Planning commission reviews proposed seven‑story mixed‑use project on Big Beaver; variance needed for rear setback

Troy Planning Commission members reviewed a preliminary site plan on Jan. 28 for a seven‑story apartment building proposed behind an existing office at 363 West Big Beaver, but took no formal action and urged the applicant to refine parking, pedestrian access and façade details.

The plan calls for two stories of parking topped by two five‑story residential towers (a total of seven stories), with about 110 units sized roughly 600 to 1,200 square feet, a large third‑level outdoor gathering terrace and extensive green roofs, planning staff said. The applicant is seeking a variance from the zoning board of appeals for the Big Beaver form‑based district’s 40‑foot rear yard setback because the new building is proposed at the rear property line.

Planner comments and commission questions focused on parking, shared‑parking arrangements, pedestrian connections and how the new structure will relate to the existing office building on the site. Planning staff said the zoning ordinance calls for 359 spaces to serve the combined office and residential uses; the applicant proposes 233 spaces: 192 on site plus 41 in shared‑parking easements with an adjacent hotel property at 575 Big Beaver. "They are providing 233. They are seeking a shared parking release…