The Clawson Planning Commission on Aug. 12 approved a special land use and the site plan for Hamilton Animal Hospital at 1523–1537 North Main Street, contingent on the applicant obtaining a variance for the residential setback and completing agreed site improvements.

The commission voted to approve the special land use and, later, the related site plan. Approvals were conditioned on the Zoning Board of Appeals granting a variance to allow the animal hospital use within 100 feet of a residential boundary (the planner said the measured distance on the submitted survey is about 80.5 feet), and on the applicant sealing, re-coating and restriping the rear parking area. The commission also required that any new or changed signage comply with the city sign ordinance and be processed administratively.

Planning staff said the proposal would combine the building’s north and south suites so the animal hospital occupies the entire structure. Staff reported no building footprint changes, that 20 parking spaces are provided at the rear (exceeding the stated minimum requirement of 11), and that engineering review was waived. City departments including police, fire and public works indicated the plan as presented was acceptable pending the conditions noted by planning staff.

Beth Williams, the project designer, told the commission the applicant planned primarily interior renovations and that she did not intend to replace the existing, longstanding sign; she also said the site uses two large recycling bins and four garbage bins and that current waste collection is handled weekly. Williams said staff parking currently uses the alley and that customers primarily use the north-side entrance off the parking lot.

Commissioners discussed whether sign review is an administrative matter or within the Planning Commission’s purview. Planning staff noted signs are generally reviewed and permitted administratively for minor facade changes but that the commission retains the authority to condition site plan approvals on visibility or health-and-safety concerns relating to signage.

Motion and votes: The commission approved the special land use and then the site plan with the conditions described above. Roll-call votes recorded by the clerk were recorded as yes from Commissioners Kucera, Redmond, Solomon, Tinland, Carpenter and Harrow for both actions.

Why it matters: The commission’s conditions aim to balance the applicant’s plans to expand operations inside a built-out lot with neighborhood concerns about setbacks, parking condition and signage. Requiring the variance and the parking work ties the administrative approvals to demonstrable mitigation of those impacts.

Next steps: The applicant must obtain the Zoning Board of Appeals variance for the residential setback and complete the parking repairs and restriping. Any new or altered sign will proceed via administrative sign permitting; the commission said it could condition approvals further if a sign presents a visibility or safety concern.

Votes at a glance: Special land use (1523–1537 N. Main): approved, roll call yes — Kucera, Redmond, Solomon, Tinland, Carpenter, Harrow. Site plan (1523–1537 N. Main): approved, contingent on variance and site conditions; roll call yes — Kucera, Redmond, Solomon, Tinland, Carpenter, Harrow.