Hearing on large open-storage variance in Warren postponed after board and petitioner see different site plans

The Warren City Zoning Board of Appeals postponed consideration of a use-variance for open storage at 22755 Groesbeck on April 8 after the petitioner said planning staff’s marked-up site plan was new to them.

Chairman Storovich opened the public hearing and planning staff asked Jeff Jersey to read the department’s impact statement, which recommended continuous concrete curbing, replanting grass and adding shrubs along Grossbeck Highway and 9 Mile Road. Applicant Joseph Tringale told the board he had not seen the revised site plan and asked for time to review planning’s recommendations.

Board members pressed why the revised plan arrived only on the day of the meeting. "How come we weren't made aware of the changes until the day of the meeting?" one member asked, noting the board had held the original site plan for several postponements. Planning staff said the packet had been updated but the petitioner had not received the revised drawing.

Several members said the petitioner needed time to meet with staff and review the comments. "I’m in favor of postponing," Mister Safaya said, and moved to postpone the item so the petitioner could reengage planning. Mister Cliff supported the motion. The board amended the motion to set the next hearing for April 22.

The postponement was intended to allow the petitioner time to resolve disagreements about proposed curbing, the location of landscaping near the petitioner’s sign, and the placement of a dumpster and maneuvering lane. The chair said the item will be heard on April 22 and that no additional mailings will be issued beyond the notice for that date.

Next step: the petitioner must meet with planning, submit any revised site plan and return to the board on April 22.