The City of Holland Board of Appeals denied a variance request from Holland Public Schools to add 282 fixed bleacher seats and a press box at the high-school soccer stadium without adding restrooms required by the Michigan Plumbing Code.

GMB Architects’ representative Annie Voss and Holland Public Schools Superintendent Nick Cassidy told the board the project would increase fixed seating from 568 to 850 and that the district did not intend to increase overall attendance. Cassidy said the plan relies on existing high-school restrooms near the performing-arts entrance (described in the application as providing 23 additional restrooms within the building) and on portable restrooms for occasional larger events. He said, “we're not going to be increasing the number of spectators showing up at the games,” and that portable units would be used for high-attendance events.

Board members questioned whether counting restrooms located in the school building met the code exception for fixtures within the required 500-foot path of travel and raised safety concerns about patrons crossing Van Ralte Avenue (referred to in discussion as the nearby crossing). Several members said approval would set a precedent that could be cited by other property owners planning permanent seating without complying with bathroom-count requirements. The board also discussed the long-term nature of variances: if approved, a variance would remain with the property and could affect future uses.

Applicants argued that the school’s limited site footprint, the availability of nearby restrooms that can be secured and the use of portable units for large events created an exceptional case. Board members remained divided on whether the circumstances were unique, but a motion to deny the variance passed on roll call. Members who recorded votes in favor of denial included Falstad, Lamberts, Peaks, Van Antwerp, Bauer and Jared Bedard (roll-call excerpts in meeting transcript). The motion carried and the variance request was denied.

During discussion, members also noted that if the denial were upheld and the district still wished to proceed, it could reconfigure the site or invest in permanent restroom expansions — tasks the school said would be costly and difficult given the limited campus footprint.

The board closed the agenda after that vote and adjourned.