Royal Oak zoning board approves four variance requests, including two close votes

The Royal Oak Zoning Board on Wednesday approved four separate variance requests covering accessory structures, second‑story additions and porches, after deliberating on lot shape, existing nonconformities and neighborhood impacts.

Board members approved a petition for 1620 Northwood Blvd to allow a partially covered 690‑square‑foot pool house and a third accessory structure, finding the lot’s triangular shape and concealment from the street satisfied variance criteria. Alex, the planning staff presenter, said staff’s lot‑coverage calculations exclude fully open frame structures but include permanent covering; the petition would raise accessory ground‑floor area above the 800‑square‑foot cap to an aggregate the petitioner said totals 1,188 square feet. Petitioner testimony emphasized neighbor outreach and argued the 3,500‑square‑foot house will remain the predominant structure. The motion to approve was moved by Mister Wolf and seconded by Miss Robinson; the board voted 7–2 to approve the variances.

The board next approved a proposal at 2209 Vinceta Blvd for a full‑height second‑story addition that would add 449 square feet above the existing footprint and…