Planning board recommends approval for on‑premise alcohol and indoor‑footprint outdoor dining at 168 West Maple
June 25, 2026 | Birmingham City, Oakland County, Michigan
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On June 24, 2026, the Birmingham City Planning Board voted unanimously to recommend approval of a special land use permit and the final site plan and design review for the property at 168 West Maple, clearing the way for a restaurant to serve alcoholic beverages on site and to add outdoor dining within the existing building footprint.
Planning staff lead Leah Blinsky said the applicant applied through the city’s beastro process and that staff found the proposal met the approval criteria in the zoning ordinance. “We did recommend approval,” Blinsky said, noting the design keeps the outdoor dining on private property and within the existing footprint. She told the board the plan includes a recessed terrace with a sliding glass "nano wall," eight tables and about 30 seats, modest planters anchored to a capped knee wall, overhead fans, and slatted shade awnings that would project over the sidewalk but remain at least 10 feet above grade.
The applicant’s architect, John Gardner of Eagleman Gardner Architects, described finishing and resilience details and said the team responded to prior feedback from staff: “We did everything you wanted us to do,” he said, describing mechanically fastened planters and transparent glass doors that allow light into the space.
Under the board’s motions, approval is conditioned on compliance with requests from all city departments and adherence to the findings in the planning report. The board cited zoning article 7 (special land use section 7.36 and site plan/design review standards) in its motion. The board’s recommendation also notes the applicant must obtain an annual outdoor dining license from the city and enter into the special land use permit contract at the city commission before operations commence.
Board members asked procedural and technical questions about how the awning is anchored and which city division reviews structural support; staff identified the building division as the reviewer for structural compliance. The applicant confirmed the glass separation will be a sliding glass system and that interior tile will extend into the outdoor terrace.
The board’s action was a recommendation to the Birmingham City Commission; final authorization for the special land use contract and the outdoor dining license must be completed at subsequent city‑level steps.
Planning staff lead Leah Blinsky said the applicant applied through the city’s beastro process and that staff found the proposal met the approval criteria in the zoning ordinance. “We did recommend approval,” Blinsky said, noting the design keeps the outdoor dining on private property and within the existing footprint. She told the board the plan includes a recessed terrace with a sliding glass "nano wall," eight tables and about 30 seats, modest planters anchored to a capped knee wall, overhead fans, and slatted shade awnings that would project over the sidewalk but remain at least 10 feet above grade.
The applicant’s architect, John Gardner of Eagleman Gardner Architects, described finishing and resilience details and said the team responded to prior feedback from staff: “We did everything you wanted us to do,” he said, describing mechanically fastened planters and transparent glass doors that allow light into the space.
Under the board’s motions, approval is conditioned on compliance with requests from all city departments and adherence to the findings in the planning report. The board cited zoning article 7 (special land use section 7.36 and site plan/design review standards) in its motion. The board’s recommendation also notes the applicant must obtain an annual outdoor dining license from the city and enter into the special land use permit contract at the city commission before operations commence.
Board members asked procedural and technical questions about how the awning is anchored and which city division reviews structural support; staff identified the building division as the reviewer for structural compliance. The applicant confirmed the glass separation will be a sliding glass system and that interior tile will extend into the outdoor terrace.
The board’s action was a recommendation to the Birmingham City Commission; final authorization for the special land use contract and the outdoor dining license must be completed at subsequent city‑level steps.
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