ESCANABA - The Lofts on Ludington project received a round of applause Tuesday after the Escanaba Board of Zoning Appeals approved a parking variance allowing the project to move forward.
Last month the $2 million project to renovate the former Delta Brewery building on Ludington Street to residential and retail space was put on hold when the planning commission, in a 3-3 vote, failed to approve the site plan because of parking concerns.
Though the building's design included 23 outside and underground parking spaces, the site plan did not include the required 42 parking spaces needed based on city ordinance.
Since the planning commission meeting, nearby property owners Tim and Tina Trottier agreed to lease alley frontage, adding nine parking places. Though this didn't completely meet the ordinance's requirements, the zoning board approved variances to allow modifications because of the project's unusual difficulties.
"This means we can look ahead and move forward," said local businessman Matt Sviland after the meeting. He purchased the Delta Building in January and plans to create 16 one-bedroom apartments and one two-bedroom apartment in the 108-year-old building.
"The issue of parking is tough downtown," Sviland said. "With 32 parking spots, in our opinion, it's more than adequate...I think that we're all set to go."
Now that the zoning board approved the parking variance, the plan will return to the planning commission Aug. 14. From there, it would seek approval from city council.
Sviland praised the city for its assistance, specifically mentioning City Manager Jim O'Toole, City Assessor Elizabeth Keller and Downtown Development Director Roger Good.
"The city of Escanaba has been wonderful through this whole process," Sviland said, excusing himself for getting choked up. "They want to see development happen in Escanaba in the right way."
Sviland said the timing was right for the parking variance to be approved because the project is scheduled to be awarded a $200,000 facade grant from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority today.
Several people presented public comment in favor of the Lofts on Ludington project Tuesday, urging the board members to approve the parking variances.
Local businessman Paul Neumeier, who owns property next to the Delta Building, requested the zoning board hold off on the variance approval because the site plan is "not very good" in regards to parking and snow storage.
"I'm not trying to stop the project. I just want to make it better," Neumeier said. "It's better to put it on hold ... to resolve parking... You've got to use common sense and look at the code."
Four of the five zoning board members in attendance voted in favor of the parking variances. The fifth member present, Jason Neumeier, excused himself from the discussion because of a conflict of interest. He is Paul Neumeier's son.
Board member Jim Hellerman called the project "a no-brainer." JoAnn Neubauer said practically every business downtown has parking problems and variances have been granted in the past. Ron Powers thanked Sviland for the project and said he feels privileged to be part of it. Board Chair Myron VanEffen said he will not stand in the way of progress and that the $2 million project should be applauded.
The audience did just that.
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Jenny Lancour, (906) 786-2021, ext. 143, jlancour@dailypress.net