Commission approves community and K‑12 education center at Ryan Road site, flags private hydrants and ZBA variances

The Warren City Planning Commission approved, with conditions, a site plan to convert a retail strip at 26688 Ryan Road into a community center and K‑12 after‑school education program operated by an Islamic community organization. The project would reuse existing retail space for classrooms, activity space and a hall for community events; petitioner representatives said programs will serve up to about 150 students and rely on parent drop‑off rather than school buses.

Multiple technical reviews identified required corrections and code issues. Fire and water reviewers reported two private fire hydrants on the property are set too low and do not meet 2021 International Fire Code/NFPA24 standards; the hydrants must be repaired and reset by the property owner before any fire suppression systems are disabled for renovation. Water division staff noted the hydrants are on a private water main installed without an easement and that the property owner is responsible for the work; the city indicated it would not fund those repairs. Planning staff recommended plan revisions (parking dimensions, removal of cart corrals, lighting shields, wall repairs) and identified likely variances needed at the Zoning Board of Appeals for driveway spacing near the 11 Mile/Ryan intersection, existing lot coverage above the 30% maximum and parking setbacks from property lines. Staff recommended a performance bond of $15,000 based on estimated costs; commissioners noted the hydrant work could increase that amount once precise costs are known.

Neighbors raised questions about potential tax impacts, parking overflow and traffic. Petitioner and staff said the center’s after‑school hours will generally run 4:30–8:30 p.m. on weekdays and that on‑site parking exceeds required minimums in staff calculations (petitioners stated site provides more spaces than required). The petitioner said the banquet/assembly space would host occasional community events, not a regular high‑traffic schedule.

The commission approved the site plan with the listed conditions and required the petitioner to pursue necessary variances at ZBA and to provide revised plans addressing hydrant adjustments, parking dimensions and required recorded documents. Staff will check hydrant repair cost estimates and may adjust the performance bond before building permit release.

Next steps: petitioner to submit five copies of revised plans, secure variances where necessary, obtain any required construction permits and ensure hydrant repairs are completed by a licensed contractor before suppression systems are disabled.