Shell Station PUD Recommended for Approval

The Ann Arbor planning commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of a request from owners of the Shell service station at the northeast corner of Ann Arbor-Saline and West Eisenhower Parkway – to revise the zoning regulations associated with the parcel. The vote took place at the commission’s April 17, 2012 meeting.

Owners of the station are asking for revisions to the site’s planned unit development (PUD), which would allow them to build additions onto the existing 1,000-square-foot convenience store. The new additions would total 4,089 square feet, including 2,189 square feet to the north and east of the store. Their plan also calls for converting the 900-square-foot carwash area into new retail space. The existing access drive to the carwash would be landscaped, and the parking lot would be reconfigured for a new total of 16 spaces.

According to a staff memo, the PUD revisions were recommended because they are seen as providing an overall benefit to the city, by: (1) supporting the continued viability of retail options for the surrounding neighborhood;(2) creating job opportunities from this expansion; and (3) controlling the architectural design standards of this building as a gateway into the city.

The commission had postponed action on this item at its March 6, 2012 meeting. Planning staff had recommended postponement because additional information and analysis was required. That information was provided, and planning staff recommended approval at the April 17 meeting. The commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to city council.

This brief was filed from the second floor city council chambers at city hall, 301 E. Huron, where the planning commission holds its meetings. A more detailed report will follow: [link]