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Planning Commission backs staff reports on St. James conditional rezoning and smaller-home zoning changes
Summary
The commission voted to forward staff reports to St. James Township on a conditional rezoning to allow an art gallery on a 2.38-acre parcel and on proposed zoning text amendments that would lower minimum dwelling sizes to help address housing needs.
The Charlevoix County Planning Commission voted Feb. 6 to send Planning Department staff reports to St. James Township on two separate items: a conditional rezoning request by Rene S. Adrian-Rogers for a 2.38-acre property at 25460 Lake Dr., and proposed zoning text amendments to reduce minimum floor-area requirements.
Planning Director Kiersten Stark reviewed the conditional rezoning request to change a parcel from Single Family Residential (R-1) to Harbor (H) with a stated condition limiting commercial use on the parcel to an art gallery. Stark said staff had no concerns with the conditional rezoning and recommended that, if the Township approves it, the Township’s motion should clearly state the permitted land uses to avoid creating nonconforming uses.
On a separate item, Stark reviewed proposed St. James Township text amendments that would reduce the minimum floor area for principal dwellings from 600 to 400 square feet (with exceptions for waterfront parcels) and would allow porches, garages, basements and utility areas to be counted toward floor-area calculations; the amendments would also remove a maximum floor area clause for accessory dwellings. Stark said Township officials had been working with the county’s Housing Ready Program Coordinator on the changes to allow smaller homes to help meet housing needs on the Island.
The Commission voted to forward staff reports for both items to St. James Township for its consideration.
