The Clawson Planning Commission on Aug. 12 postponed action on the site plan for a proposed primary caregiver facility at 860 Badder Avenue after staff and commissioners identified multiple outstanding technical items the applicant must address.

Planning staff said the site is roughly 0.33 acres and that the use is allowed in the I-1 (Limited Industrial) district under the city’s primary caregiver standards adopted in 2021. Staff summarized that primary caregivers are permitted to have up to three caregivers with up to 72 plants each (216 plants total) under the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act for medical uses; the city’s ordinance imposes additional site standards the applicant must meet.

Key issues the commission flagged included parking and the measurement method used to calculate required spaces, the lack of a final photometric (lighting) plan, an odor-control/air-filtration specification, evidence that each caregiver suite meets minimum room-size requirements and will be lockable, documentation of state primary-caregiver licenses, and confirmation of sewer/stormwater agreements with the neighboring property and the City of Troy. The engineering reviewer (AEW) also requested confirmation of utility connections and noted some items removed from the preliminary plan that may need to be formalized before approval.

Planning staff and the AEW engineering review recommended the commission require the applicant to submit a complete set of engineering responses, formalized utility agreements or easements where needed, a detailed landscaping plan with species and sizes, a lighting/photometric plan showing fixtures and cutoffs, and a detailed odor-control plan (activated carbon, scrubbers or similar — ozone generators are restricted by the ordinance).

Brad, counsel for the applicant, said the applicant would provide supplemental materials including lighting plans, technical specifications for carbon filtration and clarified access and keypad-controlled entry for individual caregiver rooms. He also said video surveillance and a 45‑day retention period for footage is part of the security plan and that the applicant would work with staff on trash/waste handling for plant clippings and other biomass.

Action and next steps: The commission moved to postpone the site plan and to require a resubmittal that addresses the items identified in the AEW engineering report and staff memo: parking clarification with ordinance citations, signed agreements or easements for sanitary/storm sewer connections (including coordination with the City of Troy where needed), a detailed landscaping plan, a photometric lighting plan, odor-abatement technical specifications, verification of caregiver state licenses, fire-department review and approval of fence/gate access, and a compliant dumpster/trash handling plan. The motion passed by roll call: Commissioners Carpenter, Harrow, Kucera, Redmond, Solomon and Tinland voted yes.

Why it matters: The project raises technical and interjurisdictional issues — particularly sewer/stormwater connections that run to facilities outside Clawson’s system — and the commission deferred to the AEW engineering review and the fire marshal for public-safety and infrastructure verification prior to approval.

Votes at a glance: Site plan (860 Badder Avenue): postponed; roll call yes — Carpenter, Harrow, Kucera, Redmond, Solomon, Tinland.