Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Conditional Rezone topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Planning commission backs recommendation for conditional rezoning of former car wash after stormwater-driven design changes
Summary
The Royal Oak Planning Commission voted to recommend a conditional rezoning to the city commission for a proposed multifamily redevelopment on North Main Street after the petitioner described a site redesign prompted by stormwater constraints and proposed permeable-asphalt capture with an overflow to Main Street.
The Royal Oak Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of a conditional rezoning for the former self‑serve car wash on North Main Street after the petitioner described engineering findings that forced a redesign.
Dennis Cowan, representing 1225 Flats LLC, and Jason Krieger, the project designer, told the commission they initially sought approval for a larger building but discovered a shallow storm sewer to the north and high costs — roughly $450,000 — to connect south under Crooks. Krieger said the team revised the plan to reduce the building footprint and height, remove rooftop units, add green space and a pedestrian walkway, and capture stormwater on‑site using permeable asphalt with a 6‑inch emergency overflow connection to the Main Street storm sewer. “We’re capturing pretty much everything,” Krieger said, and the revised plan keeps the same parking count while lowering bedroom count compared with an earlier concept.
Commissioners pressed the team on sanitary versus stormwater handling and on whether the prior car wash discharged to a combined sanitary system; Krieger said sanitary flows go to the alley and the design separates sanitary from storm flows. City staff — Joseph Murphy, director of planning — confirmed the commission’s recommendation would be a single vote forwarding a conditional rezoning, accompanied by a development agreement and site plan attachments that the petitioner must still satisfy.
Several commissioners said the site’s lack of conventional storm infrastructure made the permeable‑asphalt solution a reasonable alternative if approved by the city engineer. Commissioner Cantina called the petitioner’s revised approach “innovative” and said staff’s conditions address remaining concerns. On a motion to recommend approval with staff‑listed conditions, the commission voted in favor with no recorded opposition. The item will go to the city commission for final action.
