MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - On October 12, 2015 the Planning Commission discussed the "Special Use Permit #15131 for Pairolero. In this case the applicant requested to construct a non-residential use in a residential district on two undeveloped platted lots located on the east side of Marsh Road north of Haslett Road.

Pairolero's goal is to create an optometry clinic in Haslett.

He feels that the clinic does not generate enough traffic therefore he requested a driveway be put in. Pairolero anticipates approximately 30-40 vehicles will be entering this driveway/parking lot daily.

The Planning Commission went back and forth deciding on if this building should be passed.

One of the primary concerns that were mentioned was the fact that ALL sides of this building require a variance. This struck the Commission as very unusual because most businesses do not request variances for each side typically.

Another concern regarding the construction of this optometry building is that because Pairolero is requesting a "special use permit," this causes concern for economic development.

Commissioner Thomas Diets mentioned that if for any reason this business decides to sell its building in the future, they would not be able to because of the grant the "special use permit" allows.

"This zoning is restricted in that way and that's the economic development issue. Because if this building if for any reason goes on the market again, it has built in limited uses because we chose to go down the path of a special uses permit and not professional office zoning," stated Commissioner Diets.

Once the board shared their thoughts on the issue at hand, Planning Commission Chair John Scott-Craig spoke.

Scott-Craig shared his concerns saying that he feels this building is far too large to be built in this location and it concerns him because of the number of variances Pairolero is requesting.

"Some of those variances are going to be very difficult," stated Chair Scott-Craig.

He suggested that the applicant build up in height instead or make the building smaller overall.

"The flexibility of going up could eliminate a lot of these projects and difficulties in terms of the setbacks and variances," mentioned Scott-Craig.

However, Pairolero disagreed with those suggestions.

"I'm not going to build a building that looks horrible but meets all the criteria, that's just my personal opinion," stated Pairolero.

Because of the many concerns that were laid out on the table, the board reached a consensus to NOT vote on the approval of this clinic at this time.