By Carol Anders Staff Writer
PLYMOUTH — Five members of the Plymouth Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) voted unanimously to allow a variance concerning a property located at 2513 N. Michigan St., Plymouth.
Developers are planning to erect a three-story hotel on the site where the now vacant Gas Grill stands. The variance passed would allow a side yard setback of 15 feet from the development standard of 20 feet.
Representing the developers was Michael Maust of Maust Architectural Services in Goshen.
Maust told the board members that obtaining the variance was the first step in the process.
Questions from board members prior to the vote centered on whether allowing the variance would leave enough room for fire equipment to get to a hotel.

Plymouth Building Com-missioner Keith Hammonds assured the board that there would be adequate room for fire trucks in the case of an emergency.
They will still have to obtain a ruling from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as to the height of the proposed building since it is across the street from the airport.
Maust said, “I don’t think we have that totally resolved yet.”
After the meeting, Maust said the height of the building would be between 45 feet and 50 feet.
He also said the hotel would be totally “sprinkled” as a safety measure in the case of a fire.
Maust said the developers would begin construction immediately — once they receive a favorable ruling from the FAA.
The building on the proposed site would be completely demolished, according to Maust.
The hotel would be a Comfort Suites property and have 72 sleeping rooms.
In other matters, during the reorganization of the board, a new chairman was elected. Don Eckert will hold the position. Vice-chair and Secretary elected were Jim Sherwood and Juliet Morgan, respectively.
Sherwood and board member Alan Selge were reappointed by Mayor Mark Senter.