Planning commission recommends conditional rezoning and special‑use approval for 27777 Franklin; opponents cite spot‑zoning concerns

The City of Southfield Planning Commission voted unanimously March 25 to recommend that city council approve PCZR26‑0001, a conditional rezoning of about 4.7 acres at 27777 Franklin from Regional Center (RC) to I‑1 industrial, and PSLU26‑0002, a related special‑use permit that would allow a landscape contractor yard accessory to an office on the site.

The commission’s recommendation follows a staff presentation of proposed conditions that limit permitted uses to an outdoor landscape storage facility accessory to the adjoining office building, bar retail sales to the public (except order pickup incidental to the contractor business), require screening and fencing, restrict bulk materials to below screening walls, require stormwater controls and compliance with the city’s lighting, noise and hazardous‑materials rules, and make site plan approval and recording of conditions a prerequisite for rezoning to go into effect.

Planner (speaker 9) summarized the restriction package and said the conditions are intended to ensure the landscape yard operates as an accessory office…