Board delays decision on widened driveway at 3718 Linwood Avenue after neighbors and members raise safety and design concerns

The Royal Oak Zoning Board voted to postpone a request to expand a driveway at 3718 Linwood Avenue after members expressed safety and aesthetic concerns and asked the owners to return with a revised design.

Staff said the property’s building permit showed an 800‑square‑foot garage and a 25‑foot maximum driveway width measured at the property line; the petitioner now seeks to widen the approach by 15.85 feet to a new width of about 40.85 feet along Chester Road. Board members questioned how a three‑car garage had been permitted under a 25‑foot apron limit and discussed whether the ordinance allows flared aprons and how the width is measured.

Owners Vinny and Patricia told the board they bought and demolished an abandoned house and are rebuilding; they said they need extra driveway space for elderly parents and guests and described plans to add landscaping to reduce the visual impact of extra concrete. “Chester is a very small road … it is a safety hazard,” Vinny said, asking for a small area to park visitors and relatives so they need not park on the street.

Several board members suggested possible compromises including a reduced variance (for example a 30‑foot approach), a T‑shaped parking pad, or landscaping buffers to avoid a broad apron of concrete. One member argued the request appeared to correct a design decision made by the applicant’s architect rather than a unique hardship.

Wolf moved to deny the variance; after discussion the motion was withdrawn on condition the petitioner return with an updated plan. The board then voted to postpone the item one month to allow the owners time to submit a revised design.

The board did not approve the driveway expansion tonight; the applicant was told to coordinate with planning staff about revised plans and the board’s concerns about safety, buffering and minimizing visible concrete.