a variance from the Board of Zoning Appeals, and comply with all city department requests. The board voted unanimously to recommend approval.

Williams then moved to recommend approval of the final site plan and design review, adopting the planning department findings and adding a third condition that site plan approval will be valid for one year from the grant date with a possible extension of up to one year per Article 7, Section 7.28 of the zoning ordinance. That motion also passed unanimously.

What happens next: Because enclosures as proposed are not permitted under current zoning, the applicant may either resubmit plans without enclosures or seek a variance from the Board of Zoning Appeals; the Planning Board’s vote is a recommendation to the City Commission, which has final authority.

Votes at a glance: Both motions carried unanimously. The board’s tally was recorded as unanimous approval; the planning staff roll call listed members present for the meeting.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","01.22.2025 Planning Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Birmingham Planning Board on Jan. 20 recommended that the City Commission approve a special land use permit and final site plan and design review for Social Kitchen & Bar at 225 East Maple, conditioned on either removing the proposed outdoor enclosure or obtaining a variance.","taxTitle","Birmingham City, Oakland County, Michigan","taxId",48746,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6357873,"Planning board sets Feb. 12 public hearing on residential generator standards",126,4837000,4963000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2213607-5c74a8758ffeca1e6a3f351fdde1ceab&start=4837&end=4963","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2213607-5c74a8758ffeca1e6a3f351fdde1ceab/thumbnail_4837000.jpg","/articles/6357873/Birmingham-City/Oakland-County/Michigan/Planning-board-sets-Feb-12-public-hearing-on-residential-generator-standards","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6357873-23be680e1ab3b349034cca24aa6af7f3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163425&Signature=aEbsrn5bPkED5qiMNhVTx8ZDVq~t77HvtB6sqvGgYIVhhofXnWq95ex2Tj618BA7ZLgTH~jk2baaIGa59DXmB63jKAbE7-vt3K~VAqhPODiCtHcJPixaV4l5vFQaYHHle2fJsqgq00rMDhFkVzCUx~4uXwtmfr5el5Xf-q1l5-Bew3PMCNtYlO6gGWIHHKh7~R4WnW8MvSQ2qgVaipZbUvPu9QU9ICiGo5ABbGQh-cR5eNmhhOgVCdNdDFhVU7R3Ogbhn1WnNEAARBRdiSbqfipn7WGDaSZNSs1ht-LK3Y5hgHwzagcBDBRuQmrcwzrPvyTBkU0DwwNrpRd6fAyp4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Birmingham Planning Board on Jan. 20 set a public hearing for Feb. 12, 2025 to consider proposed amendments to Article 4: Accessory Structure Standards (Section 4.03) to add provisions for standby residential generators.

Planning staff said the hearing had been missed at a previous meeting because of holiday scheduling and that the draft includes minor tweaks requested by staff and the fire department, including a clarification that a 5‑foot clearance requirement measures to the drip line/overhang. The board voted unanimously to set the hearing date.

What happens next: The Planning Department will publish required hearing notices and staff will present the amended language at the Feb. 12 public hearing for public comment and board deliberation. The fire department reviewed clearance language and requested specificity to avoid ambiguity in measuring setbacks from structures.

","The board set a public hearing date of Feb. 12, 2025 to consider amendments to Article 4 (Accessory Structure Standards) to add provisions for standby generators; the draft language was updated to reflect fire department input on clearance measurements.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6357877,"Planning board postpones decision on Belfor restoration generator at 185 Oakland after neighbor objections",1995,2813000,4808000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2213607-5c74a8758ffeca1e6a3f351fdde1ceab&start=2813&end=4808","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2213607-5c74a8758ffeca1e6a3f351fdde1ceab/thumbnail_2813000.jpg","/articles/6357877/Birmingham-City/Oakland-County/Michigan/Planning-board-postpones-decision-on-Belfor-restoration-generator-at-185-Oakland-after-neighbor-objections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6357877-2e8a4db930df940ab115393f3a1aa715/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163425&Signature=CUFe3hDglpRwidsatmBX3gsyGV7eYZgnRn01pg7IiTfEQorKLk0DkdES4Utzx0jeyNDkO~T63j6bQa6FQJaeRLF0WioJsGXwsd86GcC~-mSbMfYl6flUG3jANpTre2wfiWe9R2070t0mennegyFuH4GXyR0qw6iwRxESEni4jes5sAZWsr07y4JMl7tBG8RBlgJz46JXPfSFx9SNspM4qECHXQrr0U0N7UHm-V1V1b4tapaF3hP728aP8Mwn8TjzKGpYP9AwhOgdbh9dKqi8yH98b3Vfs2nnaTPQG2aVvRLHqlVSuxMZf-VyXxpcEKgvHuj4Rers~rDdpJgUwfWQWQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Birmingham Planning Board on Jan. 20 postponed consideration of a proposed whole‑building diesel generator at 185 Oakland Avenue to Feb. 26, 2025, after extended discussion about siting, screening, noise and fuel‑storage safeguards and an adjacent neighbor’s public objection to the chosen location.

