Planning panel approves Falmouth pool and court with stricter screening and drainage review

The Bloomfield Hills Planning Commission on Tuesday approved a grading variance and side-yard fence for a large pool and sport-court project at 684 Falmouth Drive, imposing additional landscaping and drainage conditions after residents raised concerns about runoff and views into backyards.

The commission voted to approve the site plan and grading variance with the following conditions: the side-yard fence on the south side must run straight back from the house rather than angle out; the applicant must add additional year-round evergreen screening on the southwest corner to block views of the sport court and pool area; final plant species, locations and installation details are subject to city manager (staff) approval; and staff and the applicant will further review opportunities for additional stormwater mitigation to reduce the likelihood of water pooling at the low point that neighbors identified.

Why it matters: Neighbors and commissioners said the property sits above a natural drainage course that has historically collected water behind multiple lots. When trees and underbrush that once slowed sheet flow were removed during site clearing, residents said the potential for standing water and downstream impacts increased. Commissioners sought both visual privacy for neighboring homes and technical assurance that the project will not worsen drainage for properties downstream.

What the commission heard: Staff and the applicant described the revised proposal as scaled back from an earlier design. Eric Peach, the planning consultant, said the applicant moved the spa and reconfigured terraces so grading impacts were reduced. City engineering staff explained earlier plans included fills up to 10 feet; the revised plan shows maximum fills of about five feet in limited areas and added steps and terraces to soften grade changes.

On drainage, the city engineer and HRC’s reviewer told the commission they had reviewed on-site mitigation: trench drains, dry wells, French drains and reconfigured grades intended to direct additional runoff to the existing storm system rather than increasing flow to the natural channel. “We feel comfortable with this,” HRC’s reviewer said during the meeting when asked whether the proposed dry wells and infiltration measures would handle the changes proposed on the site.

Neighbors remained concerned about the long-term effects of removing trees that previously absorbed water. A neighbor who lives immediately south urged additional measures and described the low-lying canal behind the properties as a place where water can “turn into a swamp” in heavy rains.

On screening and privacy: The applicant’s landscape team offered a mix of evergreens, maples and serviceberry plantings along both south and north property lines. Commissioner Susan McCarthy and other members pushed for more year-round evergreen screening at the southwest corner — the view point neighbors cited — and the applicant agreed to add material as directed by staff. Architect David Luben told the commission the required masonry wall and mechanical screening are shown on the approved architectural plans.

Applicant and neighborhood response: The homeowner’s team emphasized they have revised the plans repeatedly in response to commission comments, that the design team will finalize planting locations to be effective and durable, and that neighbors provided written approvals in the packet where available. One landscape professional said the plan adds a mix of plantings and will include large evergreen specimens intended to provide near-term screening.

Next steps: City staff will finalize the planting list and locations as part of the building-permit and site-review process; engineering staff will follow up with the applicant’s consultant on additional on-site mitigation options (for example, additional dry well capacity or rain-garden features) and verify as-built drainage after construction. The project may also require homeowner-association approval independent of the city’s decision.

The commission concluded its action after a motion that included the screening and drainage conditions and a roll-call voice vote that passed unanimously.