Quick Hits: Township Board Approves Restaurant Renovations, Assesses Interest in Open Positions

Brandy’s getting major overhaul, new name

Brandy’s, once dubbed and advertised as one of Oakland County’s best-kept secrets on the north end of Bloomfield Township, will have an entirely new look and profile come the beginning of next year.

Bloomfield Township trustees on Monday unanimously approved the final site plan to fully renovate the building and parking at 1727 S. Telegraph Rd., which will reopen as the new Roadside B&G Restaurant.

Developers said they will only add about 100 square feet to the current structure to expand and modernize restrooms, but both exterior and the interior will undergo significant changes to make the building at the southeast corner of Crestview and Telegraph roads more inviting.

New paint, barn wood siding, fabric canopies and sliding wood and glass doors are all components to the new restaurant, which is expected to open by the new year.

The owners also requested and received special land-use permits to construct an outdoor deck facing both Crestview and Telegraph roads that will accommodate more than 40 patrons on a seasonal basis.

Township Planning Director Patti Voelker said a special-use permit was also needed for extended hours because the owners They intend to operate from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday; and from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday. The township board will consider the liquor license transfer at a future meeting.

“We’ve talked about opening a restaurant in this area for many years and I think we’ve got a project on the north end of town that we’re excited about,” said owner Bill Roberts. Roberts lives in the township and also owns Streetside Seafood in Birmingham.

“We thought it was an old roadhouse-type of location, and because we have Streetside in Birmingham, Roadside seemed to be the right name,” he explained.

“With open windows and outdoor dining, we think it will be a real busy location.”

Interest in planning commission and zoning board openings

Township Supervisor Leo Savoie said he has received letters of interest, resumes and letters of qualifications from six applicants interested in openings on either the township planning commission or zoning board of appeals. Four others have submitted letters of interest but not resumes. The deadline to apply is 5:30 p.m. Wednesday.

The township has until Oct. 8 to fill two posts on the planning commission and one on the zoning board. A meeting to discuss candidates has not been scheduled but notice for it will be posted to the public within at least 18 hours of that meeting, under state law.

"Once we get all the resumes they'll be desiminated to each board member and then we'll have an opp. to discuss the candidates and see who and what exactly we're looking for," Savoie said.