The Canton Township Planning Commission voted to postpone action on the Cherry Hill Village Plaza planned development district application (PDD/MPZ25000012) for 49960 Cherry Hill Road until the applicant submits revisions addressing design and code compliance.

Staff planner Patrick Sloan told the commission the proposal is a three‑story, mixed‑use building on two vacant parcels in Cherry Hill Village. The project largely follows a previously approved 2006 plan but requests several modifications from the Cherry Hill Village overlay district design guidelines — including a front‑yard setback of between 0 and 2.67 feet, a three‑story height where the overlay limits buildings to two stories, and design departures involving storefront window patterns and exterior materials. Sloan said the plan proposes 80 on‑site parking spaces (the ordinance baseline would require 90), and that an Institute of Transportation Engineers study included in staff materials supports the 80‑space proposal.

Why it matters: Commissioners said the building’s massing, materials and ground‑floor details could set a visual precedent in Cherry Hill Village. Several commissioners praised the architecture but raised concerns about compatibility with nearby masonry buildings and the overlay’s design objectives.

Commissioner discussion focused on several compliance items the commission wants resolved before forwarding a recommendation to the township board: whether the proposed front yard setback and the requested three‑story allowance fit the area; how storefront fenestration and upper‑floor window patterns align with the design guidelines; whether the proposed dark/gray building materials should be revised to match adjacent red/brown masonry; and parking and loading arrangements.

Project sponsor Frank Devaja confirmed the project includes Level‑3 EV fast chargers and said the units would serve area residents. "These EV chargers will be the level 3 EV chargers, fast chargers that we currently have on Michigan and Beck," Devaja stated.

Motion and outcome: Commissioner Watkins moved to postpone action pending five deliverables staff identified: (1) add a loading space; (2) revise lighting to comply with the Cherry Hill Village guidelines (including traditional green fixture options); (3) provide a dumpster enclosure designed to meet the zoning ordinance and add a sidewalk between the building and the enclosure; (4) submit a PDD/PD agreement (to record any granted parking relief and other modifications) for township legal review; and (5) revise building designs to show screening for roof‑mounted mechanical equipment and address façade/massing details. Commissioner Singh supported the motion. The roll call recorded an affirmative vote by Commissioners Foster, Lee, Mallett, Singh, Wather, Watkins, Weber and Chairperson Zuber; the motion carried.

Next steps: Staff will expect the revised plans and the PD agreement before the commission forwards a recommendation to the township board. The commission held the public hearing, but no members of the public spoke on this item during the hearing.

Speakers quoted or cited in this article were present in the meeting record and attributed as spoken: Patrick Sloan (planning staff), Frank Devaja (project sponsor), Commissioner Watkins (mover), and Commissioner Singh (support).