Planning commission recommends drive‑through and approves site plan for former bank at 27100 Lassiter

The City of Southfield Planning Commission on July 29 recommended approval of a special land use for a drive‑through restaurant and approved the related site plan to convert the former Comerica bank at 27100 Lassiter into a small multi‑tenant commercial center. Planning staff said the proposal includes a coffee shop with a drive‑through, a carry‑out restaurant and a retail/office unit, and that the revised plans address parking, landscaping, and a relocated dumpster enclosure.

Planning staff noted the site meets Neighborhood Shopping (NS) district standards and recommended a favorable finding subject to conditions including compliance with police department security recommendations and the requirement that work proceed only with city permits and final inspections. "Hours of operation for the coffee shop, Monday through Friday, 6AM to 7PM, Saturday 7AM to 8PM, Sunday 7AM to 7PM," the planner told the commission before members negotiated broader hours; commissioners ultimately agreed to expand hours to 5 AM–10 PM daily to avoid repeated returns for minor hour changes.

Applicant Art Gappy, who gave his address as 27050 Lassiter Road, said the team moved stacking for the drive‑through behind the building to reduce conflict with the sidewalk and street. "We took the 3 cars that was stacking on the side of the building... so now all the stacking is behind the building. So it's gonna avoid traffic," Gappy said. Architects and staff also described revisions including an expanded dumpster enclosure designed to accommodate a grease trap for the carryout restaurant and an ADA‑accessible EV parking space.

The commission voted in favor of the recommendation and the site plan; the planner reiterated that the special land use approval still requires City Council action. The site plan approval was recorded as approved by the commission subject to the special land use being granted by council and the listed conditions.