Planning commission recommends rezoning of former Bob Evans site to C3, citing redevelopment flexibility and traffic caveats

The planning commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of RZ‑PZ26‑000096 to change the zoning of 41190 Ford Road (the former Bob Evans site, parcel 047-99-00005-001) from C4 (interchange service) to C3 (regional commercial). Patrick Sloan told the commission the rezoning would allow a standalone fast‑food drive‑through as a future special land use and would expand redevelopment options where the C4 district has been a constraint.

Staff cautioned that rezoning does not guarantee subsequent special‑land‑use approval; detailed site‑plan review will still be required. Sloan described conceptual plan concerns including the drive‑through geometry that requires a near‑180° turn to access the lane, potential need for off‑site auxiliary stacking, compliance with the 25‑foot landscape depth along Ford Road, and the need for crosswalks and pedestrian connections to adjacent hotels. He reiterated that MDOT and Wayne County must be involved in reviewing any Ford Road driveway changes and recommended converting the site access to right‑in/right‑out in advance of MDOT’s Ford Road boulevard work.

Jordan Chapman, the applicant’s representative for AMM Canton LLC, was at the meeting and said he was available to answer questions; he noted a contract to purchase the property is expected to close this summer. A hotel representative, James Orango, told the commission he was concerned about traffic, guests using hotel drives as cut‑throughs, and noise from kiosk speakers.

Commissioners expressed general support for rezoning while reserving detailed judgment to later site‑plan and special‑use review. The commission’s recommendation is advisory; any future drive‑through site plan will require traffic analysis and mitigation measures as appropriate. The roll call to recommend the rezoning was unanimous.