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Burton ZBA grants variance to allow overhead doors on Saginaw Street building after DDA facade support
Summary
The zoning board approved a variance to allow two overhead doors on the north side of a downtown building, despite administration concerns about parking and an ordinance that prefers doors in the rear. The board cited hardship caused by an existing pole structure behind the building and noted DDA support for the proposed exterior improvements.
The Burton Zoning Board of Appeals approved variance ZBA-25-07 to allow two overhead doors on the north side of a commercial building at 4278 Saginaw Street, a location inside the Central Business District and DDA overlay.
Owner and applicant Scott Herzberg told the board the doors are needed to move large equipment into his showroom and workshop and to address structural and floor-level work inside the building. Herzberg said the building currently has two man‑doors but that his larger panel saw and other equipment require larger openings. "If I don't [get the doors], I'll have to close my business," Herzberg said.
City administration recommended denial, citing section 157.049 of the zoning code, which directs that garage doors, loading and service areas be located in the rear yard and screened from view of public streets. Administration also flagged parking concerns: adding doors would eliminate parking spaces and the city must ensure required parking and drive-aisle dimensions for future uses. "Adding garage doors will be a self created future hardship as it relates to parking," city staff said.
The Downtown Development Authority (DDA) reviewed the property's proposed exterior modifications and provided affirmative support for facade updates; a DDA member present said the DDA was generally in favor of the exterior work and acknowledged the applicant presented to the DDA. Several neighboring business owners provided written or spoken support at the hearing.
Board members weighed the ordinance, the DDA response, the applicant's statement that the pole structure behind the building creates the hardship, and administration's parking concerns. One board member noted that similar overhead doors appear elsewhere on Saginaw Street and that a future owner could retrofit a closed facade if the building later changed use. After discussion the clerk recorded the roll call: Rappas — no; Smith — yes; Burge — yes; Richvalski — yes; Fuest — yes; Ward Terry — yes; Welch — yes. The motion carried.
The board approved the variance on the condition of exterior improvements and with an understanding the applicant still must satisfy parking and building-code requirements through permit review.