Planning staff said the application included manufacturer specs and a preliminary landscape plan but lacked a detailed site plan showing exact placement, distances to adjacent structures and coordinated landscape screening. Staff recommended postponement until the applicant submits a detailed site plan and a refined landscape/screening plan.

Dan Bertolini of Arrow Heating & Cooling represented Belfor Disaster Restoration and said the specified unit would produce 72.3 decibels at 23 feet at full‑load operation, discharge upward through a top‑mounted exhaust and be diesel‑fueled with a 48‑hour run‑time tank. He said the tank is a double‑walled above‑ground tank with an alarm sensor; the generator sits on a concrete platform with stairs and service walkways. The unit’s footprint is roughly 23 feet long by 8.5 feet wide and about 10.5 feet tall including sound attenuation. He said routine test runs would be approximately 15 minutes and could be weekly or biweekly.

Neighbor Matthew Brown, who lives immediately adjacent on Ferndale Avenue, told the board the proposed location effectively places a “massive commercial generator in what is effectively the front yard of everyone on the street,” and said the siting would seriously harm the street’s aesthetics and residents’ livability. Brown told the board he would prefer the unit be placed closer to the rear parking lot, even if that requires losing parking spaces.

Planning staff and the fire marshal asked the applicant for additional information on fuel‑spill mitigation given nearby catch basins and on whether state tank permits apply; staff also asked for a site plan showing existing trees to confirm screening will be effective. The fire marshal indicated top discharge is typical and had no immediate siting objection but asked that spill mitigation and tank permitting be addressed.

Given those outstanding materials and neighbor concerns, the board voted to postpone final site plan and design review for 185 Oakland to the Feb. 26, 2025 meeting and requested a date‑certain resubmittal with a coordinated site plan, detailed landscape screening proposal and confirmatory information from the fire and building departments.

","The board postponed final site plan and design review for a proposed diesel generator at 185 Oakland to Feb. 26, 2025, after questions about siting, screening, noise, fuel storage and proximity to nearby residences; the applicant provided equipment specifications and neighbors raised aesthetic and livability concerns.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6357881,"Planning board reapproves expired site plan for 320 Martin Street with conditions",1050,1766000,2816000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2213607-5c74a8758ffeca1e6a3f351fdde1ceab&start=1766&end=2816","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2213607-5c74a8758ffeca1e6a3f351fdde1ceab/thumbnail_1766000.jpg","/articles/6357881/Birmingham-City/Oakland-County/Michigan/Planning-board-reapproves-expired-site-plan-for-320-Martin-Street-with-conditions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6357881-f1c3107ff10e153018e733b98de30fa8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163425&Signature=CgPQHVJAt0COJ2z~En3kgwS6c4olNs9BfuuAG5X8lz-dN5o9-aPCnz7~4my8X3~gFhKcGMBh7geC9Wfx91aaE7-jEg-UVUConlIRDWCx5N9JDXFXkNwPvF68Tc7nubyRlWdBZTcs1iWShhV4VJnQC7O5ijzrA1MdA82JUw5slNtzogKuwV-Xn~Op~whN~FkP5DaITxJaM-f-uAP384lMqHgLLIkuTVAkjyiY2CEFBOqNPdoFtI0-JyvCiYnjdqu~Cp1nYYKhXkOGyyN6RZvEJtcY5XkjINT~AiBpjgDIAPdt~Vui2~MtPuK~S2tT5haoB4UmYbZHPUTe-ZaAhlaFGw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Birmingham Planning Board unanimously reapproved the final site plan and design review for 320 Martin Street on Jan. 20, restoring an expired approval for a five‑story addition to the historic Birmingham post office building.

