Board of Zoning Appeals Minutes

1. CALL TO ORDER:

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

2. ROLL CALL:

Commissioners:

Present:
Rolland Stapleton - Chair
Jim Haveraneck
Chris Gazlay
Luke Durst
James Bress
Larry Jensen
Carol Maise
Connie Cronin
Charles Ayers

Absent:
Bill Lokey – excu.
John Rae – excu.

Also Present:
Gary Word – City Manager
Jay Wendt – Planning Commission - Chair

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

4. MINUTES:

Amend: Agenda Item #4 MINUTES to read – Chairman Stapleton rejected Mr. Donnelly’s request. Mr. Donnelly’s request was rejected by the board. The letter submitted by John Kaloustian was quoted accurately.

Motion by Cronin, supported by Bress to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of June 2, 2004 as amended. Voice Vote: Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion Unanimously Carried.

5. CASES:

Applicant requests a variance from Sec. 90:32, Historic Landmark Trees. Applicant would like to remove trees because it is dropping limbs and causing damage and to accommodate an addition to their home. Reason for appeal: Undue Hardship.

The Fords requested to remove a cottonwood tree at the rear of their house. The Fords are planning an addition to the rear of the house and the tree is extremely messy.

A letter in support for the removal of the tree was submitted by Louise and Royal Keller who live at 509 Randolph Street.

Chief Building Official, Richard Starling noted that the Cottonwood tree (according to the ordinance) with a DBH of more than 44" is a landmark historical tree and needs BZA approval to be removed.

The Commissioners ruled that this particular species (poplar) is not covered by the Tree Ordinance and can be taken down. Because of this decision the applicant does not need BZA approval.

City Manager, Gary Word reported that City Council re-appointed Commissioners, Bress, Havareaneck and Stapleton to the Board of Zoning Appeal.

Commissioner Gazlay reported that the Planning Commission is working on revising Northville’s Tree Preservation Ordinance.

Motion by Bress, supported by Rae to adjourn at 7:55 PM. Voice Vote: Ayes: All: Nays: None. Motion Unanimously Carried.

Respectfully submitted,

P S Howard

Recording Secretary