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Planning Commission approves Ace Hardware outdoor-sales area with conditions
Summary
The Harrison Township Planning Commission approved a special land use and site plan allowing Ace Hardware at 25990 Crocker to establish a permanent outdoor sales, display and storage area, subject to conditions addressing fire-marshal items, screening-wall details, ADA parking placement and temporary sign permits.
The Harrison Township Planning Commission voted May 15 to approve a special land use and site plan allowing Ace Hardware (25990 Crocker) to establish a permanent outdoor sales, display and storage area in an existing parking lot.
Adam Young, the township planner, presented the application and said the proposal seeks approval for outdoor promotional uses and storage near Metro Parkway. Applicant Bryan Saad told the commission the area nearest Metro Parkway will be used for promotional displays such as barbecues and seasonal flowers and confirmed the proposal is permanent. Saad said the applicant will keep storage at or below the existing screen wall and that lighting has been adjusted to be dimmer.
Several nearby residents voiced concerns during public comment. William Vogan asked about parking, the number of spaces, lighting and the height of dirt piles; Jim Senstock questioned whether a case can proceed to the Township Board with unapproved minutes; C. William Bardill asked if a side entrance would be open year-round. Dennis Greiner, identified as a partial owner of the Ace Hardware, told the commission that items sit below the wall and explained the homeowner’s elevation makes stored items appear taller.
Commissioner Mike Viazanko raised a compliance issue relating to handicapped parking, saying that for mercantile uses ADA spaces must be located in the area closest to the building entrance rather than moved across the lot. The applicant agreed to shift the accessible spaces along the side of the building rather than relocating them across the parking lot.
Township Engineer John Tanner advised that if the applicant fills a ramp area the fill should be compacted and use materials matching the existing parking-lot construction. Chair Carol Murray summarized a Fire Marshal Shackett letter that listed items that must be corrected before the fire department would have no objection; she also read that Selfridge Air National Guard Base reported no issues with the proposal.
The commission reviewed the eight special-land-use standards in the zoning ordinance and approved the request by a roll-call vote. Members Danielle Devlin, Amanda Oparka, Mike Viazanko and Chair Carol Murray voted aye; there were no nay votes; three members were excused. The approval is subject to conditions: (1) outdoor sales and storage limited to items customary to the business at that location; (2) all items listed in the Fire Marshal's letter are addressed; (3) items stored along the perimeter not exceed the current height of the screening wall; (4) accessible parking comply with shopping-center ADA placement rules; (5) tenants obtain temporary sign permits from the township when using temporary signs; and (6) the development-impact statement is waived. Members amended the motion to require a drawing of the proposed concrete screen wall and specifications for any fill used in the ramp/well area per the engineer’s recommendation.
The commission’s approval is limited to the special land use and site plan as conditioned; the file shows follow-up items (screen-wall details, fill specifications and fire-marshal corrections) that must be addressed before final administrative sign-off.
