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Leavenworth County BZA OKs variance for 91-foot frontage parcel after public hearing
Summary
The Board of Zoning Appeals approved a variance (DEV-25-119) to allow a 2.5-acre parcel with roughly 91 feet of road frontage to be treated as buildable under the five statutory variance criteria; the vote was 5–1 after several neighbors and the buyer spoke for and against the request.
The Leavenworth County Board of Zoning Appeals approved a variance for case DEV-25-119 to allow a parcel with approximately 91 feet of road frontage to qualify as a buildable lot under its RR-2.5 zoning designation. Planning staff told the board the zoning district’s current minimum frontage is 200 feet but that the parcel was created by a deed split in April 1996 when the county’s requirement was 1 acre and 100 feet of frontage. The applicants said they had inherited the land and requested the variance so the parcel could be sold as a buildable tract.
During the public hearing, the prospective buyer, Garrett Draper, said he wants to live near family and that his purchase contract requires the lot be buildable. Neighbors including Mike Kunovoski and Sandra Koonovoski opposed the variance, recounting that the original division had given 300 feet of frontage to a prior owner and that a subsequent one-acre carve-out linked to a bank mortgage reduced frontage. Opponents said allowing the variance could encourage subdivision or development inconsistent with the area’s character.
Commissioners and staff discussed the five statutory variance criteria and whether the 91-foot parcel meets them. Staff reiterated its role: it provides an analysis but does not recommend approval or denial; the board’s decision must find that the request meets all five factors. Commissioners asked about septic field locations and whether combining parcels would address frontage; staff and the applicant said combining would have met frontage requirements but that ownership is separate.
A commissioner moved to approve the variance, stating the statutory criteria were met; the motion was seconded. The roll-call vote recorded five yes votes and one no, and the board’s decision was read aloud with instructions that any aggrieved party may appeal to the Leavenworth County District Court within 30 days.
The action applies only to this specific parcel as structured; staff noted future owners of nonbuildable lots could apply for variances as well. No change to county-wide frontage requirements was enacted; the variance is a site-specific relief under the five statutory factors.
