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Delafield commission grants road‑setback relief but denies floor‑area and open‑space exceptions for Sylvester Drive rebuild
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Summary
The Plan Commission approved a narrower front setback request for a new home at 3007 Sylvester Drive but voted 3‑1 to deny relief for floor‑area ratio and minimum open space. Neighbors raised concerns about drainage, view loss and precedent; staff required engineering review and recordation of restrictions.
The City of Delafield Plan Commission on Nov. 19 approved a front (road) setback exception for a proposed new house at 3007 Sylvester Drive but denied the applicants’ requests to exceed the floor‑area ratio and to reduce required open space.
City Planner Amy Barrows summarized the application by Mark and Luann Van Cloonen, who are proposing a two‑story residence and attached garage on a 9,261‑square‑foot nonconforming lot. Staff said the proposed house footprint totals 3,998 square feet (0.43 floor‑area ratio) where the zoning cap is 0.40, and that the project would leave 6,696 square feet of open space versus the 7,000 square feet required. The applicants also requested a front (road) setback of 10.5 feet, where the code requires 25 feet.
During public comment, neighbors raised concerns about consistency in past approvals, the effect on views, and potential stormwater impacts to Nagawicka Lake. Paul Price and Gary Marciniak said similar proposals had been denied in prior years and questioned whether allowing this project would set an unfair precedent. Tom Wolfenberger urged additional stormwater controls.
Applicant Tony Fetterspeel of Anthony Thomas Builders told the commission the project would keep the house farther from the lake than some neighbors and that fill would be minimal — roughly 6 to 12 inches — and that patio/walkway surfacing would be pavers (not concrete) or pervious materials if required.
Commission discussion focused on whether the request met the special‑exception criteria in the city code for nonconforming lots and on technical concerns about drainage and neighbor impacts. Commissioner (speaker 8) moved to approve the front‑setback exception but to deny the floor‑area‑ratio and open‑space exceptions; the motion was seconded and passed by a recorded voice vote (3 in favor, 1 opposed).
Barrows said approval will be conditioned on engineering review of grading and a required recorded declaration of restrictions to prohibit future improvements closer to the lake than the approved setback. She also noted that decks must meet the shore setback and that the special‑exception route allows the plan commission discretion rather than automatic relief.
The commission’s action means the applicant may proceed only with the approved setback relief; any further modifications will require additional review or a subsequent application.
The plan commission is scheduled to continue work on related permitting and will verify required engineering and restriction recordation before a building permit is issued.
