Sheboygan Board of Appeals approves driveway variance at 2324 Broadway to accommodate resident’s mobility needs

The Sheboygan Board of Appeals on Feb. 18 approved a variance allowing the driveway at 2324 Broadway to be expanded to improve accessibility for the property’s resident. The decision was made after the applicant described disability-related safety needs and after the board added a contingency directing the building inspector to prevent any nuisance drainage to neighbors.

The applicant, Jessica Crystal, told the board she has lived at 2324 Broadway for about eight years and said, "I became permanently totally disabled 2 years ago," which she said makes entering and exiting a narrow driveway unsafe. Crystal said the current driveway is roughly 6 feet wide and that expanding toward the west would create "0 entry" access to the back of her house and allow use of a van and ramp. She said she plans to purchase a Chrysler Pacifica van (about 7 feet wide) and estimated a ramp would add roughly 5 feet of operational width.

City staff noted the zoning paving setback is 3 feet from the side property line and told the board the proposed extension would leave the new paving about 6 inches from the side property line; staff also said the current plan does not show a curb. "Staff would not recommend approval based on the fact that there's a lack of a property hardship," a staff member told the board. The city attorney told members the request implicated the Americans with Disabilities Act and the city's obligation to consider a reasonable accommodation, and said the board "could lawfully grant the variance" if staff is comfortable that a curb or other measures would prevent nuisance runoff.

Board members debated whether reducing the requested width by 2.5 feet (to meet the setback) would still allow safe independent use of a ramp and van. Crystal said cutting back 2.5 feet could force her to get out onto grass or a curb and continue to require assistance, undermining the intended independence. A board member noted the applicant’s ramp would deploy from the passenger side while she would exit the driver’s side and then physically move around the vehicle to the ramp side; that detail informed members’ assessment of spatial needs.

The board initially voted to approve the variance by voice vote, then rescinded that vote to allow an amendment. The final motion approved the variance with the condition that the driveway be designed and constructed so as not to create a nuisance to neighboring properties and with the understanding that the building inspector could impose restrictions to prevent runoff problems. The presiding officer instructed Crystal to work with the city on required permitting and any curb or grading details.

The board’s action grants the property owner permission to expand paving beyond the standard setback subject to the condition noted above. The board set its next meeting for March 18, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. and adjourned.

Votes at a glance: - Approval of Jan. 21, 2026 meeting minutes: voice vote approved. - Variance for 2324 Broadway (driveway expansion) — final action: approved with contingency that construction not create a nuisance to neighbors and subject to any building inspector restrictions; vote taken by voice, no roll-call recorded.

What happens next: The applicant must obtain required permits and work with the building inspector and city staff to finalize any curb, grading or drainage details required to satisfy the contingency.