CITY OF EAST GRAND RAPIDS
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
NOTICE – CHANGE OF DATE, POSTPONED FROM MARCH 3 TO MARCH 17, 2014
A public hearing will be held on the application of Amy and Oisin
Courtney, the owners of 417 Cambridge Boulevard, SE, for two zoning
variances and a fence ordinance variance at that address. The purpose
of the request is to construct a new home and attached garage on this
property with a rear (west) setback of 23.4 feet instead of the
required 30 feet, a variance of 6.6 feet pursuant to Section 5.28B2 of
the East Grand Rapids Zoning Ordinance. Second, they request an
average roof height of 27.4 feet instead of the maximum of 25 feet, a
variance of 2.4 feet pursuant to Section 5.114A1 of the zoning
ordinance, which limits building height on nonconforming lots. Third,
they request a fence variance to erect a 4 foot high privacy fence one
foot east of the west property line along Briarwood, south of the new
driveway, and a 6 foot high privacy fence one foot east of the west
property line north of the driveway. Section 8.61 of the City Code
requires that no fence shall be erected within 20 feet of any lot line
abutting a street right-of-way or within a 20-foot clear vision
triangle adjacent to driveways unless it has clear visibility through
it, or it is lower than 30 inches.
The application and plans may be viewed on the following pages or in
person at the Public Works Administration and Engineering office at
the Community Center.
The City Commission welcomes your views in this matter. You may
express your views at the scheduled meeting or by writing to the Mayor
and City Commission at 750 Lakeside Drive, SE, East Grand Rapids,
Michigan 49506 or by email to the City Clerk at [email protected]. To
be included in the hearing, written communications must contain the
sender’s name and address.
If you have any questions regarding this request, please contact the
undersigned at 940-4817, or [email protected].
DATE:
TIME:
PLACE:
Monday, March 17, 2014
6:00 p.m.
East Grand Rapids Community Center, Commission Chambers
750 Lakeside Drive, SE, East Grand Rapids, Michigan 49506
Thomas A. Faasse
Zoning Administrator
January 24, 2014
Amy & Oisin Courtney
547 Cambridge Blvd, SE
East Grand Rapids, MI 49506
East Grand Rapids City Council
East Grand Rapids, MI 49506
RE: 417 Cambridge Blvd, SE – Variance for Rear Setback – attached garage and fence, and roof height
We are seeking a variance from section 5.28B2B on the East Grand Rapids Zoning in the rear of the
property due to the non-conforming double frontage lot.
Our family is planning on knocking down the current structure at 417 Cambridge Blvd, SE. Based on
consultation with local contractors, the house is beyond repair, with two major neglected roof leaks,
walls covered in mold in the basement & 1st floor, and major structural issues. We plan to build a new
home in its place, with similar architecture features as those on Cambridge Blvd, SE.
Attached Garage (at rear of the property, accessed from Briarwood Ave SE) – We are requesting a west
setback of 23’ 4 1/2'” instead of the required 30 feet, a variance of 6’ 5 1/2 “ in the rear of the property.
The design of the home, to include the layout and location of the garage, was carefully done in order to
save a beautiful mature tree in the rear of the property. One of the results of the carefully crafted design
was that the rear of the garage went slightly into the setback a few feet. We believe that the current house
design protects the current tree scape of the property, which the neighbors will appreciate.
Fence – We are requesting to erect a wooden/brick 4ft & 6ft privacy fence around the West side or rear
of the new home. The fence would be built one foot from the property line. On the South/West side of the
driveway would be 4ft high to give drivers a clear vision of Briarwood when backing out of the driveway.
We have three small children, and would like them to be able to play in the back yard safely. The main
reason for the fence is to mitigate the risk of them getting injured by traffic traveling down Briarwood
Ave. Many homes on Cambridge that have rear yards on Briarwood already have privacy fences as a
protection mechanism. (See attached photos). We feel this change would only improve the look of the
rear yard with an attractive fencing and landscaping.
Roof height – We are requesting that the mid-point height of the roof be 27 feet and 6 inches verses the
25 feet stated, a variance of 2 feet and 6 inches. The height of the roof, and the resulting elevation and
architectural massing, are in line with the houses on this block of Cambridge.
We believe granting these three variances will have a positive impact on the neighbors and
neighborhood. We will be improving the site with a new home and increase the property values.
Thank you,
Amy & Oisin Courtney