The City of Southfield Planning Commission on April 30 recommended that the existing gas station at 25826 Southfield Road be allowed to add alcohol sales and a carryout restaurant to an already approved site plan (PSLU25-0003).

Planning staff said the site plan approved in 2024 remains in effect and no elevation changes were proposed; the carryout will occupy space that was previously planned as additional convenience-store area. The property is zoned B-3 and the uses are consistent with the city's local mixed-use future land plan.

Why it matters: the added carryout and alcohol sales will expand retail and food options at a busy intersection and may support a small local operator transitioning from a nearby storefront into a larger, dedicated kitchen space.

Applicant and operator
Applicant Andrew Atisha (address given as 25826 Southfield Road) and Robert Kerma spoke for the project. Planning staff described the planned food operator as a family business currently operating a small kitchen at an existing local liquor store; staff said the operator is known locally as Lily Bell’s and that the operator’s current workspace is about 250 square feet.

Timing and operations
When Commissioner Dr. Stevens Gunn asked, the applicant said they will submit plans to building and the Michigan Department of Health after approvals and hope to have a turnkey kitchen for the operator by August. Planning staff listed proposed hours: gas station and convenience store 5 a.m. to midnight; carryout 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. The applicant confirmed intent to post signage and notify customers when the new service is available.

Formal action and next steps
The commission voted to forward a favorable recommendation to City Council for PSLU25-0003; the recommendation removes a site-plan-related condition (item a) because the site plan was previously approved in 2024. Staff said council will consider the special-land-use request at the next council meeting and asked the applicant and operator to attend if possible.

Commissioners encouraged the applicant to engage directly with the operator to communicate the new location to current customers and to place notice on-site when the carryout opens.