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Board approves conversion of rear building to three units; conditions require lot combination
Summary
The Board of Zoning Appeals approved dimensional variances allowing a rear accessory building at 1111 Second Street NW to be converted to three residential units, contingent on combining adjacent parcel 1105 Second Street NW with the site.
The Grand Rapids Board of Zoning Appeals voted to approve dimensional variances that will enable the conversion of a rear accessory building at 1111 Second Street NW into three residential units, provided the applicant combines the adjacent property at 1105 Second Street NW with the 1111 parcel.
Planning staff said the rear building was originally constructed as a garage circa 1920 with a second-story addition in 1926 and currently sits on nonconforming accessory setbacks. Rowan, presenting the staff report, explained that converting an accessory building to a primary residential structure triggers primary-building setback requirements that the existing building does not meet without a variance.
Applicant Barry Klein, who said he has experience rehabbing blighted houses, told the board he plans to close on the property in August and to renovate the structure to three townhouse-style units. He said he owns the neighboring house and that he had gathered neighbor input: “I was able to get to 3 people, and they were all supportive,” Klein said. He testified the informal parking currently used at 1105 Second Street would be formalized if lots were combined.
Board members considered the variance standards and referenced letters of support and a letter from a local rental agency on file. After discussion the board approved the motion with a condition to combine ownership of 1105 and 1111 Second Street NW; staff said that condition reduces the number of separate variances required and simplifies building-code compliance.
The motion passed on recorded aye votes with no recorded opposition. Staff will prepare the final variance document and, as a condition of approval, the applicant must record a lot-combination or demonstrate common ownership as required by staff prior to permit issuance.
Votes at a glance Approved: Dimensional variances to allow conversion of rear accessory building at 1111 Second Street NW to three residential units; approval conditioned on combining 1105 and 1111 Second Street NW into a single lot.
