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Kalamazoo ZBA approves variance for 7 Brews drive‑through at 4702 West Main
Summary
The Kalamazoo Zoning Board of Appeals voted unanimously July 10 to grant a variance allowing 7 Brews Coffee to build a drive‑through‑only shop at 4702 West Main without the five‑foot landscaping strip normally required between parking and the property line.
The Kalamazoo Zoning Board of Appeals on July 10 unanimously approved a variance allowing 7 Brews Coffee to develop a drive‑through‑only location at 4702 West Main Street without the required five‑foot landscaping strip between the parking lot and the property line.
The board’s approval follows a staff explanation that an existing 24‑foot access drive—originally laid out to accommodate fire apparatus when the adjacent Chick‑fil‑A was built—runs across the vacant parcel and creates a “pinch” that leaves only about 12 to 18 inches between the curb and the property line. Pete (staff member) told the board that the access drive predates the applicant’s redevelopment effort and that staff supports the variance because the special circumstances arise from the site configuration, not from the applicant’s design choices.
Ella Ackerman, a civil engineer for Harrison French & Associates representing 7 Brews, described the project as a drive‑through‑only operation with two lanes and staff who take orders at the vehicle window. Ackerman said the proposal includes a wrought‑iron fence to match the Chick‑fil‑A installation and landscaping where space allows. She said the design must preserve a 24‑foot maneuvering aisle required by the fire marshal.
Board members discussed the historical cause of the site geometry, noting the access drive was established when Chick‑fil‑A was constructed and that any future redevelopment of the block would have to work around that lane. The finding of fact filed into the record noted 14 hearing notices were sent and no written responses were received; staff also recorded there were no voicemail comments and that the applicant had completed environmental due‑diligence steps for the former gas station site.
The board first voted to accept the finding of fact by voice vote and then took a roll‑call vote on the variance itself. The roll call recorded the six members present as voting yes; the motion carried unanimously.
Approved action details: the board accepted the finding of fact for ZBA 25‑07‑11 and approved the variance to Chapter 50 (50‑8.4(c)(1)(a)) as requested. The approval does not change the property’s zoning classification.
The applicant may proceed with the site plan process consistent with the conditions and with any requirements that remain from fire, building, or site plan review.
