Inland Seas Education Association (ISEA) is moving forward with plans to expand their campus after the Village of Suttons Bay Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) unanimously approved on Jan. 14 to classify Dame Street as an alley under the current zoning ordinance.
The Village of Suttons Bay planning commission voted in December to grant ISEA “conditional approval” for its campus expansion project. One of those conditions was that the applicant obtain ZBA approval of variance for build-to/setback along Dame Street. The planning commission previously determined Dame Street as a “side street,” but with the ZBA recent review and agreement that Dame Street is an “alley,” a variance was not necessary. The issue identified by the planning commission in the application pertained to the “build-to/setback” requirements of the zoning ordinance as it relates to the property frontage on Dame Street.
ISEA Executive Director Fred Sitkins said the ZBA’s interpretation of the Dame Street issue means the organization can continue to move forward with project plans in the months ahead. The issue had been with Dame Street being considered a primary road and being subject to some of the setback requirements found in the downtown business district. ISEA’s contention was that Dame Street did not fit any of the characteristics of a road as defined in Suttons Bay based on its width, steepness, and many safety issues.
