Troy planning commission approves preliminary site plan for Zenith mixed‑use project at Wattles and Dequindre

The Troy City Planning Commission on March 11 approved the preliminary site plan for the proposed Zenith retail and multifamily development at the northwest corner of Wattles and Dequindre, voting unanimously to grant approval subject to five conditions.

The project covers approximately 0.7 acre in the neighborhood node E zoning district and calls for a two‑story building with up to six ground‑floor retail suites and six second‑floor apartment units. The commission's motion, made by Commissioner Fox and seconded by Commissioner Malala Holly, listed conditions including bringing the north‑line landscape screening into compliance (add three trees), correcting the bicycle‑parking/landscaping discrepancy, verifying mechanical‑equipment locations, confirming the ‘‘wood’’ material will be a wood composite, and providing transparency calculations for street‑facing glazing between 2 and 8 feet above the first‑floor elevation.

Carlisle, the city planning consultant with Carlisle Votman Associates, presented the site plan and told commissioners the proposal met applicable form‑based requirements including build‑to line and height limits. Carlisle said the ordinance requires 41 parking spaces for the mix of residential and retail uses and that the applicant had provided 44 spaces. Carlisle also noted small clarifications staff wanted addressed: the precise location of bike parking, three additional trees along the northern property line to meet the screening buffer, verification of mechanical equipment location, clarification that the indicated “wood” would be a composite, and corrected transparency calculations.

Zach Hanna of RZ Engineering spoke for the applicant and confirmed a revised site plan showing the bicycle‑parking location had been submitted in February; he said the applicant would work with staff to relocate bike parking so landscaping would not be removed. Hanna said if parking is required for residential units the developer would designate spaces; otherwise the plan leaves assignment to the developer. The applicant also confirmed mechanical equipment is on the roof with screening and said the exterior will use aluminum cladding with some areas of wood composite rather than natural wood.

An owner present described active interest from prospective tenants, saying a jeweler and a boutique have expressed interest in ground‑floor space and that some parties intend to rent the upstairs units. When asked about construction timing, the owner said they were prepared to start quickly if approvals were granted.

Commissioners asked about elevators and accessibility; staff said building code requires equal access if all residential units are on the second floor and that an elevator would be required in that circumstance. Commissioners also discussed bicycle parking: the ordinance requires one bicycle rack for the development and commissioners encouraged the applicant to consider secure interior bike storage near the mail area for residents.

During discussion, commissioners praised the design and compatibility with adjacent residential areas; several called it a suitable gateway to Troy. The commission moved and seconded the preliminary site plan approval with the five staff conditions and voted unanimously. The motion authorized staff to review the minor items administratively after the meeting if the commission approved the plan.

Votes at a glance: Preliminary site plan approval for "Zenith retail and multifamily apartments," PINs 88‑20‑13‑478‑024 and 88‑20‑13‑478‑025 — Mover: Commissioner Fox; Second: Commissioner Malala Holly; Outcome: approved; Vote tally called on the record with all nine commissioners voting yes.

Next steps: the applicant must revise the plans to address the listed conditions; staff indicated these are minor items that could be reviewed administratively following the commission's approval. Any building permits and compliance with applicable building code/ADA requirements remain prerequisites to construction.