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Board grants waterfront setback variances so spa owner can rebuild at 3535 Lake Eastbrook Blvd SE
Summary
The Board of Zoning Appeals approved three variances allowing redevelopment of a failing lakeside building at 3535 Lake Eastbrook Blvd SE, including reductions/eliminations of front and water‑edge setbacks, conditioned on updating a shared parking agreement to provide 13 spaces and meeting engineering and environmental protections.
The Grand Rapids Board of Zoning Appeals approved a set of dimensional variances on Monday that permit redevelopment of a waterfront property at 3535 Lake Eastbrook Blvd SE into a spa/personal‑service facility, conditioned on an updated parking agreement and engineering safeguards.
City staff told the board the existing structure sits on support piles over Lake Eastbrook and is nonconforming; engineering review showed the building cannot be economically saved and must be removed. The applicant requested three variances: (1) reduce the 25‑foot front setback from the street to about 2.2 feet (a 22.8‑foot reduction), (2) eliminate the 25‑foot front setback measured from the water’s edge for that portion of the lot, and (3) eliminate the 75‑foot natural‑feature setback from the water’s edge. Staff recommended approval with a condition that the applicant revise the existing shared‑parking agreement to provide the 13 parking spaces required by the proposed use.
Applicant David Stover said structural deterioration of the building’s piles and bolted connections made demolition the practical option: "The existing building is falling into the lake," he told the board, and said the replacement will retain a deck over the water but place enclosed areas wholly on land. Stover also said there is substantial parking available nearby and that he can update the shared‑parking agreement to meet the 13‑space requirement.
Board members concluded the property’s size, shape and proximity to the water constitute extraordinary circumstances that justify variance relief, and they found no substantial detriment to adjacent properties provided conditions and engineering protections are met. A motion to grant all three variances carried with a condition that the applicant and staff reach an agreement to increase the shared‑parking commitment to at least 13 spaces and to comply with required engineering and environmental controls during construction.
Christy Stover, who identified herself as the applicant’s spouse, spoke in support of the application and the layout’s ADA accessibility. The board closed the hearing and moved to other business.
