Metropolitan Board of Zoning Appeals Division 1 Public Hearing - December 6, 2022
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Metropolitan Board of Zoning Appeals Division 1 Public Hearing - December 6, 2022
This public hearing of the Metropolitan Board of Zoning Appeals Division 1 was held on December 6, 2022, at 18:15. Acting Chairperson Peter Nelson presided, with board members Beth Brandon, Renee Napoleon, and Anthony Bridgman (arriving later). Legal counsel Chris Steinmetz and staff from the Division of Planning were present. The board considered continuances, a withdrawal, expedited petitions, and two variance requests. The meeting concluded with acknowledgment of staff member Genesis Hill's departure.
Consent Calendar
- Waiver of rules for expedited petitions: The board unanimously voted to waive procedural rules and allow voting on all expedited petitions without additional testimony.
- Expedited petitions approved unanimously (4-0):
- 2022 DV1054 (Amended) – 2655 Oliver Avenue: Variance for single-family dwelling setback and front entry feature.
- 2022 DV1056 – 235 West 44th Street: Variance for rear and side yard setbacks for an attached accessory dwelling.
- 2022 DV1059 – 7036 Warwick Road: Variance for side yard setback for attached garage and addition.
- 2022 UV1041 – 1110 Bates Street: Variance for side and rear yard setbacks for a detached garage in an I-4 district.
Continuances and Special Requests
- Petitions continued to January 3, 2023, without additional notice (unanimous):
- 2022 UV1036 (2711-2719 Madison Avenue) – to allow updated renderings.
- 2022 UV1038 (4010 West 86th Street) – to meet with Pike Township Residents Association.
- 2022 DV1057 (401 North Park Avenue) – to meet with Meridian Kessler Neighborhood Association.
- 2022 DV1047 (409 East Morris Street) – to revise plans with staff and Fountain Square Neighborhood Association.
- 2022 DV1051 (3127 West Washington Street) – to resolve issues with staff.
- 2022 DV1058 (Cornell Avenue) – to meet with Kennedy Park Neighborhood Association.
- 2022 SE1001 (4330 Michigan Road) – to meet with neighbors.
- 2022 DV1052 (358 East Terrace Avenue) – due to petitioner unavailability (medical personnel).
- 2022 UV1035 (6234 East Hannah Avenue) – continued to January 3, 2023, with notice if amended.
- Petitions continued to February 7, 2023, without additional notice unless needed (unanimous):
- 2022 UV1027 (2803 North New Jersey Street) – to allow petitioner to relocate proposed request.
- 2022 SE1002 (9140 East McGregor Road) – to provide additional information.
- Withdrawal acknowledged: 2022 DB1055 (2853 and 2849 McPherson Street) – petitioner withdrew.
- Waiver of notice granted: 2022 DV1059 – one-day waiver of posting requirement due to Labor Day holiday (unanimous).
Discussion Items
- 2022 UV1042 – 3401 East 96th Street (former Regions Bank): Petitioner Jason Lucking (Sulkey & Ogden) requested a variance of use to allow buying, selling, and leasing of motor vehicles in a C4 district. He argued that road changes (roundabout at 96th & Keystone, loss of frontage on Thrill Road) created a hardship, and that surrounding auto dealerships make the site more suitable for motor vehicle sales. He cited 20-30 vehicles on-site and no servicing. Staff recommended denial, citing that permitted C4 uses exist and that the use does not align with the community commercial comprehensive plan recommendation. The board voted 3-1 to approve (Bridgman, Brandon, Napoleon in favor; Nelson opposed).
- 2022 UV1040 – 1220 South High School Road (MSD Wayne Township Education Center): Initially continued, the board rescinded its continuance (unanimous) and heard the petition. Barry Gardner (MSD Wayne Township) requested a variance to allow solar panels on carports in the front yard (solar panels not permitted in front yards). He stated the panels would be on carport roofs, not visible from the street, and no remonstrance was received. Staff recommended approval, noting the dual purpose and aesthetic benefit. The board unanimously approved the variance.
Key Outcomes
- All continuances and the withdrawal were granted as requested.
- Waiver of notice for 2022 DV1059 granted.
