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Planning commission recommends 12‑month extension for adaptive reuse of former Annie Leup school
Summary
The commission voted to recommend a 12‑month site‑plan extension while the developer pursues state financing for the adaptive reuse of the Annie Leup school at 27700 Southfield Road, citing unchanged site conditions and ongoing work with the Michigan State Housing Development Authority.
The Lathrup Village Planning Commission on Feb. 17 recommended that city council grant a 12‑month extension to the approved site plan for adaptive reuse of the former Annie Leup school at 27700 Southfield Road.
The commission’s recommendation came after staff said the approved plan “adequately represents current conditions” and remains consistent with zoning. City staff explained the developer must secure low‑interest construction financing through the Michigan State Housing Development Authority to close a funding gap before breaking ground.
Jordan Sherman, vice president at the Stern Company, told the commission the developer has been working with the state and expects approval for a special low‑interest construction loan in the second quarter. “We’re getting great feedback from the state,” Sherman said, adding the project was likely to require 18–24 months of construction once started.
Sherman presented renderings showing preservation work for the school’s brick facade and interior spaces, plans for resident co‑working and community meeting space inside the school building, and roughly 40,000 square feet of on‑site green space. He said apartments will occupy wings adjacent to the school while the core school building will be refurbished for community uses.
Staff reminded the commission that the ordinance requires construction to commence within 12 months of approval or for the applicant to request an extension; final completion also carries a 12‑month completion clock once construction begins. Because the project is large, staff and the applicant anticipated the need to return for future extensions once construction commences.
A commissioner moved to recommend the full 12‑month extension, citing the applicant’s ongoing work with the state and the ordinance’s limits. The motion passed with no recorded opposition and will be forwarded to city council for final action.
Next steps: the developer awaits the state financing decision and will coordinate building permits and engineering reviews with city staff if financing is approved.
