Zoning board grants one-year temporary permit for Yeshiva’s modular classrooms, with conditions

The Southfield Zoning Board of Appeals on Sept. 17 voted to grant a one-year temporary use permit allowing two 864-square-foot modular classroom units at 21410 and 21550 West 12 Mile Road for Yeshivas Darcei Torah.

Moshe Khan, the appellant representing the yeshiva, told the board the school is "growing by leaps and bounds" and needs additional classroom space for one-on-one services and to relieve cramped conditions. "We're asking for a temporary ... to put temporary modulars there," Khan said.

Planning staff had recommended denying the request without prejudice, citing incomplete submissions to city departments and the unauthorized removal of trees and brush in a designated woodlands area. As planning staff read in the findings, "Due to the information still outstanding to various city departments and due to the pending unresolved matters surrounding the unauthorized tree and brush removal, we are unable to ascertain if the proposed temporary use will adversely affect the character of the area or will be in keeping with the spirit and purpose of the zoning ordinance." Staff also noted the application lacked a detailed timeline of need.

Board members who supported approval said they wanted to avoid avoidable harm to students by delaying classroom space while still holding the applicant to regulatory requirements. "Why would we prevent them from having the modular structures on this property in the interim when we're in the middle of ... starting the beginning of school year?" said Mister Rogers (board member), who moved the motion. Mister Friedman (board member) said he would grant a waiver "knowing that he'd need to resolve the issues with the city." Mister Jenkins emphasized that the applicant must preserve fire access and restore the site once units are removed.

The motion, as stated by Mister Rogers and approved by the board, grants a one-year temporary use permit, renewable under the temporary-use rules for a maximum of two years, and is conditioned on the applicant working with the planning and building departments to resolve tree-ordinance, site-plan and permitting requirements. Planning staff and board members also instructed the applicant to consult with the building department and fire officials about utilities and emergency access before installation.

Khan told the board a certified surveyor has begun a full property survey and that the modular vendor and architect are in place, though he acknowledged no single professional was overseeing the entire project yet. He estimated a permanent building could take up to about two years but did not give a definitive timeline.

The board’s approval does not waive any building or site-plan requirements; the applicant must complete those reviews and obtain required permits before placing the units. The chair and board members urged Khan to move promptly on outstanding items and suggested hiring a project professional to coordinate permitting and compliance.

The board’s action resolves ZBA case 24-23 for the immediate permit request; the applicant may need to return to the planning department or board if conditions or site locations change or if additional approvals are required.