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Royal Oak resident urges classifying gun shops as special use after Southfield example
Summary
A Royal Oak resident urged the Planning Commission to treat firearm retail stores as a special land use after a recent Southfield case where zoning allowed a gun shop next to a daycare; staff noted the concern and acknowledged the resident had emailed planning staff.
Royal Oak Planning Commission — During public comment at the October meeting, resident Patrick McGee told the commission he had tried to stop a firearms retailer from locating next to his children’s daycare in neighboring Southfield and asked Royal Oak to consider a zoning change that would treat gun stores as a special land use.
McGee described going to Southfield’s planning commission and city commission and finding the municipality had limited ability to block the store because "sale [of] guns are just considered like the sale of a gallon of milk. It's just general retail," and therefore did not trigger a special land-use review. "So what I'm here today to ask you guys is to classify a gun store under a special use," he said, noting other uses such as adult businesses and tattoo parlors already require special review.
Planning Director Joseph Murphy acknowledged McGee had emailed staff about the matter and recorded the comment as part of the public record; there was no immediate staff recommendation or motion at this meeting. Commissioners did not take action but the item was entered into the public record for further consideration as the department continues its broader zoning ordinance review.
Next step: staff did not propose immediate code language at the meeting; commissioners indicated staff should note the concern and may incorporate public comments during the consultant-led zoning rewrite process.
