“We went through 48 hours of sadness,” says Diane Smith. For months, Brad and Diane Smith have been on a mission to establish a Montessori daycare in what was formerly the Clarklake Community Church on Hyde Road. On Thursday, the Columbia Charter Township Board of Appeals (ZBA) rendered a 3-2 decision that essentially prevented them from using the parking lot, north of the building. While the building is zoned commercial, the north parking lot (typically used by boaters), is zoned residential suburban and considered “non-conforming.” The denial of a waiver, in combination with required setbacks, “shrunk the parking lot to about five spaces.” The Smith’s concluded they couldn’t operate the daycare without adequate parking.
What to do next? “There was a lot to making a decision,” according to Brad Smith, who is also an attorney. “We were left with 3 options: sell, go to court, which would take too long and create hard feelings, or the third which we decided to take.” They plan to use the existing parking lot, west of the building for staff and drop off. In order to do that, they will reduce the proposed student load and number of employees.
The Smith’s calculate that this will also reduce the size of the playground by about 40%. They plan to create a playground to be located adjacent to the north side of the building.
The story first appeared on this website Friday morning. Starting immediately, and throughout the weekend, it generated 37 comments on the website, and 12 on the Clark Lake Spirit Facebook page. Diane says “it encouraged us to move forward.” She adds “the comments on the website felt like the real spirit of the community. We’re grateful for the support.”
Diane comments “We understand and appreciate the concerns of the neighbors and their willingness to compromise with us, and we feel our revised plan reflects that.”
Meanwhile, the non-conforming parking lot to the north is in “limbo.” The Smith’s intended to fence it and use it, but were turned down. Diane says “we’re undecided as to what to do with the lot. Our focus is the kids, and we’re keeping that forefront.”
The Smith’s say the next step is to submit their revised plan to Brittany Stein, the Township’s Building/Zoning/Planning Manager, with the hopes that it will be forwarded to the Planning Commission.
Wishing you very good luck with the Zoning Commission. If they are smart, they will have read the comments and heed the desires of the community. I truly pray that you are successful!
Thank you Diane and Brad for choosing Option 3! Your presence in the Clarklake Community is a blessing and will only bring positive things in the future. I can just feel it!
I am grateful the Smiths are going to continue to try to make their school come to fruition. Hopefully, when the Township realizes what a wonderful addition this school is to our community, they will reconsider allowing them to use all of their property to it’s full advantage. In the meantime, no one should be allowed to use the parking lot at any time.
I served on the planning and zoning commission in Cape Coral, Florida for many years. Our mission was always to find the highest and best use to serve the community when aske to rezone a parcel of land for a different use than before. This would be such an opportunity for the commission at Clark Lake. If I were able to cast a vote for such a worthy project I would not hesitate.
It makes me sad and embarrassed for the way the board voted. A Montessori school would be a great addition to the community! Thank you Smith’s for perservering. Share the love.
Columbia township is so far behind Leoni Twp, They have repaired roads, bought a new firetruck, and 50 acres of lakefront property for a park for the residents! We need a different view of things in this township!!