The City of Fenton Board of Adjustment on May 20, 2025, voted 4-1 to approve a variance allowing a proposed 14-by-16-foot deck at 1304 Park Meadow Drive to encroach into the property’s required front and rear setbacks.

The variance permits a roughly 3-foot encroachment into the 30-foot front setback along Forest Grove Drive (resulting in a 27-foot setback) and about a 2-foot-6-inch encroachment into the 30-foot rear setback (resulting in a 27-foot-6-inch setback). The deck will be constructed over an existing concrete patio and the board’s staff report and site plan dated April 2025 were made part of the record.

In presenting the petition, contractor Rob Krupp of Fence and Deck Depot, representing property owners John Brooks and Ginger LaRue, said the curving street geometry and the location of existing concrete and the house entrance create the encroachment. “It’s the way that the street’s kinda winding along the side and to the back of their house… it’s really just a unique situation,” Krupp said, adding that “the steps” are the primary element affecting the rear setback.

Board members discussed whether the steps or a reduced deck footprint could avoid the encroachment. Chairperson Siebert said, “I really don’t have an issue here myself,” after visiting the site, and another member noted the encroachment is small and tied to the lot’s corner geometry. The staff report said no public comments from neighbors were received.

The board approved the variance with conditions read into the record. Conditions state that approval is for the variance described in the staff report and site plan dated April 2025, that the project must comply with all other applicable City of Fenton codes and ordinances, and that approval is subject to the petitioner’s written acceptance within 30 days after receipt of the city’s written notice of approval. The board asked the applicants to coordinate finalization with Community Development Director Amy Park.

Approval required a concurring vote of four members. The roll-call vote recorded four votes in favor and one opposed; Member Kloss voted no. The board’s action allows the applicant to obtain building permits consistent with the approved variance and stated conditions.