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Council approves special land use for 12 Mile Road gas station; variances still required from ZBA
Summary
Berkley council approved a special land use request (M51-25) to allow a gas station, convenience store and accessory restaurant near 12 Mile Road in the Gateway District, subject to conditions and required variances (dumpster location and driveway spacing) that the Zoning Board of Appeals must decide or the applicant will need to modify the site plan.
On June 16 the Berkley City Council approved motion M51-25, granting a special land use request (PSU 0125) for redevelopment of three parcels on 12 Mile Road into a roughly 7,000-square-foot gas station and convenience store with an accessory restaurant. Community Development Director Kristin Kaplansky told the council the site plan already has planning commission approval subject to conditions; the special land use approval before council is contingent on those conditions and the applicant obtaining several variances from the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA).
Kaplansky explained that under the prior zoning ordinance gas stations are a special land use in the Gateway District and that two variances likely will be required: dumpster placement and southeastern driveway spacing. If the ZBA does not grant the requested variances, the applicant may alter the site plan to meet ordinance standards rather than return to council. Planning staff and several council liaisons characterized the planning commission hearing as unusually positive, noting strong community support during that meeting.
Eric Williams of Stonefield, speaking for the applicant, said the design team could reconfigure driveways or parking if a variance is not granted and emphasized efforts to minimize traffic impacts on adjacent residential streets. The applicant (identified in public remarks as Jamelle) thanked the council and said he looks forward to operating in the community. Council members voiced support as consistent with downtown vitality goals but asked a clarifying question about contingency plans if the ZBA denies variances; the applicant described possible driveway closures or parking reconfigurations.
The motion passed on a roll-call vote. The approval is limited to the special land use as conditioned; outstanding zoning variances remain the responsibility of the applicant and the ZBA to resolve before full site plan finalization and building permits.
