Monona zoning board upholds denial of permits for lakefront property at 4539 Winnequah Road

The Monona Zoning Board of Appeals upheld the city building inspector’s denial of two permit applications for 4539 Winnequah Road, according to a January hearing. The denial prevents owners George Kinsler and Ramona Rohrer from demolishing and rebuilding the lakefront residence on the existing foundation while the city’s raise order remains in effect.

The board’s decision affirms the inspector’s finding that the property is subject to a lawful raise order and that the permit submissions did not demonstrate compliance with Monona’s zoning rules. The case is Case Z-1/2025 on the board docket.

The issue before the board combined two threads: whether the proposed work would further encroach on local setback and grading rules governing legal nonconforming buildings, and whether the applications could proceed while a municipal raise order—an order requiring demolition and site restoration—remains in force. Attorney Matt Fleming, representing the applicants, told the board the plan was “to overlay on the existing footprint” and asked the board to permit…