The Warren City Zoning Board of Appeals voted on Nov. 12 to deny variances sought by the Center for Dawah and Research to waive screening and to build at the east property line, after multiple board members said the requested expansion failed the practical‑difficulty standard.

Karen Berdy, representing the applicant, said the project — which includes a 2,400 sq ft addition and relocation of interior uses — had previously received planning commission approval for site plan conditions. "This driveway is actually being moved farther away from the building," Berdy said, and the proposal includes additional landscaping. She also said the congregation had arranged for security personnel to direct traffic during peak worship times.

Planning staff submitted an impact statement that described congested conditions on 12 Mile Road during primary worship services and recommended traffic‑control measures. The staff wrote that approach queues sometimes back up five or more vehicles and that worshipers directing traffic should be provided orange vests and, at times, the site should be supported by police presence.

Board members raised repeated concerns that the expansion appeared self‑imposed and would aggravate traffic on a heavily used arterial. "I don't see this meeting the practical‑difficulty thresholds — it's self‑imposed and it's an overbuild," said board member Luca Lindsey (as recorded). Member Green added that citizens directing traffic are not trained and create a public‑safety risk.

After extended discussion the board moved to deny the variances, citing that strict compliance would not cause an unreasonable burden and that the petition failed the criteria for a variance. The motion to deny passed on a roll call vote.

What happens next: The applicant may revise the design or choose to remove 20 feet from the east property line to build within the existing setback rules; planning staff and the applicant discussed alternatives during the meeting.