Planning staff summarized the project as a five‑story addition comprising first‑floor retail, building lobby and garage area, two floors of office space, and two upper floors with six residential units and a rooftop use. The design team emphasized materials intended to complement the adjacent historic building, with brick, limestone accents and glazing meeting downtown overlay standards.

A major change since prior approvals is the parking arrangement. Earlier designs included an automated underground parking system (previously up to about 52 automated spaces). The current plan includes on‑site parking totaling 18 spaces—still exceeding the parking required for the residential units—and a valet-operated lift system that stores vehicles on a below‑grade platform. Architect Kevin Bittison and Sam Surno of the Surno Company said the lift/elevator system is user-friendly, residents can operate it if necessary, and the valet is intended as a convenience and operational option.

Board members asked for clarification about residential floor plans and parking implications; the applicant agreed to provide residential floor plans for staff review. Planning staff recommended reapproval with two conditions: compliance with city department requests and acknowledgement that site plan approval will be valid for one year and may be extended under Article 7, Section 7.28.

The board voted unanimously to adopt the planning department findings and reapprove the final site plan and design review subject to those conditions.

","The board unanimously reapproved the final site plan and design review for a five‑story mixed‑use addition at 320 Martin Street, subject to compliance with city department comments and a one‑year approval period with possible extension.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6357884,"Planning board grants 9-month extension for Lavery Porsche site plan",323,1447000,1770000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2213607-5c74a8758ffeca1e6a3f351fdde1ceab&start=1447&end=1770","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2213607-5c74a8758ffeca1e6a3f351fdde1ceab/thumbnail_1447000.jpg","/articles/6357884/Birmingham-City/Oakland-County/Michigan/Planning-board-grants-9-month-extension-for-Lavery-Porsche-site-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6357884-b276727cfe9159ac244f90986790e2dc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163425&Signature=fSAnCcojI6nlMtAnBzvbD00WLQnR2GFtNJR61r19UVplGwKHPCtry7UQHa3v1lVEHx2a7Z3FBD1RBQuQcWnKksD5UuF7ZX5bmNvut7897iVfx9YGOE2HUfuB6KXKRuU25PiMN9-n1yVMcRbDf3r0cIbHmYB7qX55LBNsegUgPyKbV6Osdt8AiuFihNygeoPDSCmnVxTGeEIMzALec86o~yTUrHkpD1z2vNK0bxvec7V81r-JGEdJSf7XcwaHuchEItkDYeYHd52YKufYR5PHJ4LYc8C8jqoRVq0cT1hAvZrhslKgl9f1p1d0Ei7P81~Pjdz0weaXnYs0AGUxmOdJIw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Birmingham Planning Board on Jan. 20 granted a nine-month extension of the approved final site plan for the Lavery Porsche project at 34350 Woodward Avenue.

Planning staff reported the applicant’s site plan technically expired that day; the board may grant an extension of up to one year under the zoning ordinance. Tim McCafferty of Radigo, representing the Fred Lavery company, told the board the development team is approximately 60 percent complete on construction documents and is arranging financing from multiple sources, including the owner and third-party lenders, and intends to start construction in April if permitting and financing proceed as planned.

Board members discussed whether to grant a full year or a shorter extension. Some members expressed concern about permitting delays and suggested nine months as a compromise so staff review time would not threaten the applicant’s schedule. The planning board voted unanimously to grant a nine-month extension.

What happens next: The applicant will continue design work, secure financing and submit for building permits; staff will track permit progress and the extension’s expiration date.

","The Planning Board unanimously approved a 9-month extension for the final site plan for Lavery Porsche at 34350 Woodward Avenue; the applicant said financing is from the owner plus third-party lenders and construction is targeted to start in April.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Planning board recommends approval for Social Kitchen & Bar outdoor enclosure pending variance or design change

Planning board sets Feb. 12 public hearing on residential generator standards

Planning board postpones decision on Belfor restoration generator at 185 Oakland after neighbor objections

Planning board reapproves expired site plan for 320 Martin Street with conditions

Planning board grants 9-month extension for Lavery Porsche site plan