Berkley meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Berkley ZBA denies Coolidge Hwy storage container variance in 4-3 vote

The Berkley Zoning Board of Appeals denied a variance request for a storage container at 3180 Coolidge Hwy. in a 4-3 vote at its Aug. 10 meeting. The board found the need for the variance resulted from actions of the property owner or previous owners. The variance would have allowed a 16' x 8' container in a side yard and less than ten feet from the main building, contrary to city code.

Zoning board denies storage container variance

The board voted 4-3 to deny the non-use dimensional variance (PBA-06-26) requested by Berkley Brasserie LLC. The board also approved its agenda and the minutes of the July 13, 2026 regular meeting, each by a 7-0 vote, and adjourned at 7:40 p.m.

Environmental committee plans plant sale, defers bike route map

The Environmental Advisory Committee met Aug. 18 and approved its agenda and June 2026 minutes. The committee discussed the proposed bike route map, noting progress is halted due to staff capacity and that the map will be evaluated in the city's strategic planning process starting late summer/fall 2026. It planned the Fall Native Plant Sale for Sept. 19, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Community Center, and discussed a native plant bed installation there. No new secretary was elected; the meeting adjourned at 8:04 p.m.

Meetings on the agenda (no decisions yet)

Several meetings took place in the past two weeks with no votes or decisions scheduled:

• **City Council work session (Aug. 10):** Interviewed candidates for a facilitator to guide the development of Berkley's strategic plan. No votes or decisions were scheduled.
• **Downtown Development Authority (Aug. 12):** Discussed a purchasing policy, bike racks, and an application for the 2027 National Main Street Conference Mobile Tour. No action items were listed.
• **City Council regular meeting (Aug. 17):** The agenda included a second reading of an ordinance to regulate electric bicycles, skateboards/scooters, and bicycles (Chapters 86 and 106); a second reading of an ordinance to amend payment-in-lieu parking fees (Section 14.04.B, Chapter 138); interlocal agreements for law enforcement services with Pleasant Ridge and the Village of Beverly Hills; consideration of adoption of the 2026 Economic Development Strategy; a proclamation for National Suicide Prevention Month; and a letter of understanding with the dispatch union. A Harvard Water Main and Road Reconstruction Project design engineering proposal was on the consent agenda.
• **Public Safety Pension Board (Aug. 17):** The board was scheduled to approve invoices of $4,224.55 and $2,519.98 to Boston Partners for investment services (April 1-June 30, 2026) and $9,402.89 to CAPTRUST for advisory fees (July 1-Sept. 30, 2026), receive and file Loomis Sayles-Citigroup litigation settlement final details, and hear a quarterly review from CAPTRUST.

Coming up

The Planning Commission will hold a regular meeting Aug. 25 at 7:00 p.m. The main item is a site plan review for a new parking lot at Ari's Cheesesteak, 3442 Twelve Mile Rd. (PSP-06-26). The commission will also consider approval of minutes from its July 28 meeting.

Berkley officials weigh housing financing, medical spa, and pension items in late July meetings

Berkley's City Council, Planning Commission, and several boards held meetings between July 20 and July 29, 2026. Minutes have not yet been published for any of these sessions, so the items below reflect what appeared on the agendas — not confirmed outcomes or vote tallies.

City Council: Housing financing, medical spa, and vehicle purchase on the table

The City Council met July 20 for a work session on the MSHDA Housing Tax Increment Financing Program, a state program that can redirect property tax growth toward housing-related costs. No other substantive items were listed for that session.

A separate July 20 council agenda included several items:

• Special land use approval for Sugarcoated medical spa at 3462 Greenfield Road.
• First readings of ordinances to regulate electric bicycles, electric skateboards/scooters, and bicycles.
• An amendment to modify regulations for payment-in-lieu of required parking spaces.
• Purchase of two 2027 Ford Police Interceptor AWD Utility Patrol Vehicles.
• A fee schedule amendment to add a City Spigot Use Fee.

