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ZBA approves 6-foot replacement fence for Isabella County Medical Care Facility after corrected public hearing
Summary
The Zoning Board approved a variance allowing a 6-foot fence in the frontage area at Isabella County Medical Care Facility (122 North Drive) after a public hearing was reopened; staff and the applicant said the taller fence helps prevent wandering by Alzheimer’s patients.
The Mount Pleasant Zoning Board of Appeals on May 27 approved a variance permitting a 6-foot fence in the frontage area for the Isabella County Medical Care Facility at 122 North Drive.
Staff introduced PZBA26001 and described a planned two-phase renovation that would convert former day care spaces into expanded resident support areas for the skilled nursing facility. The ordinance limits frontage fences to 4 feet; the applicant proposed to replace an existing 6-foot fence in kind and requested a variance to retain the taller barrier.
Tyler Curley, a project engineer with Rogue Professional Services representing the facility, said the existing fence surrounds an Alzheimer care courtyard and that research and clinical experience from the facility’s supervisor, Alyssa Hanack, support a 6-foot opaque fence to reduce wandering risks and preserve patient privacy. ‘‘We are requesting a variance ... the main goal to prevent wandering for the Alzheimer patient's safety,’’ Curley said.
Board members reviewed the variance findings and noted the fence replaces an existing 6-foot structure and that the fire department and public works raised no objections. After the chair realized the public hearing had been skipped earlier in the meeting, the board reopened the hearing and heard a brief public comment from a resident (identified in the transcript as Jessica) in support, who cited family experience with Alzheimer’s and said the project promoted safety and privacy.
The board re-conducted the vote and approved the variance to allow a 6-foot fence within the frontage area. Staff noted the variance approval moves the project to the planning department’s site-plan review, where broader project elements will be examined.
The board asked staff to ensure the site-plan review addresses construction details and any required permits; staff also reminded the board that the applicant will return to planning for the full development review.
