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Commissioners approve 6-foot fence and arborvitae buffer for Yeshiva Gedolah dormitory on Greenfield Road
Summary
A variance allowing a 6-foot chain-link or wrought-iron fence and arborvitae plantings along the Greenfield frontage of a new dormitory for Yeshiva Gedolah of Greater Detroit was approved with conditions requiring coordination with planning staff and supplemental plantings if counts fall short.
At a meeting, commissioners voted to approve a variance permitting Yeshiva Gedolah of Greater Detroit to replace its existing fence with a 6-foot black-coated chain-link or a 6-foot wrought-iron fence and install arborvitae along Greenfield Road.
The decision followed a presentation by Laser Feilmark, who identified himself as the applicant’s representative and said the request covers the Greenfield frontage at 24600 Greenfield (also referenced as 24580 Greenfield). "The request is to be able to put up a fence on the Greenfield side of 24600 Greenfield as well as 24580 Greenfield," Feilmark told the panel, adding that the new dormitory is adjacent to the road and the fence and plantings are intended to delineate the property and increase protection for students.
Feilmark said the application originally sought a black coated chain-link fence but was amended to include an option for a wrought-iron fence. "I personally prefer the wrought iron, but the budget is more for the chain link," he said. When asked whether the material option would change the city's recommendation, the response on the record was that it would not.
A commissioner moved to approve the request, citing the staff report and additional findings of fact from the review of case 26-08 (also referenced in the proceedings as 2608). The motion granted a variance from "Article 3 Division 1 Section 308A, general procedure provisions of the zoning ordinance" to allow the replacement and extension of the fence along the Greenfield frontage and the installation of arborvitae as a complementary landscape buffer. The motion included these conditions: the applicant must work with economic development and planning staff to ensure the number and arrangement of proposed arborvitae are practicable and consistent with the shrubs previously approved as part of the site plan review; if the number of arborvitae plantings is less than previously approved counts, the applicant must provide additional plantings elsewhere on the site subject to staff approval.
The motion was seconded. In a roll-call vote, Commissioner Anderson, Commissioner Clyde, Commissioner Selikson, Commissioner Steinberg, Chairperson Houston and Vice Chair Brown each voted "Yes." The chair announced the motion carried.
Following the vote, Feilmark thanked the panel. The meeting then moved to adjournment.
Next steps: the applicant will coordinate with economic development and planning staff to finalize planting counts and arrangements before installation as required by the approval.