Because minutes are not yet available, it is not known which of these items were voted on or approved.

Public Safety Pension Board: Amazon waiver request and invoice approval

The Berkley Public Safety Pension Board met July 20 to consider several financial items, including:

• Approval of a Loomis Sayles invoice (#260842) for $3,458.90.
• Boston Partners' request to waive the maximum position size guideline for Amazon.com, Inc.
• Review of the FY 2025-26 administrative cost transfer to the city.
• An update to the retirement contribution for the public safety director.
• Receive and file of a fiduciary liability insurance policy for 2026-2027.

No vote tallies are available yet.

Board of Review: Hardship appeals and clerical corrections

The Board of Review met July 21 to correct clerical errors and review hardship appeals. Taxpayers who did not appeal to the March Board could apply for a hardship review.

Planning Commission: Corner lot setback public hearing

The Planning Commission held a public hearing July 28 on a proposed amendment to Section 5.09.E.2 of the City of Berkley Code of Ordinances, which would clarify exterior side yard setback regulations for accessory structures on corner lots. The agenda also included election of officers and committee liaisons, and an introduction of Civics Plus Software.

Library Board: Procedural meeting

The Berkley Library Board met July 29 for a primarily procedural session. The agenda included public comment, approval of minutes from June 17, 2026, a librarian's report on library operations, review of monthly circulation statistics, and a city council liaison update. No major decisions or financial items were listed.

What this means for residents

Several items on these agendas could affect residents directly: the MSHDA Housing Tax Increment Financing Program discussion relates to how the city might use tax tools for housing; the medical spa special land use request concerns a specific business at 3462 Greenfield Road; the proposed electric bicycle and scooter ordinances could change rules for how residents use those devices; and the purchase of two police patrol vehicles involves city spending. The pension board's consideration of an Amazon.com investment waiver relates to how public safety retirement funds are managed.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are listed for the next 14 days. Residents should check the city's official calendar for any newly posted sessions.

Planning Commission recommends medical spa for Greenfield Rd.; Council weighs EV rules and police vehicles

The Berkley Planning Commission voted 6-0 on July 14 to recommend approval of a special land use request for Sugarcoated, a medical spa, at 3462 Greenfield Rd. The commission found the proposal met all required zoning standards and compatibility criteria. The recommendation now moves to the City Council for final consideration.

Planning Commission

The commission approved its meeting agenda 6-0 and approved minutes from its June 23, 2026, meeting 5-0. The sole land-use item was the Sugarcoated medical spa request, designated PSU-01-26, which passed on a 6-0 recommendation. No other items were listed on the official minutes.

City Council

The City Council met July 20 for a work session on the MSHDA Housing Tax Increment Financing Program, a state program that uses tax-increment financing to support housing development. Minutes from that session have not yet been published.

A separate July 20 Council agenda listed several items for discussion, though outcomes are not yet confirmed by minutes:

• Special land use approval for the Sugarcoated medical spa at 3462 Greenfield Road
• First reading of an ordinance to regulate electric bicycles, electric skateboards/scooters, and bicycles
• Amendment to modify regulations for payment-in-lieu of required parking spaces
• Purchase of two 2027 Ford Police Interceptor AWD Utility Patrol Vehicles
• Fee Schedule Amendment to add a City Spigot Use Fee

Public Safety Pension Board

The Berkley Public Safety Pension Board met July 20 to consider several financial items, with minutes not yet published. The agenda included approval of a $3,458.90 invoice from Loomis Sayles (invoice #260842) and a decision on Boston Partners' request to waive the maximum position size guideline for Amazon.com, Inc. The board was also scheduled to review the FY 2025-26 administrative cost transfer to the city, update the retirement contribution for the public safety director, and receive and file a fiduciary liability insurance policy for 2026-2027.

Other Boards and Commissions

The Zoning Board of Appeals met July 13 to consider a variance request for a second-story addition on Gardner Ave. and a zoning ordinance interpretation request on Catalpa Dr. The agenda also included officer elections and approval of previous minutes. Minutes have not been published.

