Former Country Day School to become a home

By Lisa Brody

An introduction to a lot split request for the former Detroit Country Day School located at 3600 Bradway Boulevard, which would allow it to be renovated into a large single family home along with two other single family lots, received unanimous support from Bloomfield Township trustees at their meeting on Monday, June 14.

Jordan Jonna of AF Jonna Development, along with Detroit Country Day School, submitted the lot split request for the 3.39 acre property, to create three residential lots with the existing school structure, which was built almost 100 years ago as Bloomfield Village School in Birmingham Public Schools, to be renovated as a single family residence.

Jonna indicated it would be a home for him and his young family.

Patti Voelker, director of planning, building and ordinance, said the building has been vacant for a period of time. The site is zoned R-2, which is single family, which can also be used for such uses as schools and religious buildings.

“This is unique because it fronts on three sides,” Voelker said. She said the lot split would create lot A, which would be a 99,000 square foot property with the school building, fronting on Bradway and Lahser lot B, which would create a 24,500 square foot property, fronting on Tuckahoe; and lot C, a 23,800 square foot property fronting on Tuckahoe and Lahser. She said it met all of the zoning ordinances. However, improvements to the school, to create a residential home, would likely need to go before the township's zoning board of appeals.

“The applicant is currently working on drawings, and is consulting with the township,” she said. “They have applied for a commercial demolition permit, and then would apply for a residential permit.”

“I'm looking forward to taking this almost 100 year old school and turning it into a private home,” Jonna said. “It's an opportunity to create a one-of-a-kind home, and moving from within Bloomfield Village, one home to another.”

Right now he said he has no plans to sell off the lots, and would depend on what he encounters with the renovation of the school building. “The two lots would create a buffer between the homes on Tuckahoe,” he said.

A public hearing is scheduled for Monday, June 28, for final approval of the lot split.