The Grosse Ile Township Planning Commission approved a site plan for a major renovation and expansion of the Airport Inn restaurant, including a new barrier‑free vestibule, an enclosed outdoor seating area, an expanded parking area and a dumpster enclosure, subject to conditions and further reviews.

Applicant representation included architect Dan Boggs and owner/contractor representatives. The project proposes an expanded outdoor patio (enclosed when liquor is served), a new vestibule and an increase in parking capacity achieved by a new rear lot. The property is zoned C-1 (commercial); staff cited Article 6 (C-1 district) and Article 21 (site plan review) as relevant ordinance provisions.

A central point of discussion was the proposed surfacing for the new parking area: the applicant proposed gravel, citing site constraints and the absence of an available storm drain connection; planning staff and the commission noted the zoning ordinance requires hard surfacing or an alternative authorized by the township engineer. Commissioners discussed cost, stormwater connections, winter maintenance and pedestrian safety. The applicant said paving with storm sewer connections could add substantially to cost (an owner cited a $150,000 estimate to extend storm lines), and that the rear lot would be used seasonally when the patio is open. Commissioners expressed a preference to move forward if the township engineer does not object to gravel as an alternative surfacing; they asked staff to secure engineering input.

Other conditions the commission required or discussed included: additional landscape/buffer clarifications, relocating the waste receptacle/enclosure slightly north or removing two parking spaces to create maneuvering room, provision of details for the fence and dumpster enclosure, confirmation on outdoor seating hours/noise mitigation and compliance with the ordinance requirement to store outdoor furniture in winter, and full engineering and fire‑marsh al reviews and any required revisions. The commission also asked for a plan note on snow removal and maintenance.

The commission moved to approve the site plan subject to the items in staff’s review letter (items 5, 9, 10 and 12 referenced by staff), engineering/fire‑marshal review and resolution of the gravel-surfacing question with the township engineer; the motion passed on a vote recorded by voice (all in favor). The applicant was directed to submit revised plans reflecting the agreed conditions.