The Berkley Historical Committee met July 14 to review old business items including Berkley Days, museum membership and marketing, a scavenger hunt, lecture series, Art Bash, and the Pride Block Party. New business included the Berkley Street Fest, scheduled for 11:00 am–8:00 pm, along with the meeting schedule and sign-up procedures for museum hours.

The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board met July 16 to conduct board elections, welcome new members, and review program updates.

The Board of Review met July 21 to correct clerical errors and review hardship appeals. Taxpayers who did not appeal to the March Board could apply for a hardship review.

Coming up

• **July 28 — Planning Commission:** Public hearing on an amendment to Section 5.09.E.2 of the City Code regarding exterior side yard setback regulations for accessory structures on corner lots. The commission will also elect officers and committee liaisons and be introduced to Civics Plus Software.
• **July 29 — Library Board:** Regular meeting including approval of June 17, 2026, minutes, a librarian's report, review of monthly circulation statistics, and a City Council liaison update. No major decisions or financial items are listed.

Planning Commission recommends medical spa for Greenfield Rd.; Council set to weigh in July 20

The Berkley Planning Commission voted 6-0 on July 14 to recommend approval of a special land use request for Sugarcoated, a medical spa proposed at 3462 Greenfield Rd. The commission found the use met all required zoning standards and compatibility criteria. The recommendation now heads to the City Council, which is scheduled to consider the item at its July 20 meeting.

Planning Commission action

The July 14 meeting was the only recent Berkley meeting with official minutes published. Commissioners approved the meeting agenda 6-0 and approved the June 23, 2026, meeting minutes 5-0. The sole substantive vote was the 6-0 recommendation to approve special land use request PSU-01-26 for 3462 Greenfield Rd.

Boards and commissions met throughout early July

Several boards and commissions held meetings between July 6 and July 16, though minutes have not yet been published for those sessions. Agendas indicate the following items were scheduled for discussion:

• **Downtown Development Authority (July 8):** Consideration of a sole source justification to acquire a sculpture for Robina Plaza, appointment of board officers for fiscal year 2026-2027, and liaison reports from City Council, Community Development, Planning Commission, Public Works, and the Chamber of Commerce.
• **Zoning Board of Appeals (July 13):** A variance request for a second-story addition on Gardner Ave., a zoning ordinance interpretation request on Catalpa Dr., and election of board officers.
• **Berkley Historical Committee (July 14):** Old business including Berkley Days, museum membership and marketing, a scavenger hunt, lecture series, Art Bash, and the Pride Block Party. New business included the Berkley Street Fest, scheduled for 11:00 am-8:00 pm.
• **Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (July 16):** Board elections, welcoming new members, and program updates.

The regular City Council meeting scheduled for July 6 was canceled. The next regular meeting is set for July 20.

Coming up

• **City Council work session, July 20:** Discussion of the MSHDA Housing Tax Increment Financing Program.
• **City Council regular meeting, July 20:** Scheduled items include the special land use approval for Sugarcoated medical spa at 3462 Greenfield Road; first readings of ordinances regulating electric bicycles, electric skateboards/scooters, and bicycles; an amendment modifying regulations for payment-in-lieu of required parking spaces; purchase of two 2027 Ford Police Interceptor AWD Utility Patrol Vehicles; and a fee schedule amendment adding a City Spigot Use Fee.
• **Berkley Public Safety Pension Board, July 20:** Scheduled items include approval of a $3,458.90 Loomis Sayles invoice, a Boston Partners request to waive the maximum position size guideline for Amazon.com, Inc., review of the FY 2025-26 administrative cost transfer, an update to the public safety director's retirement contribution, and receipt and filing of a fiduciary liability insurance policy for 2026-2027.
• **Board of Review, July 21:** Correction of clerical errors and review of hardship appeals. Taxpayers who did not appeal to the March Board may apply for a hardship review.