Orion Township resident Todd McCoy said he often fears for his life when entering and exiting his vehicle at his home along Heights Road.
“To get my kids out of the car and grab a bag of groceries, I have maybe three feet and I’m standing in the street,” he told the board of trustees on Nov. 17. “I could be hit by a car, or killed by a car.”
McCoy was before the board appealing a decision to deny him a lot split, which would allow him to purchase part of his neighbors property to use for parking.
“I’m asking for additional parking and some peace of mind for safety from Heights…everyone knows how dangerous Heights Road is,” he said.
McCoy’s split was denied on Oct. 29 because it did not comply with township ordinances and requirements, and would create two non-conforming lots.
“There’s not enough parking for the neighborhood,” McCoy explained. “When they have family gatherings…they ask me to park extra vehicles there and I oblige.”
McCoy said the area would remain undeveloped and be used strictly for parking if the lot split was granted, and would also be a good runoff area for water to get from the road to Lake Orion.
“According to our planner’s comments, accessory use such as a parking lot is not permitted (for a lot split) without a principal use already on the lot,” said supervisor Jerry Dywasuk, noting that both township building official Tom Berger and Orion Township Fire Chief Jeff Key had recommended denial of the lot split request.
“Certainly we understand the issues you’re facing from a safety perspective…from an ordinance perspective, and the guidelines we have for the township…those are the things we’re trying to weigh and balance here,” said trustee Michael Gingell.
Trustee Richard Tomczak asked McCoy if anything would have to be done to the property to make it able to be parked on.
“We’ve been parking there for 35 years,” he said. “I’ve lived there all my life.”
McCoy said he was only purchasing one lot from his neighbor, because the other was not for sale.
“By not purchasing the entire parcel, it’s causing all these discrepancies to arise,” Gingell said.
“We don’t split a piece of property and form a non-conforming lot,” treasurer James Marleau said.
McCoy said his neighbor had the same hardship he did with parking.
“I feel bad that I’m a burden to my neighbor,” he said.
The board voted to deny McCoy’s appeal, but suggested he contact the township building department to see if working with the zoning board of appeals might be an option for him.
“We have to maintain consistency and walk through the difficult ones using the guidelines we have here,” said Gingell.