The Board of Zoning Appeals approved dimensional variances permitting the reconstruction of a front-yard parking area at 902 Scribner Avenue Northwest, allowing 49 spaces where ordinance guidance caps reconstruction at 36 for this building size and removing the required screening between the parking area and the right of way, with an applicant-proposed amendment to add landscaping in a limited area.

The property, formerly occupied by Vosglass and recently refurbished by Rose Medical, sits between US-131 and the Grand River in a historic industrial area designated in the city’s master plan as an innovation center. City staff said the building and existing lot predate the ordinance requirements relevant to screening and front-yard parking, and that an August 2025 zoning ordinance amendment created an administrative path for minor reconstructions — but only when the replacement does not exceed a set count or percentage. This project exceeds that threshold and therefore required BZA review.

Planner Rowan explained the variance requests as: permitting parking in a defined front yard, exceeding the maximum number of reconstructed parking spaces, and eliminating required landscape screening along the east frontage where the aisle narrows to roughly 18 feet. Rowan noted the building footprint is roughly 35,500 square feet and that, under current code, replacement parking is limited to no more than 36 spaces (or a percentage of required parking); the applicant is proposing 49 spaces.

Architect Richard Craig (Craig Architects) representing the owner said the facility supports manufacturing-like clean-room operations with multiple shifts. He told the board the site typically operates with ‘‘30 people’’ per shift on the site and that two shifts overlap at times, creating peak demand that currently pushes workers to park on nearby streets. Craig said the work is not a simple top-coating job: ‘‘Some of the base has to be replaced,’’ which triggers the ordinance requirement for review rather than an administrative resurfacing exemption.

Board members debated whether requiring full-length landscape screening would discourage owners from maintaining aging lots. Several members said limited landscaping made sense; one member flagged a narrow area near curb cuts where changing the layout would make circulation difficult. During discussion the applicant offered to provide landscaping ‘‘in the area shown on the image’’ presented at the hearing. The board amended the motion to incorporate that testimony and approved the variances with that condition.

Ending: Staff will record the variance approvals with the amendment reflecting the applicant’s offered landscaping. The applicant may proceed with reconstruction consistent with the granted variances and must meet any conditions added during the permit review process.

Proper names: 902 Scribner Avenue Northwest; Vosglass; Rose Medical; Grand River; US-131; City of Grand Rapids; Department of Planning.