Planning Commission backs rezoning, special use and site plan for proposed oil-change at 24412 Southfield Road

The Southfield Planning Commission on Dec. 18 recommended rezoning a 97-foot portion of 24412 Southfield Road from OS (office service) to B‑3 (general business), recommended approval of a special land use for an oil-change business and approved the project's site plan subject to conditions.

Planning staff told commissioners the proposal would allow construction of an oil-change facility, add sidewalks where none exist now, provide 88 parking spaces and bike parking, and include a brick-pattern wall facing adjacent residences and a right‑turn-only sign during peak hours. The plan shows the building centered on the lot with a curb cut on Southfield Road; staff noted drainage ditches and that the petitioner must coordinate site engineering with the city engineer and Oakland County.

Petitioner Ali Murray (26398 Savone, Dearborn Heights) told the commission she observed traffic at nearby 10 Mile and Mount Vernon and did not expect ingress and egress to be problematic; she offered to adjust signal/turn timing if necessary and emphasized the business would bring jobs and improve the property’s appearance.

Planning staff recommended a favorable recommendation for rezoning (PZR24‑008), a favorable recommendation for the special land use (PSLU24‑0014) and approval of the site plan (PSP24‑0011) with conditions. Staff listed standard conditions: final rezoning approval by the City Council, site-plan approval by the planning department, required waivers from the Zoning Board of Appeals for certain setbacks, the petitioner’s implementation of Southfield Police Department Crime Prevention Bureau recommendations, and continuous compliance with applicable codes, laws and permits. Staff also described operating hours (Monday–Saturday 8 a.m.–8 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.) and noted the right‑turn restriction on the plan.

Commission discussion focused on traffic and the timing of the proposed right‑turn restriction; one commissioner asked the planning department to consult the city engineer and police on appropriate hours (commissioners suggested considering earlier peak periods such as 3–6 p.m.). Dr. Stevens Gunn moved to accept the planning department’s favorable recommendation on the rezoning; the motion was seconded by Commissioner Willis and the commission recorded the recommendation. Dr. Stevens Gunn also moved favorable recommendation for the special use and moved to approve the site plan; those motions were supported and approved by the commission, with the site-plan approval conditioned on the rezoning and required waivers.

The commission recorded that the site-plan approval is final by this body but remains contingent on City Council rezoning action and any Zoning Board of Appeals waivers. Planning staff said the petitioner must submit detailed site engineering to the city engineer and to Oakland County before permits are issued.

Next steps: staff will forward the rezoning recommendation to City Council for final action; the petitioner will coordinate stormwater and right‑of‑way work with the city engineer and Oakland County. The site plan will proceed administratively for permit checks once those items and any required waivers are resolved.