Summary
The Suttons Bay Village Zoning Board of Appeals met on January 14, 2026, with Chairperson Popke presiding and all five members (Bahle, Hassevoort, Smith, Popke, Cheadle) present. The Board elected new officers, approved prior minutes, and held two public hearings involving zoning interpretations: one regarding driveway width off an alley at 324 N. St. Mary's Street (Barnes), and one regarding whether Dame Street should be classified as an alley for setback purposes at 100 & 101 E. Dame Street (Inland Seas Education Association). Both matters were resolved in favor of the applicants' positions after discussion of ordinance interpretation.
Public Comments
Robert Barnes, applicant, stated he was seeking an interpretation regarding alley access driveway width at 324 N. St. Mary's Street.
During the Inland Seas hearing, Scott Jowziak (Jozwiak Consulting, representing the applicant) argued that Dame Street should be treated as an alley, noting it is 29.7 feet wide, has an 11% grade, and would not affect Act 51 funding if reclassified for zoning purposes only. He stated the applicant did not want to return repeatedly for approvals and provided visuals showing what a required setback build-out would look like.
Ray Kendra addressed a question from Chair Popke about an exterior stairway, explaining it would connect lower-level parking to the upper level and provide handicap access.
Fred Sitkens commented that he appreciated the discussion but felt the intent of the ordinance section was not to allow buildings up to Dame Street.
Other Business
The Board amended the agenda to add Election of Officers (Bahle moved, Smith seconded, carried 5-0). Bahle nominated the existing slate; Smith offered to step aside as Vice Chair, and Hassevoort agreed to serve. The Board elected Donna Popke as Chair, Karen Hassevoort as Vice Chair, and Gary Cheadle as Secretary (Bahle moved, Smith seconded, carried 5-0). The ZBA meeting minutes of August 13, 2025, were approved as presented (Smith moved, Bahle seconded, carried 5-0). Chair Popke disclosed a conflict of interest as a volunteer for Inland Seas.
Action Items
On the Barnes matter, the Board (Bahle moved, Smith seconded, carried 5-0) agreed with the Zoning Administrator's interpretation regarding the rear driveway at 324 St. Mary's, and further requested that the Planning Commission review Article 2-4 D.4.b to determine whether rear access driveways should be addressed in the ordinance.
On the Inland Seas matter, the Board (Hassevoort moved, Bahle seconded, carried 5-0) classified Dame Street as an Alley under the current zoning ordinance for zoning purposes, citing its width under 30 feet, 11% grade, lack of parking lanes, gutters, and sidewalks, and its historical use for ingress/egress.