Coates’ Request To Change Property Zoning Tabled
By Karen Gould

City Council members tabled for two weeks any decision on a zoning variance request by Richard Coates, following a public hearing Wednesday, August 3. Their decision was postponed because City Attorney Tom Evashevski was not able to attend the hearing and Council had legal questions regarding whether a zoning variance can be granted or the current zoning ordinance should be amended.

Mr. Coates has requested his property on Greenshed Lane, near the west end of the airport, which currently is zoned hotel-boarding house, be changed to allow him to convert an existing building to commercial use. He wants to develop the building into rental storage space with an attached apartment.

Mr. Coates would like to create 10 storage bays, 12-feet by 14-feet, and an apartment.

“I’m not changing any of the structure,” he said.

One letter of protest was received in response to the city’s action to notify nine property owners of record within 300 feet of Mr. Coates’ property. The letter came from William and Shannon Flumerfelt of Rochester, Michigan, who were concerned with increased traffic and appearance of the storage facility.

Mr. Coates explained that the storage would be inside the building. He also argued that traffic would not increase, since he anticipates most of the items stored would be seasonal, like snowmobiles.

“I think it’s a good idea and storage would help quite a few of the people around here,” said Alderman Frank Bloswick.

Council members said they think a variance would address Mr. Coates’ request, but Mr. Evashevski wrote, “A variance generally involves a situation where the parcel of land has conditions that are unique and distinct from the other properties in the zoning district and because of those unique characteristics, the owner experiences a significant hardship.”

The city’s zoning ordinance outlines conditions under which a variance can be granted.

Council will discuss the matter at its Wednesday, August 17 meeting at 6 p.m. City Hall.