Grant County board approves variance to allow lakeshore garage closer than setback

Grant County — The Grant County Board of Adjustment on Dec. 23 approved a variance permitting Troy and Brenda Wietke to construct a 24-by-40-foot detached garage 11 feet from their south property line at 28613 Sunset Ridge Road North, less than the 20-foot shoreline setback required by the county’s shoreline zoning ordinance.

The board concluded, after a staff presentation and findings-of-fact review, that the property’s topography, proximity of an existing sewer system east of the cabin and other site constraints create practical difficulties that make strict compliance with setback rules infeasible. Board members answered ‘‘yes’’ to the statutory findings-of-fact questions on consistency with the shoreline ordinance and the county comprehensive plan, reasonable use, neighborhood character, unique circumstances, and whether feasible alternatives had been explored.

A written neighbor comment in support was read into the record. The letter, signed "Joel and Michelle Landers," said the proposed garage would not impede their view of the lake and that they had no concerns about granting the variance. (The transcript shows the reader identified themself differently while reading the letter; the form letter in the record is signed as stated.)

Board discussion documented several constraints that informed the decision: a roughly 16-foot elevation rise across the lot, a natural ravine near the driveway that limits feasible garage placement without extensive excavation, and an on-site septic/drain-field system located east of the cabin. Staff and members noted that relocating the garage or extensive digging would increase costs and potentially increase disturbance near the shoreline.

During the hearing, staff reminded the board that each variance decision is property-specific and does not set a binding precedent for other lots. Several members stressed the importance of treating the application on its own facts given differences in lot shape, existing buildings and topography across shoreline parcels.

The board approved the findings and the variance by voice vote; individual roll-call tallies were not recorded in the hearing transcript. The meeting record indicates the chair declared the motion carried.

Next steps: staff will record the decision, draft the written findings of fact and prepare the site-permit process. Standard permit conditions—already noted by staff—include measures to prevent sediment entering the lake (silt fencing and instructions not to place dirt on the lakeside); additional building-permit requirements will be addressed during the site-permit review.

The board also completed other routine business earlier in the meeting, including accepting previously drafted findings for an earlier variance. The meeting adjourned after the variance action and administrative wrap-up.