Grand Island board approves multiple residential setback variances, tables one lot‑split request

The Grand Island Board of Adjustment on Nov. 6 approved setback variances for multiple residential projects and delayed a separate application that would substantially change lot configuration.

The board approved a 9‑foot side‑yard variance for 2140 Love Road after applicant Carlene Abdue said she and family members built an addition to an existing detached garage without realizing a building permit was required. Abdue told the board the garage is standing and that the overall structure measures about 24 by 30 feet. The board granted the variance on the grounds of storage need and neighborhood compatibility but reminded Abdue that building permits and inspections remain required.

The board also granted a 7‑foot side‑yard variance for a new house planned at 2275 Staley (Stanley) Road. The applicant told the board the lot is narrow (a 25‑foot house on a 50‑foot lot) and that a previous house on the parcel had been removed; members said replacement with a similar house justified the limited variance.

At 3521 West River Parkway, owner Alex Dedovich sought relief to site a 32‑foot pole barn closer to a property line so its door would align with a long driveway. Neighbors raised drainage and septic concerns; Dedovich said he recently installed a drainage pipe and would connect barn runoff to it. After negotiation, the board approved an 11‑foot side‑yard variance, concluding the need for storage and the existing site conditions made the request reasonable.

The board postponed a separate application for 2195 (Bedell Road) to the January GBA meeting at the applicant's request.

The most contested case was 2694 Bedell Road, where property owner John Moore sought relief from a 140‑foot frontage requirement (requesting an 11‑foot frontage variance) and asked to split a parcel in a way that would reduce a 3‑acre minimum to roughly 0.77 acres for the front parcel. Moore told the board he had consulted zoning staff prior to purchase and was informed there would be no issues. Board members said they lack authority to create a major nonconforming lot and urged Moore to return with revised drawings that either preserve the 3‑acre minimum or meet required setbacks; the board tabled the application to allow the applicant to rework plans.

Dan and Karen Mahoney, applicants at 5243 East River Road, asked for a 10‑foot shoreline‑setback relief for a three‑season room that would protrude closer to the shoreline than the average distance between adjacent houses. The couple said both immediate neighbors had agreed to the plan; the board granted the 10‑foot variance, citing precedent and neighbor support.

At 3444 Sandy Beach Road, Brooke Chamberlain asked to rebuild a garage in roughly the same location as the previous structure and requested a 25‑foot front‑yard and 11‑foot west‑side setback. The board approved both variances after reviewing site photos and right‑of‑way dimensions, concluding the rebuild fit the neighborhood pattern.

Votes recorded during the hearing were taken by voice; explicit roll‑call tallies were not recorded in the transcript for the items above. Board members repeatedly emphasized that any approval did not replace required permits and inspections, and that major nonconformities (notably the 3‑acre zoning minimum) cannot be resolved solely by variance without additional compliance or alternate plans.

The board approved the minutes of the Oct. 2 meeting and adjourned at 8:23 p.m.

What happens next: applicants granted variances must complete required building permits and inspections. The owner at 2694 Bedell has been asked to return with revised drawings if he wishes to pursue a different split that would avoid creating an extremely nonconforming parcel.