Zoning board approves Marks' variance to add two-car garage in Cranbrook Village

The Southfield Zoning Board of Appeals on Nov. 18 approved a variance allowing James Marks to expand a one-car attached garage into a two-car garage at 29909 Chelmsford Road.

City staff recited findings that the house, a 1,240-square-foot ranch built in 1959 in the Cranbrook Village subdivision, has an existing attached garage and that surrounding properties are predominantly one- and two-story single-family homes with attached garages. Staff recommended favorable consideration conditioned on the appellant securing required permits and final inspection approvals from the Southfield building department.

James Marks told the board the expansion requires a 2-foot-4-inch total-side-yard variance and a 4-inch least-side variance to convert the roughly 308-square-foot one-car garage into an approximately 454-square-foot two-car garage. He said the work is necessary so a second car can be stored inside and to bring the house up to current two-car standards while maintaining architectural continuity.

There was no public opposition during the comment period. Board member Mr. Rogers said several homes on the street already have two-car garages and that the proposed work would retain the architectural integrity of the house. Other members expressed no objection.

The board moved, seconded and voted in favor of the waiver with the standard condition that the appellant work with the building department to obtain permits and inspections. The motion passed with all members voting in favor.

The appellant should coordinate final permit filings with the Southfield building department before beginning construction.