Is assisted living or senior housing allowed in Birmingham's residential districts?
Only as a special land use. The R1A through R3 special land use lists include assisted living, independent senior living, and skilled nursing facilities. An adult foster care group home, by contrast, is a permitted use in those districts.
The decision rests with the City Commission after the Planning Board reviews the site plan and design (§§ 7.33-7.34). The process includes published, mailed, and posted notice (§ 7.35) and six approval standards (§ 7.36). Conditions attached to an approval are recorded in the Commission minutes (§ 7.37).
Neighborhood opposition has a formal channel. A protest petition signed by owners of 20 percent of the land within 300 ft forces a five-sevenths Commission vote instead of a simple majority (§ 7.35). Plan an early conversation with the Planning Division at 248-530-1850 before committing to a site.
Sources
Full text: Birmingham ordinance on enCodePlus. Applies to districts: R1A, R1, R2, R3.
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