Planning commission approves ‘Fire and Ice’ sauna and cold-plunge at 12 Mile Road with conditions

The Warren Planning Commission on the evening approved a special land use permit for a sauna and cold-plunge facility at 8333 12 Mile Road, permitting a commercial wellness business that will operate with app-based bookings and separate male and female locker rooms.

The applicant, Tom Petzel, described the proposed Fire and Ice Plaza Ice Spa as having three saunas (a quiet sauna plus communal saunas) and individual cold-plunge machines. Petzel said bookings would be handled via an app with roughly 10 slots available every 15 minutes and individual visits limited to about an hour. He said the facility would have one full-time on-site attendant and that the cold-plunge units would have manufacturer filtration; water would be changed roughly every two days and kept to vendor standards.

Planning staff recommended approval with conditions that must be met before city-council action and building permits are issued. Those conditions include revised site plans showing building height and updated ADA-accessible parking counts, additional evergreen plantings along the north property line (approximately one tree every 25 feet), a landscape legend with approved replacement species (Eastern redbud or serviceberry were suggested), and a two-year window for the petitioner to complete conditions or face revocation. Staff also noted two prior bonds associated with Tech Plaza projects that should be administratively released if those projects are complete. A performance bond of $10,500 was recommended based on an estimated $350,000 of improvements; staff additionally recommended a $1,000 bond to cover tree-line gap remediation.

During discussion, a commissioner asked whether medically trained staff would be on-site. Petzel said the receptionist or on-site attendant would likely not be medically trained but that CPR training could be an option and that the facility would have protocols to summon appropriate emergency help. Commissioners also asked about water treatment for the cold plunges; Petzel said the individual units have filtration systems and would be maintained and cleaned according to manufacturer guidance.

No members of the public spoke during the public-hearing portion on the item. A commissioner moved to approve the special land use with staff conditions and the reduced bond recommendation; the motion passed by roll call with affirmative votes from the commission. The commission wished the applicant luck with the project.

The approval includes the full set of conditions described by planning staff; the applicant must submit revised plans and comply with the listed landscape, parking and performance-bond requirements before final administrative actions.