MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP, MI - The Zoning Board of Appeals virtual meeting took place on Wednesday, September 23rd to rehear the East Lansing Lodge Inc. proposal for constructing a 174 square foot decorative canopy addition onto the west side of an existing hotel located at 2736 Grand River Ave.

The proposal was previously denied back in November 2019 and originally planned to add a 288 square foot porte-cochere addition to the building, exceeding the 70% impervious surface courage, however the applicant returned seeking approval from the Zoning Board based on newly discovered evidence and proof of changed circumstances to rehear the case.

A representative for the applicant, Ryan Nofar, who is with the ownership group of East Lansing Lodge Inc., spoke to the Board and said, “When it got denied we went back to the franchise which is Choice Hotel and tried to do something on a smaller scale.”

Eight different criteria were reviewed in order to grant a variance. Monique Field-Foster and Courtney Wisinski shared safety concerns for the public’s interest. Scott Hendrickson was against the motion and also expressed his concerns.

Alexia Mansour felt this was unique criteria and said, “I feel that we can definitely make the case that this is a piece for public safety for the interest of the clientele that would be staying at the hotel.”

The Board voted 4 - 1 to approve the variance request.

The next Zoning Board of Appeals virtual meeting will be held October 14th, 2019 at 6:30 pm.