Zoning Board of Appeals Minutes

MINUTES

Cascade Charter Township Zoning Board of Appeals

Tuesday, April 9, 2002

7:00 pm

ARTICLE 1. Chairman Goldberg called the meeting to order.

Members Present: Beahan, Erickson, Goldberg, Lewis.

Members Absent: Wilson (excused) and Timmons (unexcused).

Others Present: Planner Otey, Admin. Assistant Thompson and those listed on Supplement #1.

ARTICLE 2. The agenda was approved on motion by Member Lewis and supported by Member Beahan. The motion carried.

ARTICLE 3. The Minutes of the March 12, 2002 meeting were approved on motion by Member Beahan and supported by Member Lewis. The motion carried.

ARTICLE 4. The Planning Commission Minutes of March 4, 2002 were received and filed.

ARTICLE 5. Case #02-2465: Gust Construction/36^th Street Ventures

(PUBLIC HEARING)

The applicant requested a variance to allow an addition on the existing building to fall within the front yard setback at 5441 – 36^th Street, SE.

Planner Otey related this is a front yard setback variance. The building is located on 36^th Street, north of Raleigh Drive. The addition would be placed 91 feet from the street right-of-way. The reason for the variance is a new company is moving in and in order to use the second floor as offices, they need to install a barrier free access that has to meet building code requirements. The building to the west is Best Metal Products which received a similar variance for a lobby addition a few years ago. Planner Otey then went through the factors to be considered as listed in the Staff Report. Planner Otey recommended approval of the request.

The applicant was represented by Gordie Larson of Gust Construction and Doug Oosterman of 36^th Street Ventures. Mr. Oosterman related the business Synergy is the tenant moving into the building.

Mr. Larson related the front corner of the building has all the hallways and corridors already there. That is the only place to put a set of stairs, the elevator shaft and mechanical room which must be installed per State code.

Mr. Oosterman related the building is presently located right at the property setback line.

Mr. Larson related they tried to put the addition on the side but with the flow of the existing building the only place to put it was in the front corner.

Chairman Goldberg asked how long is the lease with the new tenant? Mr. Oosterman responded forever. The partners in 36^th Street Ventures also own Synergy. The business has been in existence since 1995 and they have 14 employees. They are presently leasing space in the Widdicomb Furniture building downtown.

Member Beahan asked what type of products does this business develop? Mr. Oosterman responded 70% is office furniture and 30% medical, automobile, etc. Businesses come to them and ask them to develop a certain product. Or, they develop a product that they think a business can use.

Member Lewis supported by Member Beahan moved to open the public hearing. The motion carried and the public hearing was opened.

There was no one present to speak on the matter. Planner Otey related one neighbor stopped by to see the plans and did not object to the variance.

Member Lewis supported by Member Beahan moved to close the public hearing. The motion carried and the public hearing was closed.

Member Lewis supported by Member Beahan moved to approve a nine foot variance request to allow a building addition to fall within the front yard setback at 5441 – 36^th Street, SE.

Chairman Goldberg related the precedent set previously goes beyond what he would be willing to approve today. The present request is much more in keeping with the reason why the Zoning Board is here and is a variance we ought to be granting. Chairman Goldberg related this variance is largely mandated by State law and he is very much in favor of granting this variance.

The motion carried.

Mr. Larson remarked the Planning Department has been excellent to work with and very cooperative.

ARTICLE 6. Any Other Business

Planner Otey related the special meeting tentatively scheduled for April 22 has been cancelled. Please take it off your calendar.

ARTICLE 7. Adjournment

Member Beahan supported by Member Lewis moved to adjourn. The motion carried and the meeting was adjourned at 7:15 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Jack Lewis, Secretary

JL:MJT

Government ~ Departments ~ Community
Business ~ Reference Desk ~ What's Happening
Help ~ Home ~ Search ~ Site Map

Comments? Feedback? Questions? Click here to send an email.

Site Use Policy

Site Design/Development by