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Board delays decision on proposed event facility at former church (Case Z2502)
Summary
Bay City Zoning Board of Appeals postponed action on Case Z2502, an applicant request to convert a church into an event facility/assembly use in an R-2 residential district; the board asked for building square footage, occupancy calculations, and updated surveys and site plans before returning the case.
The Bay City Zoning Board of Appeals on April 8 postponed consideration of Case Z2502, a use-variance application to allow an event facility/assembly use in a property zoned R-2 (single- and two-family residential).
Applicant and prospective operator Benjamin Champagne described plans to use the church for concerts, film screenings, workshops and similar cultural events, estimating occasional large events of “400 probably” attendees at the high end and saying the church’s existing parking lot would serve many events. Champagne said the facility would “follow all, you know, rules and regulations” and that he would pursue required occupancy and safety approvals if the variance were granted.
Staff and board members told Champagne the record lacked essential information for evaluating the variance: accurate building square footage, a verified site plan and an up-to-date survey showing the building footprint and parking layout. Staff explained that while the parking table in the code provides standards for new development, a use-variance review considers the property “as is” and the existing on-site parking; however, the board said it needed the numerical building and occupancy data to assess potential neighborhood impacts.
Several nearby residents spoke at the public hearing. Joshua Dawson and others who live immediately adjacent to the church supported reusing the building but raised concerns about parking congestion, the effect of larger events on on-street parking in an area where many houses and an apartment building already rely on street parking, noise from concerts, alcohol at events and potential impacts on children and emergency access. Dawson asked what recourse residents would have if event frequency or scale exceeded the applicant’s stated plans or if a future owner changed uses.
In response, a staff member and Champagne discussed possible mechanisms to preserve parking access for the church—examples included recorded parking agreements, deed restrictions or non-development easements for the parking parcel—but staff told the board such documents would need to be provided by the applicant. The board then voted to postpone Case Z2502 until the applicant supplies updated survey drawings, accurate building square footage and renderings that illustrate how the property will be configured; the motion passed 5-0.
