BZA denies parking‑reduction request for proposed affordable housing at 31100 Michigan Street, 3‑2 vote

The Board of Zoning Appeals voted 3‑2 to deny a variance request to reduce the off‑street parking requirement for a proposed multi‑dwelling residential development at 31100 Michigan Street.

Planning staff (Luke) told the board the site is encumbered by FEMA‑mapped regulatory floodplain, a floodplain zoning overlay and a platted drainage easement. Under the current Land Development Code the applicant’s proposed 250 dwelling units would trigger a requirement for 529 off‑street parking spaces; under a new city code anticipated to take effect in early April the requirement for the same number of units would drop to 250 spaces. Staff recommended denial of the variance and noted an administrative alternative: a formal site plan submittal could allow the planning director to consider a parking reduction under Article 6 of the current code.

Applicant…