Commission approves Lakes Premier Storage variance and conditional use permit for 22,120‑sq‑ft storage building

The Planning Commission approved a variance and conditional use permit Nov. 19 for Lakes Premier Storage Deerwood LLC to build a 22,120‑square‑foot commercial storage building with 26 units on a parcel in Deerwood Township near Rice Lake.

Staff presented a revised site plan consolidating previously proposed buildings into a single structure and noted the applicant proposed to meet a 70‑foot setback to the neighboring residential parcel (where 100 feet is required). The commission had earlier tabled the item when the applicant could not be reached; the item was taken off the table and heard after staff confirmed an updated survey and recommended conditions. Staff also recommended adding a condition that the new CUP supersedes any previously approved CUP variance for the site.

Deerwood Township submitted a letter of no recommendation and one neighbor raised concerns about the property boundary; staff said there was no conflicting survey submitted and that boundary disputes are a civil matter. Commissioners moved to approve the variance (70‑ft setback where 100 ft required) based on the presented survey and adopted the CUP with a new condition that it supersedes prior CUPs for the site. The motions passed by voice vote.

Staff cautioned that, if a later‑submitted survey demonstrated the boundary differed materially from the survey relied on at the hearing, the applicant would need to return to the board to reconcile approvals. As a result of the approvals, the applicant must still obtain required permits and comply with the CUP conditions before building.