Reno County BZA approves special exception for 2,622-sq.-ft. accessory buildings at East Surfboard Drive property

The Reno County Board of Zoning Appeals on Feb. 20 approved a special exception allowing Adam and Tiffany Clark to increase the total accessory-building area on their R-3, single-family lot at 4516 East Surfboard Drive to 2,622 square feet, including a proposed 26-by-55-foot garage.

The exception was required because Reno County zoning rules limit accessory buildings to 2,000 square feet on parcels smaller than 2 acres. The Clarks’ parcel is about 1.35 acres, staff said. The board voted by roll call; all members present voted to approve the request.

The applicant, Adam Clark, told the board the building is intended for family use: “The purpose of the building is my two sons are aging into the driving age, and we just need a place to park their new vehicles and also additional storage for our family,” Clark said during the public hearing. He confirmed the structure would not be used for commercial purposes.

County planner Mark Lianston reviewed the staff report and told the board the property lies on the west side of Chaney Lake near the county line and in a sparsely developed subdivision. He said Mr. Clark owns approximately 1.35 acres and that the staff recommendation was for approval of a building not to exceed 26 by 55 feet (1,430 square feet) so the total accessory square footage would be 2,622.

Lianston also disclosed a clerical error in the legal notice and the owner notice: the applicant’s address was transposed in the mailed notice (listed as 4615 instead of 4516 East Surfboard Drive). He told the board the parcel and legal description were correct and that the address transposition would not affect the proceedings.

During the hearing, commissioners asked about existing outbuildings and permit status. Lianston said staff is investigating whether some existing small structures have required permits but emphasized that the current hearing was limited to the request to exceed the 2,000-square-foot accessory limit. The board was advised that the new building must be used only for personal residential purposes and that any future change of use would require compliance with planning and zoning rules.

A motion to approve Case No. 2025-01 — granting the special exception to allow the total accessory building square footage to reach 2,622 and allowing the 26-by-55-foot garage as described in the application — was made, seconded and approved by roll call (Strand: yes; Schaefer: yes; Macklin: yes; Martin: yes; Gertson: yes). The chair announced the motion carried.

The approval was conditioned on the limits described in staff materials and on the project complying with all permitting and setback requirements and the county’s restriction that the building not be used for commercial or industrial purposes without further approvals. The applicant indicated he would coordinate any driveway work with the township and obtain any necessary permits.

With no further public comment, the BZA closed the public hearing and adjourned.

The board’s written decision is final and may be appealed to district court within 30 days of the decision.