Council approves rezoning for 18-unit multifamily development at 12 Mile and Van Dyke

Warren City Council approved a standard rezoning April 20 to allow a three‑building multifamily development at the southwest corner of 12 Mile Road and Van Dyke.

Planning Director Ron Worth summarized the proposal for council: the petitioner proposes three buildings (two six‑unit buildings and one four‑unit building) totaling 18 units at the site. Worth said the master plan designates the area for traditional residential redevelopment and the Planning Commission recommended approval. He noted the zoning ordinance requires 36 parking spaces for the proposed density but the concept plan showed 31; the petitioner would need a variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals or an alternative arrangement to address the five‑space shortfall.

Petitioner Assad Silva (representing Forward Development) told council the parcel has been vacant for more than a decade and the proposed development would provide housing in a transit‑served area near the tech center. Silva said the petitioner is open to design and access changes to address planning staff concerns and that neighbors he has spoken with were generally supportive.

Councilmembers asked about access to Stanley Avenue and potential egress onto 12 Mile; the petitioner said they would work with the planning department and engineering to minimize neighborhood impacts and preferred not to place egress on 12 Mile due to traffic. Councilmember Lafferty asked whether the petitioner had alternate parking options and was told the petitioner owns a nearby strip center with underused parking that could provide overflow if needed.

Council voted to approve the rezoning; the project will proceed to site‑plan review, and council and planning staff noted the developer will need to address parking, access, and any ZBA variances during subsequent approvals.