Board of Zoning Appeals

Department in Charge of This Board

Planning Department

About the Board

We deal with requests for deviations from Zoning Code requirements. We focus on these areas:

  • Reviewing requests for dimensional, use, and sign variances.
  • Reviewing appeals of decisions by the Planning Director or Planning Commission
  • Interpreting Zoning Ordinance language

Meeting Schedule

We meet on the third Thursday of every month at 1:00 pm.

Paper Schedule

Download the Annual Meeting Schedule

Meeting Location

Development Center
1120 Monroe Ave. NW
Meeting Room 201

Webpage

You can access the Board of Zoning Appeals page using this link:

Board of Zoning Appeals Details

You'll see a quick description of the board and a list of its members at the top of the page. You can also find meeting minutes, agendas, and other important documents on this page.

Note: scroll near the bottom of the page. The meeting schedule, minutes, and agendas are below the listing of board members.

Member Details

  • 9 members
  • 2 alternate members are appointed to serve in case of the absence of a permanent member
  • The City Commission appoints members on the first Monday in January
  • Members cannot hold other public office or public employment while serving on board

Lynn Rabaut, Board Chairperson

City Commission Appointment
Ward 2 Resident
Term ends 1/6/2020

Juan Davis, Vice Chairperson

City Commission Appointment
Ward 1 Resident
Term ends 1/6/2020

Rafael Castanon

City Commission Appointment
Ward 1 Resident
Term ends 1/4/2021

Ryan Kilpatrick

City Commission Appointment
Ward 2 Resident
Term ends 1/6/2020

Kaleena Kowalkowski

City Commission Appointment
Ward 3 Resident
Term ends 1/6/2020

Alecia Lewis

City Commission Appointment
Ward 3 Resident
Term ends 1/7/2019

Cortney Schaffer

City Commission Appointment
Ward 2 Resident
Term ends 1/7/2019

Ron Smith

City Commission Appointment
Ward 3 Resident
Term ends 1/7/2019

Phillip Slot, Alternate

City Commission Appointment
Ward 3 Resident
Term ends 1/4/2021

Lawrence Zeiser, Alternate

City Commission Appointment
Ward 1 Resident
Term ends 1/4/2021

Residency Requirement
You must live within the city limits of Grand Rapids to be a member of this board.

No Term Limits
Each term lasts 3 years. There is no term limit, so you can serve an unlimited number of terms.

Compensation
Members receive $10.00 per meeting they attend. They also get $10.00 for each inspection committee they serve on.