Rochester Hills tightens zoning ordinances

Rochester Hills planning commissioners on Tuesday, May 15, recommended approval for several zoning ordinance amendments proposed by city staff.

The proposed amendments were the result of planning and building staff, who worked on the amendments with the city's attorney, John Staran.

The proposed amendments address tightening language regarding conditional uses; criteria for discretionary decisions during site plan reviews; adding personal service establishments, such as barber shops, beauty parlors and other businesses, as permitted uses in office business districts; aligning requirements for outdoor play areas to match the state's requirements; provisions regarding roadside stands and markets; defining accessory structures; fence ordinances; and sign inspections.

The commission also recommended approval for an amendment to zoning ordinances in flex-business districts to change hotels from permitted uses to conditional uses. The proposed change follows feedback from the public regarding a proposed 89-room hotel near Meijer on Auburn Road, east of Rochester Road. That project was denied by planning commissioners in March following residents' concerns about traffic and safety.

The proposed changes will now go before Rochester Hills City Council on June 4 for consideration of approval.