The Comstock Township Planning Commission voted to recommend denying a request to rezone about three acres on East N Avenue.
The request would change the property from Agricultural to R-1C. A representative of the applicant told the commission the intent is to build duplexes. The representative also said multi-family housing allowed in R-1C without special approval is limited to four units on one lot. Anything larger would need special land use approval.
The commission works through a set of standards in the zoning ordinance when it reviews a rezoning. The motion cited two of them: that the rezoning is not consistent with the policies and uses in the township’s master land use plan, and that public services and facilities could be significantly adversely affected. Commissioners noted that the plan’s future land use map designates the area as agricultural, and that the plan also emphasizes preserving green space and farmland. They said water and traffic effects are hard to judge without knowing what would be built. Commissioners did not fully agree on the plan’s direction. One said the plan also encourages residential development.
The zoning administrator told the commission it makes a recommendation only. The Township Board makes the final decision. He also said this is a straight rezoning, not a conditional one, so the commission cannot attach conditions. An applicant can offer conditions voluntarily, but that would require a new public hearing. After the vote, a commissioner said they hoped the applicant would be told the commission would consider conditions if the request returned.
The full Noember 12 meeting is available to watch on Public Media Network.
