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Troy zoning board approves variances for four Habitat homes at 7–13 Park Avenue
Summary
The Troy zoning board unanimously approved six variances allowing Habitat for Humanity and the Detroit Community Land Bank to build four single‑family, townhouse‑style homes at 7–13 Park Avenue; funding includes ARPA and CDBG and the homes will be sold to income‑qualified buyers.
The Troy Zoning Board approved six variances to allow construction of four single‑family, townhouse‑style homes at 7–13 Park Avenue, the board decided after presentation and a short question-and-answer session.
Brad Dargest, speaking for the applicant and identifying himself with Habitat for Humanity and the Detroit Community Land Bank, told the board the proposal would subdivide four existing lots and build a pair of 24‑foot and a pair of 16‑foot modular homes to provide a mix of three‑ and four‑bedroom units. "Our intent is to build 4 single family homes," Dargest said, adding the modular widths and transport constraints shaped the design.
The variances approved included relief from the minimum lot width (40 feet) of roughly 12.35 feet for lot 7, 19 feet for lot 9, 11 feet for lot 11 and 18.35 feet for lot 13, and an increase to the maximum allowed building frontage (7% for lot 7 and 3% for lot 11). The chair moved to approve the six variances on the agenda and a member seconded; the three members present voted aye and the motion passed unanimously.
Board members asked about site conditions and whether the modular approach forced the request. Dargest explained that the 24‑foot modules are made of two sections and provide the four bedrooms families seek; using narrower units would reduce bedroom counts and curb the project’s purpose. He also confirmed project funding would include ARPA funds and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) dollars, supplemented by organizational equity, and that completed homes would be sold to qualifying buyers (income targeted at roughly 60–80 percent of area median income).
With zoning variances approved, the applicant said it will return to the planning board for final subdivision approval; the applicant also noted a negative declaration for environmental review had been issued by planning earlier in the process. The board closed the Park Avenue item after the unanimous vote and the applicant thanked members for their time.
