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Planning board hears Plan 2040 progress, presses for clarity on Woodward road diet and tree canopy work
Summary
Staff reported progress on Birmingham Plan 2040 on March 11, including coordination with MDOT and neighboring cities on a proposed Woodward Avenue road diet and ongoing items such as Elm Street realignment; board members urged sustained advocacy on the road diet and recommended routing the tree canopy improvement plan through sustainability and parks boards for additional expertise.
Planning staff updated the board on Birmingham Plan 2040 at the March 11 meeting, reporting completed and in‑progress items and linking several actions to the zoning‑ordinance rewrite. Staff said the city has formally submitted a road‑diet application for Woodward Avenue but that that application has been put on hold while MDOT completes a broader Woodward corridor planning process. "We submitted that road diet checklist or an application formally and officially several years ago," staff said, adding that the corridor planning exercise has paused some work and that the city continues to advocate for a road diet in its segment.
Board members said the state and neighboring communities’ plans will shape what the city can accomplish locally. One board member urged continued emphasis on safety and beautification and said coordination with Royal Oak and other nearby municipalities is essential.
Staff also reviewed other Plan 2040 tasks — Elm Street realignment (permitting and rebuilding underway), park planning and establishment of a sustainability board. On tree canopy, members questioned whether the planning board or other bodies should lead the effort. A committee member suggested sharing the tree canopy improvement plan with the sustainability and parks and recreation boards and adding more arborist expertise. Staff said the city now has several certified arborists on staff and recommended cross‑board collaboration for tree‑related work.
No formal votes were taken on Plan 2040 items at the meeting; staff asked the board to review plan materials in advance of April and to prepare for more detailed discussion as the zoning rewrite proceeds.
