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Planning commission approves warehouse conversion at 900 Auburn and marijuana retailer at 547 E Walton
Summary
The commission approved a special-exception and site plan for a warehouse/distribution use at 900 Auburn (sealer store) with spill-containment conditions, and separately approved a retail marijuana site at 547 E Walton after design changes including landscaping, buffering and reduced driveway widths.
The commission approved two distinct site proposals after staff concluded each met zoning and site-plan standards.
900 Auburn — Warehouse/Distribution (Sealer Store): Staff recommended approval of a special exception to allow storage and distribution of packaged finishes; the applicant said product is pre-packaged and outlined secondary‑containment and spill‑remediation protocols (absorbent materials sometimes called “spill sausages/pigs” and berming for palletized materials). The commission approved both the special-exception and the preliminary site plan with a waiver to permit more parking than the ordinance maximum, after the applicant committed to additional landscaping and a masonry trash enclosure. A public commenter urged careful stewardship of adjacent Spring Lake.
547 East Walton — Pontiac Ops retail marijuana: Staff recommended approval of the special exception and site plan after applicants revised the site layout to move and narrow the Joslyn driveway, add a deep landscaped buffer to the north, and add brick or masonry screening along the residential edge. Several neighbors raised concerns about odor, visibility from back lots, and proximity to a nearby church and a baseball field; applicants described carbon filtration, photo‑hydroionization and a 24‑hour security program and committed to an enclosed brick trash area and dense landscaping. The commission approved the special exception and the site plan.
The approved site plans include conditions and standard permit checks (building permits, signage permits and state licensing for marijuana retailers); staff and the commission emphasized that any operational violations (nuisance, odor, off‑site impacts) can trigger code enforcement and potential rescission of approvals.
Next steps: Applicants to complete building permits and state licensing; neighbors and staff will monitor compliance and can report violations to code enforcement.
