Bloomfield Township Changes Zoning for China Village

The Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees approved a zoning variance Monday night to allow a liquor license for the property currently occupied by China Village.

The restaurant, at 1655 Opdyke Rd., is currently zoned B-1 with residential and office spaces surrounding it, and needed a community-business classification to be able to serve alcohol.

China Village is open and operational, however, it is unlikely to remain there as the property owners hope to develop a new restaurant site.

John Secco, president of the Bloomfield Hills Center Inc., said that the change is necessary to improve the chances of having a restaurant that will attract business to the complex and remain viable. The former bank building has housed three other family-style restaurants since 2003.

He said that each of prior owners attracted good crowds for breakfast and lunch, but not dinner, which forced many out of business. The lack of dinner fare is primarily due to no liquior license, he said.

"It just became apparent without enough dinner business, there was not enough sales volume to support a restaurant," he said. "We have tried, but under existing conditions, owning a family style restaurant, they need a another tool in the toolbox to serve their customers."

No one from the restaurant spoke at Monday's meeting.

There was no indication Monday of what other business is interested in the location or if the property owners eyed a particular chain.

"There has been no determination from the applicant on where the liquor license will go," said Tyler Tennent, an attorney with the Bloomfield Hills-based Dawda Mann firm that represents the shopping center.

Any changes to the site and the formal transfer of any liquor license must still be approved by the board.

Oakland County planning officials who are consulted when zoning changes could impact multiple bordering communities approved the variance, said Township Planning Director Patti Voelker. The township planning commission also approved the variance after Secco addressed some concerns about the greenbelt surrounding the property.

Secco said the company will plant six new trees for screening and enhance the plantings at each of the corners.

Frank Baker, who lives on property that abuts the shopping center, raised concerns about screening and property maintenance.

"Who keeps their thumb on the shopping center to follow through? There have been things promised before and not followed through," he said.

Voelker said that the new trees and landscaping improvements will be implemented on a timetable determined by the board or required within a year of approval.