BOZA Approves 2040 Lofts Variance

Scion Group‘s $16 million expansion of 2040 Lofts went before the Board of Zoning Appeals (BOZA) to obtain a dimensional variance allowing for less parking spots than required by current zoning.

Having received conditional approval and support of the local Alderman previously this project has begun construction on the foundation work and is scheduled to be completed in 2009. Despite one neighboring property owner’s concerns regarding parking the board recognized that this is a student housing development and that the demand for parking would be lower than a typical development of this size. In a further attempt to alleviate parking concerns and allow students from Marquette University, MSOE, MIAD and UWM to live within the development, the Scion Group has plans for shuttle buses to run from 2040 Lofts to various destinations throughout the city. Finally it was pointed out during the meeting that if this project was zoned as an apartment building, instead of a rooming house, it would already meet the zoning requirements. The board followed the local Alderman’s recommendation and approved this variance.