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Planning board postpones decision on Birmingham Towers after late parking report
Summary
The Birmingham Planning Board voted 5–1 on June 25 to postpone consideration of a special land use permit and final site plan for 479 South Old Woodward (Birmingham Towers) to July 23 after the applicant submitted a parking/engineering report the afternoon of the meeting; staff will circulate the document to consultants for review.
The Birmingham Planning Board on Wednesday postponed action on a special land use permit and related final site plan for 479 South Old Woodward — known as Birmingham Towers — after the applicant submitted a parking and engineering analysis to the city the afternoon of the meeting.
Chair Scott Klein said the document, which staff received in the late afternoon, had not been vetted by city staff or the board's consultants and therefore could not reasonably form part of a recommendation to the City Commission. "We cannot take any action on your proposal tonight because we have a significant submittal from you that has not been vetted," Klein said, adding that taking action on unreviewed technical material would risk due process concerns.
Patrick Howe, attorney for the applicant, told the board the traffic/parking analysis was forwarded to staff "as a courtesy" and that the consultant would present a short analysis if the board permitted. Doreid Marcus, identified as an owner of Birmingham Tower Partners, apologized for the timing and offered to withdraw the report if that would ease the board's concerns: "There was no disrespect meant to the board," Marcus said.
Several residents of nearby Birmingham Place addressed the board during public comment, urging either rejection of the untimely submission or additional review. Kate McNevin said she cut short a vacation to attend and asked that the parking commission and engineering team be involved; Sam McKnight, representing Birmingham Place's residential board, said the city attorney should be consulted and suggested the submission could be ruled untimely.
Board members and staff noted practical complications: staff confirmed a City Commission public hearing is scheduled for July 14, but the commission will not act on the item without a recommendation from the Planning Board. Director Mister Dupuis and other members said they would circulate the late submittal to relevant consultants, including traffic reviewers, before the board's next appearance on the matter.
A motion to postpone consideration of the special land use permit and final site plan to Wednesday, July 23, 2025 carried by voice roll call; Chair Klein recorded the vote as 5 in favor and 1 opposed. The board directed staff to review the new material, consult city consultants as needed, and return with technical analysis before the next hearing.
What happens next: staff will review the parking/engineering document and, if necessary, request supplemental analysis from the applicant or independent consultants. The item remains scheduled for a City Commission public hearing on July 14, but the commission is expected to wait for the Planning Board's recommendation before final action.
