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Fraser ZBA approves façade variance for Power Solutions at 18377 E. 14 Mile Road
Summary
The Fraser Zoning Board of Appeals approved a nonuse variance allowing aluminum composite material on the exterior façade of an existing building at 18377 East 14 Mile Road after applicant testimony and debate; city planning staff had recommended denial.
The Fraser Zoning Board of Appeals approved a variance on Jan. 16 to allow Power Solutions to use an aluminum composite material (ACM) façade on an existing building at 18377 East 14 Mile Road, despite a planning staff recommendation to deny the request.
The board voted to approve the nonuse variance by roll call. The vote was recorded as in favor by Commissioner Burley, Commissioner Clemente, Chairman Frank Farina, Commissioner Green, Commissioner Menendez and Commissioner Stasic; the motion carried.
Planner Lauren (city planner) told the board the request was for a variance from section 32-1-41 of the Fraser zoning code, which requires brick and/or stone exterior materials in the industrial (IR) district. Lauren said staff did not find the application met the ordinance standards for a variance and recommended denial. As Lauren summarized, “we do not believe that it’s met the ordinance standards for granting a variance and therefore we do not find unnecessary hardship, practical difficulty and so we would recommend denying it.”
Applicant architect Shane Burley of Studio Detroit Architects said the work is a renovation of an existing building, not an expansion: “this is strictly a facade update renovation plan.” He described the proposed ACM (also referred to in the record as an aluminum plank system) as durable, weatherproof and a common material used on modern commercial facades. Contractor Chris Holspec told the board the owners plan to invest roughly $300,000 in the façade and argued the building sits on 14 Mile Road in a more commercial context where non-masonry materials are already in use nearby.
Power Solutions president Erin Doan described the company’s local growth and said the owners want to remain in Fraser. Doan warned that if the variance were denied, the business would consider relocating: “we will put it up for sale if this variance is not granted.”
Board members debated whether the ordinance text applies differently to new construction versus renovation. Don Denault (board counsel) advised the board that if it approved the variance it should limit the approval to the plans presented that evening so the decision could not be interpreted to allow broad, future refacing beyond the submitted plan. The board’s motion referencing the materials and the presented plan was approved in roll call vote; the motion included the limitation “as presented this evening.”
The board’s action changes what materials the owners may install on the visible exterior of the building but does not itself change the zoning ordinance. Planning staff noted the ordinance could be interpreted to require brick and stone for new construction in the IR district and that similar requests have not been routinely granted for other properties in the city.
The owners were congratulated and told the City Council will receive notification; the council has final authority over appointments and other items the board refers but not over this variance decision.
Votes at a glance: The variance motion passed in a roll call vote with all six members present voting yes.
