Planning Commission recommends zoning-text changes to allow mixed-use in OS-4 corridor, updates parking rules
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Summary
Farmington Hills Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend Zoning Text Amendment 3 of 2024 to City Council, revising OS-4 Office Research district standards to allow more mixed-use development along the 12 Mile–I-696 corridor and updating parking rules to include bicycle facilities and EV-ready conduits for multifamily projects.
The Farmington Hills Planning Commission voted unanimously April 16 to recommend that City Council adopt Zoning Text Amendment 3 of 2024, a package of changes that would loosen use and design rules in the OS-4 Office Research district along the 12 Mile Road–I‑696 corridor and revise municipal parking standards.
The amendment would revise permitted and special-approval uses and adjust area, height and bulk standards “to create greater flexibility and move toward this more mixed-use district,” consultant Joe said during the commission’s public hearing. “Right now this district is just entirely oriented toward large, stand alone, highly separated office uses. So, this is sort of a first step toward meeting that goal of the master plan to create more of a place in this corridor between 12 Mile and 696.”
Why it matters: the changes concentrate on the small amount of OS-4 zoning south of 12 Mile and are intended to support redevelopment and allow uses beyond stand-alone office campuses. The amendment also updates parking rules citywide for certain uses that the consultant described as “antiquated,” adds bicycle parking requirements where none existed, and requires new multifamily projects to install conduit for future electric‑vehicle chargers rather than immediate chargers.
Commissioners discussed the packet amendment versions before the vote. Commissioner Countigan noted a revised version on desks that removed an extra space tied to state‑required accessible parking; Joe confirmed the later packet incorporates that change. Commissioner Brickner described the parking adjustments as “a step in the right direction” but urged further reductions for certain uses such as banks, which he said now have low inside occupancy because of drive‑through service. Brickner said he would support the amendment while urging future refinements.
The commission closed the public hearing after no members of the public came forward to speak and then moved to recommend the amendment to City Council. Cheryl (clerical roll-call) recorded unanimous votes in favor.
Next steps: the recommendation will go to City Council for formal consideration; the City Council packet and any additional edits will determine final ordinance language.
