Planning commission approves auto repair shop site plan with curb, landscaping and sign conditions

The Warren City Planning Commission approved a site plan for an auto repair shop with an expanded parking lot and open storage at 22755 Groesbeck Highway. Planning staff recommended approval subject to conditions including five copies of revised site plans and specific changes to signage, parking bumper curbs, landscape islands and a required variance for outdoor storage exceeding current limits.

Planning Director Ron Worth read a list of modifications that must appear on the revised plans: indicate the building piece in the 50-foot 9 Mile Road front setback as a legal nonconforming structure; relocate the property sign to the location required by a 1978 Zoning Board of Appeals determination or seek appropriate relief; install concrete parking bumper curbs set 5 feet from the north (9 Mile Road) and east (Groesbeck Highway) property lines; label and dimension open storage areas and obtain a variance to waive the setback and storage amount; and provide a trash enclosure and landscape updates.

The petitioner, owner Joseph Tringale, said he bought the property intending to continue operations and that bringing the lot into compliance represented a significant expense. Commissioners agreed on several clarifications — for example, that bumper curbs would prevent vehicles from overhanging the sidewalk — and the petitioner said he would remove the existing sign if necessary. The commission approved the plan and the petitioner was given two years to complete required improvements.