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Commission approves paired Ford Road restaurant sites with drive‑throughs; MDOT driveway approval required
Summary
The commission approved two adjoining site plans for restaurants with drive‑through lanes on Ford Road (parcel addresses 27131 and 27105), subject to coordination with MDOT on shared driveway/access management and standard engineering, stormwater and safety conditions.
Duval Heights Planning Commission members approved two related site plans on Oct. 9 for commercial redevelopment on Ford Road: applications for 27131 and 27105 Ford Road propose new restaurant buildings with drive‑through lanes and outdoor seating. The commission approved both site plans, adding a condition that final approvals be contingent on MDOT driveway permits and coordination for shared access management across adjacent parcels.
Planning staff’s review of the two proposals noted the similar preliminary nature of the submissions and highlighted missing information that is typically required for full site plan approval: detailed stormwater calculations (Wayne County standards apply where impervious area thresholds are exceeded), complete demolition and survey plans, and clear vehicle circulation and stacking detail for drive‑through operations. Staff told commissioners they had discussed access management with MDOT and that MDOT authorities prefer minimizing the number of direct access points to Ford Road; the state is expected to require a consolidated access plan for the string of adjacent parcels.
The applicants said they will combine parcels and provide a shared access arrangement intended to reduce the number of curb cuts onto Ford Road and to coordinate traffic flow between the two sites and neighboring properties. Commissioners discussed circulation, fire and garbage‑truck turning movements and confirmed those items would be verified during engineering review. Commissioners voted to approve both site plans with conditions that the applicants secure MDOT driveway approvals and complete required engineering and stormwater documentation prior to final permits.
Public comment at the hearing was light; a nearby resident and property owner spoke in general support of reinvestment and said the shared‑access concept would improve safety compared with multiple uncoordinated curb cuts. The commission’s approvals were contingent on MDOT approval of access and standard departmental sign‑offs.
Next steps: applicants to submit full construction documents and MDOT driveway permit applications; engineering review will verify stormwater, circulation, turnaround provisions for emergency vehicles and drive‑through stacking.
