ZBA approves side‑yard setback variance for planned club at former Bako site on Northwestern Highway

The Southfield Zoning Board of Appeals on April 15 approved a side‑yard setback variance for a proposed private club and restaurant at 29410 Northwestern Highway, where the applicant plans to rebuild on the former Bako site.

The board approved a variance of approximately 21 feet 5 inches from the required calculated side‑yard setback (37 feet 8 inches required, 16 feet 3 inches proposed). The request was made under the city's zoning ordinance (Section 5.194, Article 22, Chapter 45 of the Southfield City Code). City staff recommended favorable consideration, noting the prior building on the site historically exceeded 25 feet in height and that the change in use and demolition of the previous structure necessitated reconstruction.

Clint DeSimone, an architect with Prime Design Systems representing the project, said the new building footprint largely follows the prior building and that the proposed roof‑deck height is about 26 feet. He told the board the roof deck height triggers a calculated setback in the B‑3 General Business district; "this zone has 0 side yard setback... however if you're within some certain number ... you are only limited to the 25 foot height that triggers the waiver of the 30 foot height that we're requesting," DeSimone said. He added the previous structure had peaks taller than the proposed building.

City staff read findings describing the property's context: the site is 1.57 acres with about 57 feet of frontage on Northwestern Highway and an approximate depth of 602 feet; the area contains a mix of B‑3 General Business and adjacent R‑2 residential zoning. Staff noted the demolished building had a recorded height of about 28 feet since approximately 1971 and concluded the requested setback variance was not expected to adversely affect neighboring light or open space given the historic building heights.

Board members voiced support for the proposal. Miss Libet made the motion to approve; the motion was seconded and carried with aye votes and no recorded opposition.

The applicant said the new construction will be noncombustible to accommodate the private club and smoking lounge uses and that the parapet above the roof deck (about 30 feet at the entry) was not included in the city's height calculation. The board's approval allows the applicant to proceed with the reduced side‑yard setback; the applicant must follow standard permit and building‑department procedures for final approvals.