The Plymouth Board of Zoning Appeals met Tuesday night and had 4 items on their agenda. The first item was a request from Jim Sherwood to add an off-premised sign to his existing sign at 2155 North Oak Drive. Mr. Sherwood was represented by his daughter, Julie Blount. Mrs. Blount stated that they had been approached by Jimmy Johns requesting to put a sign for their business on the existing Sherwood Tire business to help direct customers to their business. The Jimmy Johns sign would be added to the bottom row of the existing sign. Building Commissioner Keith Hammonds voiced his concern that the sign would probably exceed the allowable size is another sign is added. He is also concerned that it would set precedence for other businesses to add off-premises signs to existing signs. The Board denied request BZA 2017-28.
The next request was from the City of Plymouth requesting a variance of developmental standards to decrease the front yard setback from the required twenty feet to 3 feet for the proposed apartment complex that will be located at 227 E. Lake Avenue. City Attorney Sean Surrisi addressed the Board and stated the proposed buildings will need to be moved to the south to accommodate the buildings on the lot. Bill Walters requested to know if the variance will affect the parking in the area and Mr. Surrisi reported that it would not affect the parking. Eric Keilman presented a letter from his mother, Mary Resendez. Mrs. Resendez is concerned that the on-street parking will be affected and she would like the Board’s assurance that it won’t be come restricted in the future. The Board approved request BZA2017-29.
Del Wenzel, representing Wenzel Industries, came before the Board to request to reduce the minimum lot size from one acre to one half an acre on two parcels that he owns at 9515 and 9525 Country Lane, Plymouth. These lots are part of an existing subdivision and Mr. Wenzel would like to be able to sell them as two parcels to help offset the costs that he incurred by creating the roads and curbing in the subdivision. These two lots will be similarly sized to the other lots in the subdivision, if the request is approved. Request BZA2017-30 was approved by the Board.
Request BZW2017-31 came from Stefanie Pippenger of 203 N. Michigan Street, Plymouth. Ms. Pippenger is seeking a variance of use to have a bakery, tea house and catering business at 717 N. Michigan Street which is zoned Traditional Residential. Ms. Pippenger would like to move her business, La’ Dezert Café to this location on N. Michigan and expand her catering business. The biggest concern that was voiced by the Board and by some of the neighbors was the issue of parking. The only available parking would be in the alley and on the side streets. There was also concern with allowing a business to be in this historic, residential corridor. The Board denied this request.
No other business was brought before the Board and the meeting was adjourned.
