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Planning commission backs zoning rules for drone facilities, sends recommendation to city council
Summary
The Southfield Planning Commission unanimously recommended PTZA26-00001, a zoning text amendment that defines drone operations and sets review thresholds for drone ports, to city council. Staff said the rules aim to allow innovation while managing safety and neighborhood impacts.
The Southfield Planning Commission voted unanimously Jan. 28 to recommend a zoning text amendment that would add definitions and land‑use rules for drone ports and drone‑related operations to the city zoning code.
Staff presenter Mr. Pman said the proposal, PTZA26-00001, creates definitions for “drone” and “drone port,” identifies where drone operations can be accessory uses and where they may be a principal use, and establishes a tiered review process. “We are looking to clarify with regard to the review process for permitted locations and configurations of drone court facilities,” Mr. Pman said during the presentation.
Under the amendment as presented, small drone ports (about 15% or less of a site) would be handled through administrative site‑plan review; large drone ports (greater than 15% of a site) would require planning commission site‑plan review with mailed notice but not a public hearing; and major drone ports (over 50% of a site) would be treated as principal uses requiring a special land‑use approval and a public hearing.
The draft also calls for screening of rooftop ports similar to rooftop mechanical equipment, fencing or landscaping for ground ports to protect the public, and compliance with the city’s existing unmanned aircraft operating ordinance where applicable.
Commissioners asked staff to monitor the threshold language, which uses percentages of site area, and noted the ordinance can be amended if a future pattern of exploitation or unintended consequences appears. Commissioner Griffith said the amendment “gives you a chance to modify it as the actual projects and uses come closer to home.”
No members of the public spoke at the opened public hearing. Planning staff recommended a favorable recommendation to the city council, and the commission approved that recommendation unanimously. The planning commission’s favorable recommendation moves PTZA26-00001 to the City Council for consideration and any further public hearings or ordinance enactment.
