Plymouth BZA denies variance to convert garage into duplex on Conger Street

Angie Turcios appeared before the Plymouth Board of Zoning Appeals earlier this month seeking a variance of use to convert an accessory structure into a duplex at 338 Conger Street.

Plymouth Plan Director Ty Adley informed the board that Turcios owns the lot, which features a single-family rental home at the front and an accessory structure at the rear, along with a 10-foot strip of property immediately to the west.

The site plan presented shows a proposed driveway on the west side of the home and converting the detached 20-by-40 garage at the rear of the property into an upper and lower duplex with off-street parking. The accessory structure would have access through the alley, which also provides parking.

The property is zoned R-3 Traditional Residential District, which permits a variety of housing types.

After presenting the request, the staff recommended denial of the application but was supportive of a new application for a single, rental, residential unit in the accessory structure. Adley said accessibility to the rear structure is on a tight, dead-end alley with no turnaround ability that includes a drop-off to the Yellow River.

BZA member Mark Gidley asked Adley about his recommendation to deny and inquired how soon the owners could propose a different use, specifically the conversion to a one-unit accessory structure.

Plymouth Building Inspector Dennis Manuwal said the owner came to his office after purchasing the property in February through a Sheriff’s Deed. He said the previous owners had already begun converting the accessory structure into a rental unit and had determined that the internal staircase did not comply with code.

Manuwal said the city doesn’t currently allow accessory dwelling units; the owner would have to seek a variance to make the garage a residential structure.

During the public hearing, George and Robin Keller, neighbors to the west, both spoke against the proposal. They noted the negative impact on the value of their home, the effect on their quality of life, and believed the request is self-imposed. The neighbors also questioned the accessibility of emergency equipment to access the alley and stated that there is no room for another driveway.

Dan Shuppert owns 323 Conger, and a grandson is using a rent-to-own option for the property in the neighborhood. He said the street is already crowded and wanted to protect the integrity of the neighborhood. He thinks a single-family option in the detached garage could be favorable, but not a duplex. 

There were a couple of letters read in opposition to the request, one from the Kellers and from the Kuusisto’s at 411 Conger Street. A petition was also presented to deny, signed by seven neighbors. A second petition was presented in support of the variance by four neighboring property owners.   

A motion to deny the variance to permit the conversion of an accessory structure into a duplex passed with a 5-0 vote.