Canton Township's Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of a drive-through coffee shop to replace The Bowery on Ford Road and a rezoning that would clear the way for a fast-food restaurant at the former Bob Evans site nearby, according to minutes from the commission's June 1 meeting.
The minutes were published on the township website July 20. All votes were 8-0, with Commissioner Singh absent.
Bayt Al Mocha at 41275 Ford Road
The commission recommended a Special Land Use for Bayt Al Mocha, a drive-through fast food restaurant proposed for the current Bowery site on the south side of Ford Road between I-275 and North Haggerty Road. Najim Saymuah of CDPA Architects and Planners represented the applicant.
Approval came with three conditions: installation of a separating median at the Ford Road entrance to create a right-in/right-out-only driveway, satisfactory review of that driveway by MDOT, and revisions to the site plans approved by Canton Municipal Services staff before Township Board review.
The Bowery was still operating as of the June 1 meeting. The applicant said demolition would begin only after development approvals are obtained, and the land sale is contingent on the project moving forward.
Commissioner Foster supported the project but raised concerns about traffic and how the development would interact with a future boulevard construction project on Ford Road.
Former Bob Evans site at 41190 Ford Road
The commission also recommended rezoning the former Bob Evans parcel at 41190 Ford Road from C-4, Interchange Service to C-3, Regional Commercial. AMM Canton, LLC, represented by Jordon Chapman, is the applicant.
Chair Zuber noted that signs on the submitted plans indicate the proposed tenant is Chick-fil-A. Chapman said he does not have a signed lease with that tenant but has a contract to purchase the property, with the sale expected to close in summer 2026.
James Orango of Canton Field Hotels, located at 5700 N. Haggerty Road, spoke at the public hearing. He raised concerns that the development could push traffic through hotel roads and that drive-through noise could disturb guests.
Two projects postponed
The commission voted 8-0 to postpone a Future Land Use Map amendment for Tri-City Assembly of God on South Sheldon Road. The church sought to reclassify its parcel from Low Density Residential (2 dwelling units per acre) to Medium Density Residential (4 dwelling units per acre). Staff recommended the delay pending traffic safety information for the Sheldon/Geddes and Sheldon/Michigan Avenue intersections.
Foster noted that a 2018 Road Improvement Plan identified the Sheldon-Geddes intersection as a priority and that coordination with other agencies will be needed.
Autumn Ridge Apartments Phase III at 250 S. Lotz Road, proposing two 8-unit apartment buildings with attached garages, was also postponed. The applicant, Benjamin Tobin of T.G. Canton, Inc., needs to address architectural plan modifications and crosswalk adjustments before returning.
Other business
The commission approved site plan modifications for Canton-Western Wayne at 44508 Geddes Road, allowing a 6-foot solid fence in place of a required wall or landscaped berm. It also approved a temporary outdoor dining permit for Beyond Juicery and Eatery at 42645 Ford Road, allowing a 16-seat patio.
Both the Bayt Al Mocha and Ford Road rezoning recommendations still require Township Board approval. Meeting agendas and minutes are posted at cantonmi.gov.
