Planning commission approves 30-day seasonal fireworks sales permit at 2200 North Haggerty Road

The Canton Township Planning Commission voted to approve a 30-day seasonal sales permit for Storm Fireworks LLC to operate a 20-by-20-foot temporary tent for retail fireworks at 2200 North Haggerty Road from June 19 through July 5, 2026.

Patrick, a planning staff member from Canton Township, presented the application (item ZCSS-PZ26-00113) and told commissioners staff recommended approval with five conditions tied to section 6.02(Q) of the zoning ordinance: ensure all vehicular-use areas are paved or fenced off (so circulation does not occur on unpaved demolition areas), turn on required parking-lot lighting for nighttime sales or supply alternate lighting, limit temporary parking-space reduction to no more than 10% of required spaces and maintain a 22-foot two-way drive aisle, show a method to control ingress and egress on revised plans, and locate the trash receptacle in the northeast corner as shown on plans. “These are just some application and supplemental documents to round out the application,” Patrick said, listing the application, lot rental agreement, state certification and insurance the applicant provided.

Applicant representative Youssef Ishmael said he brought renderings and asked about logistics. He told the commission he would adjust cone placement at the entrance to improve vehicle flow and said state licensing requires minimum distances from fuel pumps and propane refueling points: “The state’s okay … as long as you’re 50 at least 50 ft away,” he said. Patrick confirmed the proposed tent location is 50 feet or more from fueling equipment and explained the local ordinance requires vehicle circulation and parking to be on paved surfaces while allowing the tent itself to be sited on the unpaved former-building footprint if vehicular circulation is kept on paved areas.

Commissioners discussed whether the tent should be moved further south to increase separation from the gas-station pumps, how to preserve two-way circulation, and whether staff could work with the applicant to reduce the cone/barricade area on unpaved surfaces to maintain maneuverability. Patrick said staff believed the outstanding circulation and cone-placement comments could be addressed through revised plans and recommended conditions.

Commissioner Malott moved to approve planning application P26-00113, subject to submitting revised plans that comply with section 6.02Q of the zoning ordinance and obtaining tent and sign permits and building inspections; the motion also authorized staff to approve annual renewals for seasonal sales permits that have no material changes. The motion, supported by Commissioner Wauther, passed with seven yes votes and one no (Commissioner Singh voted no). Commissioners who voted yes included Chairperson Zuber, Commissioners Lee, Foster, Malott, Wauther, Webber and Watkins.

After the vote staff and commissioners clarified that the delegation to staff is intended to reduce repeated commission review for routine, unchanged seasonal permits and that a future ordinance amendment could codify the approach for recurring seasonal sales by retailers.

The permit approval is conditional on the applicant submitting revised site plans that address the staff conditions and obtaining applicable building and inspection permits before the seasonal operation begins.