Farmington Hills City Council approved an amendment to Planned Unit Development No. 1 (2015) allowing CorWell Health Farmington Hills Hospital to replace a 10‑foot‑8‑inch freestanding monument sign at its Grand River Avenue entrance with a new 12‑foot‑tall, 6‑foot‑wide monument sign and to update the building wall sign to read “CorWell Health Farmington Hills Hospital.”

Planning staff said the change requires an amendment because the current PUD limits the campus sign height. The Planning Commission conducted public hearings in October and November 2024 and recommended approval. Jill Boehm, the city’s planning consultant, summarized the PUD process and said the proposed change is a limited deviation to improve vehicular visibility and campus identification.

Claire McCready and Anne Frass of Sign Works of Michigan presented on behalf of the applicant, explaining the new monument would be slightly narrower than the existing sign but taller to improve sight lines and to make the emergency/directional information clearer to motorists. Dirk Pronger, president of CorWell Health Farmington Hills Hospital, was present for questions.

One member of the public spoke in favor, saying the updated signs improved visibility and were tasteful in design. Councilmember Randy Bruce moved approval and said visibility for an emergency facility is a safety issue; the motion directed the city attorney to prepare a PUD agreement reflecting the approved deviations and noted the Planning Commission conditions. The council approved the amendment by voice vote with no recorded opposition.