Commission waives solid-fence requirement, approves Waterford Elite Motors site plan

The Waterford Township Planning Commission approved a special-approval request Tuesday that allows Waterford Elite Motors to operate a used-vehicle dealership at 6205 Highland Rd.

Director Jeffrey Polkowski said the subject site’s original site plan from 1987 left some required landscaping and stormwater improvements unbuilt; the applicant proposes to install those improvements and to use a screened outdoor area for vehicle display. The outdoor display currently is screened by a chain-link fence that does not meet the ordinance’s solid-fence standard, and the commission considered whether an effective waiver was appropriate given existing conditions and visibility.

Applicant Abe Ismail said the surface is currently gravel and that he intends to add additional gravel; he also described the fence as approximately 6 feet tall and functioning in winter conditions. Commissioners discussed cross access to a neighboring restaurant and asked staff to confirm required tree plantings and landscape details.

On a motion moved by Commissioner Grant Smith and supported by Commissioner Steve Printz, the commission approved the special approval with conditions. Conditions include addressing staff comments prior to final approval, allowing staff to finalize site-plan details, reserving the commission’s right to modify or revoke approval for code violations or safety concerns, waiving the solid-fence requirement while requiring screening material in good condition attached to the existing 6-foot chain-link fence, and planting fir trees where indicated on the site plan.

The approval advances the business’s ability to display vehicles outdoors while requiring corrective landscaping and screening measures. The transcript records the approving motion but does not include a roll-call tally for this item.