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Planning commission backs Harvest Health remodel with design‑departure approvals at 6807 Cascade Road
Summary
The commission recommended site-plan approval and granted departures from six design-review standards for Harvest Health at 6807 Cascade Road, citing substantial exterior improvements, reduced on-building signage and Village Design Review Committee support.
Cascade Charter Township’s Planning Commission on March 16 reviewed a site-plan renovation for Harvest Health at 6807 Cascade Road and recommended approval of the plan with departures from multiple design standards.
Staff summarized the proposal (case 253905): exterior renovations, a remodeled vestibule, a fenced dumpster enclosure, screening for mechanical equipment, new materials (brick veneer, faux wood siding, fiber cement lap), roof shingle replacement and a new parapet to break up long facades. The Village Design Review Committee reviewed the elevations and recommended granting departures from six subsections of section 8.08; staff included two conditions in its recommendation requiring compliance with standard lighting and future signage permits.
Applicant Mitchell Knowles introduced himself on the record and explained the project would not expand the building footprint substantially but would add a vestibule and modest interior retail area (approximately 500 square feet). He told the commission the owners plan parking-lot repairs and utility screening behind the building. "We're gonna add the vestibule...we're gonna gain maybe 500 square feet of actual retail space," Knowles said.
Commission discussion centered on departures from design standards, pedestrian access and whether adding sidewalks to connect the rear parking area was feasible given grade changes and existing utilities. The commission heard that the building currently meets few of the village design standards and that the proposed improvements would bring the property closer to the village character without requiring a full rebuild.
A motion to approve the site-plan review for case 253905 — granting departures from subsections 1, 3, 4, 7, 11 and 12 of section 8.08 and noting that sign allowances under the Thornapple Center PUD must be addressed separately — passed by voice vote. Staff will include the required lighting and signage conditions in follow-up materials and the applicant will pursue any PUD text amendments for signage via the separate PUD process.
