Commission approves redevelopment of former Randolph Fence site with conditions; fence materials and dumpster location remain subject to variances

The Farmington Hills Planning Commission approved a site plan Oct. 16 to redevelop a constrained light‑industrial property at 29008–29082 Nine Mile Road (former Randolph Fence site), authorizing building re‑use, new parking, and perimeter improvements subject to conditions and identifying several variances the applicant must pursue.

The applicant proposes to retain and refurbish the larger existing building for light industrial/warehouse use, remove a small 720‑square‑foot outbuilding, install a new parking layout and replace an existing chain‑link perimeter fence with new screening. Staff described the property as highly constrained — including property lines that intersect roadway pavement — and noted several pre‑existing nonconformities such as building setbacks and limited lot width. Because of the lot’s geometry, staff said a dumpster enclosure, a required fifth parking space and a designated loading zone cannot all be accommodated in the usual interior locations and may require variances.

Why it matters: The site occupies a visible corner and its redevelopment converts an underused, partly derelict parcel into an occupied property. Commissioners and neighbors…