The Eastpointe Planning Commission on Dec. 4 voted to recommend city-council action on zoning amendments that would explicitly regulate adult‑use recreational marijuana establishments the same way the city currently regulates medical marijuana for buffer distances, parking and related site standards.

City planner Mister Abbeel described the package as “housekeeping” to align the zoning ordinance with an earlier change in the city code that allowed adult‑use retail. The proposed changes add an adult‑use definition tied to state law, adopt the same buffering restrictions and set parking minimums (one space per 300 square feet of usable floor area plus one per employee).

Several commissioners voiced concerns about how the buffer rules would operate in practice. Chair John DeHolt and others noted that an existing project, Common Citizen, sits close to a licensed childcare and said the “spirit” of buffering could be undermined in that circumstance. DeHolt said he expected the ordinance as drafted would be forwarded to council but wanted the concern on the record: “the spirit of this is going to be violated,” he said.

Why it matters: the commission’s recommendation clears the way for the city council to adopt zoning language that will govern where adult‑use marijuana retailers may locate and how they must provide parking and screening. The discussion highlighted tension between a uniform code update and site-specific proximity concerns where childcare facilities are nearby.

Outcome: the commission voted by roll call to recommend the proposed language (memo dated 11/20/2025) to city council. The recommendation followed a duly noticed public hearing; no public speakers spoke during that hearing portion. Staff and counsel confirmed the wording ties to the state act enabling adult‑use marijuana and that the notice requirements were met.

Common Citizen and court timeline: commissioners and members of the public also raised Common Citizen — a separate project discussed elsewhere on the agenda — and asked whether the site would violate the updated buffer requirement. Building official Mister Myers said Common Citizen received a court order that allows it to proceed with permit applications and that the court set a six‑month timeline to complete the required work; the city still requires final drawings and state approvals before occupancy.

Next steps: the city council will consider the recommended ordinance amendments; the commission’s referral does not itself change zoning until council acts.