Spring Arbor Township

SPRING ARBOR TOWNSHIP ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS THURSDAY MARCH 17, 2016

The March 17, 2016 meeting of the Zoning Board of Appeals was called to order at 7:03 p.m.

Members Present: Larry Atkins, Earl Miller, Dave Herlein and Todd Zeller

Members absent: Beth Kuntzleman. It was noted that Bruce Inoscencio (alternate) recused himself due to conflict of interest

Guests: Brandt Hinojosa, Ed Andrews, Rick Spring, Jim Ellis, Dan Strouss and Heather Wilson.

Staff: Jan Gardner

Citizen Inquiries - none

Minutes - Motion was made by Miller and seconded by Atkins to approve the minutes of the February 20, 2014 meeting. Approved

New Business:

Public Hearing/Application for Variance – V16-01 Strouss Construction – Dan Strouss reviewed his request to allow a house to be built at 4951 Stonewood Creek with two front setbacks of 50 feet. Jan Gardner stated that the zoning for this parcel is Agricultural-1 (AG-1) and the required front setback is 60 feet. Because this is a corner lot, two front setbacks are required. She reported that one comment regarding the application had been received from an adjacent property owner unable to attend the meeting. Paul Bradley, owner of Lot 45, expressed concern about the possibility of having a shed only 10 feet from his property line. Dan Strouss indicated that the proposed setback for the shed had been changed from 10 feet to 30 feet. Several questions were asked by the guests in attendance but no objections were expressed.

After discussion, a motion was made by Herlein and supported by Atkins to approve the request for two front setbacks of 50 feet for placement of the house, and for a setback of 30 feet for placement of the shed. Motion approved.

Rationale for granting variance was a follows:

Several features of this lot make it difficult to comply with the required AG-1 setbacks: small lot size (1.3 acres); corner location; unique topography and restrictive Health Department requirements for location of well and septic.

These unique features do not result from the actions of the applicant or property owner. The granting of the variance will be in harmony with the general purpose and intent of the Zoning Ordinance and will not be injurious to the neighborhood or otherwise detrimental.

Election of Officers: Larry Atkins announced his plan to move to the Grand Rapids area and Dave Herlein has accepted the position of Township Supervisor. A decision was made to delay the election of officers until all five ZBA positions are filled.

Member Comments: Jan Gardner distributed information regarding an MTA seminar for the ZBA members to be held on April 28th in Jackson.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Dave Herlein Acting Secretary