Clawson ZBA approves temporary outdoor dining permit for Pandemonium at 84 W. 14 Mile Rd.

The Clawson Zoning Board of Appeals approved a temporary outdoor-dining permit for Pandemonium, a restaurant at 84 West 14 Mile Road, allowing outdoor service July 1 through Nov. 1 with conditions on safety equipment, layout and hours.

The permit — approved by a 4-0 roll call vote — allows up to about 40 customers outside in a footprint the applicant listed as roughly 1,300 square feet. The board attached conditions including a commercial Underwriters Laboratories fire-resistance rating for the primary canopy, at least one 10-pound ABC commercial-grade fire extinguisher kept within 10 feet of any in-use heat-producing equipment, preapproval and inspection of any propane heaters by the fire marshal, a requirement that structures not extend into the right of way or cross property lines, and a requirement that the applicant submit a revised layout plan to city staff before operation. The board also set Sunday hours to begin at 11 a.m.

Andy, a city planner who presented the case to the board, said the property already has site-plan approval for a permanent outdoor patio and that temporary use permits may be granted for up to six months. "The request tonight is, for a temporary use at, 84 West 14 Mile Road, the Pandemonium restaurant," Andy said, noting the board could impose reasonable conditions related to structures, timing and removal.

Owner Robert D'Eco said the outdoor service is intended to help the business bridge a gap while the interior build-out continues. "We're losing money," D'Eco said. "We would like to keep our name out there ... and start giving taste, you know, samples. This is not gonna be the full menu, by any means." He told the board the food will be prepared off-site and final cooking will be done on grills brought out each service night and then stored overnight in a pods unit on the property.

Board discussion focused on public-safety and nuisance issues. A board member recommended abundant trash receptacles in the downtown area; the applicant agreed to place multiple containers. The board also discussed music and noise limits under the city's existing noise ordinance and asked that any proposed heaters be approved by the fire marshal before use. The Oakland County Health Department signaled it must approve the operation before service begins, and the fire marshal will inspect tent construction and on-site safety equipment.

The applicant provided specifics about seating and equipment: four standard tables and two high-top tables for a maximum outside capacity of roughly 40 people; a proposed primary canopy of 20-by-20 feet (the packet initially included a 10-by-10 option the applicant said would be removed); a porta-john to be sited between an on-site pods unit and the rear of the building; and nightly breakdown and secure storage of grills and fryers. The applicant told the board Oakland County would inspect the operation and, per his account, would inspect approximately every two weeks.

The board required the applicant to submit a revised layout to city staff (Nick in the planning/building office was named as the city contact) that reflects the conditions discussed — including trash cans, porta-john location, fire extinguishers and removal of the smaller tent — and said the applicant would not need to return to the board if the revised plan meets the directions provided.

The motion to approve the temporary use, with the conditions described above, passed on a roll call vote in which Mr. O'Rourke, Ms. Perkins, Ms. Diane Smith and Mr. Carpenter voted yes. The board noted it was a four-yes approval with one member absent. The applicant said he hoped to open as soon as the fire marshal, health department and city staff completed their inspections and approvals.

What happens next: the applicant must file the revised layout with city staff, obtain the inspections/approvals listed by the fire marshal and the Oakland County Health Department, and comply with the city's noise and public-safety requirements while operating the temporary outdoor area.