Waupaca County Board denies variance to alter Clinton property roof

The Waupaca County Board of Adjustment unanimously denied a variance request Aug. 15 for a roof alteration at the James F. & Susan C. Clinton Revocable Trust property in the Town of Bear Creek.

James Clinton, representing the trust, testified the proposal would replace an existing flat roof with a pitched roof and said the change would not affect visibility at the nearby intersection. Clinton also said he would remove a fireworks sign that he acknowledged obstructed sight lines. “Wisconsin is no place for a flat roof,” he said, describing repeated maintenance burdens.

Planning and Zoning staff, represented by Candace Bauer, recommended denial, concluding the application did not meet the legal criteria for a variance. The board discussed the three statutory findings—unique physical limitations, unnecessary hardship and no harm to the public interest—and determined the property could be used as it currently exists and that a flat roof could be replaced without granting a variance.

J. Fulcher moved to deny the variance and A. Richardson seconded. The roll call vote was unanimous: P. Craig—yes; A. Richardson—yes; J. Fulcher—yes; P. Leder—yes; D. Johnson—yes. Chair P. Craig closed the hearing at 10:45 a.m.

The board completed its decision-making worksheet, recording findings that the building could be used in its present form (no unique physical limitation sufficient to warrant a variance), that an allowable retail use remained under current conditions (no unnecessary hardship), and that existing regulations advance public safety (no-harm finding). The board then moved to the next agenda item.