Zoning Board of Appeals Zoning Board of Appeals

 The Zoning Board of appeals:

• Hear and decide appeals: The ZBA hears appeals from administrative decisions made by the Zoning Administrator.
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• Grant variances: The ZBA can grant variances from zoning regulations, allowing for deviations from the ordinance's requirements in specific circumstances. 
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• Interpret zoning ordinances: The ZBA interprets the meaning of zoning ordinances and their application to specific situations. 

To schedule a hearing before the Zoning Board of Appeals contact the Zoning Administrator Marcus Preble at ZoningAdmin@bridgetontownshipmi.gov

Procedure for Requesting a Special Meeting

1. The request must be submitted in writing to the Zoning Administrator on a form provided by the Township (or equivalent written request).
2. The request must identify:
• The pending application or matter to be considered;
• The preferred date(s) and time(s); (due to notice and publication requirements allow at least twenty four (24) days between the request submission date and the preferred meeting date.
• The reason a special meeting is necessary (rather than waiting for a regular meeting); and
• Contact information for the requester.

 3. The application for the underlying matter must be complete (including all required plans, materials, and the base application fee) before a special meeting will be scheduled.

4.The Zoning Administrator shall review the request for completeness and forward it to the ZBA Chairperson (or the full ZBA if needed).

5.If approved, the Township Clerk shall provide the required public notice under the Open Meetings Act and Zoning Ordinance.

6.Special meetings are subject to member availability, quorum requirements, and Township facilities scheduling. The Township is not obligated to grant every request.

Fees

The Township may charge reasonable fees to recover the actual or estimated costs of holding a meeting, including but not limited to:

• Administrative and staff time;
• Public notice and publication costs;
• Facility use, security, or other direct expenses.

A current fee schedule shall be maintained by the Township and may be updated by Board resolution. The requesting party shall be responsible for payment of all applicable fees unless the Board, by motion, waives or reduces the fees for good cause.

Fees are due prior to the publication deadline of the special meeting. Failure to pay required fees may result in denial or postponement of the request.

Fees are non-refundable once notice has been published or posted, except as otherwise provided below or by Township Board action.

Notes on Fees:

• Fees approximate the Township’s actual costs and serve a regulatory purpose.
• An additional fee or escrow may be required if outside professional services (legal, planning, engineering) are needed beyond routine review.
• Fees may be adjusted by Township Board resolution. The current schedule is available from the Zoning Administrator, Township Clerk or on the Township website bridgetontownshipmi.gov.
• Payment shall be made by check, money order, or other method accepted by the Township, payable to “Bridgeton Township.” 

Refunds and Cancellations

• If the special meeting is cancelled by the Township or ZBA for lack of quorum or other Township-caused reason before notice is published, the special meeting fee shall be refunded.
• If the applicant withdraws the request after notice has been published or posted, the special meeting fee is non-refundable.
• Base application fees are generally non-refundable once processing has begun.
• Unused escrow balances (after all costs are paid) shall be refunded to the applicant within a reasonable time after the matter is closed.