ZBA approves variances for large renovation of 1205 Vinceta to preserve historic home

The Royal Oak Zoning Board of Appeals approved multiple variances for a planned renovation at 1205 Vinceta Blvd., allowing expansion of an existing nonconforming house and relief for an accessory-structure height calculation the applicant said is inflated by dormers.

Staff told the board the house, built in 1925, already exceeds the city's 3,500-square-foot usable-floor-area limit and that proposed additions would increase total usable area to 5,196 square feet by staff measurement. The petitioner, Joseph Bolton, argued the city's usable-area calculation inappropriately counts a third-floor attic that is accessed by substandard stairs and is effectively unusable; he estimated the actual usable area at about 4,486 square feet and pointed to the property's large lot (roughly 19,000 sq ft, about 17% lot coverage). Bolton said the plan keeps the garage low, moves it behind the house, and adds dormers for architectural consistency.

Neighbors who attended spoke in favor of restoring the house rather than demolishing it. Board members praised the design work, discussed the attic measurement and the treatment of dormers for height calculations, and asked clarifying questions about lot coverage and enforceability if future owners sought to finish attic or garage space.

After discussion the board voted 6'01 to grant the requested variances, with members saying the proposal preserves neighborhood character and that conditions and building permits will govern any future conversion of attic or garage storage to living space.