BZA grants Ringers variance to place lakeside storage shed closer to water

Marshall County—s Board of Zoning Appeals voted May 13 to grant Larry and Cynthia Ringer a variance to reduce the required 45-foot rear-yard setback adjacent to Lawrence Lake to 30 feet so the couple can replace an existing accessory structure with a 12-foot-by-24-foot storage building on skids.

Planning staff told the board the Federal Emergency Management Agency—s base flood elevation (BFE) was recently re-established for the lot and that the proposed skid-mounted structure "should not present much risk of flooding and could be moved if necessary." Staff and the Technical Review Committee recommended approval.

Applicant Larry Ringer told the board the proposed location sits between two large oak trees and said the structure would store kayaks and a four-passenger pedal boat. He said an alternative location closer to the water measured 28 feet and an alternate site exceeded 40 feet. In written opposition, neighbors Alex and Christina Weishai argued the building is large enough to be a garage, would be visually intrusive, and suggested sufficient area exists to place the structure without a variance.

Neighbor Jeff Sample spoke at the hearing and said he "just don't wanna be staring at the back of the building" from his deck; he described the lot as bordering wetlands and said existing trees already limit lake sightlines.

After discussion about grade, view impacts and flood-elevation work by a surveyor, Board member Trent moved to approve the variance; Don seconded. The motion carried by voice vote.

Case: 25BZA20. Request: variance from 45-foot rear setback to 30 feet for replacement 1224x2424 accessory structure on skids at 12655 Nataka Trail. Staff recommended approval.