Zoning Board of Appeals Grants Signage Variance for Costco
MIDLAND, Mich. — The Midland Zoning Board of Appeals granted a signage variance for Costco Wholesale on Tuesday night.
The vote was 4-1. Board member Richard H. Siemer was the sole ‘no’ vote after an amendment he proposed to eliminate the signage on the building’s east side failed to garner a second.
The variance allows the big-box warehouse to utilize larger signage in its site plan — on the corner of Bay City and Rockwell roads — which will now go before the Midland City Council for final approval at its Dec. 9 regular meeting.
Costco opted to delay the final presentation of its site plan to the council until it received the variance. The site plan was previously approved by the Midland Planning Commission on Oct. 18.
The proposed site includes a 157,682 square foot retail warehouse, a tire facility, and a small, eight-pump fuel station.
The site plan received favorable comments from City residents during the Planning Commission hearing as well as numerous e-mail messages from residents ahead of Tuesday night’s Zoning Board of Appeals meeting.
Midland Business Alliance President & CEO Tony Stamas has publicly spoke in support of the plan.
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“We’re excited for Costco to join our community. We view the business as a great addition, not only to our community, but for the region. We believe having Costco here will help to grow our area as a retail draw for a significant area of the state of Michigan,” Mr. Stamas said during the Planning Commission hearing last month.
This is a developing story…
Michael Westendorf is the chairman and executive editor of Chemical City Paper. As Executive Editor, he leads the City Paper’s news coverage and editorial team.