Equinox approved for former BMW site

Bloomfield Township trustees approved a site plan review and special land use request for a proposed New York-based Equinox Health Club for the former BMW dealership at 4065 W. Maple Road, at their meeting on Monday, October 23.

Located on 3.3 acres on the south side of Maple Road just east of Telegraph, the site was previously occupied by Erhard BMW Bloomfield. Patti Voelker, township planning, building and ordinance director, told trustees that the applicant, along with the building owner, wants to renovate the almost 48,000 square foot existing building to accommodate Equinox Health Club, along with landscape improvements. The health club meets existing zoning ordinances, she said.

In its special land use/site plan application, the company, which operates 85 full-service clubs throughout the United States, Canada and UK, stated, “Equinox is the leading operator of upscale, full service health clubs offering fully integrated fitness, spa and retail services in a multi-site format. Equinox has a disciplined and thoughtful approach to growth that has led to its success and strong track record, having never closed a location in its over 25 years of trade.”

The proposed fitness club will be completed to have open fitness and exercise areas for cardio, strength and stretching; fitness studios; lounge and relaxation areas; a lap swimming pool; a retail area and cafe selling related sportswear, accessories, snacks and drinks; and ancillary spaces such as locker rooms, showers, spa treatment rooms and laundry. It will be open daily.

Voelker said they needed a special land use request because they are seeking to operate beyond the township’s approved operating hours. Equinox, she said, is looking to be extend their hours of operations from 5 a.m to 11 p.m., Monday through Friday. “The proposed hours for Saturday and Sunday comply with 7 a.m to 9 p.m. provisions of the ordinance. Any use with hours of operation beginning earlier than 7 a.m. or ending later than 9 p.m. is considered a special land use,” Voelker said.

Existing driveways off Maple will be expanded to provide greater circulation, with one ingress lane and two egress lanes. There are 213 parking spaces, with 30 covered spots in the rear of the building.

Trustees voted 6-1, with Dani Walsh opposing, to approve he site plan and special land use request.