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Kalamazoo ZBA pauses variance requests for five West Cork Street lots to seek NFP review
Summary
The Kalamazoo Zoning Board of Appeals voted Feb. 12 to adjourn five related variance requests for West Cork Street parcels so the applicant can pursue additional review by the Natural Features Protection (NFP) board; the applicant, Jeremy Cole, said the limited relief is needed for 12-foot driveways and duplex access.
The Kalamazoo Zoning Board of Appeals voted Feb. 12 to adjourn five related variance requests filed by Statewide Rentals LLC, giving the applicant time to seek a formal recommendation from the city’s Natural Features Protection (NFP) board.
Jeremy Cole, who said he owns all five parcels on West Cork Street, told the board the properties contain steep slopes that predate his ownership and that narrow variances are necessary "to construct residential buildings or provide safe driveway access." Cole said the request is limited to the minimum area needed for duplex footprints, a 12-foot driveway corridor that would carry utilities, and associated building access. "We're not proposing widespread grading or disturbance," he said, adding the proposal would preserve more than 25% of trees per parcel and include fencing at disturbance limits.
City planning staff (Pete) told the board the land-swap Cole described with city staff was not germane to the variance review and that staff found the application did not meet at least two of the NFP review criteria: the extent of relief and whether approval would impair the ordinance's intent. Staff noted the NFP review board had voted not to recommend approval in January and recommended the applicant return to the NFP board with more detailed plans, including clearer utility alignment and retaining-wall details.
Board members and neighborhood attendees discussed alternatives aimed at reducing slope impacts, including shared driveways and an "S-drive" alignment with an exit to Imperial Street. Cole said he had proposed a shared-driveway option but was told by staff that a shared drive of a certain size would trigger stormwater detention requirements that would in turn increase slope disturbance.
A board member moved to adjourn the five hearings to the May meeting to allow Cole to submit additional detail to the NFP board. After discussion of scheduling and whether the NFP could meet in March, the ZBA voted by voice and the motion passed with ayes and no opposition. The hearings were scheduled to be placed on the May agenda for separate votes on each parcel when the applicant returns with an NFP recommendation.
The board's action on Feb. 12 was procedural: the ZBA paused its final determinations to allow the applicant to address the technical concerns flagged by staff and the NFP review board. If the applicant returns with NFP support, the ZBA will take separate votes on each variance request when those hearings are reconvened.
