Southfield planning commission recommends rezoning, special-use approval to let Eagle Landscaping expand on West 8 Mile

The Southfield Planning Commission on Sept. 24 recommended that City Council rezone 1.61 acres at 22108 West 8 Mile Road to I1 Industrial and issued a favorable recommendation for a special land use permit allowing Eagle Landscaping to expand its operations.

Planning Department staff told the commission the application (PZR24-0013) consolidates two parcels and would bring the entire site into a single industrial zoning district. Staff said action on the matter had been deferred in December 2024 to resolve a stormwater issue; the applicant’s updated plan now routes paved-area drains to a hatched infiltration and holding area designed to meet county and city stormwater standards.

The department also noted the applicant pulled outdoor material bins back out of the front setback and screened them, eliminating two of four previously requested waivers. Staff recommended a favorable recommendation contingent on City Council approval of the rezoning, approval of an administrative site plan, and the zoning-board approval of the remaining two waivers.

Applicant representative Chad Holdwick of the Amour Group described the existing use and said the expansion uses the existing building and adds screened bulk-material bins and front parking. He told the commission the business has operated at the site for many years and described the site modifications made since the December hearing.

Chair and commissioners asked questions about staffing and site operations; Holdwick said the scope of the site change would not add employees. Commissioner comments praised the stormwater solution and the applicant’s compliance with earlier requests.

Doctor Stevens Gunn moved for a favorable recommendation on PZR24-0013; the commission voted in favor by voice vote. Commissioners then opened and closed the public hearing for the related special land use (PSLU24-0021) with no public speakers on the record for those items. Planning staff explained PSLU24-0021 is the authorizing approval for a landscape-contractor use on the consolidated parcel; Commissioner Willis moved favorable consideration, and the commission again voted in favor and issued a favorable recommendation for submission to the City Council and other required boards.

Next steps: the recommendations will be forwarded to City Council and the zoning-board-of-appeals for the outstanding waivers and final approvals.