Board of Zoning Appeals

The City of Birmingham, Michigan Board of Zoning Appeals held a meeting on July 15, 2026, to consider two dimensional variance appeals related to residential property developments. The first case involved a historic duplex property at 504-506 Townson Street, where the owners requested variances for setbacks and building distances to convert the property into a single-family home with an addition. The board discussed the impact on neighboring properties and the historic district commission's prior approval. The variance was approved unanimously, with conditions tied to the submitted plans, including demolition of an existing garage. The second case concerned a new home construction at 1982 Haynes Street, requesting a variance for the minimum distance between principal buildings. The board noted a previously granted but expired variance and approved the new request, also tied to the submitted plans. Neighbor concerns about light and privacy were acknowledged, and the applicant was encouraged to work with neighbors on minor adjustments. Both approvals were based on unique property conditions and the inability to build conforming structures without variances.