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Zoning Board roundup: porch, sheds, collision shop, 8‑Mile center approved; meeting time change passes
Summary
At its Sept. 24 meeting, the Warren Zoning Board approved variances for several homeowners and business applicants, including porch and accessory‑structure requests, a collision‑shop expansion and an 8‑Mile retail rebuild; the board also voted to move future meetings to 7 p.m.
The Warren Zoning Board of Appeals acted on several smaller items at its Sept. 24 meeting. Highlights:
Martin Jones — front porch setback approved (Item 6): The board granted a variance allowing a front porch to be retained 21 feet from the front property line and 22 feet from the sidewalk at 21735 Eller Avenue. The applicant, Martin Jones, said the porch will match others on the street; the board approved the variance for reasons including lot size and compatibility. The roll-call recorded affirmative votes from all members present and the request was approved.
Ralph and Diane Marchionni — accessory structures approved (Item 7): After Mr. Green recused himself because the applicants are neighbors, the board approved variances to allow detached accessory structures and a combined accessory structure floor area of 651 square feet (including a 411-square-foot attached garage), finding the size and shape of the lot are not detrimental to the area. The motion passed with the remaining members voting yes.
Kamal Noah / Kareem Yousef — collision shop expansion approved (Item 11): The board granted variances to permit a collision repair use within 163 feet of a residential district and to waive two required parking spaces, related to a 30-by-30-foot addition approved by site plan on Aug. 11, 2025. The applicants said the expansion will improve workflow and reduce hold times for customers. The vote passed with a majority in favor (tally recorded as five yes, three no); board members who voted no cited proximity to residences as a concern and potential detriment.
Justin Calo — new retail building approved (Item 12): The board approved variances to construct a new ~5,000-square-foot retail building at 5649 8 Mile (replacing a nonconforming 10,000-square-foot structure), to allow parking and maneuvering lanes to abut property lines, and to waive the required 8‑foot greenbelt/6‑foot concrete wall along the north property line; the applicant agreed to additional landscaping along the 8 Mile frontage. Planning staff recorded no issues that would impact the public and the motion passed.
Administrative items and new business: - Approval of minutes postponed: The board voted to postpone approval of minutes from Aug. 13, Aug. 27 and Sept. 10 to the Oct. 8 meeting. - Meeting time change: Members voted 5–3 to move regular meeting start times to 7:00 p.m., effective with the board’s January calendar (the calendar for the remainder of the current year is already printed). The motion passed. - Appointment: Board members nominated and approved a representative to the Council of Commissions; Mr. Assessor accepted the nomination.
Several approvals included staff suggestions: the collision-shop applicant had previously received site-plan approval and planning staff reported no impact for that item; the retail project on 8 Mile likewise had site plan approval. Board members asked applicants to remain mindful of neighbors and to address enforcement and screening concerns where noted.
