Board of Zoning Appeals Minutes

CITY OF NORTHVILLE
Board of Zoning Appeals
Regular Meeting – August 1, 2001
Northville City Hall – Council Chambers

CALL TO ORDER

Commissioner Stapleton called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M.

ROLL CALL

Commissioners:

Present:
Rolland Stapleton - Chairman
Charles Ayers
James Haveraneck
James Bress
Connie Cronin
Bill Lokey
Eugene Lawrie

Absent:
Christopher Gazlay-excu
Carol Maise - excu
Luke Durst –excu

Also Present:
Richard Starling, Building Official

Motion by Lokey, supported by Cronin to approve the agenda. Voice Vote: Ayes: All. Nays: None.

MINUTES

Chariman Stapleton asked that a friendly amendment be made to the June 6, 2001 minutes to reflect that the motion regarding Case #01-04 be to "table" the application instead of "referring" the application back to the applicant.

MOTION by Cronin, supported by Lawrie to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of June 6, 2001 as amended. Voice vote: Ayes: All: Nays: None. Motion carried.

The applicant requested a variance per Section 3.04 – Area height and placement requirements in order to build a new home. The lot does not meet the required minimum lot size, and area of square feet. The lot is 64’ wide. He stated that the lot is approximately 500’ short of the minimum area required. He stated that he is planning on building a new home similar to the existing new homes on East St, but smaller in square footage. He will meet the rear, and front yard setback requirements and will leave more green space on the set backs. If the home is allowed to be built he will be contributing to the City’s tax base

Grounds for Appeal an exception or interpretation of the Zoning Map is necessary to preserve and promote the character of the zone district.

Marge Crisley (145 Walnut), a forty year resident stated that she is opposed to the construction. She does not want to see another Birmingham’s "Big Foot" home on her street.

Scott Madill (611 East) is opposed to the granting of the ordinance. He does not see any benefit to the community for a house to be built on the narrow piece of property.

Jesse Ryder, the owner of the property stated that he purchased the property three years ago with the hope of building a home. Benefits to the community include increasing the tax base, and improving a vacant piece of land.

Leon Bonner (547 Fairbrook) owns the adjacent property. He stated that the applicant is entitled to build on the lot. It is an injustice not to allow some one to use the lot.

Sarah Clune and Michael Long (570 High) submitted a letter of opposition to the variance. It is a small lot, below the minimum required for building a home. It should not be allowed to be shoehorned in.

Motion by Cronin, supported by Bress to grant the variance from Sec 3.4 –area height and placement requirements. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Bress,Lawrie, Lokey. Nays: Cronin, Ayers, Stapleton, Haveranack. Motion Denied.

The applicant requested a variance from Article 3, Section 3.04, area height and placement requirement – front yard setback. 25’ is required. The applicant stated that she is only looking to come out 16" from where the porch is now in order to allow for a new front porch with columns on her home.

GROUNDS FOR APPEAL: Non-Conforming Structure.

Commissioner Ayers stated that originally this case was tabled in order to determine if fit the new set back averaging language. Chief Building Official, Rick Starling stated that this case does not fit. The average yard set back related only to new construction.

Juliet Culp / Todd Culp (375 Lake St) is in support of the addition. The Phillips are conscientious in their attempt to improve the house which will end up with a more Victorian style. It will fit in with the neighborhood. The proposed addition will only be nine inches in front of their neighbors, the Kellys home.

MOTION by Lokey, supported by Haveraneck, to grant the variance as requested.

ROUND TABLE: None

MOTION by Bress,supported by Lokey to adjourn the meeting at 8:20 PM. Voice vote: Ayes: All: Nays: None. Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,

Patricia Sue Howard