Zoning board approves three nonconforming-structure renovations, including Packard and Arbor Street projects

The Ann Arbor City Zoning Board of Appeals on March 26 granted relief to property owners seeking to alter nonconforming structures at 1537 Packard Street, a house on Copley Avenue, and 717 Arbor Street.

The approvals cover: allowing new habitable basement space in a duplex at 1537 Packard Street; replacing an existing screened porch at a Copley Avenue house and rebuilding it in the same footprint; and renovation and conversion work at 717 Arbor Street that makes the basement habitable and adjusts layouts across floors. The board read resolutions granting the requested relief and recorded affirmative votes for each item.

Why it matters: The decisions permit property owners to update aging buildings and, in two cases, add habitable space in basements. Board members flagged potential neighborhood effects — including on‑street parking near student housing — while supporting repairs and code upgrades that proponents said would bring structures up to modern standards.

1537 Packard Street David Lewis, architect for the Packard Street project, told the board the work was “a pretty simple job” to fix up the basement and add a recreation room, bathroom and laundry for each duplex unit. Charlie Collins of Planning Services described the house as a 3,200‑square‑foot 1925 structure certified as a short‑term rental duplex; the property is nonconforming for the required average front setback. The board’s resolution grants relief from Section 5.32.2 (alteration to a nonconforming structure) to permit the proposed habitable basement finishes. The board recorded affirmative votes and the motion passed.

Copley Avenue screened porch Dave Silverman, representing Terra Firma and the homeowners, said the existing screened porch was old, needed roof repairs and would be rebuilt in the same footprint. Planning staff noted the parcel is a nonconforming lot (smaller than the R1B 10,000 square‑foot minimum) and the request sought a variance from the 40‑foot rear‑yard setback in Table 5.17‑1. The board approved a 7‑foot‑5‑inch variance to allow the new 123‑square‑foot screened porch to be built per submitted plans.

717 Arbor Street renovation Rob Fowler, representing the owner, described plans to “square off the building” and finish the basement; the project would update the structure from basement through third floor and reconfigure units. Planning staff described the property as a 1910 building in an R4C multiple‑family district that is nonconforming for lot area, lot width and setbacks. The board granted relief under Section 5.32.2 to allow the proposed alterations, including making the basement habitable. Board members debated parking impacts near campus: one member noted the city’s evolving parking requirements and said increasing bedroom counts may affect on‑street parking, but the motion passed.

Board discussion and context Board members who supported the applications emphasized building maintenance, code compliance and that the projects preserve or improve existing housing stock. One member voiced concern that converting basements and adding bedrooms near campus increases pressure on neighborhood parking, but said the applications represented improvements that justified approval. The staff presentations, applicant statements and several board comments are recorded in the meeting transcript.

Votes at a glance - ZBA25‑000637 (1537 Packard Street): Relief granted under Section 5.32.2 to allow new habitable basement space; motion carried (affirmative votes recorded). - ZBA25‑000821 (Copley Avenue): 7 ft 5 in variance granted from Table 5.17‑1 to permit a 123‑square‑foot rear screened porch; motion carried (affirmative votes recorded). - ZBA25‑0009717 (717 Arbor Street): Relief granted under Section 5.32.2 to renovate a 2‑unit building and make the basement habitable; motion carried (affirmative votes recorded).

What’s next Permits and building permits must be obtained and work must be completed per the submitted plans and applicable building codes. Appeals from any ZBA decision can be filed with the Washtenaw County Circuit Court on a timely basis, as the board noted during the meeting.