The Sawyer County Board of Appeals on an evening hearing approved Variance 25006, permitting a reduced rear lot‑line setback from 40 feet to 10 feet for a proposed detached garage at 12141 N Wagner Circle. The board attached conditions including a maximum overall height of 16 feet from grade to peak, that the structure not exceed the requested dimensions, and that it not be converted to living space.

Zoning staff described the parcel (tax ID 18773, about 0.43 acres, zoned Residential Recreational 1) and told the board an on‑site inspection found overlapping 75‑foot water setbacks and the 40‑foot rear setback leave no other compliant location for the garage. "There's no other buildable area on the property that would meet all the required setbacks," the zoning staff reported. The staff also noted the proposed garage location would meet water‑setback requirements and recommended the 16‑foot height limit as a condition.

Applicant Anne Peterson, who identified herself as owner and representative of Timberline of Spooner, said she did not use the property as a short‑term rental and agreed to the 16‑foot maximum height condition. "That would not be a problem," Peterson said when asked whether she would accept the height limit.

Board members described the proposed garage as "unintrusive" and said the site's contours and vegetation would reduce visibility from neighboring properties. One board member said he did not see "adverse impact on the neighborhood at all." After discussion, a motion to approve the variance with the stated conditions was made and seconded. The motion passed and the board declared the application approved; the transcript contains conflicting tally language (an initial line stating "5 to 1" followed by multiple entries recording "5 to 0"); staff and later entries indicate the approval recorded as 5‑0.

At the same meeting the board approved its 2026 meeting calendar, moving the March meeting from the third to the fourth Tuesday to avoid a scheduling conflict; that calendar motion passed by voice vote and was recorded as 5‑0.

The board was also briefed on an active appeal to circuit court in which special counsel Steve Sorensen is representing the BOA; staff said BOA files and transcripts were turned over to the court. Staff noted an application was pulled from the current agenda and will return in December with a revised request involving a reduced water setback for an 8x24 lean‑to and related changes.

The board adjourned following the votes.