Zoning Board Denies Bunker Lot Split, Citing 'Too Many Variances'
By Karen Gould

A decision on a lot split request involving these two homes on Cadotte Avenue in Harrisonville on Mackinac Island was tabled Tuesday, March 13, by the Zoning Board of Appeals.

The Zoning Board of Appeals denied a lot split request for Harrisonville property owners Josephine "Elaine" and Isaac Bunker Wednesday, April 11. Granting the split would have placed 10 variances on the property and, say board members, would compromise the city's zoning ordinances.

The decision was postponed from last month as the board sought to give the Bunkers a month to investigate alternative solutions that would meet their needs without affecting city zoning regulations. At that meeting, city attorney Tom Evashevski suggested the Bunkers consider making both structures condominiums. The two buildings now sit on one lot on Cadotte Avenue. One building contains four apartments and the other is a single-family home. The Bunkers sought the split to eliminate estate confusion and create separate property tax bills.

During Wednesday's meeting, Mayor Margaret Doud deferred to Mr. Evashevski to explain the ramifications of granting the 10 variances.

"Unfortunately, the granting of these variances to create two non-conforming lots would really be devastating to our zoning ordinance," said Mr. Evashevski, who explained that, with the split, one lot would be less than half the required 5,000 square foot minimum lot size.

The lot is zoned R-3, high density residential, and the split would change a 7,046-square-foot lot into a 2,403-square-foot lot with a single family home and a 4,643- square-foot lot for the apartment building. Two variances already exist on the property. Rather than the three allowed dwelling units, the property has five, and a rear setback variance is in place which is less than the required 25 feet.

From a legal standpoint, Mr. Evashevski said a variance generally is granted for land that has conditions that are unique from other properties, and those conditions do not exist in this situation.

"I don't agree," said Elaine Bunker, who attended the meeting. "I don't think the condominium is an idea and I do think it is a real unique situation."

She said that the house already was built, and it should be able to have its own lot. She asked to board to look into their hearts and try to approve the request, since her family has lived on the Island for generations.

"I've thought a lot about this," said board member Lee Finkel. "I've been trying to come up with some distinction that would make it unique.

"I want to do this," he continued. "I'm looking for a way to do this, but I am unable to find a way to do this so we do not have far-reaching and long-lasting ill effects this split would do."

Board member Mike Hart made the motion to "reluctantly deny" the request, adding, "I can't see any way around this."

Four board members voted to deny the split, Mr. Hart, Mr. Finkel, Jason St. Onge, and Armin Porter, while Frank Bloswick voted to approve it and aldermen Armand Horn and Dan Wightman were absent.

Frank Bloswick voted to approve the split, and later told the Town Crier, "I had to go with my gut. The house is there. It's been there."

Following the vote, Mrs. Bunker said, "I think they've done a very great wrong here to this family."