Mesquite Board of Adjustment denies variance for oversized shed at 814 Meandering Way

The Mesquite Board of Adjustment voted to deny a variance request for an accessory structure at 814 Meandering Way on April 24, 2025, after hearing staff analysis and public comment.

John Cervantes of the city’s Planning and Zoning Division told the board the application sought relief to allow a 184-square-foot storage shed, roughly 11 feet 6 inches by 16 feet and 12 feet tall, to encroach 4 feet 4 inches into the five-foot interior side yard setback required for structures between 120 and 500 square feet. "Staff recommends denial of the variance request to encroach 4 feet and 4 inches into the 5 foot interior side yard setback, as staff does not believe it meets the spirit of the Mesquite Zoning Ordinance," Cervantes said.

Cervantes explained the ordinance’s setback categories: accessory structures under 120 square feet may be located three feet from the interior side yard; structures between 120 and 500 square feet must meet a five-foot setback. He told the board staff found no special condition or hardship on the property that would distinguish it from other lots in the neighborhood and said approval would grant a disproportionate benefit to the applicant.

Applicant Wayne Knatzer, who listed his address as 814 Meandering Way, told the board the previous shed sat about 1 foot from the property line and was often full of trash, and that he replaced the dilapidated structure and made the new one larger to provide needed storage: "It was about 1 foot and it was full of trash all the time," Knatzer said. A neighbor who identified himself as Troy Knetzer said he helped build the shed and that neighbors advised placing the structure close to the fence to avoid trash buildup and fence damage.

After public comment, Board member Augustine moved to deny the variance "because we find based upon the record or criteria to grant the variance has not been met." Board member Williams seconded. The clerk called the roll; Earhart, Augustine, Williams and Barabano each voted yes. A brief procedural misstatement by the clerk initially produced an incorrect announcement of the result, but a board member clarified the tally and the chair confirmed the motion passed, denying the variance.

The board’s decision is not official until the action is filed in the board’s office. The Chair reminded attendees that rules for reconsideration follow the Mesquite Zoning Ordinance and that appeals from a board decision would proceed to a court of appropriate jurisdiction under Texas Local Government Code §211.011. The board moved on to other business and adjourned the meeting.

The denial means the applicant may either rebuild within the five-foot setback requirement, apply for a different plan that complies with ordinance thresholds, or pursue administrative or judicial review of the board’s decision.