MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - At the October 28th Zoning Board of Appeals meeting, the primary agenda item concerned the recent installation of a "pergola" at a Meridian Township residence.

A "pergola" is a type of gazebo that consists of a series of latticework instead of a solid roof to provide shade.

Meridian Township ordinance dictates that accessory structures must be a least ten feet from the main house, while the pergola in question was virtually touching, dipping beneath the eaves-trough of the house.

The residents and contractor stated the pergola was constructed the way it was because the majority of the property has a drastic slope, rendering construction possibilities extremely limited. They also insisted they were unaware that pergolas were included under the ordnance.

The ZBA decided that the pergola was in violation and had to be changed. However, the board was supportive and expressed interest in hearing alternate solutions, such as expanding on the pergola to make it formally attached to the house.