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City OKs site plan for Michigan Schools & Government Credit Union drive‑through at former PNC on Harper Avenue

5444101 · July 22, 2025

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Summary

Council approved a site plan for Michigan Schools & Government Credit Union to replace the old PNC building at 31320 Harper Ave with a new branch and drive‑through. The approval included required variances to be requested from the ZBA for building placement and façade glass percentage.

Council approved a site plan for a new Michigan Schools & Government Credit Union branch with a drive‑through at 31320 Harper Avenue, replacing the vacant former PNC building. The lender’s design team said the existing building has a water‑flooded basement, failing HVAC and electrical systems, and that a new slab‑on‑grade building is the preferred option.

Why this matters: The drive‑through branch is commercial redevelopment of a visible Harper Avenue property; the project triggers overlay‑zone requirements and several variances because the new building will not meet certain façade and setback standards in the Harper overlay.

Approvals and conditions Council approved the site plan and required engineering and permitting steps, noting several variances that must be obtained from the Zoning Board of Appeals: reduced glass percentage on the primary facade, parking in front of the building in the Harper overlay, and building location relative to the Harper center line. The council approved the design intent and directed that engineering plans addressing paving and drainage be completed as part of the building permit.

Site details and next steps Project representatives said the new branch will resemble the credit union’s Little Mac branch design; the building will be slab‑on‑grade with a canopy for the drive‑through. The credit union team is scheduled to appear before the ZBA next month for the variances. Council noted the site is in an existing retail strip with cross‑access driveways and asked the applicant to keep that access pattern intact.

Ending: Council approved the site plan subject to standard engineering and permitting requirements and the applicant’s successful pursuit of variances at the ZBA.