COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – A variance request from the Branch County Fair to install asphalt millings to replace the existing asphalt parking surface at the Dearth Community Center was turned down by the Coldwater Zoning Board of Appeals on Wednesday afternoon.
The Dearth Center parking lot was installed years ago and is said to be thinner than it should be.
The Fair stated in the application for the variance, “adding concrete area and replacing the cracked asphalt with millings would be financially reasonable and maintainable.”
But the staff recommended to the Z.B.A. that the variance be denied because, “the property does not contain unique physical characteristics that prevent compliance with the required parking surface standards, and denial would not preclude reasonable use of the site.”
It was added in the staff report that, “financial considerations alone do not constitute a practical difficulty and that granting the variance would be inconsistent with the intent and uniform application of the Zoning Ordinance.”
In other business, the Z.B.A. decided to put off the election of officers until next month’s meeting since only three members were in attendance.
Government over reach. Why does it matter to anyone what surface type THEIR parking lot is?? As long as it’s safe. They are trying to improve something. County fairgrounds aren’t rolling in money.