Grand Rapids board denies proposed two‑story front‑yard garage, approves smaller shed and driveway paving at 2128 Duiker Avenue NE

The Grand Rapids Board of Zoning Appeals on April — denied a request to place a two‑story, two‑car garage with an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) in the front yard at 2128 Duiker Avenue NE but approved a separate variance to allow a small storage shed in front of the house and a dimensional variance to pave a driveway straight from the street back to the house.

Why it matters: The board split actions so it could consider the accessory structure, any existing unpermitted storage shed, and driveway paving separately. The applicant, Tiffany Ireland, sought the garage and an ADU above it to provide covered parking and extra living space; neighbors had raised concerns about scale and density. Planning staff recommended approval of the shed and the driveway paving but noted the proposed garage and two‑story structure would substantially change the appearance and scale of the lot.

Planning staff opened the case by saying the request includes multiple variances to allow an accessory garage and ADU in the front yard and to permit drive paving that would extend past the front facade of a proposed garage. Staff identified specific code citations in the packet that prohibit accessory garages in the front yard (listed as section 5 10 0 3 f 6 e 4 b in the staff summary) and restrict accessory structures in the front yard…