COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The City of Coldwater Zoning Board of Appeals approved three variance requests from the Dutcher Funeral Home Wednesday night which will allow Dutcher to expand their parking lot at 440 West Chicago.
The variances will allow the parking lot to be expanded with reduced right-of-way, interior and residential screening landscaping.
Mark and Kathy Barone said in a letter to the ZBA that they were being asked to include what they felt was an unreasonable amount of trees, bushes and islands as part of the parking lot expansion. The Barones said they don’t have ample parking at their facility. Large visitations and funerals have led to visitors parking in the grass and on Western Avenue.
In other business during a two-and-a-half hour meeting, the ZBA tabled a pair of sign variance requests for further review by the city attorney from US 12 Auto Repair at 335 East Chicago. The business requested a review because they were not sure if painting letters or designs on a building is considered to be a sign.
The ZBA approved a variance request from Gates Prime Commercial Group that would allow them to install a 25 foot freestanding sign at Willowbrook Plaza. It’s ten feet higher than the maximum height for a free-standing or monument sign for property in a C-4 General Commercial zoned district. Gates had requested a 15 foot height variance for the sign.
A request from Real Alloy on West Garfield for a 20 foot dimensional front yard variance was also approved. This would allow the business to construct a concrete retaining wall that the company hopes will better contain loose materials received on semi trailers and keep the loose scrap piles from becoming an eyesore.