- Expedited petitions approved unanimously (4-0).
- 2022 UV1042 approved by a vote of 3-1.
- 2022 UV1040 approved unanimously after rescinding its continuance.
- Staff member Genesis Hill was acknowledged for her service as she departs the division.
Meeting Transcript
All right, I'll go ahead and call this meeting to order. This is a public hearing of the Metropolitan Board of Zoning Appeals Division 1. I am Peter Nelson, acting chairperson of Division 1. The other board members currently present present are Beth Brandon, alternate for Division II, and Renee Napoleon, an alternate to the board. We do expect Anthony Bridgman at some point, so if you see him come in, he'll be right here. Legal counsel for the board today is Chris Steinmetz. Staff members present today from the Division of Planning are Eddie O'Neill, Principal Planner 2, Robert Ulanke, Senior Planner, Merleni Uretta, Senior Planner, Genesis Hill, Associate Planner, and Heather Stephens, Senior Specialist and Secretary to the Board. Matt Pleasant is the current planning administrator. The board has copies of the zoning ordinances that will be incorporated by reference into record of each case heard today. The proceedings of this hearing are governed by the board's rules of procedure. The expedited cases will be heard immediately after all requests for continuances or withdrawals. As each non-expedited case is called, petitioners and remonstrators interested in that particular case will please stand. Those who intend to testify will please remain standing and be sworn. Petitioners should be on your left and remonstrators on your right as you face the board. Those who testify will state their name and address for the record before beginning to testify. Petitioners and persons appearing in support of the case shall be heard, have shall be heard, excuse me, shall have a maximum of 15 minutes for presentation of evidence, statements, and arguments in support of the petition. Remonstrators and persons appearing in opposition to the petition shall have a maximum of 15 minutes for the presentation of evidence statements and arguments in opposition to the petition. Staff will then present the administrator's comments regarding the petition. The petitioner will then be allowed five minutes for rebuttal and the summation of the case. Rebuttal must be limited to the subject matter of the initial presentations. Remonstrators will then be allowed five minutes for rebuttal of the petitioner's rebuttal evidence and a brief closing statement. No further evidence, statements, or arguments will be heard unless it is at the discretion of the board. Please limit your testimony and evidence to the matters covered in the statutory requirements, which must be met in order for the board to grant a variance. If the petitioners have failed to comply with all notice requirements as stipulated by the board's rules of procedure, including posting of the notice sign on subject property at least 23 days prior to the hearing, the board may continue the petition. Anyone at this hearing who thinks complete and proper notice has not been given and would like the petition continued due to lack of proper notice must bring this matter to the board's attention at the beginning of the hearing. The board may impose various conditions or commitments as amendments before reaching a decision on certain petitions. The installation of landscaping and screening, the paving of parking area, and the dedication of rights of way or examples. These conditions and commitments are an integral part of the board's decision and must be met for a granted variance to be valid. Compliance with conditions imposed by the board must be approved by an affidavit of compliance submitted by the petitioner within 30 days of completion. Unless otherwise specified, an improvement location permit must be obtained prior to the establishment of the authorized improvements. Failure to comply with any conditions or commitments of a variance grant is a violation enforceable by the Department of Business and Neighborhood Services. A person may file a written request to receive notice of the filing of a petition for judicial review of a decision of the board. The written request must be filed within five days of the board's decision and must include the person's full name and correct mailing address and a reference to the board petition number. Forms are available and may be obtained from the board secretary. Please be advised that contacting members of the board regarding a matter pending before the board outside of this public hearing process is prohibited. Please be courteous and orderly at all times, and please be sure all cell phone ringers are turned off. Is there anyone in the audience who has any questions about our procedures? Okay, before we hear special requests, I will ask for a waiver of our rules of procedure to allow the board to vote on all expedited petitions and adopt their findings of fact without any additional testimony from the individual petitioners. Board, do we have a motion? Brandon, so moved. And a second. Seconded. Okay, we have a first or a motion and a second. I'll now ask for a vote. Brandon. Brandon, yes. Napoleon. Yes. And Nelson votes yes. We will now consider any special requests and continuances at this time.
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