Big Rapids board approves use variance at 117 South Warren Avenue to allow unrelated occupants

The Big Rapids board approved a use-variance for 117 South Warren Avenue on a motion that permits three multifamily units and allows up to four unrelated persons per unit, depending on off-street parking and available space.

Staff member S3 opened the public hearing by saying, “The property is zoned to RP, which is our residential professional district,” and summarized prior variances and the surrounding property uses. Staff did not make a formal recommendation, saying the board should apply the fact-finding standards in sections 13.5 and 13.6 of the zoning ordinance.

Applicant Mike Monk told the board he has owned the property for about 30 years and described a prolonged process of inspections, certificate applications and prior variance requests. “This has been a year ongoing,” Monk said, and also told the board, “My name's Mike Monk.” He alleged selective enforcement and a conflict of interest involving a former board member, and urged the board to approve the variance so his property would be on “equal footing” with neighboring parcels.

Board members and staff clarified the scope of the request after an initial notice error: the applicant’s current filing seeks approval to allow unrelated occupants in all three dwelling units rather than two. Staff confirmed the property has seven bedrooms across the three units and noted the zoning code’s parking requirement: “our zoning ordinance requires 1 parking space per bedroom.”

Staff further explained limits on unrelated occupancy under current ordinance language: “4 unrelated is the max our ordinance allows,” except for grandfathered fraternities and sororities. Board members discussed square-footage requirements and how off-street parking could constrain the practical number of occupants; rental inspections are conducted annually and a new owner must obtain a new rental certificate after a transfer of ownership.

On a motion by the presiding member, seconded by another member, the board approved the variance with conditions that it allow three multifamily units and cap unrelated occupancy at up to four persons per unit, “depending on off-street parking and available space.” The board recorded affirmative roll-call responses for the members named in the transcript; the chair asked staff to document the conditions and the inspection/transfer requirements in an administrative letter.

The variance runs with the property; staff will continue to enforce square-footage, parking and maintenance-code requirements that could limit occupancy. The board closed the public hearing and moved on to other business.

Why it matters: The decision formalizes the property's ability to be marketed and used with unrelated occupants, which supporters say brings clarity and parity with surrounding parcels. Opponents who submitted written opposition (received and noted in the record) had argued against changing the property's use without stricter conditions, and concerns about parking and neighborhood character were raised during board discussion. The administrative letter will list the conditions and remind potential future owners that rental inspections do not transfer automatically.