Board of Zoning Appeals

General Information 

• The BZA meets the 1st Wednesday of the month.  Public welcome to attend. 
• Meeting dates or application submission deadlines may be moved due to holidays and holiday newspaper publication.   Follow the posted schedule.
• Applications are due by 4pm on the submission deadline. 
• Due to publication requirements, submission deadlines are firm.

NOTE:  Meeting the submission deadline does not ensure the case will be heard at the next BZA meeting.  The City Planner will review your application, supporting documentation, and determine if the case has the information needed to properly notice the public hearing.  If your application is deficient, you case will be deferred to the following month's meeting, pending timely submission of the required information.

2020 Meeting Dates and Submission Deadlines

January 8 
submit application by Mon., December 9

February 5
submit application by Mon., January 6

March 4
submit application by Mon., February 3

April 1 - April 1 Meeting canceled due to State of MI Stay Home, Stay Safe order
submit application by Mon., March 2

May 6 (click here for video conference meeting link)
submit application by Mon., March 30 (moved for newspaper holiday deadline)

June 3 - meeting canceled as no appeal cases were filed
submit application by Mon., May 4
Application submission information during MI Stay Home, Stay Safe Order

July 1 (click here for video conference meeting link)
submit application by Mon., June 1

August 5
submit application by Mon., July 6
File using the MI Stay Home, Stay Safe Order instructions

September 2
submit application by Mon., August 3
(filing instructions are in the application)

October 7
submit application by Wed., August 26 (moved for newspaper holiday deadline)
(filing instructions are in the application)

November 4
submit application by Mon., October 5
(filing instructions are in the application)

December 2
submit application by Mon., November 2
(filing instructions are in the application)


2021 Meeting Dates and Submission Deadlines

January 6, 2021
submit application by Mon., December 7
(filing instructions are in the application)

February 3, 2021
submit application by Mon., January 4, 2021 
(filing instructions are in the application)

[remainder of meeting schedule will be posted in 2021]

• Review the meeting date and application submission schedule before applying. 
• Meeting dates and submission deadlines may be moved to accommodate holidays and newspaper publication deadlines.
• Follow the submission schedule posted at the Building Department and as posted on the website.
• Follow the submission instructions found on the last page of the application.  The instructions provide direction on the number of packets needed, assembling your submission, and the documents required at filing.  Incomplete applications may be deferred to a future meeting. 
• Applicable fees are noted on the application.  Applications filed without the fee are considered incomplete. 
• Submission deadlines are firm. 

NOTE:  Meeting the submission deadline does not ensure the case will be heard at the next BZA meeting.  The City Planner will review your application, supporting documentation, and determine if the case has the information needed to properly notice the public hearing.  If your application is deficient, you case will be deferred to the following month's meeting, pending timely submission of the required information.

• BZA applications are reviewed by the Building Official and City Planner to determine if they are complete. Incomplete applications are returned to the applicant for additional information. 
• Due to statutory publication requirements, incomplete or deficient applications are deferred to a future BZA meeting based upon when the necessary information is received. 
• For complete applications, City staff prepares a public hearing notice for publication in the newspaper and mails notification to the applicant and property owners located within 300 feet of the property in which the request is located. 
• Complete applications are provided to BZA members prior to the meeting. 
• Staff reviews are provided to the petitioner by email prior to the scheduled meeting.

Petitioner appears on his/her own behalf, or by representation.  Failure to do so will result in the petition being tabled. 

Petitioner is responsible for covering all fees associated with rescheduling the meeting.

Meeting format is as follows: 

• Introduction of the petition by the City
• Petitioner presentation
• Public hearing
• Deliberation
• Motion and Vote

BZA members have the authority to grant a lesser variance than requested upon finding justice shall be served.  In addition, the BZA may require conditions related to the site, operation, and/or use to mitigate the impact of any variance.