Berkley Zoning Board Approves Three Variances, Elects New Vice Chair

BERKLEY — July 14, 2025 — Berkley's Zoning Board of Appeals approved three dimensional variances and reorganized its leadership at its July 14 regular meeting. The board voted 5-2 to grant a parking variance for a planned retail and office space at 3020 Kulage Highway, where owners Christine Sheridan and Zach Jacobs intend to open a family retail shop on the ground floor and a private office upstairs; the century-old building leaves no room for on-site parking, and the city's April 2025 zoning ordinance change — capping shared parking agreements at 50 percent of requirements — made any use at the site impossible without board relief. The board also voted unanimously twice to clear the way for the Mug and Jug redevelopment at 12 Mile and Greenfield, approving a sideyard trash enclosure blocked from rear placement by utility easements and overhead lines, and a 3.2-foot driveway setback variance supported by a written no-objection from the Road Commission of Oakland County. In a leadership reorganization, Chair McAlpine was unanimously re-elected, and Member Creel was elected vice chair over absent incumbent Steve Allen by a 4-3 margin.