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Clawson ZBA staff reports ordinance amendment and reports member vacancies
Summary
Staff told the Zoning Board of Appeals that a proposed ordinance amendment aligning the board's voting rule with the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act will go to City Council for first reading Oct. 21; staff also reported the resignation of a member and that alternate vacancies will be advertised.
City planning staff told the Clawson Zoning Board of Appeals on Oct. 16 that an ordinance amendment to align the board's voting rule with the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act will be submitted to City Council for first reading Oct. 21. The amendment would remove a supermajority requirement in the city's zoning ordinance and explicitly adopt the state law majority standard for variances.
A planning staff member reported the change and said the planning commission has already approved the amendment. "The planning commission approved the ordinance amendment to just, follow the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act for a majority, which is again what we've been following for the last several meetings," the staff member said. The city had been operating with inconsistent language between its ordinance and state law; the amendment is intended to remove confusion about whether four out of five members are required to approve variances.
Staff also told the ZBA that member Hildebrandt has resigned. As a result, alternate member Mr. O'Rourke will move into a full member seat and the city will advertise for two alternate vacancies. Planning staff characterized the positions as open to community volunteers and said recruitment would coincide with other municipal board vacancies ahead of the election season. "Technically Mr. O'Rourke as being the alternate slides into the full board now. So we do have 2 open seats for the alternate," staff said.
Board members discussed the change briefly and expressed support for clarifying the ordinance. The staff report also noted that several previously approved variances have permits pulled and work has continued since the prior meeting.
No formal vote on the ordinance amendment occurred at the ZBA meeting; staff said the amendment will go to City Council for first reading on Tuesday, Oct. 21. Board members asked staff to publicize the alternate vacancies to encourage community participation.
The staff report closed with routine updates and a reminder that applicants should consult planning staff regarding conditions placed by the planning commission. The board adjourned after a motion to end the meeting.
