Southfield Planning Commission approves gas station, car wash, security gates and extended hours for two marijuana retailers

The Southfield Planning Commission on Sept. 25 approved a series of development and land‑use requests, including a conveyor‑style car wash on Northwestern Highway, security gates at a multifamily property on Southfield Road, a conditional rezone and new gas station/convenience store with a drive‑through on Telegraph Road, and extended weekend hours for two marijuana provisioning centers.

The actions package included: favorable recommendations and approvals for PSLU 24‑17 (26760 Lasser Road), PSLU 24‑18 (28930 Telegraph Road), PSLU 24‑19 and PSP 24‑16 (L Car Wash at 28810–28844 Northwestern Highway), PSP 24‑17 (security gates at 22277 Southfield Road), and approval of conditional rezone PC ZR2 24‑3 plus PSLU 24‑16 and PSP 24‑14 for Next Generation Development LLC at 22575 and 22599 Telegraph Road. Motions were moved and seconded on the floor and commissioners voted in favor on each item.

Why it matters: the approvals permit new commercial activity and minor changes to hours of operation that the planning department said are consistent with the city’s recently amended zoning ordinance. Several approvals carry specific conditions — for example, the L Car Wash approval requires the three subject parcels be combined into a single parcel and resolution of an identified storm‑water easement; the Next Generation gas station approvals require compliance with conditional rezoning, site security recommendations from the Southfield Police Department’s crime‑prevention bureau, and Arts Commission review of any public art feature.

Petitioners and staff comments David Moisi, manager for the provisioning center at 26760 Lasser Road, said the request before the commission was limited to extended weekend hours to align with the amended ordinance; planning staff confirmed there were no physical changes to the site and recommended a favorable outcome for PSLU 24‑17.

Owner and manager Nadia Ly said Dreams Cana at 28930 Telegraph Road wants later weekend hours "to better serve our hardworking customers" and to create additional shifts; she told commissioners the store will have armed security during those hours. Planning staff cited ordinance section 5.22(d)(8) when recommending approval of PSLU 24‑18.

Representatives for L Car Wash, including Gabe Shookman and Eric Miles, presented a revised site plan that acquires an additional parcel to improve on‑site circulation and reduce potential curb backups. The planning department recommended favorable consideration of PSLU 24‑19 and PSP 24‑16 subject to conditions including consolidation of the three parcels, compliance with permits and inspections, and implementing recommendations from the city’s Police Department crime‑prevention bureau.

Next Generation Development's team (Brian Biser, Stacy Ford and owner Ned) described design changes that reduced a proposed building from roughly 7,400 square feet to about 6,500 square feet, added parking spaces and picnic seating, and clarified hours (the gas station and convenience store to operate 24 hours; restaurant use 5:30 a.m.–9:00 p.m.). Commissioners discussed accessibility to picnic seating, snow‑storage location and labeling of EV charging on the site plan; Planner Crow noted that any public art or fountain will require Arts Commission approval and an art bond or donation before final certificate of occupancy.

Conditions, follow‑ups and clarifications The commission attached or confirmed multiple standard and item‑specific conditions: continuous compliance with applicable ordinances, codes and statutes; work to be performed under approved plans, permits and inspections; combining parcels where noted (L Car Wash); resolving the questioned storm‑water easement on the L Car Wash site before council action; securing a zoning waiver from the Zoning Board of Appeals for the security gates project; and requiring Arts Commission sign‑off or an art bond for any public art piece at the gas station site.

City staff also reported an ongoing effort to address unpermitted demolitions and renovations in the city, noting follow‑up enforcement can include stop‑work orders, corrective steps and, if necessary, fines or court action.

Votes at a glance - PSLU 24‑17 (Attitude Wellness LLC, 26760 Lasser Road) — motion to approve moved by Commissioner Martin, supported by Dr. Stevens Gun; commission voted in favor (no recorded opposition). - PSLU 24‑19 / PSP 24‑16 (L Car Wash, 28810–28844 Northwestern Highway) — motion to recommend/approve moved and seconded on the record; commission voted in favor (no recorded opposition). Conditions include parcel consolidation and easement investigation. - PSP 24‑17 (Monarch Investment, 22277 Southfield Road) — motion to approve site plan (subject to ZBA waiver and police security recommendations); commission voted in favor (no recorded opposition). - PC ZR2 24‑3 / PSLU 24‑16 / PSP 24‑14 (Next Generation Development, 22575 & 22599 Telegraph Road) — motions for conditional rezoning, special land use and site plan were moved and seconded; commission voted in favor (no recorded opposition). Requirements include compliance with conditional rezoning and Police Department recommendations; Arts Commission review required for proposed public art. - PSLU 24‑18 (HTP Telegraph LLC / Dreams Cana, 28930 Telegraph Road) — motion to approve moved and seconded; commission voted in favor (no recorded opposition).

What the commission did not decide No votes were recorded to deny or table any of the items acted on Sept. 25. Where questions remained (for example, whether an easement is public or private at the L Car Wash site), commissioners directed staff to resolve the issue before the item goes to city council.

What’s next Several items with planning‑level approvals will go to City Council for final action where required (for example, conditional rezoning). Staff said council will act on commission recommendations at its next regular meeting; the planning department will follow up on requested clarifications (easement status, Arts Commission review, ZBA waiver) prior to council consideration.

The commission approved the meeting minutes for Aug. 7 and Aug. 28, opened public comment (no speakers), received a city‑staff update about EV charging and a food‑waste study, and adjourned.