Council approves 10‑unit, one‑bedroom apartment site plan with landscaping and screening conditions

The St. Clair Shores City Council on May 4 approved a site plan permitting a new 10‑unit, one‑bedroom apartment building on a narrow infill parcel near 12 Mile and Jefferson, subject to multiple conditions and required variances.

Russell Investments introduced the proposal; architect James DuBard (speaker 16) answered technical questions about unit mix and configuration. Planner Liz Cotto (speaker 18) told council the petitioner would need variances from the Zoning Board of Appeals to allow more than 30% of the side/rear yard to be used for parking and for carports larger than the accessory‑structure standard. She also said the petitioner agreed to add significant landscaping on the 12‑Mile frontage to screen the building.

Council member Frederick moved approval with a list of conditions that the council read into the record: installation of parking blocks for perpendicular spaces adjacent to the public sidewalk; any on‑site lighting must be shielded from adjacent residences; landscaping plans must include underground irrigation; mechanical equipment (including roof‑mounted equipment) must be screened from view; air conditioners must be placed at the rear of each unit; required ZBA variances must be obtained for parking coverage, one‑bedroom unit allowance, and carports encroaching within the required setback. The motion was supported and passed 7–0.

Council members praised the design and the petitioner’s willingness to add screening and berming where feasible. The architect said a one‑bedroom mix was necessary to make the layout and parking work on the narrow parcel.

By approving the site plan with conditions, council authorized staff to proceed with administrative steps provided the ZBA grants the necessary variances or the petitioner revises the plan to comply with existing standards.