Southfield Zoning Board approves multiple variances, grants temporary trailer permit

The Southfield Zoning Board of Appeals on March 4 approved a set of land-use variances and a temporary use permit across multiple cases, citing a mix of site-specific engineering constraints and the city’s interest in adding housing and commercial investment.

In ZBA Case 25-01, the board approved a 20-foot front-yard setback for a proposed single-family residence on Lake Ravine Drive. Appellant David merer oy, represented by project manager Lombardo Holmes, told the board the parcel contains steep slopes, protected wetlands and a floodplain and that moving the house farther back would increase tree clearing and wetland impacts. “We can reduce the amount of tree clearing; we can reduce potential impacts to wetlands if we had to push the house farther back,” David merer oy said. City staff had recommended denial, noting a similar request was denied in 2023, and a nearby resident, Hume Meritt, warned the board of safety issues at a blind curve adjacent to the property. The board voted to approve the variance after members said required building permits and engineering must be completed before construction.

On Hilton Street (Case 25-04), owner Sharita Daniels and design professional Robert Kazasi asked for multiple variances for an infill two-story home, including lot-width, first-floor area and small front-yard adjustments. Kazasi said the requests would allow a tandem garage and preserve rear-yard green space for families. Staff recommended denial on character grounds, but the board approved the variances by voice vote, with at least one member dissenting and others citing the value of adding residences to the city.

The board also approved a garden/ground sign height variance (Case 25-06) for a restaurant at 29970 Southfield Road. Applicant Andrew zki said a taller sign (9 feet proposed vs. 5 feet allowed) is needed to clear proposed fencing, brick columns and landscaping. Staff recommended favorable consideration with conditions, including that any electronic copy comply with the sign ordinance; the motion to approve followed staff conditions.

In Case 25-02, the board granted a one-year temporary use permit for a 10×44-foot modular office trailer at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery while administrative building renovations proceed. Agent Sher Trombley said the trailer will house management during construction; staff conditioned approval on a March 4, 2026 removal deadline, restoration of the site and a requirement to return to the board if complaints arise.

Case 25-05 involved Verizon’s proposed façade renovation at 28117 Telegraph Road. Architect Jeremy Irvin said the company’s new retail prototype favors a full-height glass curtain-wall system and argued that structural glazing should qualify as a durable commercial material. Staff recommended denial because the ordinance (section 5.38 D1) requires 18 inches of durable material at the base of glass frontage; some board members agreed with staff that the code should be upheld, while others said tempered curtain glass and Verizon’s planned security shutters and investment made them comfortable granting a variance. The board approved the reduced base-material requirement (6 inches proposed) and instructed the applicant to coordinate final permits with the city.

Votes at a glance: - Case 25-01 (Lake Ravine Drive) — 20-ft front-yard setback variance: approved by voice vote; motion by Mr Rogers; applicants must obtain required building permits and engineering approvals. - Case 25-04 (Hilton Street) — multiple variances for infill residence (side-yard, lot width, first-floor area, lot area, front-yard, height): approved by voice vote; one recorded dissent noted the lot’s small size. - Case 25-03 — postponed to April 12, 2025 at the appellant’s request. - Case 25-06 (29970 Southfield Road) — garden/ground sign height variance (9 ft proposed): approved by voice vote; approval conditioned on compliance with sign ordinance electronic-copy rules and permitting. - Case 25-02 (Holy Sepulcher Cemetery) — one-year temporary modular trailer permit (3/4/25–3/4/26): approved; site must be restored and applicant must return if complaints arise. - Case 25-05 (28117 Telegraph Road, Verizon) — reduced durable-material requirement at base of glass frontage (6 in vs 18 in required): approved by voice vote; applicant to coordinate permits.

What it means: The board balanced the city’s ordinance standards against site-specific engineering constraints and the goal of adding housing and commercial investment. Staff recommendations were split across cases; the board granted variances where members judged impacts would be limited or could be mitigated by permitting and engineering conditions. The board also canceled its March 18 meeting and confirmed April 1 would include the postponed case.