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Plan Commission approves special-exception to let homeowner build larger detached garage at 637 First Street
Summary
The commission voted to allow Eric Tanis to remove an undersized garage and build a larger two‑car detached garage and a larger stoop despite setback and open-space nonconformities, subject to grading review and a recorded special-exception restriction.
The Delafield City Plan Commission voted May 28 to approve a special-exception request that will allow a property owner at 637 First Street to replace a dilapidated, undersized detached garage with a larger two‑car garage and to construct stoops that extend into required setbacks.
Owner and applicant Eric Tannitz told commissioners he wanted the replacement garage pushed farther from the road for safety and to provide two-car parking; the existing garage was 180 square feet and “severely nonconforming” to the street setback, city planner Amy Barrows said. The applicant is proposing a 576-square-foot detached garage and showed plans that increase the building footprint on a legal nonconforming lot (the parcel is about 4,900 square feet). Barrows said the property required a special exception because it is nonconforming to lot width and would otherwise be unable to meet the code’s open-space and setback requirements.
Neighbors who spoke at the public hearing generally supported the renovation, saying the existing structure was an eyesore and the new location reduces the safety hazard of backing directly onto Main Street. Commissioners discussed alternatives, including attaching a garage to the house, but staff and the applicant said a wellhead and interior light concerns limited attachment options. Engineers and commissioners also emphasized driveway and intersection safety, saying a two‑car garage and longer driveway would reduce the need to back directly into Main Street.
The commission approved the special exception with conditions: prior to building-permit issuance the applicant must submit a grading plan showing existing and proposed grades extending at least 20 feet onto adjacent properties and into the road for engineering review; any required permits for work in the right-of-way must be obtained; and a special-exception restriction prepared by city staff must be recorded with the Waukesha County Register of Deeds. The commission noted that the special-exception process allows staff to add recorded restrictions and grading controls to prevent drainage impacts.
No formal roll-call tally was recorded in the minutes; the approval was taken by voice vote.
The applicant was advised to coordinate grading, building and recorded restriction details with city staff before applying for a building permit.
